What do they put in Refreshers for caffeine?

January 11, 2026 •

3 min read

According to Starbucks, the caffeine in their Refreshers comes from green coffee extract, a natural and flavorless source. This surprising fact means the fruity drinks you enjoy don't get their energy kick from traditionally roasted coffee beans. The extract is made from raw, unroasted coffee beans, which preserves compounds that would otherwise be lost during the roasting process.

Quick Summary

The caffeine source in popular Refreshers is green coffee extract, derived from unroasted coffee beans. This provides an energy boost without the traditional coffee flavor. The amount of caffeine varies by beverage size and maker, but it is generally much lower than in brewed coffee.

Key Points

Green Coffee Extract: The main source of caffeine in Refreshers is green coffee extract, made from raw, unroasted coffee beans.
Flavorless Caffeine: Unlike roasted coffee, green coffee extract is nearly flavorless, allowing the fruity taste of the Refresher to dominate.
Lower Caffeine Content: The caffeine levels in Refreshers are significantly lower than in traditional brewed coffee, offering a milder energy boost.
Chlorogenic Acids: Green coffee beans are rich in chlorogenic acids, a compound that is largely destroyed during the roasting process.
Caffeine-Free Options: For a zero-caffeine version, customers can opt for a Passion Tango Tea or other naturally decaffeinated beverages and add fruit inclusions.
Brand Variations: While Starbucks uses green coffee extract, other brands like Dunkin' use a green tea extract base for their Refreshers.

Green Coffee Extract: The Caffeinated Core of Refreshers

Most people associate caffeine with the rich, bold flavor of roasted coffee. However, the energy boost in beverages like Starbucks Refreshers comes from a completely different ingredient: green coffee extract. This extract is made from raw, unroasted coffee beans, and it provides a clean, flavorless source of caffeine that won't interfere with the fruity profile of the drinks. By skipping the roasting process, the beans retain their original chemical composition, including a high concentration of chlorogenic acids.

The unroasted nature of green coffee beans is the key to this process. When coffee beans are roasted, the heat transforms their chemical makeup, creating the characteristic aroma and flavor we love, but also degrading many of the original compounds, including chlorogenic acids. The extract retains a potent, natural source of caffeine that is ideal for flavor-sensitive applications like fruit-flavored beverages. The caffeine is isolated and added to the Refresher base, which also includes fruit juice concentrate, sugar, water, and natural flavors. For example, a Starbucks Strawberry Açaí Refresher base uses white grape juice concentrate and natural green coffee flavor to achieve its final profile.

Refreshers vs. Coffee: A Caffeine Content Comparison

For many, the appeal of a Refresher is a lighter, fruitier alternative to traditional coffee. But just how much caffeine is in a Refresher compared to your average cup of Joe? The difference can be significant. A Grande (16 oz) Starbucks Refresher contains approximately 45-55 milligrams of caffeine. In stark contrast, a Grande (16 oz) brewed coffee can contain anywhere from 315 to 390 milligrams of caffeine, or about seven times as much. This makes Refreshers a suitable option for those who want a mild lift without the intense buzz of a strong coffee. Other chains, like Dunkin', use a green tea extract base for their Refreshers, with a 16-ounce size containing 66 milligrams of caffeine.

Green Coffee vs. Green Tea Extract

While both green coffee extract and green tea extract are used as caffeine sources in different beverages, they have distinct properties. Green coffee extract is derived from unroasted coffee beans, while green tea extract comes from green tea leaves. The primary active antioxidant in green coffee is chlorogenic acid, while green tea is known for its catechins, including EGCG. Both provide caffeine, but their concentrations and associated compounds differ, leading to subtle variations in effect and flavor profile.

How Brands Utilize Flavorless Caffeine

The use of green coffee extract or green tea extract highlights a key trend in the beverage industry: providing functional benefits without compromising flavor. For brands like Starbucks and Dunkin', the objective is to create a refreshing, fruit-forward drink that also offers a gentle energy boost. The flavorless nature of the extracted caffeine means that the fruity taste of strawberry, mango, or hibiscus is the star of the show. The process of extracting and concentrating the caffeine allows for precise control over the final product's potency and taste. This level of control is what makes it possible for the caffeine content to vary predictably with the size of the beverage.

Can you order a caffeine-free Refresher?

Because the caffeine is inherent in the juice base, you cannot simply request a Refresher with no caffeine. However, there are workarounds. At Starbucks, opting for a Passion Tango Tea, which is naturally caffeine-free, is a great alternative. You can add lemonade or customize it with fruit inclusions to create a similar, fruity beverage without any stimulants. This flexibility allows those who are sensitive to caffeine or avoiding it for other reasons to still enjoy a similar style of drink.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the caffeine in popular Refreshers comes from green coffee extract, a potent yet flavorless compound derived from unroasted coffee beans. This choice allows for a caffeinated drink that tastes purely of fruit, rather than having the bitterness associated with roasted coffee. The caffeine levels are significantly lower than in standard brewed coffee, offering a lighter energy boost. For those seeking a similar flavor profile with zero caffeine, opting for alternative tea bases is a viable option. This understanding reveals the thoughtful engineering behind these popular, vibrant beverages. https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2121342/iced/nutrition

Frequently Asked Questions

Green coffee extract is a natural source of caffeine derived from raw, unroasted coffee beans. Unlike traditional coffee, the beans are not roasted, which preserves a higher concentration of chlorogenic acids.

Refreshers do not taste like coffee because the caffeine is added in the form of a nearly flavorless green coffee extract. The roasting process, which creates the classic coffee taste, is skipped entirely.

For Starbucks, the amount of caffeine per size is consistent across the different Refresher flavors. For example, a Grande will have the same caffeine level whether it's Strawberry Açaí or Mango Dragonfruit.

A Grande (16 oz) Starbucks Refresher contains approximately 45-55 milligrams of caffeine. This is considerably less than a standard brewed coffee of the same size.

No, because the caffeine is an integral part of the concentrated juice base, you cannot simply remove it. However, you can order a naturally caffeine-free option like Passion Tango Tea and add fruit to achieve a similar refreshing taste.

No, Dunkin' Refreshers use a green tea extract base for their caffeine, which is different from the green coffee extract used by Starbucks.

For most healthy people, consuming moderate amounts of green coffee extract is considered safe. However, excessive amounts of caffeine can lead to side effects like anxiety or sleep disturbances. If you have health concerns, consult a healthcare provider.