5 Starbucks summer drinks you need to try

(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

With the release of two new Starbucks summer drinks, here’s a look at five others that you definitely need to try this year.

The summer is here and that means the search for more ways to cool down and refresh. Starbucks summer drinks are the perfect option. This week, two new Cold Foam Tea Lemonades were released: Summer Sunrise and Summer Sunset.

The two new drinks are caffeine-free and refreshing for everyone morning, noon, and night. The Sunrise is a classic syrup cold foam that will give the light yellow color, while the Sunset mixes Passion Tango herbal tea with the lemonade to give the pink/orange color. The downside is the cold foam is mixed in the drink and that means milk is added. If you want something dairy-free, these aren’t going to be your go-tos.

More from Foodie News

• Interview: Carla Hall discusses Quaker Oats, NFL, and GENYouth collab
• Challah Back Girls is the best bread for the holidays
• Hot Pockets wants to settle your thermostat wars this year
• The Dairy Queen Blizzard of the Month for December is?
• These states are stepping up to combat the drinking water crisis

This announcement of the new drinks comes just after the release of another summer refresher. The Mango Dragonfruit Refresher has quickly become a popular option.

Watch your favorite shows on fuboTV: Watch over 67 live sports and entertainment channels with a 7-day FREE trial!

However, they’re not the only delicious summer drinks at Starbucks. You can get something with caffeine, something dairy-free, something lighter, something fruitier, and something full of whipped cream goodness on top. Here are the five Starbucks summer drinks you’ll want to try this season.

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

#5. Opt for the Violet Drink

When you want something that looks and tastes like summer, the Violet Drink is definitely one that you want to ask for. It’s one of the Refreshers drinks, and is made with Very Berry Hibiscus Refreshers to create a creamy and tasty option.

Rather than normal milk, coconut milk is used. This is then mixed over ice so it’s served cold and you can enjoy it throughout the day. You’ll definitely want to share a picture of this with your friends, who will be completely jealous that you’ve found such a bright and vibrant drink. The coconut milk helps to skip over the dairy, although Starbucks does say that it can’t guarantee any cross contamination.

Freeze-dried black currents are added into the drink, giving you more of a berry flavor to your Starbucks summer drink.

There is caffeine in this drink. There’s green coffee extract used to help give it a bit of a zing.

For those watching their weight and needing to know the nutritional information, there are 110 calories in the drink, with 25 of them coming from the fat. There’s 3g of fat in total, with 2.5g of them saturated but 0g of trans fat. You’ll also get 45mg of caffeine and 1g of dietary fiber.

(Photo by Melanie Conner/Getty Images)

#4. Teavana Sparkling Berry Sangria Herbal Tea

When you want something that is caffeine and fat-free, you’ll certainly want to turn to the Teavana Sparkling Berry Sangria Herbal Tea. Don’t worry! There’s no alcohol in this. The “sangria” is simply the name given because it will look and taste like you’re having a cheeky sangria during the day. It’s all about the fruit and the refreshment on a hot summer’s day.

The drink combines apple juice and a berry medley with some Teavana Ice Passion Tango Tea. You’ll then get berries and oranges over the top, adding to the summery feeling. Cinnamon, licorice root, and lemongrass are among the natural flavors used and there is sangria syrup added, which is where many of the sugars and calories will come from.

Make sure you share your photos of this drink on social media when you get it. It’s one of those that the colors will always stand out and leave everyone feeling brighter and happier. This is one you’ll want to grab on your way home from work and replace Happy Hour for the taste of sangria without the booze.

The Starbucks summer drink has a total of 150 calories but no fats or caffeine. It’s the carbs that you’ll want to watch, with 37g of total carbs and 33g of sugar. There’s also 15mg of sodium.

(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

#3. Triple Mocha Frappuccino

How about a caffeine filled frappuccino for the weekend? The Triple Mocha Frappucino remains one of the most popular Starbucks drinks throughout the year—while it was once for the summer menu, it’s been added to the permanent Starbucks menu because it’s that popular. There’s plenty of chocolate flavoring to take care of those sweet cravings and you get the creamy deliciousness of a cool, refreshing drink.

Let’s also not forget about the Sweet Cold Brew Whipped Cream on top. Of course, you can ask for it without the cream if you’re watching the waistline, but every now and then the cream isn’t going to do you any harm! Well, apart from that it is made with milk, so if you’re looking for dairy-free then you’ll need to give this one a skip.

There is a large amount of caffeine (90mg) in this compared to the other Starbucks summer drinks. This is something to remember when you visit your local Starbucks throughout the day. The last thing you want is the coffee jitters!

This isn’t a diet-friendly summer drink. There are 400 calories in one serving, with 160 of those calories coming from the fat. In fact, the total fat content is 18g, with 12g coming from saturated fat and 0.5g coming from trans fat. You’ll also get 190mg of sodium, 55mg of cholesterol and 55g of carbohydrates (of which 51g is from sugar).

(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

#2. Serious Strawberry Frappuccino

If you like your frappes with less chocolate and more fruity goodness, then it’s the Serious Strawberry Frappuccino that you want to add instead. This was originally the Strawberries and Crème Frappuccino, which was removed from the menu and replaced with this upgrade. You still get the strawberry fruit puree and the vanilla whipped cream rolled into one.

You can ask for this with the whipped cream off the top, but the cream is added into the layers of the drink. This is something to bear in mind if you need to avoid the milk. It’s also just as high as the previous frappuccino in sugars, which is worth thinking about depending on your health needs.

However, it’s one of the most popular summer drinks. You get the bursting fruity goodness, making you feel like you’re on the beach in the middle of the tropics.

You’re looking at a total of 350 calories in the drink, with 130 of them coming from fat. The amount of fat is actually lower than the Triple Mocha Frappuccino, with just 14g total and 9g of saturated fat. There’s no trans fat in this one.

However, cholesterol and sodium amounts are still high, with 45mg and 200mg respectively. Total carbs are 51g with 50g of them coming from the sugars. The great news is there’s no caffeine, so this is one that you can replace your mocha frappe with later on in the day when you want to avoid the caffeine, but still get a cool and sweet drink.

(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

#1. The Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew

There’s nothing better than a cold brew coffee when you want something a little more traditional on a hot day. I say a little more traditional, as this one is still mixed with whipped cream and flavors, but you’ll get the traditionally made cold brews in this Starbucks summer drink.

You’re getting the Narino 70 Cold Brew served over ice with the vanilla sweet cream swirled into it. This gives you a mixture of caffeine and sweetness, curbing all your cravings and giving you a delicious start to the day. You’ll be able to keep up with all your summer activities, enjoying it on your way to work or afterwards when you just need something good after a long day.

Despite all the cream, there is some good news. The Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew is better for you than the two frappuccinos above! The sugar count and calorie count are both lower than either of them, offering you a better option for your waistline. However, there is a higher caffeine count. After all, this is a cold brew, so you’re looking at traditional caffeine counts to give you the java you need to start your day.

You’ll get 110 calories from the drink, with 50 calories coming from fat. The total fat count is just 6g with just over half, at 3.5g, coming from saturated fat. There are no trans fats. The total carbs are 14g, with all coming from the sugars, and you get 20mg of cholesterol and 25mg of sodium. The total caffeine count is 185mg.

Next: 11 healthiest items on the McDonald’s menu

Now it’s time to choose your Starbucks summer drinks. Will you opt for the five above or try one of the new caffeine-free additions? What’s your summer staple? Let us know in the comments below!