On February 4, Starbucks introduced some new drinks for us to fall in love with. That is because they launched a lineup of refreshers featuring blackberry and sage.
The Blackberry Sage Refreshers come in three options. We have the classic Blackberry Sage Refresher, a Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher, as well as one they’re calling the Midnight Drink. Perhaps unsurprisingly if you are already a fan of the refreshers, the Midnight Drink is the sweet blackberry with sage, but instead of water or lemonade they add coconut milk.
According to the press email we received on behalf of Starbucks, this is the first time that Starbucks has decided to pair a savory herb with their fruity flavors in the refreshers. But this is a rather popular trend already in the world of both mocktails and cocktails.
We decided that we needed to give these a try, and on the first day that they were offered we went straight to Starbucks and ordered the Blackberry Sage Refresher (this is the option that’s made with water). And then on February 5, Starbucks allowed us to sample the other two refreshers in the lineup, as well as the limited time Valentine's Day sips.
Our thoughts on the new Blackberry Sage Refreshers from Starbucks
So first we’re going to talk about the drink that we purchased on our own. We figured that if we were going to try this, we should definitely sample what would be considered the original refresher. This is obviously the Blackberry Sage Refresher with water shaken into the mix. And I have to say that it was a very good drink, but I’m glad I only ordered a tall. What I found was that after a few sips, the sage reminded me of a bit of a more medicinal flavor with the blackberry. It wasn’t a bad flavor, but it wasn’t my favorite. That being said, it might end up being a flavor you love.
However, I do have to say that once we switched things up and did the Midnight Drink, there was no denying that this was a perfect refresher. The coconut milk seemed to cut through some of that sage flavoring. It still had that herbal note, but it didn’t come across as medicinal. I think the Midnight Drink is the superior version of this refresher.
Of course, I also tried the Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher, and that one was good as well. I think that the lemonade really did add something to the mix. It gives it a bit of zest that cuts through that more medicinal flavor.
Personally, I think the Midnight Drink is perfection. It’s definitely the one that I would recommend to people looking to give these refreshers a try. There’s something about the blend of the sweet blackberries with that hint of sage, mixed in with coconut milk that really satisfied the taste buds. However, the lemonade version is also worth sipping on if you want a refreshing drink to get you through the day.
And if you were wondering, the Valentine's Day offerings are also just as tasty as we would have hoped for. Whether you are snagging the Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Crème Frappuccino or the Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Cold Brew, you really can't go wrong. Personally, the Frappuccino was the real win for me, as there was something quite magical of that blend of cream, strawberry and chocolate. It really was like sipping on a chocolate covered strawberry or maybe a strawberry milk with a hint of chocolate. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of these sips.
Honestly, I am really glad that Starbucks is thinking outside of the box when it comes to their refreshers. And this is a nice addition to the menu. There is something to be said about adding a more herbal note to some of these sweet drinks, and we can't wait to see what other refreshers Starbucks is considering in the future.