If you’re looking for a delicious fruity drink to quench your summer thirst? If you want to avoid excess sugar, calories and a long drive-through line? If you want to use ingredients in your own kitchen? I want to show you my version of a copycat recipe for Starbucks Refreshers.
I hope this isn’t too misleading. Because the fact is. I’ve never actually had a Starbucks refresher. A cup of the hottest coffee, yes. But I never order sweet drinks while I’m out. Unnown quantities of sugar make me nervous.
But they are beautiful and look delicious. So I tried my hand at making some really low-sugar, low cal and dare I say it? Almost healthy summer quenching drinks.
Strawberry Lemonade Refresher
The first drink I tried used strawberries, lemon slices, water and ice and a base of Pink Grapefruit Zipfizz.
Zipfizz markets itself:
“an all-natural, no sugar, low cal, low carb drink mix that’s packed with vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and our signature boost of vitamin B-12 for good measure.”
On its own it might be a bit underwhelming. But made into a refresher? Oh, my, yes please!
Here’s what I did:
- Muddle three or four sliced ripe strawberries in a shaker
- Fill the shaker with 16 ounces of water and ice
- Shake well and add the Zipfizz
- Shake lightly until the Zipfizz dissolves
- Pour into a glass
- Squeeze lemon slices into the glass and tuck down into the drink with the strawberries
Here is where you try not to drink it so fast you get a brain freeze.
Tangerine Grapefruit Refresher
The other additive I have on hand is Tangerine Liquid IV. Liquid IV does come in sugar-free options; however, this one is NOT sugar free. We purchased it as a recovery beverage for hiking and hot outdoor activities since it is high in electrolytes.
For this option, I used fresh grapefruit with the strawberries. I garnished with a sprig of strawberry mint from my garden.
One big complaint about Liquid IV from a lot of people is that it’s very salty. Since I’ve never met a grain of salt I didn’t love, that’s not a problem for me, but this refresher is slightly sweet and salty too.
All in all, the Zipfizz and lemon strawberry was a clear winner.
If you’re a fan of salty LMNT drink mix, I’ve heard it is excellent as a fruity refresher. And it you check out their website, you’ll see that they claim the latest science shows the need for MORE salt. Yahoo!
I just ordered a variety pack of LMNT and will report back.
Wrap Up
These drinks are so pretty with their shaken ice and muddled fruit. I re-use my Starbucks water glasses for my overnight water so I poured my copycat refreshers in those glasses and felt very authentic. For someone who copies, that is.
Do you have any knock-off recipes you like almost as much, or even more, than the original? Care to share?
The strawberry lemonade popsicles I made here, are still a favorite and will be making a come back soon this summer.
If warm weather has already come to visit you and you need a cool down, consider one of these drinks!
Have a wonderful weekend.