The only new drink on the Starbucks holiday menu is a cold one: a cranberry-flavored Refresher. Not what I was expecting!
I Tried the Starbucks Cran-Merry Orange Refresher—Here’s My Honest Review
Published on Nov. 06, 2024
Just like that, it’s out with the PSL, in with the peppermint mocha. When Starbucks announced its holiday menu for 2024, I have to admit, I was bummed there were no new hot drinks. But I was pleasantly surprised by the new Refresher the chain is adding to its menus starting on November 7.
The Cran-Merry Orange Refresher is not something I’d typically order when my hands are shoved into thick wool gloves and I feel like my toes are freezing off. But it was so sweet and so (aptly) refreshing, that I would consider swapping my usual holiday blend black coffee for this bright red Refresher.
What’s in the Cran-Merry Orange Refresher?
This is the first holiday Refresher from the chain. Like other Starbucks Refreshers, the chilled beverage uses green coffee extract to add caffeine. It’s sweetened with Christmassy flavors of cranberry and orange, plus it’s topped with real cranberries. You can request two modifications for different flavor profiles, too. Make it a Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade or add coconut milk for a Cran-Merry Drink.
The lemonade version was sweet and tart, but it was too summery for me. I’d much rather order this version during warmer months. The Cran-Merry Drink, which uses coconut milk to turn it cotton candy pink, reminded me of a festive option right out of Who-ville. Though pretty, it’s not something I’d order over more classic holiday drinks. Overall, I’d stick with the basic Cran-Merry Orange because I felt like that one offered the most seasonal flavor.
Starbucks also added a cold cup to its lineup of holiday cups for this year. You’ll be able to sip your cranberry orange drink with an ornament-printed cup throughout the holidays.
What else is new on the Starbucks holiday drink menu?
Anyone obsessed with cold foam toppings on cold brews or iced coffees will love the seasonal additions to the menu this year. Gingerbread and salted pecan are the new cold foams joining the returning peppermint chocolate. I’ve been leaning more nutty than sweet in my coffee preferences lately, so I’m a fan of the salted pecan cold foam. It’s reminiscent of the new(ish) Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte.
