The Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refreshers beverage tastes as exotic as it sounds, with a deep magenta color bursting with sweet, tropical flavors. Its vibrant hue comes from pieces of real red-fleshed dragon fruit (also known as pitaya) hand-shaken in the beverage with no artificial colors or sweeteners.
“People love both the flavor and the color,” says Alicia Binion from Starbucks research and development (R&D), who created the new beverage. “It’s bright and vivid, something you would want to take a picture of to share with friends.”
This colorful, thirst-quenching drink joins the permanent Starbucks menu alongside other Instagram-worthy beverages including Strawberry Acai Starbucks Refreshers beverage, Very Berry Hibiscus Starbucks Refreshers beverage, Pink Drink, and Violet Drink. The beverage is available at participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada starting today (June 19). A grande (16-ounce) beverage is under 100 calories.
“Even the name dragon fruit sounds magical,” Binion said. “It’s one of those up-and-coming flavors. The red-fleshed fruit is less common and helps make this drink so fun and unique.”
Customers can also enjoy a creamier version of the beverage by requesting coconutmilk instead of water. Called “Dragon Drink,” the refreshing beverage features creamy swirls of coconutmilk mingling with the fruity mango and dragon fruit flavors.
