Cran-Merry & bright: Introducing Starbucks newest holiday drinks
The first-ever Starbucks Refreshers holiday beverages launch in U.S. stores on Nov. 7.
Bright red cranberries have long been a hallmark of the holidays – both as a symbol of the season’s abundance and a tart and tasty addition to holiday meals and baked goods (Cranberry Bliss bar anyone?). This holiday season, cranberries are the star of Starbucks first-ever holiday Starbucks Refreshers® beverage with the launch of the three new Cran-Merry Orange Refreshers. The Cran-Merry Orange Refresher, Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refresher and Cran-Merry Drink arrive in U.S. stores Nov. 7.
Billy Altieri, lead beverage developer for Starbucks, said his team wanted to create refreshing new holiday beverages for the Starbucks menu.
These beverages were very much inspired by this idea of a festive punch as a sensorial experience – the appearance, the aroma, the taste.”
Billy Altieri, lead beverage developer
“We wanted to create a drink that brought all of those sensory elements together in a cup,” Altieri said.
The team created a beverage with a comforting combination of sweet orange and warm spices flavors to complement the crisp cranberry taste. Like all Starbucks Refreshers beverages, Cran-Merry Orange Refreshers are infused with green coffee extract from unroasted arabica coffee beans.
All three of the new drinks are also delicious with the addition of a cold foam, such as Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam.
The deep red hue of the beverage and its bright sliced cranberries also reinforce the holiday vibe. “Cranberry isn’t the same color you would see in spring or summer. Darker colors cue a little bit of that calming, slower pace,” Altieri explained.
“Our customers enjoy Refreshers all year long,” he said. “We’re excited to bring them something special for the holidays to complement all their activities of the season.”
Cran-Merry Orange Refresher
Seasonally inspired flavors of sweet orange, tart cranberry and warm spice combine with green coffee extract, cold water, delicious sliced cranberry inclusions and shaken with ice.
Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refresher
Swapping cold water for lemonade adds a bit of refreshing tartness.
Cran-Merry Drink
Coconutmilk adds a tropical twist and a rich, creamy texture.
