I've been drinking this easy at-home refresher drink all summer long.
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I’ll admit it: once summer rolls around, all I crave are fun iced drinks. And while I love a hit of caffeine in the morning, in the afternoon I try to keep it lighter. That’s why whenever I find myself at the Starbucks drive-thru, I’m most likely leaving with a Refresher in hand. They’re fruity, icy, perfectly sweet and somehow make even the hottest afternoons feel a little more manageable.
The only problem? Those refreshing little drinks aren’t exactly cheap, especially if they become part of your weekly routine. I keep trying to justify grabbing one every time I’m in the car, but it’s not exactly sustainable.
That’s why I’m always on the lookout for good dupes. Sometimes an unexpected grocery store find or at-home hack can capture the same flavor and feel without the coffee shop price tag. And I think I may have found one of the closest Starbucks Refresher dupes yet. It has the same bright, fruity flavors and even includes real fruit pieces! But the best part just might be the price tag—it rings in at just $1.19 per serving.
What is the magical Starbucks Refresher dupe?
You might have already noticed this product on shelves at your local grocery store, but I’m finally ready to spill the tea, so to speak. My secret weapon is Twinings Refreshers. It’s an herbal tea instant beverage that’s available in three flavors: Peach Mango, Blueberry Lemon and Strawberry Raspberry.
What immediately caught my attention is that each packet contains bits of real dehydrated fruit. Once you mix it with cold water and pour it over a glass full of ice, those fruit pieces float around just like they do in a Starbucks Refresher. It’s a surprisingly convincing copycat experience.
The drinks are incredibly easy to make. I think it takes about 30 seconds, tops. Just stir one packet into cold water, add plenty of ice, and you’re done. No blender, syrups or fancy ingredients required.
I’ll make one before heading to the pool, pack a few for vacation or mix one up as an afternoon pick-me-up while working from home. The three flavors mean there’s something for every mood, and the real fruit pieces make each glass feel just a little more special.
Where can you get Twinings Refreshers?
I buy mine at Target, but the Twinings Refreshers are available at Walmart and other grocery stores nationwide. One box costs $5.99 and contains five drink packets. So you can basically get five drinks for the price of one Starbucks drink. I love that I’m not maxing out my “fun treat” budget for the week anymore.
Will I stop going to Starbucks altogether? Definitely not. But when I want that same summery, fruit-filled sip without leaving the house, this Starbucks Refresher dupe is the first thing I’ll be reaching for. No drive-thru required!
