Starbucks American Menu

The Starbucks American Menu Dragon Drink® Starbucks Refreshers® Beverage earns a rating of 1 out of 5 green leaves on our scale, signaling a product that we recommend consumers avoid. This assessment stems from the beverage’s composition of non-organic ingredients, the presence of GMOs, and the inclusion of added sugars and potentially harmful additives.

The Dragon Drink is not organic, which detracts from its overall score as our guidelines prioritize organic products. Additionally, the lack of non-GMO certification leads to further deductions, as we advocate for foods free from genetically modified organisms. The drink’s ingredient list features sugars such as sugar and cane sugar, which contribute to its high added sugar content. These sugars are a concern for health-conscious consumers seeking cleaner food options.

Moreover, the product contains several additives, including natural flavors, citric acid, gellan gum, and xanthan gum. These ingredients often raise questions regarding their long-term health effects, and their presence in the Dragon Drink is a significant factor in its low score. The use of the term “natural flavors” is particularly troubling, as it is a broad category that can mask the true nature of the substances used to flavor the beverage.

The review also identifies the inclusion of palm-derived ingredients, which are often sourced unsustainably and can have deleterious environmental impacts. This is another reason for the product’s low green leaf rating.

Given these concerns, the Starbucks American Menu Dragon Drink® Starbucks Refreshers® Beverage is deemed a less desirable choice for those seeking cleaner, more healthful food and drink options. The combination of non-organic ingredients, GMOs, added sugars, and questionable additives leads to the recommendation that consumers pass on this product in favor of alternatives that better align with the principles of health and sustainability.