Starbucks American Menu

Awarded a rating of 3 out of 5 green leaves, the Starbucks American Menu Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refreshers® Beverage lands squarely in the middle of our scale for cleaner food options. The drink, a blend of ice, a mango dragonfruit base, and freeze-dried dragonfruit pieces, does not qualify as organic, which results in a deduction from its overall score. Furthermore, the lack of non-GMO ingredients also contributes to the lower rating.

The product includes added sugars, listed as sugar and white grape juice concentrate, which not only impacts the nutritional profile but also affects the scoring against our clean food criteria. Citric acid, another ingredient, is commonly used for flavor and preservation but is often counted among added sugars in scoring systems focused on healthfulness.

Additionally, the beverage contains ingredients categorized as potentially harmful additives, specifically natural flavors and natural green coffee flavor. While “natural flavors” is a broad term that can encompass a variety of sources, it is often scrutinized for its lack of transparency regarding the actual components. The inclusion of these additives is a notable factor in the overall assessment.

Despite these considerations, the Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refreshers® Beverage does offer the appeal of including real fruit pieces, which is a positive aspect within the context of cleaner eating. The freeze-dried dragonfruit is a whole-food ingredient that aligns with preferences for less processed options.

Taking into account all aspects of its composition, this beverage achieves a moderate standing on our scale. It manages to avoid the lowest ratings by incorporating real fruit but does not reach the highest echelons of our cleaner food options due to the presence of added sugars and non-organic, potentially GMO ingredients. Therefore, while this product may offer a middle-ground choice for consumers, it falls short of the most stringent standards for clean eating.