Best Starbucks drinks for the summer

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Mango Dragonfruit Refresher:

Starbucks officially introduced refreshers in 2012 and since then they have taken off. The drink includes chunks of real dragon fruit which has a tartness that takes away much of the sweetness of the coconut milk. Oftentimes Starbucks refreshers are overly sweet so this drink was a pleasant surprise. Although the dragon fruit is definitely present, it does end up overshadowing the mango a bit. (Photo/Irene John)

Pineapple Passionfruit Starbucks Refreshers:

Easily the most vibrant drink on the list, this drink feels like summer in a cup. If the sunshine color doesn’t convince you, the flavors surely will. Made with passionfruit syrup, coconut milk and diced pieces of real pineapple, it is both refreshing and creamy – almost like a pina colada. Blended together, all three ingredients shine through and make this drink perfect for vacation time. (Photo/Irene John)

Frozen Strawberry Açaí Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers:

Part of the newest additions to the Starbucks family, this drink puts an icy twist on the traditional strawberry açaí lemonade, blending it with strawberry pieces as well as strawberry puree. What truly sets this drink apart is the consistency as the drink includes blended ice which makes it feel almost like a slushie. As for the flavors, the sweetness of the strawberries is balanced out well by the tartness of the lemonade. (Photo/Irene John)

Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso: 

Moving on from refreshers, shaken espressos are another refreshing alternative to the traditional latte or iced coffee and a great way to get your daily caffeine intake. I am not the greatest fan of almond milk (I firmly believe in oat milk supremacy), but in this case it works perfectly. Almond milk traditionally has a sweeter taste which blends well with the chocolate. Contrary to their other chocolate-flavored beverages, the shaken espresso uses chocolate malt powder as opposed to syrup or sauce which gives it an almost candy bar flavor. (Photo/Irene John) 

Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso:

Last, but certainly not least, we have my go-to order. This caffeine-rich beverage includes three shots of Starbucks’s signature Blonde espresso shaken with four pumps of brown sugar syrup and topped with oat milk and cinnamon powder. Brown sugar and cinnamon combine to give the espresso a rich, molasses-like flavor, while the oat milk adds a bit of creaminess. For those with a sweet tooth and a love for caffeine, this drink is the perfect way to kick off your morning. (Photo/Irene John)

Irene, now a senior at American Heritage, returns to staff as the Online-Editor-in-Chief for her third and final year with the Patriot Post. She loves all things literature and spends most of her time with her nose in a book. Her passion for writing started early, and she is currently the co-president of the Quill and Scroll Society. When she is not studying or writing articles for the wonderful iPatriotPost, she enjoys volunteering and helping lead a multitude of clubs at Heritage. Since 2014, she has worked alongside Best Buddies, an organization that advocates for inclusivity for those with intellectual and physical disabilities. As a co-founder and current board member of the South Florida Best Buddies Student Advisory Board, she plans fundraisers and service projects, including the annual Friendship Walk, which raised almost $300,000. She looks forward to making this year special and as amazing as possible.