Midnight mood: Introducing Starbucks Blackberry Sage Refreshers
Low-key cozy vibes were the inspiration for the new Blackberry Sage Refresher and Midnight Drink beverages, available in Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada starting Feb. 4, for a limited time.
In the chill of late winter, life is a little slower. Mornings may begin with a dusting of frost or sparkling of dew on the gray-green plants outside. And the days are spent seeking comfort and familiarity.
Those colder moments were the inspiration for the new Blackberry Sage Refresher, Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher and Midnight Drink beverages, available for a limited time in Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada starting Feb. 4.
“During the winter months, we found that customers want something refreshing, yet balanced,” said Billy Altieri, lead beverage developer for Starbucks.
Visually, darker hues can cue thoughts of a colder season – and Blackberry Sage’s deep violet color with hints of red suggests a winter sunset or a cozy cabin. The flavors are also calm and comforting.
“Imagine you’re walking through a garden you’re smelling fresh herbs and then berries,” Altieri said. “That’s really what you’re getting with this beverage – a balance of subtle notes of sage and sweet blackberry flavors.”
Starbucks Refreshers beverages often pair a familiar ingredient with something more out-of-the-ordinary – like the exotic fruit you’ll find in Strawberry Açaí or Mango Dragonfruit beverages. This is the first Refreshers beverage to pair a berry flavor with an herb, a trend that’s popular in cocktails and mocktails.
“Herbs are popular in mixology, they add a hint of warmth to perfectly balance the sweet, juicy flavors of the blackberry fruit,” Altieri said. “It’s a bit of a surprising flavor combination, and we’re excited for our customers to try it!”
Blackberry Sage Refresher & Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher
Blackberry Sage Refresher features flavors of sweet blackberries paired with notes of sage shaken with ice, green coffee extract and an inclusion of dried blackberries with a dusting of sage. Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher brightens the beverage with lemonade for a sweet-tart crispness.
Midnight Drink
Midnight drink features flavors of sweet blackberries and sage with green coffee extract and blackberry inclusions mixed with coconutmilk and shaken with ice.
