The rose gold refresher is a pink-hued iced coffee drink from Starbucks that has become quite popular in recent years. It features flavors of strawberries and cranberries, along with notes of rose water for a refreshing and slightly floral sip. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into what exactly the rose gold refresher is, its ingredients and flavors, when it was first introduced, and how you can customize or recreate it yourself. We’ll also provide some tips for the best ways to enjoy this brightly-colored Starbucks drink. So keep reading to learn all about this elegant iced coffee beverage!
What is the Rose Gold Refresher Made Of?
The main ingredients in the Starbucks Rose Gold Refresher are:
- Coconut milk – This non-dairy milk provides creaminess and a subtle coconut flavor.
- Strawberry infusion – Sliced strawberries steeped in water give a sweet, juicy strawberry taste.
- Liquid cane sugar – A small amount of liquid sugar sweetens the drink.
- Cranberries – Dried cranberries add tartness.
- Rose water – This floral water provides a light rose aroma and flavor.
- Ice – The drink is served over ice to keep it chilled.
The coconut milk base gives the refresher a creamy, smooth texture, while the strawberries offer natural sweetness. The cranberries provide a hint of tartness to balance the sweetness. Finally, the rose water ties everything together with its delicate floral aroma. When combined, these ingredients make a light, fruity and subtly rosy iced coffee beverage.
A Dairy-Free and Vegan Option
One of the advantages of the rose gold refresher is that it is made with coconut milk rather than regular dairy milk. This makes it both dairy-free and vegan, allowing more customers to enjoy it. For those who prefer to avoid dairy or animal products, the coconut milk base provides the same creaminess and texture without compromising the flavor.
When Was the Rose Gold Refresher Introduced?
The Starbucks Rose Gold Refresher made its debut in April of 2017. It was added to the Starbucks menu as a limited-time offering for spring and summer that year.
The launch of the drink coincided with the rose gold trend, which saw many fashion and beauty products featuring the pink-tinged metallic shade. As rose gold was having a major style moment, Starbucks wanted to capture that aesthetic in a new beverage.
The rose gold refresher was available for just a few months before being phased out later in 2017. But customer demand led Starbucks to bring it back the following spring in April 2018. It returned again as a limited offering in April 2019.
Now the rose gold refresher is a seasonal drink that returns to the Starbucks menu each spring and summer. Its bright pink hue and flavors of strawberry and rose make it the perfect refreshing sip for warmer weather.
How to Order the Rose Gold Refresher
Ordering the standard Rose Gold Refresher at Starbucks is easy – just ask for a “Rose Gold Refresher” and the barista will know how to make it. But there are also a few ways to customize this drink to your preferences:
- Iced or Blended: The refresher comes iced by default, but you can also ask for it to be blended with ice to make it into a slushy, frothy frozen drink.
- Size: Choose from tall, grande or venti size.
- Add shots: Opt to add espresso shots for an energizing caffeine boost.
- Non-dairy milk: Substitute the coconut milk for soy, almond or oat milk.
- Syrups: Ask for flavored syrups like vanilla, raspberry or hazelnut to be added.
- Toppings: Top with whipped cream for extra decadence.
So feel free to customize with your preferences to make it your perfect rose gold refresher! The baristas can accommodate many variations.
How to Make a Rose Gold Refresher at Home
You can recreate this pretty pink drink at home too! Here is a simple rose gold refresher recipe to make your own:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut milk or milk of choice
- 1⁄4 cup strawberry puree
- 2 tablespoons liquid cane sugar or simple syrup
- 1⁄4 teaspoon rosewater
- 1⁄4 cup dried cranberries
- Ice cubes
- Dried rose petals for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- In a blender, combine the coconut milk, strawberry puree, sugar, rosewater and dried cranberries.
- Blend until thoroughly mixed and frothy, about 30 seconds.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Pour the rose gold refresher mixture over ice.
- Garnish with dried rose petals if desired.
- Serve and enjoy your homemade rose gold refresher!
This 5-minute homemade version captures those same favors of strawberry, coconut and rose for a refreshing treat. Adjust the ingredients to suit your tastes – add more strawberry puree if you like it extra sweet or an extra splash of rosewater for pronounced rose flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutrition information for a 16 ounce (grande size) Rose Gold Refresher made with coconut milk from Starbucks:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 |
| Total Fat | 4.5g |
| Sodium | 100mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 36g |
| Sugar | 33g |
| Protein | 2g |
As you can see, the Rose Gold Refresher is a lower calorie drink at just 180 calories for a 16 oz serving. It contains 4.5g of fat from the coconut milk, as well as 36g of carbohydrates and 33g of sugar. Given the sweet fruits and added sugar, the sugar content is on the higher side. But overall, it is a lighter drink that can be enjoyed as an occasional treat.
Tips for Enjoying the Rose Gold Refresher
Here are some tips to get the most enjoyment out of your Starbucks Rose Gold Refresher:
- Give it a good stir before drinking to distribute the fruit flavors.
- Sip it slowly to savor the different layers of flavor.
- Enjoy it without a straw to get the full aroma with each sip.
- Pair it with a cheese danish or croissant for a perfect springtime treat.
- Dress it up with some rose gold sprinkles or glitter for a festive touch.
- Try it with and without espresso shots to see which you prefer.
- Use it as mixer – the flavors pair nicely with gin or vodka for a fun cocktail.
- Take an Instagram-worthy photo of the gorgeous pink drink.
With its indulgent flavors and elegant aesthetic, the Rose Gold Refresher is a drink worth sipping and enjoying to the fullest. Take your time with this unique Starbucks beverage to appreciate all its subtle flavors.
Conclusion
The Starbucks Rose Gold Refresher is a show-stopping pink drink made with flavors of strawberry, coconut and rose. Its creamy coconut milk base, juicy strawberry infusion, tart dried cranberries, and floral rose water create a light, refreshing and tropical-tasting beverage.
This popular drink first appeared in 2017 as a limited edition springtime offering. But due to high demand from customers craving its millennial pink aesthetic and fruit-forward flavors, the Rose Gold Refresher has become a recurring menu item that returns each spring and summer.
To enjoy this drink at its best, customizing the size and flavors to your preferences is recommended. Or try your hand at making a homemade version so you can sip this pink sensation any time. With its vibrant hue and smooth sipping experience, the Rose Gold Refresher is sure to turn heads and delight your tastebuds.