Starbucks Refreshers Japan

Starbucks Refreshers hit the store shelves on June 25th in Japan. They are a new kind of energy drink made by Starbucks and can be found at Seven Eleven’s across Japan. The drink is fruit juice based and lightly caffeinated with green coffee extract to pick you up. Designed mainly for the female market and as a light afternoon pick-me-up as opposed to a full on energy drink. They are available in two different flavours ~ Cool Lime and Very Berry Hibiscus.

The drinks contain real fruit juice along with green coffee extract, ginseng, and vitamins B and C.

They come in a 200ml can and cost 200 yen (USD$2.00).

How do they taste?

Cool Lime ~ Very fruity and you can really taste the lime. The fruit juice makes it seem more like a soft drink but it’s very refreshing.

Starbucks Refreshers Cool Lime

Very Berry Hibiscus ~ A lot sweeter than the Cool Lime and you can really taste the berry flavours. Definitely our favourite of the two and easy to drink.

Starbucks Refreshers Very Berry Hibiscus

Have a look at our video to see the new Starbucks Refreshers in Japan

Fanta Ume

Coca Cola Japan has released a new flavour of Fanta for spring called Fanta Ume. It is available only for a limited time. What is Ume? Ume is a Japanese plum (梅) that is associated with spring in Japan. The Ume Blossoms are very popular in early spring and you can read about them from my visit to Bairin Koen this March.

Most people might know ume from “umeboshi” which is a sour pickled plum or “umeshu” which is a sweet alcoholic drink made from plums.

I always love trying the new seasonal food and drinks in Japan, so just had to give this one a try. How does it taste? Fanta Ume is surprisingly very sweet and refreshing. I expected it to be a lot more sour, but it was very easy to drink. Fanta Ume is perfect for the warmer weather and I would definitely have this again, especially in summer to cool down. One of the better Fanta flavours I have tried recently. I would recommend giving Fanta Ume a try if you are in Japan this Spring/Summer.

You can pick up a 500ml bottle of Fanta Ume for 98 yen (USD$1) at the local supermarket or 150 yen (USD$1.50) at the convenience store.

Fanta Ume in Japan

Check out my video on YouTube for more on Fanta Ume https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INGQIzxQhtM