Dietician Ranks Starbucks Summer 2026 Drinks From Best to Worst
Starbucks‘ Summer 2026 menu officially launches in U.S. stores on May 12, bringing back fan‑favorite treats and introducing a colorful new Refresher that's got the internet talking.
Leading the seasonal drop is the Tropical Butterfly Refresher, a vibrant purple drink made with passionfruit, guava, mango‑pineapple pearls and butterfly pea flower infusion.
“Seasonal drinks are a fun idea and great to enjoy now and then,” nutritionist Gabriela Peacock (@gabrielapeacock) told Newsweek. “But make sure you are keeping aware of sugar and fat content as well as portion size to help you make more balanced and informed choices.”
The menu also marks the return of the Iced Horchata Shaken Espresso made with Starbucks Blonde Espresso and horchata syrup for a sweet-spiced cinnamon spin, alongside a new Horchata Frappuccino and the Unicorn Cake Pop.
Tropical Butterfly Refresher
"Refreshers tend to be one of the lighter options on the menu, but they're still sugar-based drinks with not that much nutritional value," Peacock said.
While lower in calories than milk‑based beverages, she classified the Tropical Butterfly Refresher as a middle‑ground option. "Lovely on occasion but not something to rely on for hydration or sustained energy."
Iced Horchata Shaken Espresso
The iced shaken espresso also lands in the middle.
"This is an interesting drink-coffee provides a small metabolic boost, but horchata-style syrups can add significant sugar," Peacock explained.
Compared to blended drinks, the espresso base helps, but she said it's still something to be mindful of if you're watching sugar intake.
Horchata Frappuccino
The frappuccino meanwhile, is firmly in treat territory.
"Frappuccinos are essentially dessert in a cup-high in sugar and often containing saturated fat depending on the milk and toppings," Peacock said. While switching to a milk alternative could slightly reduce fat, she emphasized that it would still remain an indulgence rather than an everyday coffee.
Unicorn Cake Pop
As for the Unicorn Cake Pop, Peacock said its small size can be misleading.
"Cake pops are small but energy-dense-typically around 170 calories, mostly from sugar and fat, with little nutritional benefit," she explained, adding that the sugar spike can often lead to an energy crash.
Starbucks' Summer Menu: From Best to Worst
From a purely nutritional standpoint, Peacock ranked the summer items from best to worst as follows:
- Tropical Butterfly Refresher
- Iced Horchata Shaken Espresso
- Unicorn Cake Pop
- Horchata Frappuccino
What a Nutritionist Orders at Starbucks
When it comes to her own Starbucks order, Peacock keeps things simple.
"I love an iced coffee, especially if it's sunny outside," she said. "I usually go for a nut milk alternative to ensure I'm getting high protein content."
Newsweek's reporters and editors used Martyn, our Al assistant, to help produce this story. Learn more about Martyn.
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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 11:22 AM.