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The Starbucks Christmas Refresher has become one of my favorite traditions because it brings together sparkling cranberry-orange flavor, holiday spices, and that unmistakable seasonal glow. If you love creating cozy moments at home, making your own version feels wonderfully rewarding.
Table of Contents
What Is Starbucks Christmas Refresher?
Starbucks Christmas Refresher is a seasonal holiday version of the Refresher-line cold beverages, specifically the Cran‑Merry Orange Refresher (and its variants) introduced for the holiday season.
Ingredients:
For The Cran-Merry Base:
- 1 cup cranberry juice (100% juice for deeper flavor)
- ½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed adds a brighter aroma)
- ¼ cup simple syrup (adjust to your preferred sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch ground cardamom
- ¼ cup dried cranberries or fresh cranberries (for that festive “inclusion” feel)
For The Drink:
- ½–1 cup of the Cran-Merry base
- Ice
- Cold water, lemonade, or coconut milk (depending on which version you’re making)
- Optional: extra cranberries and a slice of orange for garnishing
Instructions:
- Make the Cran-Merry Base: Combine the cranberry juice, orange juice, simple syrup, vanilla, and spices in a small saucepan. Warm it over medium-low heat until steam appears. This step allows the spices to bloom and infuse the base with a warm holiday aroma. Stir slowly for 2–3 minutes, then turn off the heat. Add the dried or fresh cranberries and let the mixture cool completely. Once cooled, strain out the cranberries if you prefer a smoother drink. The base becomes vibrant, fruity, and aromatic.
- Shake the Drink: Fill a cocktail shaker or a jar with a tight lid with ice. Pour in ½ to 1 cup of the Cran-Merry base, depending on how strong you want the flavor to be. Add water for a lighter taste, lemonade for a tangier profile, or coconut milk if you want a creamy holiday version. Shake until the drink feels icy cold.
- Serve: Fill a tall glass with ice and pour the mixture over it. Add fresh cranberries for color and float an orange slice on top for visual warmth. The drink becomes festive at first glance.
Tips For A Good Starbucks Christmas Refresher:
- Use Good-Quality Juices: Your cranberry and orange juices affect the entire drink. Juices without added sweeteners often give a richer, cleaner flavour.
- Spice Balance Matters: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom bring holiday spirit, and a little goes a long way. Start with a small pinch and adjust based on your taste.
- Chill Everything: Cold ingredients make the drink brighter and more refreshing. Keep your base in the refrigerator for easy holiday drink prep.
Experiment With Versions:
- Lemonade version: bright and lively
- Coconut milk version: creamy and smooth
- Water version: light and fruit-forward
- Make the Base Ahead of Time: The base keeps well in the fridge for about 5 days in a sealed container. This makes it perfect for holiday gatherings or daily at-home treats.
- Add Extra Festive Garnishes: Fresh cranberries, sugared cranberries, orange wheels, or even a cinnamon stick can turn your drink into a centrepiece.
What To Serve Starbucks Christmas RefresherWith
Holiday Pastries And Baked Treats:
- Cranberry orange muffins: The flavors echo the drink in a way that feels fun and seasonal.
- Almond biscotti: They offer a wonderful crunch and a hint of nuttiness that works with the warm spices in the Starbucks Christmas refresher.
- Sugar cookies: Their buttery sweetness makes each sip of the Starbucks Christmas refresher taste even more vibrant.
- Gingerbread loaves or cookies: The spice notes in the Refresher blend beautifully with ginger, cinnamon, and molasses.
Light Brunch Dishes:
- Holiday fruit salad with pomegranate seeds, mandarin slices, and grapes
- Mini quiches with spinach or roasted peppers
- Vanilla yogurt parfaits layered with granola and cranberries.
- Cinnamon swirl pastries that bring comforting bakery aromas into the room
Festive Snacks And Nibbles:
- Cheese boards featuring brie, white cheddar, and soft goat cheese
- Pretzel bites with honey butter.
- Roasted nuts coated with cinnamon or maple
- Cranberry-glazed cocktail meatballs that bring a savory-sweet touch
Lighter Desserts:
- Cranberry crumble bars
- Orange pound cake with a light citrus icing
- White chocolate bark sprinkled with cranberries and pistachios
- Mini pavlovas topped with whipped cream and citrus segments
Breakfast Pairings:
- Dutch baby pancakes with cranberry compote
- Orange zest waffles drizzled with warm syrup.
- scones served with a touch of vanilla butter
- Overnight oats with spiced apples and dried cranberries
Substitute Ingredients:
Cranberry Juice Substitutes:
- Pomegranate juice: Deep colour and a tart flavour that feels rich and seasonal.
- Red grape juice: Sweeter, with a comforting fruity depth.
- Mixed berry juice: Gives a lively berry note that fits well with holiday spices.
Orange Juice Substitutes:
- Mandarin juice: Naturally sweet with a sunny aroma.
- Tangerine juice: Slightly deeper citrus flavour that blends beautifully with cranberry.
- Pineapple juice: Adds tropical brightness while keeping the drink vibrant.
Sweetener Substitutes:
- Honey syrup: Adds warmth and a gentle floral note.
- Maple syrup: Brings a cosy, woodsy sweetness perfect for winter.
- Agave syrup: Smooth and easy to mix into cold drinks.
- Coconut sugar syrup: Adds caramel-like richness with a natural sweetness.
Spices Substitutes:
- Pumpkin spice blend: Offers warmth, vanilla notes, and a comforting aroma.
- Allspice: Adds depth with hints of cinnamon and clove.
- A fragrant chai spice mix: Introduces a festive tea-inspired richness that pairs well with citrus.
Liquid Base Substitutes:
- Sparkling water: Adds a playful, bubbly lift.
- Iced green tea: Soft caffeine and a refreshing herbal background.
- Coconut water: Lightly sweet and hydrating, with a tropical note that works beautifully with orange and cranberry.
- Almond milk: A smooth, creamy option when you’re making a coconut-milk-style version.
Cranberry Inclusions Substitutes:
- Pomegranate seeds: Cheerful color and crunch.
- Candied orange peel: Zesty, sweet, and sparkling.
- Dried cherries: Soft, fruity, and flavourful in every sip.
Flavor Boosts:
- Fresh mint: Makes the drink cool and refreshing.
- A splash of ginger juice: Adds brightness and warmth.
- Vanilla bean: Softens the spices and adds a creamy aroma.
Final Thoughts
This Refresher, with its blend of bright, invigorating flavors, offers a perfect way to punctuate a busy day of holiday shopping or to spark a cozy evening of gift wrapping. I hope you feel inspired to try it out soon.
More Lemonade Recipes:
- Copycat McAlister’s Witches Brew Lemonade Recipe
- Homemade Minute Maid Lemonade Recipe
- Copycat Dunkin’ Wicked Pink Refresher Recipe
- Copycat Dunkin Berry Sangria Refresher Recipe
Ingredients
For The Cran-Merry Base:
- 1 cup cranberry juice (100% juice for deeper flavour)
- ½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed adds a brighter aroma)
- ¼ cup simple syrup (adjust to your preferred sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch ground cardamom
- ¼ cup dried cranberries or fresh cranberries (for that festive “inclusion” feel)
For The Drink:
- ½–1 cup of the Cran-Merry base
- Ice
- Cold water, lemonade, or coconut milk (depending on which version you’re making)
- Optional: extra cranberries and a slice of orange for garnishing
Instructions
- Make the Cran-Merry Base: Combine the cranberry juice, orange juice, simple syrup, vanilla, and spices in a small saucepan. Warm it over medium-low heat until steam appears. This step allows the spices to bloom and infuse the base with a warm holiday aroma. Stir slowly for 2–3 minutes, then turn off the heat. Add the dried or fresh cranberries and let the mixture cool completely. Once cooled, strain out the cranberries if you prefer a smoother drink. The base becomes vibrant, fruity, and aromatic.
- Shake the Drink: Fill a cocktail shaker or a jar with a tight lid with ice. Pour in ½ to 1 cup of the Cran-Merry base, depending on how strong you want the flavor to be. Add water for a lighter taste, lemonade for a tangier profile, or coconut milk if you want a creamy holiday version. Shake until the drink feels icy cold.
- Serve: Fill a tall glass with ice and pour the mixture over it. Add fresh cranberries for color and float an orange slice on top for visual warmth. The drink becomes festive at first glance.
