Gen Z’s beloved energy drinks are everywhere—Starbucks has one now too
June 25, 2024
Gen Z’s beloved energy drinks are everywhere—Starbucks has one now too
The coffee chain is joining competitors like Dunkin’ and Dutch Bros. in offering the beverage that’s been all the rage.
BY Sarah Bregel
A fruity new beverage that comes with a jolt of energy is now available at Starbucks. On Tuesday, the coffee chain introduced three Iced Energy drinks . . . each containing nearly enough caffeine to fuel you right into the weekend.
The 20-ounce (venti size) drinks contain between 180 and 205 milligrams of caffeine, depending on the flavor, which for some people may seem like, well, a lot. But consider this: A standard (8-ounce) cup of coffee has about 95 milligrams of caffeine, so one energy drink would be like having two cups of coffee—though if you get your caffeine hit from a can of Diet Coke, which has only 46 milligrams of caffeine, that equivalent would be like drinking four 12-ounce cans.
“Elevate the day with a boost of sugar-free energy with the new, handcrafted Starbucks Iced Energy beverages,” the Starbucks press release reads. “These drinks combine sparkling fruit flavors with iced tea for the ultimate jumpstart and are available at stores in the U.S. year-round.” Though the energy drinks come in three fruity flavors—Melon Burst, Tropical Citrus, and Tropical Citrus with Strawberry Puree—the third flavor is only available through the app.
In addition to a hefty dose of caffeine, the drinks also contain taurine, an amino acid found in many foods that can also be taken as a supplement. Taurine is found in most energy drinks and is said to improve exercise performance. However, some evidence suggests that for adolescents, caffeine and taurine can negatively impact brain development. And despite the fact that energy drinks generally have warning labels that say they are not intended for people under age 18, it has seemed in some cases like that’s exactly who these drinks have appealed to.
Energy drinks seem to be all the rage right now with the Gen Z crowd. Despite a recent lawsuit against Panera that claimed its Charged Lemonade energy drink contributed to two deaths and led to the chain discontinuing it, drinks with high levels of caffeine are everywhere. Not only can you snag anything from Prime to Red Bull at Target, Walmart, and a variety of convenience stores, a number of chain restaurants are now selling them, too.
In February, Dunkin’ introduced its own line of energy drinks, Sparkd’ Energy. The iced drink comes in two flavors, Berry Burst and Peach, and two sizes (small has about 96 milligrams of caffeine and large contains 196 milligrams) and “provides a revitalizing burst of energy, made with vitamins, minerals and a kick of caffeine,” according to the Dunkin’ press release.
You can also order energy drinks at Dutch Bros. The up-and-coming coffee brand has an entire lineup of energy drinks, which account for about a quarter of its sales. McDonald’s hasn’t slept on the trend, either. Its CosMc’s menu has a variety of energy drinks containing caffeine syrup, such as the Island Pick Me Up Punch.
The Starbucks energy drinks do have less caffeine than Panera’s Charged Lemonade, which weighed in at 237 milligrams of caffeine in a 30-ounce serving. That’s past tense because last month, Panera discontinued its line of caffeine-heavy drinks . . . after being hit with a pair of lawsuits claiming those drinks contributed to the deaths of two people. Consider that a cautionary tale for the chains—and for “energy-seeking” consumers.
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