Starbucks is adding some sparkle to its menu.
The coffee giant has started to test carbonated versions of its popular Refreshers, which are iced fruit juice and tea drinks that have been sold since 2012.
“I'm really excited that we're getting ready to go test sparkling. We're calling it Spritzers,” CEO Brian Niccol told investors at the company’s third quarter earnings call Wednesday, as first reported by Business Insider.
He said, “Our team does a great job on getting to the delicious flavors that are relevant for the customer. So it's been a really strong platform for us, and over the last quarter, really continued to perform.”
Starting July 28, 100 Starbucks locations across Austin, San Antonio and St. Louis are testing out the new Spritz collection, which feature sparkling water.
The classic refreshers will be available, along with the new sparkling versions of the drinks, including a Super Mango Energy Refresher, Sparkling Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Energy Refresher, Sparkling Mango Strawberry Lemonade Energy Refresher and Sparkling Strawberry Açaí Lemonade Energy Refresher.
The new available Spritz collection available at certain locations includes:
- Sparkling Cold Brew Sour Spritz — Cold brew, lemonade, classic syrup and light bubbles
- Strawberry Sunset Spritz — Real strawberry purée, lemonade, green tea and light bubbles
- Golden Peach Spritz — Real peach fruit purée, lemonade, Passion Tango tea and light bubbles
- Strawberry Matcha Spritz — Real strawberry purée, sweetened matcha and sparkling water
“It's been a platform, frankly, that we kind of got a little complacent on in the past, and now we are reinvigorating,” Niccol said on the earnings call. “Whether it's fully decaffeinated or whether it's fully boosted, those are the different occasions that people want Refreshers, whether it's in the morning or the afternoon, and whether you're young or old, the platform is resonating.”
It comes as this summer’s new menu has already brought new refreshers to the table. The Tropical Butterfly drink offers a “bright flavor fusion of passionfruit and guava flavors” with mango-pineapple flavored pearls and a splash butterfly pea flower infusion.
The Seattle-born company said global same-store sales rose 7.9 percent in its fiscal third quarter, which is higher than the expected 5.7 percent increase.
Meanwhile, a recent analysis by Restaurant Dive reported that Niccol earned nearly $31 million last year, while the typical employee makes around $17,279, which means the CEO made 1,794 times more than the average barista.