Customers Can’t Believe Starbucks Is Charging $1 ‘No Water’ Fee For Refresher Drinks

One thing many Starbucks customers love about the chain is the ability to customize their drinks. Now, many fans are expressing their disappointment with the coffee giant after it began charging an extra dollar to get a famous Refresher beverage made without water.

According to the Seattle-based chain, this charge is necessary since these popular juice drinks are more expensive to make when not diluted with water.

In a recent statement made after the charge was initiated earlier this month, the company wrote, “There will be an additional cost of $1 for Starbucks Refreshers Beverages customized with no water, as this customization requires extra ingredients.”

According to the official Starbucks website, Refreshers are cold beverages made with flavored juices, freeze-dried fruit chunks, water, milk (with non-dairy options offered), and lemonade.

In an email sent to CBS, Neil Saunders, managing director of retail at GlobalData explained, “Refresher drinks without water cost more to make, so Starbucks is really just asking customers to pay a fair value for what they’re getting.”

He added, “In the current environment where raw material costs are rising and margins are squeezed, Starbucks probably finds it necessary to take a more stringent stance on pricing. However, like any change it will not be welcomed by customers some of whom will see it as stingy and a rip off.”

On social media, Starbucks fans didn’t hesitate to share their feelings about the new Refresher charge. One wrote on Twitter, “They are already filling half the cup with ice. Their profits haven’t suffered so this is pure greed.” Another added, “Starbucks charging extra for light ice in refreshers is so dramatic and greedy.”

Someone else chimed in, writing, “They will charge me extra because they will not be adding water to my drink ?? Wtf” as one other customer replied, “stop charging an extra fee for no water or some ice in spring drinks – refreshers. Pathetic.” 

On Reddit, one user referenced the continuing unionization efforts by Starbucks workers at locations all of the country, writing, “Bye Starbucks, constant changes, price increases and treat your employees better.” Others on the platform pointed out the several times that Starbucks has increased its prices in the past few months due to “inflation.”