Is March too early to hand out the Drink of the Year award?
I love a fun drink. There’s no better post-lunch treat, in my opinion. I usually rotate among a few of my favorites: a Diet Coke, an iced vanilla latte, or a crisp cherry lime Waterloo. It’s what helps me get through that afternoon slump at work.
So I was really excited to learn that there’s a new drink lineup at Panera. The drinks arrived in stores on March 11, and I went to my local Panera to taste them all. One of them ended up being the best drink I’ve ever tasted at Panera. Here’s my full review.
What’s on the new Panera drink menu?
These drinks are divided into two categories: those with caffeine (“Energy Refreshers”) and those without (“Frescas”). All of them incorporate pieces of real fruit, and are served over ice.
Panera Frescas
- Cherry Lime Fresca: A blend of cherry and lime, garnished with tart cherries.
- Strawberry Basil Lemonade Fresca: Agave lemonade and strawberry puree, garnished with fresh strawberries and basil.
Panera Energy Refreshers
- Dragonfruit Sunset Energy Refresher: Pineapple and dragonfruit, garnished with dragonfruit pieces.
- Passionfruit Paradise Energy Refresher: Passionfruit, guava and orange, garnished with pineapple pieces.
Caffeinated beverages have gotten Panera in a bit of legal hot water in the past. Unlike the previous caffeinated lemonades, these are not available for free refills at the beverage dispenser. They also contain less caffeine (28 milligrams per 20-ounce cup with ice)—less even than what you would get in a cup of Panera’s British Breakfast tea (100 milligrams per 16-oz cup).
How do the new Panera drinks taste?
These drinks are absolutely delicious. In fact, one of them was so good it might be the best thing I’ve ever ordered at Panera, and quite possibly a top-three fast-food drink experience of all time. Only one was disappointing. Here is my official ranking:
4. Passionfruit Paradise Energy Refresher
I really wanted to like this, but it just had a much more watered-down flavor than the other three options. Maybe the ice melted down too much before I got to try it? Regardless, it looks beautiful in the cup, but just didn’t live up to its potential. Plus, the pieces of pineapple kept getting stuck in my straw, which was really annoying. I wouldn’t order it again.
3. Strawberry Basil Lemonade Fresca
This is a delightfully refreshing drink! At first, I wasn’t detecting any of the basil flavor. So I gave it a good stir and let it sit for a bit while I ate my food. When I sipped it again, the sweetness of the strawberry melded so well with the herby basil. This is an incredible caffeine-free option for anyone who wants a fun boost without the buzz. I think it pairs really well with pretty much every menu item at Panera.
2. Cherry Lime Fresca
There was an Easter egg here for you, since I mentioned how much I enjoy Waterloo’s cherry lime sparkling water in the intro. As a cherry lime fan, I’m the first to admit that it’s a hard balance to pull off. Both of the flavors are very strong and can overpower one another—cherry with its sweetness, lime with its tartness. This Fresca struck the perfect balance. I could taste the cherry first, then got a kick of lime on the back end. The cherry pieces did not obstruct my sipping, and I could drink this all day long.
1. Dragonfruit Sunset Energy Refresher
This drink is a work of art and the best thing I’ve had to drink all year. Firstly, it truly looks like a sunset, with the different ingredients giving it a gorgeous ombre effect. The flavor is incredible, as is that little boost of caffeine. It’s almost like a melted fruit ice pop in a cup, but it doesn’t taste overly sweet. There’s a nice tartness here as well.
It actually reminds me of a line from a Taylor Swift song, august, that’s all about how the last bit of summer feels: “To live for the hope of it all.” That’s how this drink tastes. It’s optimistic, bright, fun and full of potential. I want to drink it on the beach, on my porch, or in my car, driving down the highway with all the windows down. We should hold a parade in its honor.
How long will these new drinks be available?
Well, if I had my way, they would be available forever! Panera has not specified whether these are permanent additions to the menu or limited-edition items. They have indicated that the addition of the two drink categories is a new way for the brand to meet customer demand for unique and interesting beverage options. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see rotating flavors in these categories, especially to tie into seasonal or trending flavors. And to the CEO of Panera, please, I beg of you: Keep the Dragonfruit Sunset on the menu forever.
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