The coffee giant Starbucks shared this week that it was releasing three new summer drinks that will feature raspberry-flavored pearls inspired by the popular East Asian beverage boba tea.
In a press release, the company shared that its take on boba will feature pearls that taste like “blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries picked at the height of summer.”
“We started out thinking about summer moments like hanging out by the pool and having a barbecue with friends,” Simon Vuong, beverage developer for Starbucks, said in a statement.
Along with the boba pearls will be three new Refreshers that will mark a first for the company, as Vuong added that it has “never had a blue beverage.”
“...When we first created the recipe, the color really captured the feeling we were going for – reminiscent of long, summer days and bright skies for everyone to enjoy,” Vuong said.
The Summer-Berry Starbucks Refreshers beverages are available in U.S. stores starting May 7.
The three flavors include Summer-Berry, which is mixed with water; Summer-Berry with Lemonade, mixed with lemonade; and Summer Skies Drink, which has coconut milk.
“We started with fruit pieces, but we wanted something even bolder,” Vuong said. “So, we thought, ‘Let’s put fruit-flavored pearls in the beverage and try it out.’ It’s very fun the way it delivers the flavor when it pops in your mouth.”
The drinks are a part of Starbucks’ summer menu, meaning they are only available for a limited time.