We Tried the Hottest Summer Boba Drinks from Top Chains

Have you seen how the Starbucks summer menu has many new cold drinks? These drinks are inspired by boba and are very popular this year. You can find summer-berry refreshers almost everywhere now. They have bright colors and popping boba pearls. These summer boba drinks taste like sweet summer fruits. They feel cold and are great for hot days. Even the classic Starbucks summer menu has new boba drinks now. There are summer-berry refreshers and other new refreshers. Every sip feels special for the season. You might see fruit pieces floating in your cup. You can also try the cold, chewy pearls. These make the limited-time drinks different from regular refreshers. The summer menu gives boba a new twist. Starbucks leads with bold and refreshing flavors.

Key Takeaways

• Starbucks summer boba drinks have popping pearls. These pearls burst with fruity juice. They give a fun and new texture. This is different from the usual chewy boba.
• The Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher tastes the best. It is also the most refreshing drink. It mixes sweet and tangy flavors well. The popping pearls make it more fun.
• People who like classic boba will enjoy OneZo Green Milk Tea. It has a creamy base and fresh, chewy pearls. The pearls are handmade. This gives a real bubble tea experience.
• Wendy’s Matcha Brown Sugar Boba is sweet and creamy. It has a strong matcha flavor and chewy pearls. It is a good deal for the price. It is great for people who want a richer drink.
• Many shops let you change the sweetness, milk, and toppings. This helps you make your summer boba drink just right. You can fit it to your taste and diet.

Summer Boba Drinks: Quick Verdicts

Summary Table and Star Ratings

Here’s a quick look at the top summer boba drinks you can try right now. You’ll see how each drink scored for taste, texture, and overall refreshment. If you want a fast answer, check out the stars below!

Tip: If you love popping pearls, you’ll want to try the refreshers first. They bring a fun twist to your usual cold drink!

One-Sentence Reviews

• Starbucks Summer-Berry Refresher: You get a bright, candy-like taste, but the flavor feels a bit flat and the cold popping pearls steal the show.
• Starbucks Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher: You taste a perfect mix of fruity and tangy, and the popping raspberry pearls make every sip a playful refreshment.
• Starbucks Summer Skies Drink: You see a pretty color, but the coconut milk and berry flavors don’t blend well, so the drink feels confusing.
• Wendy’s Matcha Brown Sugar Boba: You enjoy a sweet, milky matcha with a nice brown sugar kick, but the tapioca pearls might feel too chewy if you like softer boba.
• OneZo Green Milk Tea: You sip a classic, creamy green milk tea with handmade pearls that taste fresh and chewy, giving you a true boba shop experience.

Many people love how these summer boba drinks look, especially the ones with popping pearls. The pearls burst with juice and make the drink feel special. Some drinks, like the Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher, get high marks for their balance and cold refreshment. Others, like the Summer Skies Drink, look great but miss the mark on flavor. If you want a real treat, try the drinks with popping pearls for a new texture you won’t forget.

New Boba Drinks on the Summer Men

Starbucks Summer-Berry Refreshers

The summer-berry refreshers are the main new drinks at Starbucks this year. These drinks are inspired by boba and come in three kinds. You can pick the summer-berry refresher, the summer-berry lemonade refresher, or the summer skies drink. Each drink is bright and colorful. They look great on a hot day when you want something cold. The summer-berry refresher mixes blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry flavors. It uses white grape juice as the base. This gives a taste that is sweet and a little sour. The summer-berry lemonade refresher is more tangy. The summer skies drink has coconut milk, so it is creamy.

The popping raspberry pearls make these drinks special. Starbucks calls them “pearls,” but they remind you of bubble tea. The pearls pop in your mouth and taste like fruit. They are made from plants, so people who do not eat animal products can have them. The pearls feel different from the usual chewy boba. They give a fun texture to the drink.

Here is what you get in a grande summer-berry refresher:

Tip: If you want a fruity boba drink, try the summer-berry lemonade refresher. It is cold, tangy, and very refreshing.

Wendy’s Matcha Brown Sugar Boba

Wendy’s in Japan has new boba drinks for summer too. The matcha brown sugar boba has a creamy, sweet matcha base. It also has brown sugar mixed in. There are chewy tapioca pearls at the bottom. This is like classic bubble tea. The drink is cold and rich. The pearls are a little firmer than the ones at a boba shop. If you like matcha and want something cold, this drink is a fun choice.

OneZo Green Milk Tea

OneZo’s green milk tea is a classic for real boba fans. It has a creamy green tea base and handmade boba pearls. The pearls taste fresh and chewy. They are not like the popping pearls at Starbucks. The drink is cold and smooth. The pearls give you a true boba shop feel. If you want fewer calories, you can ask for less sugar or fewer pearls.

Here is how the new summer boba drinks compare to classic boba milk tea:

You can see the summer-berry refreshers and lemonade refresher have less sugar and fewer calories than classic boba milk tea. If you want a cold drink that is lighter, these new boba drinks are a good choice.

Drink Reviews: Taste and Texture

Starbucks Summer-Berry Refresher

When you first see the Starbucks summer-berry refresher, you notice the pale blue color. It looks cool and inviting, perfect for a hot day. The drink mixes blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry flavors, so you get a sweet and fruity taste with every sip. The real surprise comes from the raspberry popping pearls. These pearls burst with juicy berry flavor, giving you a fun texture that feels different from classic boba.

• The summer-berry refresher tastes light and sweet, almost like a berry punch. You might think of summer-berry refreshers as a fruity twist on bubble tea, but without the creamy base.
• The popping pearls are not chewy like regular boba. Instead, they pop in your mouth and release a splash of berry juice. This makes each sip exciting and playful.
• If you compare this to classic boba milk tea, you’ll notice a big difference. Classic boba milk tea is creamy and rich, with chewy tapioca pearls that give you a dense, satisfying bite. The summer-berry refresher is lighter, fruitier, and more refreshing. It’s a great choice if you want something cold and not too heavy.

If you love refreshers with fruity boba, you’ll enjoy the juicy burst from the pearls in this drink. The summer-berry refresher stands out for its bright flavor and fun texture, but it might feel a bit sweet if you prefer less sugar.

Starbucks Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher

The summer-berry lemonade refresher looks just as bright as the original, but you’ll spot a hint of yellow from the lemonade. When you take your first sip, you taste a mix of tart lemonade and sweet berries. The flavor reminds you of a childhood Popsicle—tangy, fruity, and super cold.

The popping pearls in this drink add a strong raspberry flavor. They pop easily and give you a burst of juice that blends well with the lemonade. Some people notice that the pearls can be different sizes and sometimes sink to the bottom, but the wide straw helps you get most of them. The amount of pearls feels just right for the size of the drink.

You’ll find that the summer-berry lemonade refresher is more balanced than the regular summer-berry refresher. The tartness from the lemonade keeps it from being too sweet. If you want a refreshing sip that wakes up your taste buds, this is a top pick from the Starbucks summer menu.

Many people say the popping pearls make this drink special. They add a playful twist and make the summer-berry lemonade refresher stand out among other refreshers.

Starbucks Summer Skies Drink

The summer skies drink grabs your attention with its pretty, creamy blue color. It mixes the same berry flavors as the other summer-berry refreshers, but with coconut milk for a smooth, creamy texture. When you try it, you might remember childhood drinks like Berry Kool-Aid or blue Jolly Ranchers.

• The coconut milk makes the drink creamy and light, but the berry flavor can feel a little too mild. Some people love the creamy base, while others think the flavors don’t blend as well as they should.
• The popping pearls in this drink have a strong raspberry taste. Sometimes, the pearls feel like they don’t match the creamy base, and you might end up with too many pearls at the bottom.
• The summer skies drink looks beautiful and feels cold, but the flavor can be confusing if you expect a classic boba experience.

Pros: Light, fruity, creamy, and visually stunning.
Cons: The pearls can overpower the drink, and the flavor mix may not work for everyone. If you want a classic boba milk tea, you might find this drink less satisfying.

Wendy’s Matcha Brown Sugar Boba

Wendy’s matcha brown sugar boba gives you a classic bubble tea vibe with a twist. The drink is a bright green color from the matcha, and you’ll see the brown sugar swirl at the bottom. When you take a sip, you taste creamy matcha with a sweet, caramel-like kick from the brown sugar.

The boba pearls in this drink are chewy and a bit firmer than what you get at a boba shop. If you like your boba with a little bite, you’ll enjoy these pearls. The drink is cold and rich, making it a good pick if you want something sweet and satisfying.

Compared to classic boba milk tea, Wendy’s version is a little less creamy but still delivers on flavor. The matcha stands out, and the brown sugar adds depth. The value is good for a fast-food chain, but the pearls might feel too firm if you prefer softer boba.

Tip: If you love matcha and want a cold treat, this drink is a fun way to try boba outside a traditional tea shop.

OneZo Green Milk Tea

OneZo’s green milk tea is a treat for true boba fans. The drink has a creamy green tea base that feels smooth and cold. What really makes it special are the handmade boba pearls. These pearls are fresh, chewy, and don’t have any weird aftertaste. You can tell they’re made by hand because they taste natural and have a perfect texture.

• OneZo’s boba pearls don’t use additives or preservatives, so you get a pure boba experience.
• The green milk tea is rich and creamy, but not too heavy. You can ask for less sugar if you want a lighter drink.
• Compared to classic boba milk tea, OneZo’s version feels more authentic. The pearls are the star, and you get a real bubble tea shop vibe.

If you want a classic boba drink with top-quality pearls, OneZo green milk tea is a must-try. You’ll love the chewy texture and the fresh taste.

Head-to-Head: Best Summer Boba Drinks

Best Overall Flavor

You want a drink that tastes great from start to finish. Taste tests and customer reviews show the summer-berry lemonade refresher is the best for flavor. It mixes sweet and sour, and the raspberry popping pearls make it even more fun. The regular summer-berry refresher is next. It is lighter and not as sweet, with a nice blackberry taste. The summer skies drink looks cool but is too sweet for most people.

Here’s a quick look at how these drinks rank for flavor:

If you want the best taste, pick the summer-berry lemonade refresher. It is the top choice for a reason!

Most Refreshing

When it is hot, you want a drink that cools you down fast. The Starbucks refreshers do this best. The summer-berry lemonade refresher is special because the lemonade gives it a sharp, tangy taste. The regular summer-berry refresher also feels light and cool. Both drinks have ice and fruit flavors that make you feel refreshed right away.

Best Value

You want your money to go far, especially with boba drinks. Wendy’s matcha brown sugar boba gives you a big cup, real matcha, and chewy pearls for a good price. The Starbucks refreshers cost a little more, but you get popping pearls and bright flavors. OneZo green milk tea costs more than fast-food boba, but you get handmade pearls and a real boba shop feel.

• If you want to save money, try Wendy’s.
• If you want something special, OneZo is worth it.

Most Unique Texture

Texture makes boba drinks fun. The popping boba in Starbucks refreshers is something new. These pearls burst with juice when you bite them, not like the usual chewy pearls. Other boba shops have different textures, like egg pudding or cheese foam, but the popping boba is the most different this summer.

Want a drink that surprises you? Try the popping boba in the summer refreshers. Every sip feels like a small adventure!

Recommendations for the Summer Menu

Must-Try Summer Boba Drinks

You might wonder which drinks are the most popular this summer. Food experts and social media stars have their top picks. You can see these favorites in the table below. These drinks are known for their taste, fun, and bright looks.

If you want a tangy and fruity drink, try the Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher. The Summer Skies Drink is great if you like creamy, tropical flavors. For a special dairy-free choice, pick the Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso.

Drinks to Skip

Some summer drinks look cool but do not taste as good. You might want to skip these choices:

• Summer Skies Drink: The color is nice, but the coconut milk and berry flavors do not always mix well. Some people think the taste is strange.
• Regular Summer-Berry Refresher: This drink can taste a little plain if you want a strong flavor. The lemonade version has more taste.
• Gummy Sharks Refresher: This secret menu drink is fun, but it is very sweet and does not have popping pearls.

Save your money for drinks with the best taste and texture. Try the lemonade refresher or visit a classic boba shop for a more traditional drink.

Customization Tips

You can change your summer boba drink to fit what you like. Many shops let you pick how sweet it is, what toppings you want, or which milk to use. Here are some easy ways to make your drink perfect:

• Pick your sweetness: Ask for less sugar if you want a lighter drink. Shops like Gong Cha and Boba Guys let you choose half sugar or less.
• Try dairy-free options: Many places have almond, coconut, oat, or soy milk. Starbucks has oat milk and coconut milk. Bubble Bee and Boba Shack also have dairy-free choices.
• Choose your toppings: You can add or take away popping pearls, jelly, or foam. Some drinks, like the Gummy Sharks Refresher, come with cold foam for extra fun.
• Go vegan or allergy-friendly: Boba House and Ninja Cafe have vegan and milk-free drinks. Look for clear labels or ask the staff for help.
• DIY at home: Retea’s DIY Boba kits let you control sugar and milk, so you can make your drink fit your diet.

Tip: If you have allergies or want less sugar, always ask the staff for help. They know which drinks are safe and how to make your drink just the way you like.

Who will love these drinks?

• If you like classic boba, try OneZo Green Milk Tea for chewy, handmade pearls.
• If you want something fruity and cold, the Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher is a great choice.
• If you enjoy creamy drinks, the Summer Skies Drink or Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso will be perfect.
• If you want to try something new, go for a drink with popping pearls or a secret menu twist.

There is something for everyone on the summer menu. You can pick bold fruit, creamy milk, or a dairy-free treat. There are lots of choices for every taste.

You’ve seen the best and worst of this year’s summer boba drinks. Summer Skies stands out for its creamy coconut milk and balanced flavor, while the standard Summer-Berry Refreshers miss the mark with too much sweetness. Younger fans love creative toppings and fruit bases, and you’ll notice more health-friendly options than ever before. Want to see cheese foam or DIY recipes in future reviews? Let me know your favorite summer boba drinks or what you want to try next in the comments!

FAQ

Can you customize the sweetness of summer boba drinks?

Yes! Most shops let you pick how sweet you want your drink. You can ask for less sugar or even no sugar. If you like your drink less sweet, just tell the barista.

Are Starbucks popping pearls the same as regular boba?

No, they are different. Starbucks uses popping pearls that burst with juice. Classic boba pearls are chewy and made from tapioca. You get a fun, juicy pop instead of a chewy bite.

Which summer boba drink is best for someone who is vegan?

You have great options! Starbucks popping pearls are plant-based. Drinks with coconut or oat milk work well for vegans. Always double-check with staff to make sure your drink fits your needs.

Can you order these summer boba drinks all year?

Most summer boba drinks are limited-time only. You usually find them from late spring to early fall. If you love one, grab it before it’s gone!

What’s the best way to get more boba pearls in your drink?

Just ask for extra pearls when you order. Some shops charge a little more, but you get more of that fun texture. Don’t be shy—most places are happy to add more!