Starbucks is saying goodbye to the Valencia Orange Refresher.
Starbucks introduced the Valencia Refresher into the Refreshers lineup in June 2013. The hallmark of the Refreshers lineup of beverages is that they’re lightly caffeinated with green coffee extract, similar to the caffeine in a iced tea. On July 7th, this refreshing drink officially comes off the menu.
Starbucks changes their beverage offerings all the time. This isn’t new. Some people reading this might remember things like Chantico, Sorbetto, and even Tazo Citrus blended drink.
The Valencia Orange Refresher has its devoted following of drinkers, so much so they’ve turned to social media to try and save the drink from being axed very soon! There’s a Save the Valencia Orange Refresher Facebook page! There’s a Twitter profile and a Save the Valencia Orange Refresher petition too.
Having been a watcher of Starbucks for a long time, it seems doubtful this will succeed, but this is a valiant effort to try and save the Valencia Orange Refresher! I thought it was interesting that someone (or how ever many people?) is working so hard to save this drink!
If you’re a fan of this beverage, get yourself to Starbucks quickly!
Will you miss the Valencia Orange Refresher when it’s gone?
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Definitely a repeat sad day for me. Canada discontinued it probably a year ago. I was crushed, probably even shed a tear. But my saving grace was that I could get it if I crossed the boarder (which I hary do) so this news once again saddens me. I guess I won’t ever have that deliciousness in a cup again. Le sigh!
Why do “orange” drinks not last at Starbucks? I miss the orange blossom tea, the orange spice iced coffee and now this?
I am so bummed about this. Like Nicholas, I was sad when we lost it in Canada, but I was so happy to get it when I visited the US (I am there a lot). I probably won’t get there before July 7, so I guess I’ve tasted my last VOR 🙁
Dustin, that’s interesting.. We also had an orange cream syrup and a Valencia syrup… If they would bring back Valencia, I would be very happy.
On Facebook, when I posted about this, there were TONS of replies (as is the case a lot of conversation is now on social media) and I know it will be a sad day for many!!
My theory is that since the berry is one of the most popular, why not release a strawberry one to increase sales. Also, Fizzio stores are getting a orange cream soda to fulfill maintaining a orange offering still. Again, this is all speculation but I can understand why it is being discontinued. Why have two orange flavors in Fizzio stores? Strawberry and Berry taste very different than the Valencia and the Orange Cream in my opinion.
I will give credit to this social media effort to save this Refresher, but as you said, it seems doubtful as Starbucks will do what they feel is needed to change things up.
I’ve had this one several times and it’s good. I still like the Lime Refresher, but the Valencia Orange was a very close second.
I long for the days of a Mocha Valencia. Sadly, time (and Starbucks flavors) move on.
Many people alter their Starbucks favorites to suit their tastes, and it’s awesome they have that freedom. For me, the Valencia Orange Refresher needed no alterations. I love the crisp orange tanginess of it. Really, really sad to see it going away. When I was a partner in Cheyenne, Wyoming I would have two or three during shift, and I always took home two. There’s only one other item I have ever been sad to see go, and that was the Coconut Syrup. Since the Coconut Syrup is on the way back, I will forgive Starbucks for taking away my beloved Valencia Orange Refresher. The Coconut Syrup is delicious in the Cool Lime Refresher, by the way!! 🙂
Luckily, we won’t hard-stop selling VOR until July 12! So you have a little bit of time.
And though I love my Valencia Orange Refresher….the new Strawberry Açai Refresher is my favorite flavor yet! You’ll love it.
Oh no! Does this mean stores won’t be getting the freeze dried orange slices? I won’t be able to order the Orange Spice Iced Coffee off-menu any longer? How will I baffle new baristas with my weird orders?
I think the Valencia Orange refresher had a real good run . At my store it was real popular . We only have like 2 boxes of it left. But hopefully the the new strawberry acai refresher will be good that will replace it shaken with freeze dried straberries. #valenciaorangerefresherwillbemissed
Does anyone know if the orange tastes good in a mocha? Like many, I used to like the old Mocha Valencias.
Hey guys! Thanks for noticing my commitment to saving this drink at Starbucks! I’m dedicated to getting as many signers as I can on my petition and I will continue to harass Starbucks to change their minds even though they already blocked me (:
I need want love this drink….goes well in am and pm…..I drink 2 a day.
I’m surprised that Valencia Orange is going away rather than Cool Lime. In every store that I have ever worked in, Cool Lime was way less popular than Valencia Orange (nothing can beat Very Berry Hibiscus). I understand not wanting to have two orange flavors at Fizzio stores, but that makes up for only half the country, so it seems odd that we are keeping Cool Lime.
I agree with Josh, I can’t believe they made the decision to keep CLR and cut VOR. I don’t know anyone who likes the lime, it’s like bad margarita mix. Honestly, this will be the final nail in the coffin for me. I stopped buying tea when they dropped Tazo (I get my iced tea from Dunkin now and am doing well with their rewards program) and once they kill VOR, I’ll have almost no reason to go to SBux. I started a post on MSI, it has 130 votes so far: http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/ideaview?id=08750000000KQ7zAAG
This is definitely a very sad day for me. When I would go to Starbucks, it was mainly only for this beverage and nothing else. I really hope Starbucks reconsiders it since it seems there is such a huge amount of support to keep it. It doesn’t matter if someone does not like it because there are a lot of people who do like it. Keep it on the menu, Starbucks! Listen to what your customers want because they are speaking loud enough to be heard.
My store has lots that I squirreled away when I heard VOR was being discontinued.
Maybe I’m one of the few, but I had the Valencia Orange Refresher. That came out back when I was a partner at Sbux, and I remember being surprised that they kept it around…it always tasted like bad Tang to me. :p I’m even more surprised by the number of people who mention liking the orange iced coffee on here; I tried that once since I was required to sample all new drinks and I literally spit it out. I only ever had three people order it and I straight up advised against getting it if customers asked me about it. To each their own, I suppose, but I for one am really happy about this change an looking forward to trying the strawberry acai.
Please please please don’t get rid of it!!!! Best drink at Starbucks!!!! It’s the only reason I go to Starbucks!!!
I will miss this drink. Has anyone figured out to doctor up the cool lime to make it a bit more tart other than adding a splash of passionfruit?
It’s my favorite drink at Starbucks! Since it’s gone away I don’t want anything else there! They should’ve gotten rid of the cool lime!
This is very disappointing, I bought about 3-4 venti valencia orange refreshers a week…the cool lime one doesn’t cut it and the strawberry one is way to sweet….BRING IT BACK!,
The new refreshers BLOW– the baristas don’t even like them! My store finally ran out of the Valencia and I am legitimately sad! It was the only drink I got there– rain or shine, every morning.
I’m so happy to see I’m not the only one that’s crazy for the Starbucks Refreshers. However, I’m a canned refreshers addict. Although I did enjoy (very much) the orange valencia iced beverage at Starbucks, my true one and only love WAS and always will be the Orange Melon canned refresher. I drank my last one on August 25, 2014. It was a sad day. I tried writing the company to avail. NO ONE CARED. So I’m hopping onto this bandwagon to help with the valencia orange in hopes that we can also come together and bring back the canned orange melon refresher…..or as another person stated ANY of the orange beverages they seem to tease us with. I wish us all much luck in getting Starbucks to hear our pleas. STARBUCKS ARE YOU THERE?????