Nestlé and Starbucks Launch Green Coffee Concentrate, Targeting At-Home Customisation
Nestlé and Starbucks have expanded their Global Coffee Alliance with Starbucks Refreshers Concentrates, a green coffee extract-based beverage format for at-home preparation. This launch leverages the growing $2 billion Refreshers platform, targeting consumer demand for customisable, fruit-flavoured drinks.
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London, United Kingdom — 15 September 2026
Nestlé and Starbucks have introduced Starbucks Refreshers Concentrates, a new green coffee extract-based beverage format designed for at-home preparation. This expansion of their Global Coffee Alliance aims to capture shifting consumer preferences for personalised, fruit-flavoured, and lightly caffeinated drinks. The launch follows strong initial retail demand in the US market earlier this year, building on Starbucks' existing Refreshers platform, which has generated approximately $2 billion in sales over the past decade.
The concentrates are available in three fruit flavours: Strawberry Açaí, Mango Dragonfruit, and Lime Watermelon. Consumers can mix the product with water, milk, or lemonade over ice, creating a customisable beverage experience. This strategy responds to evolving consumer habits, where individuals seek flexible formats for varying consumption occasions throughout the day, extending the brand's reach beyond traditional café sales channels.
Ethel Touitou, Nestlé's Global Category Lead for Starbucks, highlights the concentrates' appeal to younger consumers due to visual presentation and customisation options. This focus on aesthetic and shareability underscores the influence of social media on product popularity. Nik Dhodi, Vice President of the Global Coffee Alliance at Starbucks, attributes the Refreshers' success to a robust consumer appetite for refreshing, fruit-based beverages.
The move aligns with broader industry trends in fruit-based beverage innovation. Innova Market Insights data indicates a 10% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for global product launches featuring mango flavour between July 2021 and June 2026. Watermelon is a leading flavour in Southeast Asia and Africa, while mandarin shows the fastest growth in Australia and New Zealand. This data suggests a strong market signal for tropical and exotic fruit profiles in beverage development.
What this means for United Kingdom
UK supplement manufacturers should consider developing green coffee extract-based, lightly caffeinated beverage concentrates, capitalising on demand for functional and customisable at-home options. Brand owners must assess potential retail partnerships with major grocers (e.g., Tesco, Sainsbury's) and health retailers (e.g., Holland & Barrett) for concentrate formats, targeting consumers seeking alternatives to energy drinks or traditional coffee. Procurement leads need to secure high-quality green coffee extract and novel fruit flavourings to support rapid formulation windows. Compliance teams must ensure novel food regulations for green coffee extract are met for any new product registrations, referencing FSA guidelines.
For more on UK formulation and manufacturing best practice, learn more at Supplement Factory.