We Tried Wawa’s Refreshers (And We Have A New Favorite)

It seems like every brand has to have their own version of a Refresher these days. But when we heard that Wawa was sidling up to Starbucks, Dunkin’, and even Panera Bread with its own line of fruity, creamy, and customizable Refreshers, we weren’t worried at all. And, of course, we had to try them.

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Unlike the McDonald’s new dragon fruit drink, Wawa’s take on the popular trend is completely customizable―but you really don’t need all the bells, whistles, and gummy sharks to make a good beverage. Wawa’s Refreshers come in Fruit, Lemonade, Oat Milk, and Green Tea varieties, as part of the much bigger “Refreshers and Rechargers” menu.

Mostly because the Rechargers menu is insanely big and colorful with drinks with names like “The Mermaid” and “Electric Waves,” we limited ourselves to the basic Refreshers―specifically, the Oat Milk, Lemonade, and Green Tea. (You can build your own, as well.) The basic verdict, especially for $3 each, no matter what size? Let’s get into it.

Strawberry Dragonfruit Lemonade Refresher

Pros: It tastes like the pink Starburst. Seriously, do you need me to go on? Because it absolutely does. Yes, the Starburst-ness is a bit subtle, but it’s there―a lovely delicate, softly fruity surprise. Not too sweet, with strawberry kind of dominating and dragon fruit doing, well, whatever dragon fruit does (sort of subtly berry-ish and delicately tropical/floral). 

Cons: The lemonade was a little subtle―a hint of tartness came through at the way end. But can we really call that a con when it let the pink Starburst-ness of it all shine? 

Piña Colada Oat Milk Refresher

Pros: You can pick from a variety of flavors for the Oat Milk Refresher and yes, I’ve only had this kind so far, but this is the best. Okay, so the Strawberry, Matcha, and Mango flavors are probably also pretty good. But for someone without regular access to a piña colada machine (or piña colada lifestyle for that matter), this Wawa-bought highway-side three-buck drink was a mini vacation-for-your-mouth miracle: pineapple and coconut just go really, really well with that creamy, subtly-sweet oat milk. And the juicy tartness of the pineapple just barely cuts through before it all gets too sweet.

Cons: Truly, none to speak of. After tasting it, I regret not getting the Cold Foam (available for any flavor) because it’d be a natural add-on (though it might be confusing because then I might really think I’m at the beach). 

Mango Passionfruit with Green Tea Refresher

Pros: Did I mention they put the ingredients on the drink sticker? I realized because I noticed dragon fruit pieces floating on top, and I hadn’t gotten anything dragon fruit (for once). But dragon fruit is part of the recipe, likely because it adds color―a beautiful gradient from purple-pink to a fleshy peachy-pink (it all blends but it’s a nice look). And the combo works―passionfruit, mango “base,” and green tea, which you can still taste (nothing is oversweet, another pro) and balances out the sweetness and tartness of mango and passionfruit, respectively. Again, this is the only one I had in this variety but I’d have it again―passionfruit and iced green tea (which I’m obsessed with) pair incredibly well. 

Cons: The dragon fruit isn’t really necessary―not totally a con but a “meh.” Though maybe since we’re all used to so much textural variation (in addition to rainbow colors and toppings), it’d feel naked without the dragon fruit? Either way, they could save it for another drink. 

Our Final Verdict

Granted I didn’t drink the whole menu but based on the non-cloying sweetness, the surprise pink Starburst magic factor, and the fact that an Oat Milk Piña Colada at a gas station made me feel (so briefly) like I was on a cruise, these would rate high no matter what. Add the fact that you can, yes, add gummy sharks, cold foam, and raspberry popping bubbles to almost all of them, it’s an easy, affordable choice for a Refresher.