SEATTLE -- The nation's biggest coffeehouse chain has unveiled a ready-to-drink coffee-based energy beverage in Canada. In the U.S., it has partnered with The New York Times to offer patrons free digital access to the newspaper's articles.
Called Starbucks Refreshers, the new ready-to-drink sparkling energy beverage line -- with a caffeine kick from green coffee extract -- is a canned version of the barista-prepared drink of same name introduced in Canadian Starbucks stores in summer 2012.
Made with real fruit juice, the beverages contain 60 calories per serving and come in raspberry pomegranate, strawberry lemonade and orange melon varieties. They're packaged in 355mL cans that retail for $2.99 in major grocery, convenience and mass merchandise stores throughout Canada.
In other news, customers at Starbucks U.S. coffeehouses can access up to 15 articles a day on NYTimes.com through Starbucks's digital network. That includes three articles across five sections per day, including Top News, Business, Technology and Most E-Mailed. The fifth rotating section features the corresponding special section of the daily print paper.
The New York Times newspaper is already widely distributed in Starbucks shops across the country. The enhanced digital access will be available only in U.S. stores that offer free AT&T Wi-Fi. The newspaper allows nonsubscribers to access a limited number of digital articles a month; additional access requires a digital subscription.
