Review: New Jamba Fruit Refreshers

Left to Right: Pineapple, Mango, and Strawberry Lemonade

Jamba Juice's new summer Fruit Refreshers debut today but I got an earlier sneak peek and a 16-ounce sample of each new flavor yesterday courtesy of Jamba Juice. The new drinks feature coconut water to keep your hydrated and come in three flavors: Purely Pineapple, Strawberry Lemonade, and Tropical Mango.

A 16-ounce cup normally runs for $3.90 at my local Jamba.

I'd never actually drunk coconut water prior to these Fruit Refreshers so I was actually expecting a bit of coconut flavor. However, The Sister informed me that coconut water doesn't carry much coconut flavor at all. I found instead that it imparts a bit of a salty flavor reminiscent of Gatorade and other similar sports drinks. Maybe, it's a hydration thing...?

Apparently, coconut water has a lot of electrolytes which helps you stay hydrated. It also has a fair bit of potassium. It's not to be confused with coconut milk which has a lot of coconut flavor. Basically, the selling points are Vitamin C, potassium, and electrolytes healthwise.

The consistency of the Fruit Refreshers are less smoothie and more icy slushie mixed with fruit pulp which makes for an easier drinking experience when you're thirsty.

Purely Pineapple is made of pineapple juice, pineapple sherbet, coconut water, peaches and ice. This was my least favorite Fruit Refresher. While I like pineapple, I don't like pineapple juice so much; it doesn't have the same tartness and vibrancy of the actual fruit. The Sister thought this one tasted "weird."

Strawberry Lemonade features strawberries, lemonade, coconut water, lime sherbet, sorbet and ice. The Strawberry Lemonade was okay for me. I like my Strawberry Lemonade very lemony and with a distinctive strawberry flavor probably more so than most. This version is still tart but was more lime-y than lemony. It still taste like strawberry lemonade though.

Tropical Mango consists of mangoes, passion-mango juice, coconut water, pineapple sherbet, orange sherbet and ice. Tropical Mango was my favorite of the three because of its vibrant tropical mango flavor. This is the one I'd sip while lounging by the beach or the pool.

To inspire you to try the new Fruit Refreshers, Jamba Juice is offering an online coupon via their Facebook page and their website where you can get a 16-ounce Fruit Refresher for $2 valid from May 25, 2011 until June 8, 2011.

Jamba Juice Store Locator

Nutritional Info - Jamba Juice Purely Pineapple Fruit Refresher (16 fl oz)
Calories - 220 (from Fat - 10)
Fat - 1g (Saturated Fat - 0g)
Sodium - 115mg
Carbs - 53g (Sugar - 48g)
Protein - 2g

Nutritional Info - Jamba Juice Strawberry Lemonade Fruit Refresher (16 fl oz)
Calories - 230 (from Fat - 10)
Fat - .5g (Saturated Fat - 0g)
Sodium - 105mg
Carbs - 55g (Sugar - 47g)
Protein - 1g

Nutritional Info - Jamba Juice Tropical Mango Fruit Refresher (16 fl oz)
Calories - 210 (from Fat - 10)
Fat - 1g (Saturated Fat - 0g)
Sodium - 120mg
Carbs - 50g (Sugar - 45g)
Protein - 2g