SEATTLE - This week, Starbucks Coffee Company announced plans for a global entry into the energy category with Starbucks Refreshers beverages. Starbucks will be the first to bring green coffee extract innovation to customers on a global scale. Starbucks Refreshers beverages contain real fruit juice and a boost of natural energy from green coffee extract. The new beverage platform gives the company an opportunity to introduce a completely new offering globally.

"The launch of new products such as Starbucks VIA Ready Brew, Starbucks Blonde Roast Coffees and customizable Frappuccino are great examples of how we continue to leverage our coffee expertise. If anyone was going to innovate in coffee while delivering on an untapped energy and refreshment need state, it would be Starbucks," said Annie Young-Scrivner, global chief marketing officer for Starbucks and president of Tazo Tea, in a press release.

"The energy category is the fastest growing category within measured CPG channels at $8 billion, up 16% over the last year. The launch of Starbucks Refreshers beverages continues to support our growth strategy to innovate with new products, enter new categories, and expand into new channels of distribution," she said.

Starbucks Refreshers are made with green coffee extract from 100% arabica beans. Currently, the drinks are available at select grocery locations in the United States. By the end of April, customers will find ready-to-drink Starbucks Refreshers beverages at more than 160,000 points of distribution in U.S. supermarkets.