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Panera Bread is embarking on an exciting journey to revamp its drink menu by introducing a new assortment of specialty beverages, currently available in select markets. This move comes after the discontinuation of their highly caffeinated Charged Lemonades last year, signaling a shift towards offering drinks with a more moderate caffeine content.
This week, Panera initiated a 12-week trial that will be conducted across approximately 65 locations in Nashville, Mobile/Pensacola, and Baltimore. During this period, customers can explore two new categories of beverages: caffeine-free Frescas and lightly caffeinated Energy Refreshers.
The Energy Refreshers represent a significant departure from the Charged Lemonades, which the company removed from their menus in May 2024. These new drinks are formulated with 28 to 44 milligrams of caffeine per serving, a stark contrast to the previous offerings and comparable to a single cup of decaf coffee or a can of Coca-Cola.
As part of this test, Panera is showcasing four beverages crafted with real fruit, aiming to provide a refreshing and energizing experience for their customers. This initiative underscores Panera’s commitment to continually enhancing its product lineup while catering to a wide array of consumer preferences.
The test includes four beverages made with real fruit:
- Cherry Lime Fresca with dried tart cherries
- Pomegranate Hibiscus Fresca, an herbal tea with pomegranate juice and dragonfruit
Energy Refreshers (caffeinated):
- Dragonfruit Sunset Energy Refresher with pineapple and tropical dragonfruit flavors
- Passionfruit Paradise Energy Refresher combining passionfruit, guava and orange flavors with fresh pineapple
“The beverage landscape is expanding fast and now more than ever guests are seeking flavorful, refreshing, and innovative beverage options,” said Brooke Buchanan, Panera’s chief corporate affairs officer.
The current test runs through Jan. 6 and aims to attract customers seeking coffee alternatives and fruit-forward flavors, Panera said. The drinks will be handcrafted by baristas and available for dine-in, delivery, drive-thru and rapid pickup at participating locations.
Charged Lemonade controversy
Panera removed its Charged Lemonades after the drinks became the subject of multiple wrongful death and injury lawsuits. The legal actions alleged the beverages’ high caffeine content was inadequately disclosed and caused cardiac events in several customers, including the deaths of two individuals with heart conditions.
The lawsuits drew widespread attention to the drinks’ caffeine levels, which exceeded those found in popular energy drinks like Monster and Red Bull. Panera had marketed the beverages in self-serve dispensers alongside regular lemonades and teas, though the company later added warning labels and moved them behind the counter.
The company did not publicly cite the lawsuits as the reason for discontinuing Charged Lemonades, instead describing it as a “menu transformation.” Panera has denied wrongdoing in the legal cases.
