Panda Express has been quietly building one of the more interesting beverage menus in fast-casual dining. The new Strawberry Dragonfruit Flavored Refresher launched August 10 and is available now at participating locations nationwide — and its vibrant pink color is already generating significant attention across social media.
What It Is
The Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher is part of Panda Express’s Panda Crafted Beverages lineup, which now includes four flavors:
- Strawberry Dragonfruit Flavored Refresher — the new addition
- Peach Lychee Flavored Refresher
- Pomegranate Pineapple Flavored Lemonade
- Watermelon Mango Flavored Refresher
The new drink combines sweet strawberry flavor with tropical dragonfruit notes in a colorful, refreshing alternative to traditional soft drinks. Pricing runs approximately $3.60 for a 24-oz size at most locations, though prices vary by market.
The Honest Assessment
Not every reviewer is fully on board. Sporked notes the strawberry-and-dragonfruit pairing is less common than mango-dragonfruit combinations, giving it a slight edge in originality — though they also point out that dragonfruit flavor typically plays a supporting role to whatever it’s paired with, meaning the strawberry does most of the flavor lifting here.
That’s a calibration worth knowing before you order. If you’re expecting to taste dragonfruit prominently, you’ll mostly taste strawberry with a tropical undertone. If that sounds appealing, this drink is exactly for you.
Why This Pairing Makes Sense at Panda Express
The drink’s compatibility with spicy menu favorites like Hot Orange Chicken is one of its strongest use cases — the cooling sweetness of a fruit refresher cuts through the heat of a spicy entrée in a way a standard fountain soda simply doesn’t. It’s a pairing that makes Panda Express’s beverage menu feel more intentional than it did a year ago.
The launch also positions Panda Express more squarely in the premium fast-casual beverage space, competing with chains like Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Taco Bell that have all aggressively expanded their refresher lineups in recent years.
The Bottom Line
Panda Express’s Strawberry Dragonfruit Flavored Refresher is available now at participating locations nationwide for approximately $3.60 for a 24-oz size. If you’re already a Hot Orange Chicken fan, this is the pairing to try.