Panera is a popular bakery-café that offers a fast and casual dining experience. It’s not a super formal fine dining restaurant but it’s not also the typical fast-food joint like McDonald’s.
Panera has a wide selection of food items such as salads and sandwiches. But, you also get to choose from a variety of beverages from coffee, tea, and soda to fruity drinks.
Whether you are looking for a caffeine fix or a refreshing fruity drink, Panera has the drink for you.
This article will cover some of the best drinks at Panera so you can try them next time you go to a store near you!
In this article:
- Coffee and Tea
- Smoothies and Frozen Drinks
- Charged Sips
Coffee and Tea
Panera has some delicious coffee and tea drinks and these will surely give you your caffeine fix for the day.
Madagascar Vanilla Latte
For some people, this drink is just your regular vanilla-flavored coffee and might not be worth the hype. But, if you are a vanilla lover you will probably like the Madagascar Vanilla Latte.
Panera’s Madagascar Vanilla Latte is made with espresso, milk, and Madagascar vanilla syrup, and is topped with whipped cream. It can be an overly sweet drink but the vanilla flavoring does not overpower the taste of coffee too much.
Per 16 fl oz: 260 cal, 9 g fat, 115 mg sodium, 31 g sugar, 147 mg caffeine.
Chai Tea Latte
Panera’s Chai Tea Latte has a black tea base with hints of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and vanilla which is a typical flavor profile for chai. If you don’t want any caffeine in your drink, you should try the Chai Tea Latte.
You might wonder why this tea beverage does not have caffeine. Since it has black tea as the base, there is a little bit of caffeine in it. But, it is not as much as a coffee-based drink.
Panera’s Chai Tea Latte also comes from a concentrate, but you still get that delicious chai flavor with very little caffeine. You can get Panera’s Chai Tea Latte hot or iced depending on your preference.
Per 16 fl oz: 290 cal, 6 g fat, 130 mg sodium, 48 g sugar
Smoothies and Frozen Drinks
Smoothies and frozen drinks are great if you want something cold and refreshing, especially on a hot summer day.
Mango Smoothie
I feel like you could never go wrong with a mango smoothie, especially on a hot day. Panera’s Mango Smoothie has mango as its fruit base and it is also mixed with orange juice and banana puree.
With this combination, you get a sweet and tangy refreshing smoothie. It is also blended with Greek yogurt so you have a thick but smooth and velvety consistency. If you are looking for a tropical drink, the Mango Smoothie is worth a try!
Per 16 fl oz: 300 cal, 5 g fat, 75 mg sodium, 42 g sugar
Related: How to Make Panera's Mango Smoothie at Home in 5 Mins or Less
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
If you are not a mango person, then the Strawberry Banana Smoothie is for you. This drink is made from fruit purees and concentrate but you still get a good banana and strawberry flavor from this smoothie.
Like the Mango Smoothie, the Strawberry Banana Smoothie also has a thick and smooth consistency. The tanginess of the Greek Yogurt and strawberry flavor mixes well with the sweetness of the banana.
The milk and banana also add an extra creaminess to the smoothie giving you a sweet and creamy treat.
Per 16 fl oz: 250 cal, 2.5 g fat, 40 mg sodium, 36 g sugar
Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
If you are more into a slushie kind of drink, one of the best drinks you can order at Panera is the Frozen Strawberry Lemonade.
The combination of strawberry and lemonade might be too sour for some people, but this is a great combination if you like sour and tart-flavored drinks. For this drink, Panera uses fresh strawberries so you’ll get a fresh and flavorful drink.
It is also not all sour and tart since the drink contains sugar. If you like sweet and tangy fruity flavors, you’ll get the best of both worlds!
This drink is currently in season so make sure to grab one while it is still on the menu!
Per 16 fl oz: 140 cal, 0 g fat, 15 mg sodium, 31 g sugar
Charged Sips
Panera’s Charged Sips are also a nice option if you are looking for a caffeine fix without the coffee flavor. The Charged Sips contains about 155 to 302 mg of caffeine if you are cutting back on caffeine, the charged sips are not for you.
Panera also doesn’t recommend the Charged Sips for people who are sensitive to caffeine, children, and pregnant or nursing women. If you are in any of these categories, there are other drinks at Panera for you to try!
In the meantime, here are some of the best Charged Sips you can order at Panera.
Related: How to Make Panera's Charged Lemonade at Home (Recipe)
Mango Yuzu Citrus Charged Lemonade
For mango lovers who are not a fan of smoothies or slushies, this charged lemonade is for you. You’ll get a mix of flavors from lemon and apple juice concentrate but it also has natural flavors from the mango and yuzu fruit.
You’ll also get a tangy and sour flavor but Panera also uses its blend of agave lemonade making this drink sweet. Some people do say that this one tastes a little bit like alcohol. If you don’t like the flavor of liquor, this might throw you off.
Per 20 fl oz: 220 cal, 0 g fat, 10 mg sodium, 51 g sugar, 158 mg caffeine
Strawberry Lemon Mint Charged Lemonade
Another Charged Sip that you should try at Panera is the Strawberry Lemon Min Charged Lemonade.
I like the combination of strawberry and lemonade so this one definitely makes it to the list. It has a fruity and refreshing feeling with hints of sweetness and a sour taste making it the best summer drink.
Again, like with the Mango-flavored charged lemonade, this one is also high in caffeine and sugar. If you are cutting back on those two things, this is not the drink for you.
Per 20 fl oz: 180 cal, 0 g fat, 10 mg sodium, 41 g sugar, 155 mg caffeine
Final Thoughts
There are more drinks on Panera’s menu but the ones in this article are a must-try, especially if you are trying Panera for the first time. You might like the drinks I included or you you may have other preferences.
You can still try other drinks at Panera and see which ones you like best! This is just a guide to help you decide since I know it can be hard to pick a drink at a restaurant!
From coffee and tea to fruity drinks, Panera has got you covered!
Related: How to Make Panera Green Tea at Home – Quick & Affordable
