This Starbucks Pink Drink Recipe Copycat is slightly sweet, light, refreshing, and dairy-free. Made with just 3 ingredients, it’s perfect for year-round sipping and so easy to make.
We also love to make a Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino at home!
Copycat Starbucks Strawberry Acai Drink
If I’m not grabbing a coffee, I’m likely grabbing the “Pink Drink” when I’m at Starbucks. The Starbucks strawberry acai drink took the world by storm several years ago and I’ve certainly become a fan.
But like many restaurant favorites, it turns out that it’s pretty easy to make a homemade pink drink. And I’ve figured out how to do it with just 3 ingredients, which means I get to enjoy this drink whenever I want and for way less money!
There are several different copycat versions of this drink out there, many that use the powder refreshers and/or tea bags, but I think it’s more work and more expensive, with the same results as this recipe. This Pink Drink is slightly sweet, but not at all overpowering. It’s quite light and so refreshing.
What Is The Pink Drink Recipe?
The Pink Drink recipe is one of Starbucks’ viral drinks that’s been around since 2016. It’s part of their Refreshers line, featuring a strawberry acai base, coconut milk, and real strawberries.
What’s In The Starbucks Pink Drink Recipe?
The original drink is made with a strawberry acai base, coconut milk, Tazo tea, and some other ingredients. But this Starbucks copycat recipe is made with just 3 main ingredients, while still maintaining the same wonderful flavor.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Strawberries – Freeze dried strawberries can replace the fresh ones, or use a combination of both.
- White Cran-Strawberry juice – Sometimes the white cran-strawberry juice can be challenging to find. If so, the cran-raspberry works great, too!
- Sweetened vanilla coconut milk – I use sweetened vanilla coconut milk so it’s dairy free and also gives the drink a touch of sweetness. This can be replaced with canned coconut milk or coconut cream, if preferred.
- Simple syrup (optional) – Feel free to add in some simple syrup for extra sweetness.
- Ice cubes
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions of Pink Drink Recipe
- Passion Fruit Tea – Not to be confused with passionfruit, the fruit! This is actually an herbal hibiscus tea flavored with orange peel and rose hips.
Tazo Passion is the best choice, but any similar variety will work. - Ocean Spray White Cran-Strawberry Juice – There is no suitable substitute for this ingredient!
Don’t even think about trying a store brand either — the flavor will be different, and your drink will be much sweeter. - Coconut Milk – Here’s where you’ll want the kind in cartons, not the canned version.
Make sure to pop shelf-stable varieties in the refrigerator first to get nice and cold. You can use sweetened or unsweetened, just adjust the simple syrup accordingly. - Strawberries – Add fresh slices to the glass both before and after adding the liquids.
To make a truly authentic pink drink recipe like Starbucks, you’ll need freeze-dried strawberries too.
Tips to Make this Pink Drink Recipe Starbucks Copycat
Brew passion tea ahead of time.
It needs about 5 minutes to steep, plus plenty of time to cool. You can speed up the process by placing the pitcher in the refrigerator.
For a stronger flavor, consider brewing a double-strength batch or using a carton of concentrate.
Keep in mind that concentrates are often sweetened, so you will likely need to reduce the amount of simple syrup.
Make your own simple syrup.
The process is quite simple, as the name suggests!
Combine equal parts water and granulated sugar in a saucepan on the stove, then simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved.
I like to match larger batches to store in the refrigerator — homemade simple syrup will last for up to 1 month.
Use it to sweeten coffee drinks, lemonade, and even cocktails!
Use pebble ice if you can.
It will be closest to the kind used at the cafe and it will make your drink easier to stir.
If you don’t have any on hand, regular cubes are preferred, but avoid crushed ice entirely.
Don’t forget the garnish!
Top each glass with extra fresh strawberry slices, plus some freeze-dried ones too — just like they do at Starbucks!
Prep Ahead
- Brew and cool passion fruit tea
- Slice strawberries
How to Make The Starbucks Pink Drink Recipe
Making this copycat Pink Drink at home couldn’t get any easier!
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Muddle the strawberries. Gently crush the strawberries with a muddler in a glass (or pitcher if making several drinks.)
- Combine the ingredients. Add in the remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Enjoy. Serve over ice, with additional strawberry slices.
Variations to Try
- Try a different tea. Make this recipe for Starbucks pink drink with another fruity tea like hibiscus or peach.
- Add some mint! Muddle a few leaves at the bottom of the glass before adding the ice cubes.
- Crush the strawberries. You can also muddle a few berry slices, releasing their juices to mix with the other ingredients. Or, stir in a little strawberry purée.
- Make it extra fruity. A pump or two of peach or raspberry syrup is a popular addition to this Starbucks pink drink recipe.
- Top with sweet cream cold foam. In fact, I have a recipe for that too!
Tips & FAQs
Here are a few things to keep in mind when making this copycat Starbucks Pink Drink, as well as a few common questions.
- Make it sweeter. If you like a super sweet drink, just add more simple syrup.
- Don’t pulverize the strawberries. The goal is to gently muddle the strawberries to release some of the juices, not to smash them completely. The slices should still be intact.
- Is the Pink Drink at Starbucks healthy? As far as Starbucks’ drinks go, this strawberry acai drink is relatively healthy. It’s not as sugary sweet as some of the other drinks, like frappes, or as high in calories.
- Is the Pink Drink safe for kids? Yes, the Pink Drink is great for kids – especially this homemade version! The OG Starbucks version does contain a bit of caffeine but this copycat version does not.
Can I Make This For A Crowd?
Absolutely! Just double or triple the ingredients to make the desired number of servings. You can even assemble everything in the pitcher earlier in the day and keep it in the fridge. Just give it a good stir before pouring into individual glasses over ice.
Recipe!
Starbucks Pink Drink Recipe!
Equipment
- pan
- Mixing bowls
- juicer
Ingredients
- Ice cubes, or crushed ice
- fresh Strawberries, sliced, (for garnish)
- 2 cup prepared passion fruit tea, cooled
- 1/4 cup simple syrup, adjust to taste
- 1/2 cup Ocean Spray White Cran-Strawberry juice
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- Fresh strawberries, sliced (for garnish)
- Freeze dried strawberries, (for garnish)
Instructions
- Freeze dried strawberries, (for garnish)
- Divide the prepared passion fruit tea evenly among the glasses. Add sliced strawberries to each glass.
- Pour the simple syrup into each glass, adjusting the amount to taste.
- Pour the Ocean Spray White Cran-Strawberry juice into each glass, dividing it equally.
- Slowly pour the coconut milk into each glass, distributing it evenly.
- Garnish each glass with freeze-dried strawberries for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Give the drinks a gentle stir to combine the ingredients.
- Serve the pink drinks immediately to enjoy them at their freshest and coldest.