Starbucks Pink Drink

February 14, 2023 by Stephanie Manley, Last Updated April 16, 2024 40 Comments

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Have you wondered what’s in the Starbucks Pink Drink? Made with strawberry acai, green coffee tea extract, and coconut milk. This Starbucks refresher tastes as good as it looks. We will walk you through how to make this refreshing tea.

homemade Starbucks pink drink in two glasses and fresh strawberries

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Table of Contents

Why should you make your own copycat Starbucks Pink Drink

On a hot summer day, you know that the pink drink Starbucks serves is calling your name. But who wants to pay Starbucks’ prices for beverages? If you can’t escape your cravings for the sweet and tangy thirst-quenching taste of Starbucks Pink Drink but don’t want to go broke, try making it at home.

This homemade Starbucks Pink Drink recipe is caffeine-free, so you will feel good about allowing everyone in your family to enjoy it. And it is a good thing that the recipe is so easy to prepare because once you make it, it’s sure to become one of the most requested summer treats in your house.

What’s in a Starbucks Pink Drink?

This drink is made with a Strawberry Acai Base, coconut milk, white grape juice, freeze-dried strawberries, and green coffee extract. Their Pink Drink has a small amount of caffeine in it.

How to make your copycat version

For this copycat Starbucks pink drink recipe, I have a few swaps I am going to use for this recipe. The taste is very close. If you can find the Starbucks VIA Instant Refreshers, Very Berry Hibiscus you should purchase those, but I haven’t seen those available in the stores or on the Starbucks website in a very long time.

So let’s make the signature drink with what you can find, and again, I think you will find it tastes very close. The natural flavors of fresh strawberries may make this your favorite drink.

Copycat Pink Drink ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

Water – for blending the drink to the right level of strength.
Sugar – adds the right amount of sweetness
TAZO Passion Herbal Tea – this is our substitution for Starbucks’ Strawbery Acai base
White grape juice – adds balance and a touch of sweetness
Coconut milk – this is for flavor and is what makes the drink pink
Strawberries – Starbucks uses frozen-dried strawberries; they are hard to find and very expensive.
Ice cubes – your drink will be cool and refreshing with ice

Ingredient Notes

You can freely choose your preferred brands for most of the ingredients in this recipe, but the one non-negotiable item is TAZO Passion Herbal tea. It’s the key ingredient responsible for the drink’s stunning color and delightful tartness, thanks to its blend of hibiscus flowers, orange peel, rose hips, passion fruit, and cinnamon. If you can’t find it at your local store, you can always order it online.

Now, onto an ingredient you might not commonly have in your kitchen: coconut milk. It’s important to note that coconut milk differs from the more familiar coconut water, often marketed as a natural sports drink.

For this recipe, we specifically need the richer taste and thicker texture of coconut milk. While you can find it in cans, the best option is usually the refrigerated variety at the grocery store. Avoid sweetened coconut milk, as it will alter the drink’s intended flavor profile.

When selecting white grape juice, opt for a low-sugar or no-sugar-added version, as we’ll be adding sweetness through simple syrup. For the pinkest drink possible, choose the lightest-colored white grape juice available.

How to make the Starbucks Pink Drink

Prepare simple syrup by placing water and sugar into a saucepan.
Heat on medium-high just until the mixture begins to boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved.
Allow the simple syrup to cool to room temperature.
Prepare one bag of tea in a cup of boiling water.
Steep tea for five minutes.
Allow the tea to cool to room temperature before you make the drink.
Add simple syrup, half of the tea, and white grape juice to a tall glass. Stir well.
Pour in additional tea to fill the glass three-quarters full. Stir well.
Add coconut milk and stir well.
Add chopped strawberries and serve immediately.

Homemade Starbucks pink drink and fresh strawberries

Tips for making and serving the Pink Drink

Make by the pitcherful

Why waste time making each drink individually? Just make a larger batch by multiplying the recipe by four. Make it early in the day and store it covered in the fridge. Leave the strawberries out, and then add them into each individual glass along with ice.

Turn it into a slushie

Everyone loves a slushie when it’s hot outside, and it is easy to transform this drink into one.

Prepare the tea in advance and let it cool to room temperature
Stir in the white grape juice.
Freeze the mixture in an ice cube tray.
When you want to make a Pink Drink slushie, put the coconut milk, simple syrup, strawberries, frozen cubes of tea, and white grape juice into the blender.
Blend until smooth and serve.

Try making the slushie with a shot of rum for an island-inspired cocktail.

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two homemade Starbucks pink drink in glasses

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