This Starbucks pink drink recipe is just as good and Insta-worthy as the original. But it’s a lot healthier and cheaper!
There’s no need to wait in line at Starbucks just to get a sip of their popular pink drink.
Thanks to this easy-peasy copycat recipe, you can enjoy the goodness of this stunning and refreshing drink in the comfort of your own home.
Unlike the original, this recipe doesn’t contain artificial ingredients. It’s 100% natural and delicious!
Plus, since it’s much more affordable, you can make it any time the mood strikes you.
So, if you are craving the creamy, berry goodness of a Starbucks pink drink, this recipe is a must-try.
Starbucks Pink Drink Recipe
Added to its menu in 2016, the Starbucks pink drink is one of those Starbucks drinks that’s since taken the internet by storm – and for good reason.
It must be pretty great if people are willing to wait in line for it!
I mean, just look at it. That Insta-worthy pink hue alone is enough to make you fall in love… and in line.
Fun fact: the pink drink was originally a secret menu item. But after gaining massive popularity, Starbucks added it to their set menu.
Apart from its luscious color, the beloved drink is also packed with flavor.
The combination of sweet strawberries, passion fruit, and coconut milk creates a sweet, fruity, thick, and creamy beverage.
It’s the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day.
It’s also a lighter option than the strawberry Frappuccino, which contains a whopping 370 calories! A venti pink drink only has 210.
But as much as I love the pink drink, I also think it is way too expensive! At $5+ pop, it’s a bit of a splurge.
It’s also loaded with sugars and other artificial ingredients, so while it’s technically healthier than a strawberry frappe, it isn’t good for you.
Sure, you deserve to indulge once in a while, but if you’re as addicted to this drink as I am, you may want to explore better options.
This Starbucks pink drink recipe gives you the same color and flavors of the iconic beverage, only healthier and cheaper.
It makes use of affordable natural ingredients that you can get at any grocery store! Best of all, it is insanely easy to make. You can whip up this drink any time, any day.
Ingredients
Based on their website, the original Starbucks pink drink calls for the following ingredients:
- Sugar
- White grape juice concentrate
- Citric acid
- Natural flavors
- Natural green coffee flavor
- Fruit
- Vegetable juice
So artificial, am I right?
Don’t worry, this copycat recipe uses none of them. Rather, it calls for easily accessible, not to mention natural, ingredients.
This version is much healthier, and more importantly, tastes just like the original. Actually, if I’m being honest, it tastes even better!
Here are the key ingredients to make this refreshing drink:
- Strawberries – Apart from the flavor, they also give the drink its signature color. You can use fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried.
- White Grape Juice – It might seem odd, but this is at the base of every Starbucks Refresher on the menu.
- Tea – This recipe calls for TAZO Passion Herbal tea bags, but you can use whatever you prefer. Hibiscus, acai, and white tea all work great!
- Coconut milk – It’s thick, creamy, and wonderfully coconut-y! Coconut cream works, too.
- Ice – It’s a cold beverage, after all!
- Agave – It’s optional, but you may need it for sweetness.
How to Make Starbucks Pink Drink
Here’s how you’ll make this copycat Starbucks pink drink:
1. Steep the tea. Put two tea bags in a glass. Pour a cup of cold white grape juice over them. Stir, then leave it alone to steep.
Put the other two tea bags in a different glass. Pour a cup of cold water over them and let them steep, as well.
2. Prepare the drinks. The liquid in both glasses should be pink after 3 to 5 minutes. Once it is, remove and discard the tea bags.
Then, fill two clean glasses with ice. Pour half the juice into one, then top it with half the water. Do the same in the other glass.
After pouring, you should have used all the liquid from both original glasses. (Splitting it evenly between the two new glasses.)
3. Finish the drinks. Top each drink with coconut milk and strawberries. Stir. Add agave nectar to suit your tastes, and stir once more.
4. Serve. Serve the drinks with a straw and any desired garnishes. Enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Drink
Here are a couple of tips:
- Use Starbucks syrup. To give your drink an even more Starbucks-esque vibe, use their syrup! Starbucks vanilla syrup is available in most grocery stores.
- Steep the tea for 5 minutes. Five minutes will give the tea its maximum amount of flavor. But don’t over-brew it! This will make your drink too bitter. Conversely, if you don’t steep the tea long enough, you won’t get as much flavor.
Does Starbucks Pink Drink Have Caffeine?
While completely and beautifully pink, this drink contains green tea. So, yes, it has caffeine.
A bag of green tea contains about 30 to 50 milligrams, and this recipe uses four. (Albeit, split between two drinks.)
But the good thing about this drink is that you’re free to use whatever type of tea you want. White tea has less caffeine than others. Decaf works fine, as well.
Can I Switch the Type of Milk?
Of course! This recipe calls for coconut milk to get that signature pink drink flavor, but you can swap it with any milk you want.
I have tried it with almond milk, and it tastes phenomenal! Regular dairy milk works just as fine, too.