This homemade version of the iconic Starbucks Pink Drink will have you blushing with every delicious sip!
You guys already know that I am a sucker for a Starbucks copycat recipe. As a recovering Starbucks addict, I’ve made it my personal mission to test and try every recipe I can to create a personal coffee shop in my own home. It all started when I realized that I was spending way too much money (and also consuming way too much sugary syrupy junk) with my daily Starbucks sips. Sure, I was racking up stars in the app, but the loss was definitely outweighing the gain. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and learn how to copy my favorite orders at home for a fraction of the cost, and the priceless bonus of choosing my own ingredients.
Since I began my caffeine-fueled endeavor, I’ve been able to create my own versions of favorites like the Caramel Macchiato, the Medicine Ball Tea, and the Strawberry Açai Refresher. I even make my own Vanilla Coffee Creamer at home now! Once I mastered the Strawberry Açai Refresher, my younger sister started begging me to make her favorite Starbucks order – the infamous Pink Drink.
The Pink Drink started as a secret menu item, but it has since become a consumer favorite, with so much popularity that it became an official menu item in the last decade. The Pink Drink is a sort of variation of the Strawberry Açai Refresher, using coconut milk to create its signature blush color and creamy berry taste. I have to admit, this sweet treat is almost worth the money it costs – almost.
This is why I’ve done my sister a favor and learned how to make my own version of the Pink Drink using coconut milk, fresh strawberries, and a fruity blend of white cranberry-strawberry juice. The result is a sweet flavor with a smooth and creamy texture that you can enjoy any time of day. Plus, you can skip the drive-through line to do it!
Is This Pink Drink Healthy?
Much like my other copycat recipes, this dupe for the Starbucks Pink Drink is a healthier alternative to the drink that inspired it. By using unsweetened coconut milk and including the simple syrup as an optional extra, this version leans on the natural sweetness of strawberries and juice instead. You can also enhance the flavor and nutritional profile by adding other fruits, like blueberries and real cranberries!
Shaken, Not Stirred
The key to getting this dupe to taste like the real deal is in the preparation. Starbucks Refreshers are typically shaken, not stirred. Use small ice cubes (this will help to better mix the ingredients) and shake your beverage before pouring it into your serving glass. The shaking method will help replicate the texture of the original Pink Drink, enhancing your experience and making the beverage all that much more enjoyable.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup chilled white cranberry-strawberry juice
- 1 cup chilled coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup optional for sweetness
- Ice cubes
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries sliced
- Optional: additional strawberries for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix
Combine juice and coconut milk.
Prepare
Pour into a shaker and shake.
Serve
Pour drink over strawberries, garnish if desired.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Since this drink is shaken, it’s best to enjoy it just after you make it, while it’s still frothy.
The Starbucks Pink Drink contains a strawberry açai base made up of water, sugar, white grape juice concentrate, citric acid, natural green coffee flavor, and other natural flavors not listed. It also uses a coconut milk beverage (which includes added sugar) and is garnished with freeze-dried strawberries.
Use coconut milk from a carton rather than a canned coconut milk for this recipe. This will be less thick, and give you the light and refreshing texture of the iconic Pink Drink.
Serving Suggestions
This Pink Drink copycat recipe can be enjoyed on its own, or with equally refreshing meals like a Mint Salad or Ciabatta Sandwich. My favorite Winter Salad, made with apples and pomegranates, would go great with this drink!
You can also enjoy a Pink Drink as a substitute for a more traditional dessert. After a filling dinner of Thai Chicken Curry, Tacos with Strawberry Salsa, or Shrimp Pasta, sip on a Pink Drink for a little something sweet.
Recipe
Pink Drink
Ingredients
- 1 cup chilled white cranberry-strawberry juice
- 1 cup chilled coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup optional for sweetness
- Ice cubes
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries sliced
- Optional: additional strawberries for garnish
Instructions
-
In a pitcher, mix the white cranberry-strawberry juice and coconut milk. Add simple syrup (optional) and stir together.
-
If desired, add the mixture, one serving at a time to a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and shake well until chilled and frothy.
-
Fill serving glasses with sliced strawberries.
-
Pour the shaken drink over the strawberries in the glasses. Optionally, garnish with additional strawberry slices.
Nutrition
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