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This refreshing strawberry-coconut sip is a homemade version of the Starbucks Pink Drink. It’s easy to make and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor!
I’m nothing if not a sucker for a tasty Starbucks copycat drink. During the autumn months I can’t get enough homemade pumpkin spice lattes, and during the holidays this gingerbread latte sure hits the spot.
But as warmer weather begins it’s all about cool and refreshing. If you’re in the mood for something cold and caffeinated, I recommend this copycat mocha cookie crumble frappuccino. But if you’re in the mood for something fruity you have to try this copycat Pink Drink!
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Starbucks Pink Drink
- Easy. Brew the tea in advance and chill it in the fridge, then all you have to do is mix and serve.
- Refreshing. There is a reason Starbucks calls these “Refresher” drinks. This Pink Drink is cool and refreshing down to the very last sip.
- Flavorful. Thanks to freshly macerated strawberries, every sip is full of strawberry flavor.
How to Make a Pink Drink
Are you ready to make a copycat Starbucks Pink Drink at home? Here’s how to do it. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for ingredients and complete instructions.
- Make the simple syrup. Combine the water and sugar in a small pot over medium heat. Cook until the mixture begins to boil, stirring occasionally. When the sugar has dissolved fully, remove the syrup from the heat and set aside to cool. Once it has cooled, transfer to a mason jar with a lid or another lidded container and store in the fridge. You can also skip this step and just use maple syrup.
- Make the tea. Steep the tea in 8 ounces of water heated to 180F. Allow to steep for 5 minutes, then set aside to cool. Transfer to a mason jar with a lid and store in the fridge until chilled. (Overnight is easiest and best.)
- Mash the berries. In a medium bowl, mash the strawberry slices using a potato masher or a muddler.
- Assemble the pink drinks. Get two tall glasses. Divide the mashed berries, chilled tea, cran-strawberry juice, and coconut milk between the glasses. Stir to combine.
- Adjust sweetness. Taste and add 2 teaspoons of simple syrup to each glass, according to how sweet you want your drink to be. Stir to combine.
- Finish the drink. Top off each glass with ice and additional chopped strawberries. Serve with a thick boba-style straw.
Tips for Success
- Use maple syrup. Instead of making simple syrup, you can also use an equal amount of maple syrup. Honey also works, but I prefer the flavor profile of maple for this drink.
- Tea variations. When I make this beverage at home, I usually use green tea or Tazo Passion Herbal Tea. You can also use chamomile tea, white tea, or even hibiscus tea. If you use hibiscus tea you may need to add more sweetener as hibiscus tea is a little tart.
- Make the tea in advance. I recommend brewing your tea the night before and chilling it in the fridge overnight. You can make a big batch and use it all week.
- Want to skip the brewing step? You can also use Tazo Iced Tea concentrate.
- Want to add some bubbly? You can top off your drink with some plain seltzer to add carbonation to your drink.
- Can’t find the juice? If you aren’t able to find the White Cran-Strawberry juice at the store you can also use white grape juice.
Can I Make A Pitcher of This Drink?
You can easily adjust this recipe to fit any serving size. You do have to do some math though! A standard pitcher has about 48 oz of liquid and the recipe below makes about 24 oz split across two tall glasses with ice. So to make a pitcher version of this drink, you would just double the amount of each ingredient.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Starbucks Pink Drink is one of the “refresher” beverages on their menu. It is essentially their Strawberry Acai Refresher® topped with coconut milk and strawberries.
It is made with your choice of milk, ice, freshly mashed strawberries, and chilled tea. Usually, the Pink Drink is made with strawberry açaí tea, but you can easily use your favorite kind of tea.
Yes, this is the same pink drink as the “pinkity drinkity.” That delightful name came from a famous YouTuber named James Charles.
More Pink Foods
Starbucks Pink Drink
Ingredients
For the simple syrup (optional)*
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
For the pink drink
- 1 green tea bag
- 1 cup of water
- ½ cup chopped strawberries, plus more for serving
- 1 cup Oceanspray White Cran-Strawberry Juice
- 1 cup So Delicious vanilla coconut milk
- 4 teaspoons simple syrup or maple syrup, for added sweetness to taste
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup. Combine the water and sugar in a small pot over medium heat. Cook until the mixture begins to boil, stirring occasionally. When the sugar has dissolved fully, remove the syrup from the heat and set aside to cool. Once it has cooled, transfer to a mason jar with a lid or another lidded container and store in the fridge.
- Make the tea. Steep the tea in 8 ounces of water heated to 180F. Allow to steep for 5 minutes, then set aside to cool. Transfer to a mason jar with a lid and store in the fridge until chilled. (Overnight is easiest and best.)
- Mash the berries. In a medium bowl, mash the strawberry slices using a potato masher or a muddler.
- Assemble the pink drinks. Get two tall glasses. Divide the mashed berries, chilled tea, cran-strawberry juice and coconut milk between the glasses. Stir to combine.
- Adjust sweetness. Taste and add 2 teaspoons of simple syrup to each glass, according to how sweet you want your drink to be. Stir to combine.
- Finish the drink. Top off each glass with ice and additional chopped strawberries. Serve with a thick boba style straw.