Starbucks Pink Drink recipe is one of the easiest ways to bring a little summer sweetness into your kitchen. After realizing how quickly those café runs add up and how sugary the original can be, I started making my own version at home. It has the same fruity, creamy flavor I love, but with simple ingredients and full control over sweetness and milk options.
This homemade Pink Drink comes together in just minutes, and you can customize it to be sugar-free, dairy-free, or topped with cold foam for a fun café-style twist. It has become one of my go-to refreshing drinks, right alongside my other easy summer time favorites.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Starbucks Pink Drink Recipe
There are plenty of reasons this homemade Pink Drink will become a regular in your kitchen:
All the Flavor, with Simple Ingredients
You get the same creamy, fruity taste as the original, but made at home with easy, wholesome ingredients.
You Control the Ingredients
Make it sugar-free, dairy-free, or customize the sweetness and milk exactly the way you like. You’re the barista here.
Ready in 5 Minutes
Skip the drive-thru. This refreshing drink comes together fast, no waiting required.
Budget-Friendly Treat
Enjoy a big, café-style drink at home for a fraction of the price delicious and easy on your wallet.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make a Starbucks Pink Drink from scratch, this recipe will guide you step by step.
Ingredient Deep Dive
Let’s take a closer look at what makes this copycat Starbucks Pink Drink so refreshing and flavorful:
Passion Fruit Tea
This is the base of the drink and gives it that bright, tropical berry flavor. Tazo and Stash make great options, but any vibrant herbal passion-fruit blend works. It also helps create that signature pink color when mixed with juice.
White Cran-Strawberry Juice
I like using Ocean Spray White Cran-Strawberry Juice because it gives a balanced berry sweetness similar to the Starbucks Strawberry Acai base. It blends beautifully with the tea for a smooth, fruity finish.
Unsweetened Coconut Milk
Coconut milk adds the creamy texture that makes the Pink Drink so iconic. Use the kind from a carton (not canned)—it’s lighter, blends better with cold liquids, and stays smooth over ice.
Simple Syrup (Optional)
A little sweetness ties the flavors together. Use regular simple syrup or a sugar-free option like monk fruit syrup if you prefer a low-sugar version.
Fresh and Freeze-Dried Strawberries
Fresh strawberries add natural berry flavor, while freeze-dried berries give that classic Starbucks-style look and an extra pop of sweetness.
Ice
Plenty of ice keeps the drink chilled and gives it that refreshing, café-style finish—similar to my popular cucumber mint lemonade.
The Secret to the Perfect Copycat Starbucks Pink Drink
You might be surprised to learn that the key to making this drink taste like the real thing isn’t just the ingredients—it’s the method. These simple tips will help you get that refreshing, creamy café-style result at home:
Cool Your Tea Completely
Let the passion fruit tea cool fully before mixing it with the other ingredients. If it’s even slightly warm, it will melt the ice too quickly and water down the flavor.
Use a Shaker for Froth
Shaking everything together in a cocktail shaker (or a jar with a tight lid) chills the drink quickly and gives it that lightly frothy, blended texture that makes the Pink Drink feel so refreshing.
Adjust Sweetness Gradually
Start with a small amount of simple syrup or your preferred sweetener, then taste. It’s easy to add more, but once it’s mixed in you can’t take it out.
Layer Your Strawberries
Adding sliced strawberries to the glass before pouring looks beautiful and adds a burst of berry flavor with every sip.
Try Cold Foam
If you want a café-style upgrade, add cold foam to the top. It’s just lightly sweetened whipped milk (or non-dairy milk), and it takes only seconds to make. You’ll find the instructions in the Variations section.
It’s this mix of creamy coconut milk, bright berry flavor, and a cool, smooth texture that makes the Pink Drink so popular—and this recipe captures all of that at home.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s exactly how to make your own copycat Starbucks Pink Drink at home, with a few simple tips to help you get the best result:
1. Brew and Cool the Tea
Steep the passion fruit tea bag in ½ cup of hot water for about 5 minutes. This draws out the bright, fruity flavor. Remove the tea bag and let the tea cool completely—this prevents the ice from melting too quickly and keeps the drink from becoming diluted.
2. Prepare Your Glass
Add the fresh strawberry slices to the bottom of a large serving glass (similar in size to a Venti). Fill the glass completely with ice. This helps the drink stay cold and gives each sip a subtle berry note.
3. Mix the Drink
In a cocktail shaker or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the cooled passion tea, white cran-strawberry juice, unsweetened coconut milk, and simple syrup if you prefer extra sweetness.
4. Shake It Well
Secure the lid tightly and shake for 15 to 20 seconds. The mixture should turn a smooth, creamy pink with a light layer of froth on top—this gives the drink its café-style texture.
5. Pour and Garnish
Pour the drink over the ice and strawberries in your prepared glass. Add freeze-dried strawberries on top for a pop of color and a little extra flavor.
6. Serve Immediately
Enjoy your Pink Drink right away while it’s ice-cold. If you like chilled, fruity drinks, you may also enjoy my Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte.
Variations & Add-ins
One of the best things about making your own copycat Starbucks Pink Drink is how easy it is to personalize. Here are some simple ways to adjust it to your taste:
Sugar-Free Version
For a lower-sugar option, replace the juice with a light or sugar-free strawberry drink and use a keto-friendly sweetener such as monk fruit syrup or stevia. You’ll still get that bright pink color and fruity flavor.
With Almond Milk
Swap the coconut milk for almond milk if you prefer something lighter. Almond milk gives a thinner, less creamy texture, while oat milk creates an extra-smooth finish.
Without Coconut Milk
If you don’t have coconut milk, you can use any unsweetened non-dairy milk—or regular dairy milk if that fits your preferences. Using an unsweetened option helps you control the flavor and sweetness.
Add Cold Foam
For a café-style touch, froth about ¼ cup of cold nonfat milk (or a dairy-free milk) using a handheld frother or blender. Spoon it on top right before serving.
Boost the Strawberry Flavor
For a punch of extra berry goodness, lightly muddle a few fresh strawberry slices in the bottom of your glass before adding the ice.
These easy variations let you enjoy a slightly different Pink Drink each time—and customize it exactly the way you like.
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve
This copycat Starbucks Pink Drink is best enjoyed immediately over plenty of ice so it stays cold, creamy, and refreshing. If you’re preparing it for a gathering, make the tea and juice mixture ahead of time and keep it chilled. When you’re ready to serve, simply shake it with ice and coconut milk.
Add fresh or freeze-dried strawberries on top for the classic café look. If you want an extra-special touch, finish it with a reusable straw or a spoonful of cold foam.
How to Store
If you have leftover Pink Drink without ice, refrigerate it in a sealed jar for up to 24 hours. Give it a good shake before serving, as the coconut milk may naturally separate.
Avoid storing the drink with ice already added, since the melted ice will water down the flavor.
Copycat Starbucks Pink Drink
Ingredients
Method
- Prep the Tea: Brew the passion fruit tea bag in ½ cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bag and let the tea cool completely.
- Prepare the Glass: Add the fresh strawberry slices to a large serving glass (like a Venti-sized cup). Fill the glass with ice.
- Mix the Drink: In a cocktail shaker or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the cooled passion tea, white cran-strawberry juice, coconut milk, and simple syrup (if using).
- Shake Well: Close the shaker and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until the mixture is well-chilled and frothy.
- Serve: Pour the shaken pink drink into your prepared glass over the ice and fresh strawberries.
- Garnish: Top with the freeze-dried strawberries and serve immediately.
Notes
Conclusion
Making your own copycat Starbucks Pink Drink at home is such a fun way to enjoy a little café magic without the cost or the drive-thru line. Whether you keep it classic with coconut milk or tailor it to be sugar-free and dairy-free, every sip is fruity, refreshing, and perfectly sweet.
I hope this recipe brings a little summer joy to your kitchen. If you try it, let me know how you customized it. Cheers to bright pink sips and sunny days ahead. If you’re in the mood for another easy treat, you might also love my Keto Jello Cream Cheese.
FAQ
What are the ingredients to the Pink Drink from Starbucks?
The official recipe uses the Strawberry Acai Refresher base, coconut milk, and freeze-dried strawberries. Our homemade version recreates the same flavor using passion fruit tea and white cran-strawberry juice, both easy to find in stores.
Where can I buy a Starbucks strawberry acai base?
Starbucks does not sell its Strawberry Acai Refresher base directly. The easiest alternative is to brew passion fruit or hibiscus tea and combine it with strawberry or berry juice, which closely mimics the original.
What is the secret Pink Drink at Starbucks?
Some Starbucks locations offer unofficial versions, such as adding vanilla cold foam or extra berries. The most common secret menu version is simply the Strawberry Acai Refresher prepared with coconut milk instead of water.
Why is the Starbucks Pink Drink so popular?
It is refreshing, lightly sweet, and visually stunning. The blend of tart berries with creamy coconut milk creates a unique taste that feels like summer in a cup.
Is a Pink Drink just a strawberry acai with coconut milk?
Yes. The base formula is the Strawberry Acai Refresher mixed with coconut milk and finished with freeze-dried strawberries.
Does this homemade Pink Drink taste exactly like the one from Starbucks?
It comes very close. Many readers say they actually prefer the homemade version because it tastes fresher and uses real brewed tea and juice instead of concentrated syrups.
