Starbucks Pink Drink recipe searches are everywhere, and for good reason. It’s cool, creamy, and packed with berry flavor. But buying it daily at Starbucks gets expensive fast.
This recipe gives you a version that’s not only cheaper but actually more delicious. It blends the best parts of all the top copycats and includes one trick Starbucks fans swear by for the perfect texture.
You’ll also get faster and healthier options if you’re short on time or cutting sugar. Whether you’re making it for yourself or a crowd, this guide has everything you need to whip up a better-than-store-bought Pink Drink at home.
Table of Contents
What’s Really in a Starbucks Pink Drink?
The real Starbucks Pink Drink is made with a blend of Strawberry Acai Base, creamy coconut milk, and freeze-dried strawberries. It’s light, fruity, and slightly tangy, with a signature blush-pink color.
What most people don’t realize is that the Strawberry Acai Base includes more than just fruit flavor. It contains white grape juice for sweetness and a green coffee flavor for a mild caffeine boost. These extra ingredients give the drink its unique taste and gentle energy kick.
When recreating it at home, most recipes skip the green coffee and use clever substitutes like herbal teas and fresh fruit syrup to get that balanced flavor and look. The result? A homemade version that’s just as tasty and much easier to customize.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Version
• Quick and easy to make with simple ingredients
• Perfect for warm days, parties, or an afternoon pick-me-up
• Tastes like the original, but fresher and more flavorful
• Budget-friendly and customizable for any preference
• Naturally dairy-free and easy to make low-sugar or caffeine-free
What sets this version apart is the attention to detail. It balances sweetness and fruit flavor without overpowering the creamy coconut milk. Adding homemade strawberry syrup gives a fresher, brighter taste than bottled mixers.
If you want a drink that feels like a treat but is easy enough to whip up on a weekday, this one delivers. It’s smooth, refreshing, and something you’ll be proud to serve to guests or enjoy all to yourself.
The Perfect Homemade Pink Drink Recipe
Why This Recipe is the Best
We combine the tangy taste of Passion Tea with the fresh sweetness of a homemade strawberry syrup to create the ultimate copycat. The flavor is bold yet balanced, and for those who want to match the creamy texture of Starbucks’ original, we include an optional step that makes a big difference.
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Simple Syrup
• 1 and ½ cups diced strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
For the Pink Drink (makes 2 to 3 servings)
• 1 Tazo Passion tea bag
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk, chilled
• ½ cup 100 percent white grape juice
• 2 to 3 tablespoons homemade strawberry syrup, to taste
• ½ cup fresh sliced strawberries, for serving
• Optional: 1 scoop (about 2 tablespoons) unflavored collagen peptides
Instructions
- Make the Strawberry Syrup
In a medium saucepan, stir together the diced strawberries, sugar, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for around 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries break down and the mixture thickens slightly. Let the syrup cool for about 30 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a jar. Press gently on the strawberries to get all the liquid. Discard the solids and store the syrup in the fridge for up to one week. - Brew the Passion Tea
While the syrup cools, steep one Tazo Passion tea bag in one cup of boiling water. Let it sit for 3 to 4 minutes, then remove the tea bag and set the tea aside to cool completely. - Mix the Drink
In a large pitcher, pour in the cooled tea, chilled coconut milk, white grape juice, and two tablespoons of the strawberry syrup. Stir well. If using collagen peptides, add them now and whisk until fully dissolved. - Taste and Adjust
Try the drink and adjust sweetness if needed. Add more syrup for a stronger strawberry flavor. Prepare serving glasses with ice and a few strawberry slices. - Serve and Enjoy
Pour the pink drink into the glasses. It’s best served fresh, cold, and with a smile.
More Ideas and Variations
The 5-Minute Quick and Easy Version
This is perfect for when you’re low on time but still craving the drink. Skip the strawberry syrup and tea altogether. Mix three parts White Cran-Strawberry juice with one part coconut milk. Add a few sliced strawberries, stir, and pour over ice. It’s fast, light, and still delicious.
The Caffeinated Starbucks-Style Version
If you want that gentle boost like the real drink, add caffeine with a green tea bag. Brew it in place of or alongside the Passion tea. For those who want to match Starbucks exactly, green coffee extract is the closest option, though it may be harder to find.
The Lower-Sugar Version
To cut down on sugar, use unsweetened coconut milk and bump up the amount of tea compared to the juice. Swap out the syrup with a zero-calorie sweetener and muddled fresh strawberries. This keeps the drink flavorful while cutting back on added sugar.
Pro Tips for Perfecting Your Starbucks Pink Drink
Gently press or muddle the strawberries before mixing. This helps release their natural juices and boosts the fresh flavor in every sip.
Use fresh strawberries whenever possible. They offer the brightest taste. If they’re out of season, frozen and thawed berries work well. Freeze-dried strawberries add a fun crunch and closely match the Starbucks texture.
Chill your juice and coconut milk before mixing. This lets you use less ice, which keeps the drink from becoming watered down. Cold ingredients also help the flavors blend better.
Mix everything in a large pitcher if you’re making a batch. Stir well before pouring to keep the drink smooth and consistent. If it sits for a while, give it another stir or shake before serving.
Conclusion
This homemade Starbucks Pink Drink recipe stands out for its fresh flavor, creamy texture, and flexibility. Whether you choose the full version with homemade syrup and tea or the faster shortcut, you’re getting a refreshing treat that’s easier on your wallet and tailored to your taste.
It’s a hit with guests, perfect for sunny days, and simple enough for a weekday treat. Plus, it’s easy to adjust for less sugar, more caffeine, or even a big batch.
Tried it? Leave a comment and a star rating below. Share your creation on Pinterest or Facebook to inspire others. What variation did you try? We’d love to hear how you made it your own.
Dive into more inspiring drinks in our Mocktails & Mixology section.
The Ultimate Pink Drink FAQ
What are the ingredients in the Pink Drink at Starbucks?
The official Starbucks version includes a Strawberry Acai Base, coconut milk, freeze-dried strawberries, and ice. The base also contains white grape juice and green coffee flavor for sweetness and a small caffeine boost.
How to DIY a Pink Drink?
You can make a version at home by combining brewed Passion tea, coconut milk, white grape juice, and a homemade or store-bought strawberry syrup. Add sliced strawberries and serve it over ice for a similar taste and look.
What is Starbucks’ famous Pink Drink?
It’s a refreshing iced beverage made with the Strawberry Acai Refresher, blended with coconut milk instead of water, and shaken with freeze-dried strawberries. It’s known for its pink color, creamy texture, and fruity flavor.
What are the ingredients in pink refreshers?
Starbucks Pink Refreshers typically contain a base made of water, sugar, white grape juice concentrate, natural flavors, and green coffee extract. These are mixed with fruit pieces and served over ice.
What does the Pink Drink taste like?
It has a fruity and creamy flavor. You’ll taste strawberry and a hint of acai, along with a smooth coconut finish. The sweetness is balanced with a slight tang, making it refreshing without being too sugary.
Does this homemade Pink Drink have caffeine?
Only if you add it. The Starbucks version includes caffeine from green coffee extract. At home, you can add green tea or use Passion tea for a caffeine-free option. You control how much caffeine goes in.
Is the Pink Drink healthy?
It can be. The homemade version lets you choose lower-sugar juice, skip sweeteners, and use clean ingredients. Compared to many store-bought drinks, it’s lighter and can easily fit into a balanced diet.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, especially if you use caffeine-free tea and skip added sweeteners. Kids love the color and flavor, and parents love that it’s made with real fruit and no artificial extras.
Craving something smooth and creamy? The Hokkaido Milk Tea Recipe is a must-try.
Starbucks Pink Drink Recipe
4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalIngredients
1 1 Tazo Passion tea bag
1 cup 1 boiling water
1 cup 1 unsweetened coconut milk (chilled)
½ cup 100% white grape juice
2 2 –3 tbsp homemade strawberry syrup (to taste)
½ cup fresh sliced strawberries (for serving)
Optional: 1 scoop (2 tbsp) unflavored collagen peptides
Directions
- Combine strawberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan. Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened. Cool for 30 minutes, then strain into a jar. Store in fridge up to 1 week.
- Steep the tea bag in boiling water for 3–4 minutes. Discard the bag and let the tea cool completely.
- In a pitcher, combine cooled tea, chilled coconut milk, white grape juice, and strawberry syrup. Stir well. If using collagen peptides, whisk until dissolved.
- Sample and add more syrup if desired. Prepare glasses with ice and strawberry slices.
- Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately—chilled and fresh.
Notes
- Coconut milk adds creaminess without overpowering the fruit.
- White grape juice adds natural sweetness.
- Optional collagen makes it a functional beauty drink.
- Can be prepped ahead and chilled in the fridge for a few hours before serving.
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