COPYCATSStarbucks Pink Drink (Copycat)
The quick answer
Mix 1/2 cup Tazo Passion tea (brewed strong, cooled) with 2 tbsp strawberry acai concentrate or Kool-Aid Strawberry, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/2 cup coconut milk over ice. Add a few freeze-dried strawberries. Total cost: under $1 per serving vs. $5.50 at Starbucks.
The Pink Drink became one of Starbucks' most viral menu items after exploding on Instagram in 2016, but the recipe is essentially pink tea, coconut milk, and freeze-dried strawberries. You can make a nearly identical drink for about $0.90.
The original Pink Drink starts with Starbucks' Strawberry Acai Refresher base, which contains water, sugar, white grape juice, natural strawberry flavor, and a small amount of green coffee extract for a mild caffeine kick. You can get close using a combination of strong passion fruit or hibiscus tea and a small amount of strawberry syrup.
Coconut milk is the ingredient that turns this from a simple fruit drink into something special. Starbucks uses a proprietary coconut milk with a higher fat content than most grocery store options. Full-fat canned coconut milk, shaken well and poured, gives the richest result. Light coconut milk from a carton is thinner but still works.
Cost breakdown: a grande Pink Drink retails for $5.25 to $5.75. A batch of the base tea costs under $0.20, coconut milk adds $0.30, and freeze-dried strawberries run about $0.25 per serving. Total: $0.75 to $0.90 per drink. That's an 85% savings from the cafe price.
The freeze-dried strawberries are non-negotiable for authenticity. Fresh strawberries turn soft and sink. Freeze-dried ones stay crisp and float, exactly like the original. You can find them at Trader Joe's, Target, or Amazon. One bag makes about 20 servings.
Dial it in before you make it
Nail the cafe sweetness — exactly how many pumps of syrup per size.
| Measurement | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pumps | 3 |
| Tablespoons | 1.5 tbsp |
| Volume | 22.5 mL |
| Approx. calories (regular syrup) | ~60 cal |
Sugar-free syrup ≈ 0 calories. 1 pump ≈ 0.25 fl oz / 7.5 mL / 0.5 tbsp / ~20 cal. Based on standard cafe pump chart.
Make it
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
Steps
We've tested four versions of this recipe, including ones using V8 Strawberry Banana juice, Mio Sport, and from-scratch hibiscus syrup. The hibiscus tea plus strawberry syrup base scores closest to blind tasters who compared it to the original. It's become a summer staple in our test kitchen.
Pro tips
- Tazo Passion tea is the most popular base for this copycat and gives the brightest pink color.
- Shake the canned coconut milk well before opening, or whisk it if it has separated.
- For a creamier version, use a 50/50 blend of coconut milk and coconut cream.
- Make a big batch of the tea base and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Add 2 tbsp white grape juice to the base for a flavor profile even closer to the original Refresher base.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to make the Pink Drink at home vs. Starbucks?
A grande Pink Drink at Starbucks costs $5.25 to $5.75. Making it at home costs approximately $0.90 per serving, including tea, coconut milk, strawberry syrup, and freeze-dried strawberries. That's savings of over 80% per drink.
What gives the Pink Drink its color?
The vivid pink color comes from hibiscus or passion fruit tea, which turns a deep magenta-pink when brewed. The Starbucks version uses their Strawberry Acai Refresher base, which is pre-colored and flavored. Strong hibiscus tea is the closest homemade match.
Does the Pink Drink have caffeine?
The original Starbucks Pink Drink contains a small amount of caffeine from green coffee extract in the Refresher base, roughly 45-55mg per grande. If you use hibiscus tea (caffeine-free) for your copycat, your version will be caffeine-free.
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried?
You can, but the texture won't match the original. Fresh strawberries get soggy and sink to the bottom. Freeze-dried strawberries stay crisp and float on the surface. If you only have fresh, slice them thin and add them just before serving.
What coconut milk brand works best?
Thai Kitchen Full Fat Coconut Milk or Chaokoh are the thickest and closest to Starbucks' coconut milk in richness. Grocery store carton coconut milk (like Silk) is thinner and produces a less creamy result. Always shake canned coconut milk before using.
