This Starbucks Copycat Strawberry Acai Refresher With Lemonade is a refreshing, fruity drink perfect for hot summer days. Made with real strawberries, this is the perfect summertime drink to cool you down on a hot day, and it is just as good, if not better, than the original Starbucks recipe!
If you've been to my blog before, you must know I am a HUGE fan of Starbucks. Like SUPER huge. I love their drinks, but I've got a money-saving trick up my sleeve.
Instead of buying those expensive drinks at the coffee shop, I make copycat recipes at home! It's super easy, and I save so much money. Win-win, right?
Now, let me introduce you to one of my absolute favorite summertime drinks at the moment - the strawberry acai lemonade refresher. Mmm, it's so delicious.
It is just so good, so refreshing, and is a seriously tasty drink. It's just like the strawberry acai refresher but with a tangy twist from the lemonade. Yum!
With this easy copycat recipe, you'll be able to recreate the magic of the Starbucks version and enjoy it anytime you like!
Be sure to check out more delicious Starbucks drink recipes, like Starbucks Strawberry Acai Refresher Copycat Recipe, Starbucks Pink Drink Copycat Recipe, Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, Chocolate Cream Cold Brew, and Vanilla Cream Cold Brew.
And you have to try my Mango Dragonfruit Refresher Lemonade version - so yummy and such a beautiful purple color!
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🥤 What is a Starbucks Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher?
According to the Starbucks website, the Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher has "sweet strawberry flavors, passion fruit and açaí notes balanced with the delightful zing of lemonade, served over ice with freeze-dried strawberry pieces. The ultimate pick-me-up your afternoon is calling for."
The Starbucks' Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher is one of the most popular summer items among Starbucks fans. It has a vibrant pink color and refreshing flavor. It also contains 45 mg of caffeine, thanks to green coffee extract.
This yummy drink used to be on the secret menu, but thanks to its popularity, now it is on the permanent menu.
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Save Money: If you are a Starbucks fan like me, making your own copycat strawberry acai lemonade refresher at home is a great way to enjoy this tasty drink without breaking the bank.
- Refreshing and Yummy: This recipe combines the natural flavors of strawberries and acai with the zingy flavor of lemonade, making it the perfect thirst-quencher for hot summer days or whenever you need a delicious pick-me-up.
- Good-for-You Ingredients: No worries about preservatives or artificial additives! By making this drink at home, you're in control, and you can use fresh, natural ingredients that are healthier for you.
- Time-Saver: Why wait in those long Starbucks lines when you can whip up this delicious treat right in your kitchen?
🍓 Ingredients
You only need simple ingredients to make your own strawberry acai lemonade drink.
- Fresh Strawberries: Strawberries provide a delicious fruity flavor and natural sweetness to this refreshing drink. You can use frozen strawberries if fresh ones are not available.
- Sugar: Adding sugar helps to balance the tartness of the strawberries and lemonade. You can use any sweetener of your choice like honey, maple syrup, or even stevia, if you prefer a healthier option.
- Acai berry tea bag: Acai berry tea infuses the strawberry base with an extra boost of fruity flavor. I used Stash Acai Berry Tea, which has the perfect flavor. If you don't have tea bags, you can use acai powder or acai juice instead.
- Lemonade: Lemonade adds sweetness and tanginess that pairs perfectly with strawberries and acai berry flavors. You can either make Homemade Lemonade with fresh lemons or use store-bought. For extra strawberry flavor, use strawberry lemonade.
- Green coffee bean extract. If you're seeking an energy boost from caffeine, you can add green coffee extract to your strawberry acai lemonade refresher. However, this ingredient is entirely optional and can be omitted if you prefer a caffeine-free drink. You can buy it on Amazon if you can't find it at your local grocery store.
- Lemon juice. The tangy lemon juice adds brightness and balances the sweetness from the strawberries. You can also use citric acid.
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries: These are used as both a garnish and an extra burst of strawberry flavor in each sip, just like how Starbucks presents their version. I bought a huge bag of strawberries from Amazon and use them in many drinks to add flavor.
See the printable recipe card for exact measurements and a full list of ingredients.
🥣 How to Make this Strawberry Acai Lemonade Recipe
This recipe makes 2 Grande-size refreshers (473 mL) or about one Trenta-size refresher (887 mL).
Step 1: Make the Strawberry Base
The first step is to prepare the homemade strawberry acai base. This base serves as the foundation for the drink and gives it that vibrant pink color. It's also the same base used in my Strawberry Acai Refresher and Pink Drink.
Take 2 cups of fresh strawberries and wash them properly. Cut off the green stem and cut them into quarters or halves.
In a saucepan, combine the strawberries with 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
Place the pan on the stove over medium heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This will help soften the strawberries and release their natural flavors. Use a potato masher to mash up the berries periodically as they cook.
Once the strawberries have softened, remove the pan from the heat.
Step 2: Strain the Strawberry Juice
Take a strainer or a mesh sieve and place it over a bowl or another container.
Pour the strawberry mixture into the strainer, allowing the juice to strain through while leaving behind any solids like seeds or chunks of fruit.
Use a wooden spoon to push as much of the juice through the strainer as you can.
Store the strawberry refresher base in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Step 3: Prepare Acai Berry Tea
In a small mug or measuring cup, add half a cup of boiling water.
Add two acai tea bags to the boiled water and let it steep for around 5 minutes. This will infuse the water with yummy acai berry flavor.
Remove the tea bag and use your fingers to squeeze as much of the juice out of the tea bag as you can. Let cool.
Step 4: Assemble The Lemonade Refresher
Add half a cup of strawberry base into your glass. This is where all that sweet strawberry flavor comes from!
Next, pour in a quarter cup of freshly brewed acai tea. The combination of strawberry and acai creates a unique taste that makes this drink special.
To add some tanginess, pour in half a cup of lemonade.
If you want a caffeine kick (optional), add half a teaspoon of green coffee extract to your drink. Stir it in to make sure it's evenly distributed.
Next, add about 1 cup of ice cubes.
Finally, for added flavor, top your drink with a spoonful of freeze-dried strawberries. These give a nice burst of flavor, just like the Starbucks version.
Grab a straw, give your drink a gentle stir to mix all the flavors together, and take a sip!
Sit back, relax, and enjoy this refreshing beverage that you've made right in your own kitchen!
And that's it! You now have a homemade version of the popular Starbucks strawberry acai lemonade refresher!
Enjoy!
💭 Expert Tips
- Use ripe and sweet strawberries: Choose fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor. The sweetness of the strawberries will enhance the overall taste of the refresher.
- Make ahead: Make the strawberry base and acai tea ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator until ready to assemble - they will keep for up to 3 days!
- Combine ingredients just before serving: To fully enjoy the freshness of this refresher, mix all ingredients together right before serving.
- Garnish with freeze-dried strawberries: Top your refresher with freeze-dried strawberries for an extra burst of strawberry flavor.
- Sweeten if desired: Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding agave syrup, honey, or simple syrup.
- Add green coffee extract for a caffeine boost (optional): If you want an energizing kick, add ½ teaspoon of green coffee extract to your refresher. This will give it a subtle caffeine boost without altering the taste.
- Double or triple the recipe: If you're hosting a gathering, double or triple the recipe accordingly.
Variations
- Pink Drink: Add coconut milk instead of lemonade to make a Pink Drink.
- Strawberry Acai Refresher: Add water instead of lemonade.
- Extra Refreshing: For an extra refreshing twist, freeze some lemonade into ice cubes and use them instead of regular ice cubes. This way, your drink won't get diluted as the ice melts.
- Mixed Berry Twist: Instead of using only strawberries, mix different types of berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a different flavor.
- Boozy Twist: For an adults-only version, add a splash of vodka, tequila, or rum to each glass before pouring in the strawberry acai base and lemonade.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While it's best to enjoy this drink fresh, you can prepare the strawberry base, acai tea, and lemonade ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. When you're ready to enjoy the drink, simply assemble it by pouring the strawberry base, acai tea, and lemonade over ice.
Transfer any leftovers to a mason jar with a lid or an airtight container. The leftover strawberry acai lemonade refresher can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Shake or stir well before serving again.
Yes, you can prepare the strawberry base ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes assembling your refresher even quicker when you're ready to enjoy it.
Straining helps remove any seeds or pulp from the strawberries, resulting in a smoother texture. If you skip straining the strawberry mixture, the drink will not be as smooth and will be too thick to drink through a straw.
Yes, you can prepare the components separately in advance and assemble the refresher just before serving. Keep the strawberry base, acai tea, and lemonade refrigerated until ready to use.
🥤 More Cold Drinks You'll Love
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📋 Recipe
Strawberry Acai Refresher With Lemonade (Starbucks Copycat)
Ingredients
Strawberry Base
- 2 cups fresh strawberries washed and hulled
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Acai Berry Tea
- 2 acai berry tea bags
- ½ cup filtered water
How To Assemble the Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher
- 1 cup strawberry base
- ½ cup brewed acai berry tea
- 1 cup lemonade
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberries for garnish optional
- 1 teaspoon green coffee powder optional
- agave nectar, honey, or simple syrup to sweeten to taste optional
Instructions
- Make Strawberry Base: In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of strawberries, 2 tablespoons of water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it bubbles, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, using a potato masher to break up the strawberries.2 cups fresh strawberries, 2 tablespoons water, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Brew Acai Tea: While the strawberries are cooking, brew the acai tea by placing ½ cup of boiling water in a mug and adding 2 acai berry tea bags. Let them steep for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags. Use your fingers to squeeze all of the liquid out of the tea bags before discarding. Let the tea cool down.2 acai berry tea bags, ½ cup filtered water
- Strain Strawberry Base: Strain the cooked strawberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove any seeds or pulp. Use the back of a wooden spoon to get as much liquid out as possible. Transfer the mixture to a jar and refrigerate until cool. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Assemble the Drink: Add ½ cup of the strawberry base into each glass as well as ¼ cup of cooled acai tea and ½ cup of lemonade. Stir well to combine. Add ½ teaspoon of green coffee powder to each glass for a caffeine boost if desired. Add 1 cup of ice cubes to each glass and top with a tablespoon of freeze-dried strawberries. Taste the drink and add additional sweetener if desired.1 cup strawberry base, ½ cup brewed acai berry tea, 1 cup lemonade, 2 cups ice cubes, 1 teaspoon green coffee powder, 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberries for garnish
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Use ripe and sweet strawberries: Choose fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor. The sweetness of the strawberries will enhance the overall taste of the refresher.
- Make ahead: Make the strawberry base and acai tea ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator until ready to assemble - it will keep for up to 3 days!
- Combine ingredients just before serving: To fully enjoy the freshness of this refresher, mix all ingredients together right before serving.
- Garnish with freeze-dried strawberries: Top your refresher with freeze-dried strawberries for an extra burst of strawberry flavor.
- Sweeten if desired: Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding agave syrup, honey, or simple syrup.
- Add green coffee extract for a caffeine boost (optional): If you want an energizing kick, add ½ teaspoon of green coffee extract to your refresher. This will give it a subtle caffeine boost without altering the taste.
- Double or triple the recipe: If you're hosting a gathering, double or triple the recipe accordingly.
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