This Starbucks Copycat Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher is the perfect summer drink. Made with real strawberries, it's just as good, if not better, than the original Starbucks recipe!
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If you've been to my blog before, you know I am a huge Starbucks fan. I love their drinks, but I don't like spending over $5 for a drink. Since I discovered how easy it is to make the Best Iced Coffee At Home, I have loved creating Starbucks recipes at home.
This strawberry acai lemonade refresher is one of my absolute favorite drinks. Many copycat refresher recipes use white grape juice, but for some reason, I can't find any, so I used sugar to sweeten the strawberry base instead.
If you love this copycat recipe, you'll also love Raspberry Iced Tea and Iced Peach Tea Lemonade!
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."
This refresher is one of the most popular summer items among Starbucks fans. Thanks to green coffee extract, it also contains 45 mg of caffeine. This refreshing drink used to be on the secret menu, but thanks to its popularity, it's now on the permanent menu.
Why I Love This Strawberry Acai Refresher With Lemonade Recipe
- Making your own copycat strawberry acai lemonade refresher at home is a great way to save money.
- It combines the natural flavor of strawberries and acai with the zingy flavor of lemonade.
- It contains no preservatives or artificial additives!
- No waiting in a long Starbucks line.
Ingredient Notes
See the printable recipe card for exact measurements and a full list of ingredients.
- Fresh Strawberries: Use fresh or frozen strawberries.
- Sugar: Use any sweetener of your choice, including honey, maple syrup, or even Stevia.
- Acai berry tea bag: I used Stash Acai Berry Tea bags. You can also use acai powder or acai juice instead.
- Lemonade: You can make Old Fashioned Fresh Lemonade with fresh lemons or use store-bought lemonade. For extra strawberry flavor, use strawberry lemonade.
- Green coffee bean extract. If you want an energy boost from caffeine, you can add green coffee extract. This ingredient is entirely optional and can be omitted if you prefer a caffeine-free drink.
- Lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice will give you the best flavor, but you can also use citric acid.
- Freeze-dried strawberries: These are optional but make a nice garnish like the Starbucks version. You can use fresh sliced strawberries instead.
How to Make Starbucks Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher At Home
This strawberry acai lemonade recipe is very easy to make. Read the instructions or watch the video below on how to do it.
This recipe makes 2 Grande-size refreshers (473 mL) or about one Trenta-size refresher (887 mL).
Make the Strawberry Refresher Base
- In a saucepan, combine sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice over medium heat. Simmer for 10 minutes. Use a potato masher to mash the berries periodically as they cook.
- Once the strawberries have softened, remove the pan from the heat.
Strain the Strawberry Puree
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Pour the strawberry mixture into the strainer and let the juice strain through.
- Use a wooden spoon to push as much of the juice through the strainer as you can. (If using acai powder, add it now to make a strawberry acai base).
- Store the strawberry base in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Make extra to cut down on prep time the next time you want to make one.
Make Acai Tea
- Add boiling water to a small mug or measuring cup with two acai tea bags. Let it steep for 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bag and use your fingers to squeeze as much juice as possible out of it. Set aside to cool.
Assemble The Strawberry Lemonade Refresher
- Pour half a cup of strawberry base into a tall glass.
- Pour in a quarter cup of freshly brewed acai tea
- Add half a cup of lemonade.
- If you want a caffeine kick, add half a teaspoon of green coffee extract. Add 1 cup of ice cubes.
- Top your drink with a spoonful of freeze-dried strawberries. You now have a homemade version of the popular Starbucks strawberry acai lemonade refresher!
- Grab a straw, stir to combine the flavors, and take a sip! Enjoy!
Variations
- Starbucks Pink Drink: Add coconut milk instead of lemonade to make a Pink Drink.
- Starbucks Strawberry Acai Refresher: Add water instead of lemonade.
- Extra Lemony: Freeze some lemonade into ice cubes and use them instead of regular ice cubes.
- Mixed Berry Twist: Instead of using only strawberries, mix different types of berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a different flavor.
- Frozen: Instead of assembling in a glass, pour all ingredients into a blender and blend for a frozen drink.
Recipe Tips
- Prepare the strawberry base ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator.
- If using acai powder, add it directly to the strawberry base.
- Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding agave syrup, honey, or simple syrup.
- Double or triple the strawberry base so you can prepare a drink anytime you want!
Recipe FAQs
You can prepare the strawberry base, acai tea, and lemonade ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Any leftovers can be stored in a mason jar with a lid for up to 2 days. Shake or stir well before using.
Straining helps remove any seeds or pulp from the strawberries, resulting in a smoother texture. If you skip straining it, the drink will not be as smooth and will be too thick to drink through a straw.
This recipe makes 2 Grande-size refreshers (473 mL), which contain 155 calories each.
More Copycat Starbucks Drinks You'll Love
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Recipe
Starbucks Copycat Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher
Ingredients
Strawberry Base
- 2 cups fresh strawberries washed, hulled, halved or quartered
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Assemble the Drink: Add ½ cup of the strawberry base to 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.
- Serve: Stir with a straw and enjoy immediately!
Video
Recipe Notes:
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
- Prepare the strawberry acai base ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator.
- Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding agave syrup, honey, or simple syrup.
- Double or triple the strawberry acai base recipe so you can prepare a drink anytime you want in just a few minutes!
NUTRITION INFORMATION
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
About Jeri Walker
Jeri Walker is the founder and CEO of Winding Creek Ranch. She is a self-taught home cook who specializes in easy family-friendly recipes. Jeri is also a food writer who regularly writes articles for MSN. Read about Jeri's journey and connect with her on your favorite social media channels!
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