Make the famous Starbucks Pink Drink at home (aka strawberry acai with coconut milk) with this easy copycat recipe! Fresh strawberries, creamy coconut milk, and acai tea combine to create a refreshing drink that's even better than the coffee shop version. Now you can enjoy this summer favorite anytime you want!
If you love Starbucks drinks, try my Iced White Chocolate Mocha or Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew next!
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What Is The Pink Drink?
Starbucks' Strawberry Coconut Drink, aka the Pink Drink, started as a secret menu sensation before becoming an official menu item. It combines its Strawberry Acai Refresher base with creamy coconut milk and freeze-dried strawberries for a perfectly pink, tropical treat.
This copycat version captures all those flavors while letting you control the sweetness. Best of all, it has only 6g of sugar compared to Starbucks' 25g!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Better than Starbucks: Fresher taste and way less sugar.
- Budget-friendly: Save money by making it at home.
- Quick and easy: Simple ingredients, no special equipment needed.
- Perfect for summer: Refreshing and Instagram-worthy.
- Make ahead: Base keeps for 3 days in the fridge.
Ingredients and Substitutions
All ingredients for this recipe are shown in the pic below and special notes are made in this bulleted list to assist you.
- Strawberries. The base is made from strawberries. You can use either fresh or frozen strawberries.
- Acai tea. Use tea bags or loose leaf. I tried acai powder but it made the drink too purple. Passion tea or hibiscus tea can work too.
- Coconut milk. Look for sweetened coconut beverage in the refrigerated section, or use barista-style coconut milk. Regular coconut milk works but won't be as creamy. If you are not a fan of coconut milk, you can also use almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk.
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries. These add intense flavor and color. Fresh strawberries can work for garnish but won't give the same punch.
- Green coffee bean powder: TOptional for caffeine boost. Skip it for a caffeine-free version.
- Sugar. Just a touch balances the flavors. Adjust to taste or use your preferred sweetener.
See the printable recipe card for exact measurements and a full list of ingredients.
How To Make Strawberry Acai with Coconut Milk
This Starbucks Pink Drink copycat recipe makes two Grande-size refreshers (473 mL each) or approximately one Trenta-size refresher (887 mL).
Make the Strawberry Base
- Start by thoroughly washing 2 cups of strawberries. Remove the stems and cut them into halves or quarters. The size doesn't matter much since they will be mashed during cooking.
- In a medium saucepan, combine strawberries, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of water, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Heat the mixture over medium heat while stirring occasionally until it bubbles. Then, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Use a potato masher to mash the strawberries as they cook.
- After cooking the strawberries, strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer. This will ensure a smooth texture by removing any seeds or pulp.
- Gently press the strawberries using the back of a wooden spoon to extract all of the juice.
- Once done, store the strawberry base in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to three days.
Prepare the Tea
- While the strawberries are cooking, boil ½ cup of water and pour it into a mug.
- Add 2 acai berry tea bags and let them steep for 5 minutes.
- Once the tea is done steeping, take out the tea bags and press them gently against the side of the mug, making sure to extract as much liquid as possible.
Assemble your Drink
- Pour ½ cup of the chilled strawberry base into a tall glass.
- Add ¼ cup of cooled acai tea. Add half a teaspoon of powdered green coffee extract if you want an extra caffeine kick.
- Add ¼ cup of coconut milk and stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Add 1 cup of ice cubes to the glass and top with freeze-dried strawberries. And that's it! Enjoy your delicious strawberry acai with coconut milk! Note: You can also place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker instead and shake it all up - just like Starbucks!
Top Tips
- Best strawberries: Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the richest color and flavor.
- Make extra base: Double the strawberry base and store it in a mason jar for 3 days in the fridge. This way, you can quickly make a Pink Drink or Starbucks Strawberry Acai Refresher anytime!
- Perfect straining: Press gently with a wooden spoon to extract juice without pushing through the seeds.
- Customize sweetness: Add simple syrup, honey, or agave to taste.
- Extra flavorful: Use frozen strawberries instead of ice to prevent dilution.
- Party perfect: Easily multiply the recipe for a crowd and serve in a pitcher.
- Make it fancy: Top with coconut whipped cream or cold foam.
Variations
- Extra fruity: Add passion fruit juice or white grape juice.
- Caffeine-free: Skip the green coffee powder and use caffeine-free tea.
- Extra creamy: Add a splash of coconut cream.
Make Ahead Tips
- Prepare strawberry base and tea ahead.
- Store separately in the refrigerator.
- Mix fresh when ready to serve.
Recipe FAQs
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Always shake well before using.
Yes! Use sugar-free coconut milk and your preferred sweetener. Start with less and adjust to taste.
While strawberries give the classic pink color, you can experiment with raspberries or blueberries for different flavors.
The color comes from ripe strawberries and freeze-dried strawberries. Add more freeze-dried strawberries for a brighter pink.
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Printable Recipe
Strawberry Acai With Coconut Milk (Pink Drink)
Ingredients
Strawberry Base
- 2 cups fresh strawberries washed, hulled, sliced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Acai Berry Tea
- 2 acai berry tea bags
- ½ cup filtered water
For Each Drink
- ½ cup strawberry base cooled
- ¼ cup brewed acai berry tea cooled
- ¼ cup sweetened coconut milk
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 tablespoon freeze-dried strawberries for topping optional
- ½ teaspoon green coffee powdered extract optional
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberry Base: In a medium saucepan, combine strawberries, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of water, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Heat the mixture over medium heat while stirring occasionally until it starts to bubble. Then, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Use a potato masher to mash the strawberries as they cook. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Pour into an airtight container or mason jar and chill in the refrigerator.
- Make Tea: Steep two acai tea bags in ½ cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Once the tea is done steeping, take out the tea bags and press them gently against the side of the mug, making sure to extract as much liquid as possible. Cool completely.
- Assemble: Pour ½ cup of the cooled strawberry base, ¼ cup of cooled acai tea, and ¼ cup of coconut milk into each glass. If desired, add ½ teaspoon of powdered green coffee extract for a caffeine kick.
- Finish: Add 1 cup of ice cubes to each glass and top off with freeze-dried strawberries. Stir and enjoy!
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Notes
- Use sweetened coconut beverage or barista-style coconut milk for best results.
- Double the strawberry base recipe to keep extra in the fridge. It will last for 3 days in the refrigerator. This way, you can quickly make a Pink Drink or Strawberry Acai Refresher anytime!
- For a caffeine-free version, skip green coffee powder.
- Use frozen strawberries instead of ice for extra flavor.
- Make the drink sweeter with agave nectar, honey, or simple syrup, if desired.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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