Let’s be honest, that daily Starbucks run adds up. One day, I looked at my bank statement and realized that my Pink Drink habit had officially become a line-item budget concern. That vibrant, refreshing, perfectly pink drink is just so good, but the $5+ price tag? Not so much. I went on a mission to create a Starbucks Pink Drink Recipe that was not only delicious but also dead simple. I’m talking no brewing fussy passion tea, no hunting down weird syrups or expensive freeze-dried fruit, and no 8-step complicated process.
I wanted something I could “whip up” in five minutes that tasted just as bright, creamy, and crave-worthy as the real thing. And friends, I figured it out.
This homemade pink drink recipe is the real deal. It relies on one secret, easily accessible ingredient that does all the work, giving you the perfect color and fruity flavor. It’s saved me a significant amount of money, and it’s now my go-to afternoon treat. Plus, it’s caffeine-free, so my kids are also obsessed with it. Get ready to become your own favorite barista!
Table of Contents
3-Ingredient Starbucks Pink Drink Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh strawberries stemmed and sliced (plus extra for garnish) * 2 cups Ocean Spray White Cran-Strawberry Juice * 1 cup sweetened vanilla coconut milk
- 4 teaspoons simple syrup optional, for extra sweetness
- Small ice cubes for serving
Instructions
- Muddle the Strawberries: Place the sliced fresh strawberries in a large pitcher. Using a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon, very gently crush the strawberries to release their natural juices.
- Mix the Base: Pour the white cran-strawberry juice and sweetened vanilla coconut milk into the pitcher with the muddled strawberries. If using, add the optional simple syrup and stir gently to combine.
- Chill & Serve: Fill two tall glasses with small ice cubes.
- Enjoy Immediately: Pour the pink drink mixture over the ice, ensuring some strawberry slices are in each glass. Garnish with additional fresh strawberry slices and serve immediately.
Nutrition
What is the Starbucks Pink Drink, Anyway?
Before we dive in, what is the drink that took over Instagram? The official Starbucks Pink Drink originated as a “secret menu” item that went viral, earning it a permanent spot. It’s a combination of their Strawberry Acai Refresher (a base of white grape juice, green coffee extract, and strawberry flavor) mixed with creamy coconut milk and topped with freeze-dried strawberries.
It’s popular for a reason: it’s light, fruity, creamy, and less heavy than a Frappuccino. The problem? That Strawberry Acai base is impossible to buy. My version skips the hard-to-find ingredients and gets you 99% of the way there with 1% of the effort.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Pink Drink Recipe
I could go on all day, but here’s why I know you’ll be just as obsessed with this copycat Starbucks pink drink as I am.
- It’s Insanely Easy. We’re talking three core ingredients and 5 minutes of your time. You don’t need a blender, a shaker, or any special equipment.
- No Tea Brewing! This is the big one. Many copycat recipes require you to find Tazo Passion tea, brew it, and then chill it. It’s a hassle! This recipe skips that step entirely but loses none of the fruity punch.
- It’s Budget-Friendly. This is the best part. A grande Pink Drink at Starbucks can cost almost $6. My homemade version? It costs about $1.00 to $1.50 per serving. If you’re a regular drinker, you could save over $100 a month.
- You Control Everything. Too sweet? Use less syrup. Want it healthier? Use unsweetened milk. You’re in charge! It’s also naturally dairy-free and, with this version, totally caffeine-free, making it a perfect treat for the kids.
3-Ingredient Pink Drink Ingredients
This is the best part: the shopping list is short and sweet.
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, stemmed and sliced (plus extra for garnish)
- 2 cups Ocean Spray White Cran-Strawberry Juice
- 1 cup sweetened vanilla coconut milk
- 4 teaspoons simple syrup (this is totally optional! I find the drink is sweet enough without it, but add it if you like)
- Small ice cubes, for serving
A Note on the “Secret” Ingredients
The real magic here comes from two specific items.
- The Juice: Ocean Spray White Cran-Strawberry Juice is the ultimate secret weapon. It has the perfect light, fruity flavor, and, most importantly, that beautiful signature pink color, no food coloring needed.
- The Milk: Opt for a sweetened vanilla coconut milk, like the kind Silk makes. You can use unsweetened, but the vanilla adds a layer of creamy, aromatic flavor that really mimics the Starbucks version.
How to Make This Easy Starbucks Pink Drink Recipe
Get ready, this is going to be fast.
① Muddle the Strawberries
Place your ½ cup of sliced fresh strawberries in the bottom of a large pitcher. Using a muddler or just the back of a wooden spoon, very gently crush the strawberries.
You’re not trying to make a puree here! The goal is to bruise them slightly to release their natural juices and vibrant color. You should still have partial strawberry slices. This simple step makes the drink feel so much more authentic and fresh than just using a syrup.
② Mix the Base
This is where the magic happens. Pour the 2 cups of white cran-strawberry juice and 1 cup of sweetened vanilla coconut milk directly into the pitcher with the muddled strawberries.
You’ll see it instantly transform into that perfect, opaque, creamy pink color. It’s so satisfying!
If you have a sweet tooth and prefer your drink a little sweeter, add the optional simple syrup at this point. I personally leave it out. Give everything a gentle stir until it’s just combined. Don’t overmix it.
③ Chill & Serve
Fill two tall glasses (a classic pint glass is perfect) with small ice cubes. Smaller ice cubes give it that authentic Starbucks feel, but any ice will do.
Pour your beautiful pink drink mixture over the ice, making sure to let some of those muddled strawberry slices tumble into each glass. They look so professional!
④ Garnish and Enjoy Immediately
Garnish your masterpiece with a few extra fresh strawberry slices. You can float them on top or add a slice to the rim of the glass.
Serve it right away while it’s ice-cold and refreshing. Because this uses real coconut milk, it can naturally separate slightly if left to sit for too long (just like the one from the store). Please give it a gentle stir with your straw before each sip to make sure every taste is perfectly creamy and blended.
And that’s it! You just made a coffee-shop-quality drink at home for a fraction of the price.
Tips, Substitutions, and Healthy Variations
This recipe is fantastic as-is, but it’s also incredibly easy to customize. Here are a few ways to make it your own:
- For a Keto or Low-Sugar Pink Drink: This is a popular request! Use unsweetened coconut milk, a keto-friendly simple syrup (such as one made with monk fruit), and look for a low-sugar white cranberry juice. You’ll also want to use the strawberries for muddying, but don’t eat them all to keep the sugar count low.
- What If I Can’t Find White Cran-Strawberry Juice? This is a common frustration. If you can’t find it, you can substitute regular 100% white cranberry juice and add a tablespoon or two of strawberry puree or syrup. It’s an extra step, but it gets the job done.
- Using Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Want that classic Starbucks look and texture? You can absolutely use freeze-dried strawberries! Muddle the fresh ones as directed (for the flavor) and then top the drink with a scoop of freeze-dried ones. They add a fun, tangy crunch.
- What About the Passion Tea Version? If you’d like to try the more traditional copycat, it’s easy! Just brew a cup of Tazo Passion tea and let it chill thoroughly in the fridge. Then, fill your glass with ice and use a 1:1:1 ratio: 1 part chilled tea, 1 part white cran-strawberry juice, and 1 part coconut milk. It’s a different flavor profile, more tart and herbal, but also delicious!
Pink Drink for a Party! (Pitcher Recipe)
This recipe is my absolute go-to for baby showers, brunches, or any summer party. It scales up perfectly.
To make a whole pitcher, multiply the recipe. For a standard 64-oz pitcher:
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, muddled in the bottom of the pitcher
- 6 cups (48 oz) White Cran-Strawberry Juice
- 3 cups (24 oz) sweetened vanilla coconut milk
Stir it all together and voila! My one pragmatic tip: do not add ice to the pitcher. It will melt and water down your beautiful drink. Instead, fill individual glasses with ice and pour the pink drink from the pitcher over the top. It stays potent and refreshing for hours.
Starbucks Pink Drink Recipe: FAQs
What is in a pink drink at Starbucks?
The official drink at Starbucks is made from their Strawberry Acai Refresher base (which contains green coffee extract for caffeine), coconut milk, and freeze-dried strawberries.
What is in a pink drink at Starbucks?
Does the pink drink have more caffeine than coffee? A grande Starbucks Pink Drink has about 45mg of caffeine from the green coffee extract. For comparison, a regular brewed coffee has 150-200mg. So, it has much less caffeine! However, my homemade version is 100% caffeine-free, as we don’t use the acai base or any tea, making it a perfect, family-friendly treat.
What is the two-ingredient pink drink?
You might see this trend online! It’s usually just pre-made strawberry milk (like Nesquik) mixed with coconut milk. While it’s swift, it has a distinctly different, less fresh flavor. My 3-ingredient version, made with real fruit and juice, tastes much closer to the bright, zippy original.
You’ve Got to Try This!
Seriously, how easy was that? You’re now just a few minutes away from a perfectly creamy, refreshing, and vibrant homemade Pink Drink that tastes just like the original without the drive or the cost. It’s a simple, joyful little recipe that brings a bit of that coffee-shop luxury into your own kitchen.
I really hope you love this one as much as I do. If you try it, please drop a comment below and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
