Let’s talk about that pink drink. You know the one. It’s the cheerful, blush-colored beverage that took over social media and never really left.
It’s a little sweet, a little tangy, and feels like a tiny vacation in a cup. Perfect for a sunny afternoon, a poolside treat, or just because you deserve a splash of pink.
The best part? You don’t need to wait in line or spend a small fortune to enjoy it. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a spot-on copycat version right at home.
It’s light, it’s refreshing, and it’s dairy-free. Ready to stir up some magic?
A Drink’s Delightful History
That iconic pink color wasn’t born in a corporate lab, not exactly. The story goes that the Pink Drink started as a secret menu item.
Clever customers began ordering the Strawberry Acai Refresher, but asked for coconut milk instead of water. The result was a milky, pastel-pink dream.
Starbucks took notice, of course. The people had spoken. By 2017, it was officially on the menu, a rare case of a fan creation becoming a superstar.
It captured a feeling—something playful, photogenic, and genuinely delicious. Now, you can capture that feeling in your own kitchen, anytime you want.
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to pink drink bliss. Here’s what you’ll need.
- Fresh Strawberries: Half a cup, sliced. These provide the essential fruity flavor and beautiful flecks of real fruit. They’re the soul of the drink.
- White Cran-Strawberry Juice: Two cups. This is the key to the signature base flavor. It’s tart, sweet, and gives the drink its vibrant character.
- Sweetened Vanilla Coconut Milk: One cup. This creates the creamy, dreamy pink hue and adds a hint of vanilla sweetness. It’s what makes it a “pink drink” instead of just pink juice.
- Simple Syrup: Four teaspoons, optional. This is your sweetness control knob. Start without it, then add if you prefer a sweeter sip.
- Ice: Small cubes are best. They chill the drink quickly without melting too fast and diluting that perfect flavor.
How to make Starbucks Pink Drink?
The process is wonderfully simple. It’s more about gentle assembly than complicated cooking. Let’s walk through it.
Step 1- Gently Release the Strawberry Essence
Take your sliced strawberries and place them in the bottom of a pitcher.
Now, take a muddler or even the back of a spoon. Gently press and twist on the berries. You’re not making jam here.
The goal is just to coax out their fragrant juices and oils. You’ll see the liquid start to turn a deeper red, and smell that wonderful strawberry aroma.
Step 2- Combine the Liquid Magic
Next, pour in the white cran-strawberry juice. Then, add the sweetened vanilla coconut milk.
If you’re using the optional simple syrup for extra sweetness, add that now. Take a long spoon and stir everything together, slowly.
Watch as the creamy coconut milk swirls with the ruby juice, creating that perfect, uniform pastel pink color. It’s oddly satisfying.
Step 3- Serve with a Chill
Fill your glasses generously with ice. Slowly pour the pink drink mixture over the top.
The ice will clink and the drink will froth a little—that’s a good sign. For a pretty finish, slide a couple of fresh strawberry slices onto the rim of the glass.
Add a straw, and that’s it. Your masterpiece is ready.
Tips for Pink Drink Perfection
A few little insights can make your homemade version even better. Keep these in mind.
- For the strawberries, fresh is fantastic, but frozen (thawed) or even freeze-dried will work in a pinch. The flavor adjusts slightly, but it’s still delicious.
- If you can’t find the white cran-strawberry juice, cran-raspberry juice is a great stand-in. It shifts the flavor profile a touch, but results are still wonderful.
- Be gentle when muddling. You want juicy berries in your drink, not berry pulp. Bigger pieces are more enjoyable to sip around.
- Make it ahead for a party. You can combine everything (except the ice) in the pitcher a few hours early. Just store it in the fridge and give it a stir before serving.
Fun Variations to Shake Things Up
- The basic recipe is a classic for a reason. But once you’ve mastered it, why not play around? Here are some simple twists.
- Try using a different creamy base. Vanilla almond milk or vanilla oat milk work beautifully for a nuttier or heartier creaminess.
- Some readers have even had success with a coconut almond vanilla creamer for an extra rich treat. Feel free to experiment.
- Want a stronger strawberry punch? Macerate your berries first. Toss the slices with a teaspoon of sugar and let them sit for 10 minutes.
- They’ll become syrupy and intensely flavorful before you even muddle them. It’s a game-changer.
- For a fun adult version, a splash of vodka, gin, or even a strawberry liqueur can transform it into a brilliant cocktail.
- Just add it in step two, and stir gently. Always enjoy responsibly.
Starbucks Pink Drink Recipe
Description
This Starbucks Pink Drink copycat is as close to buying the real thing as it gets—but super easy to make with just 3 core ingredients and way less money! It’s slightly sweet, light, refreshing, and dairy-free. Perfect for summer sipping or enjoy all year-round!
ingredients
Instructions
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In a pitcher, add 1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries. Very gently crush the strawberries using a muddler. (The goal is to release some of the juices, not to smash them completely. The slices should still be intact.)
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Add 2 cups white cran-strawberry juice, 1 cup sweetened vanilla coconut milk, and 4 teaspoons simple syrup; stir to combine.
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Pour over ice in glasses to serve. Add additional strawberry slices for garnish, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 2
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 120kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 4gg7%
- Saturated Fat 3.5gg18%
- Trans Fat 0gg
- Cholesterol 0mgmg0%
- Sodium 65mgmg3%
- Potassium 180mgmg6%
- Total Carbohydrate 20gg7%
- Dietary Fiber 1gg4%
- Sugars 18gg
- Protein 1gg2%
- Calcium 20 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Strawberries: Fresh strawberries give the best flavor, but frozen (thawed) or freeze-dried strawberries work too.
- Juice substitute: If you can’t find Ocean Spray White Cran-Strawberry, cran-raspberry juice works well.
- Milk alternatives: Vanilla almond milk, vanilla oat milk, or coconut almond vanilla creamer are great substitutes for sweetened vanilla coconut milk.
- Make it sweeter: Add simple syrup or macerate strawberries with sugar before mixing for extra sweetness.
