If you’re craving that refreshing, Instagram-famous Starbucks Pink Drink but don’t feel like making a coffee shop run, you’re in luck! This homemade version channels all those vibrant berry flavors and creamy coconut vibes right in your own kitchen—no fancy barista skills required. It’s fruity, cold, and just sweet enough, making it the drink you’ll want to sip all year long.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Refreshing: This Starbucks Pink Drink is cool, lightly sweet, and packed with real strawberry flavor—the ultimate summer thirst quencher!
- Super Simple Ingredients: You don’t need syrups, powders, or anything fancy—just a handful of fresh, real ingredients for an authentic taste.
- Budget-Friendly & Customizable: Making it at home not only saves you money but lets you control the sweetness and ingredients.
- Pretty in Pink: That gorgeous pastel hue and strawberry garnish look totally café-worthy in any glass or on your next brunch table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This copycat Starbucks Pink Drink couldn’t be easier—each ingredient actually matters for that signature creamy fruitiness. Let’s break down what makes this drink so dreamy and vibrant, just like your favorite barista would serve.
- Fresh Strawberries: For authentic berry aroma, juicy texture, and beautiful pink specks. Slightly muddled instead of puréed, they infuse the drink with subtle natural sweetness.
- Oceanspray White Cran-Strawberry Juice: This juice brings the signature tangy-sweet, almost candy-like base flavor you love in the Starbucks Pink Drink—don’t substitute for classic cranberry, or you’ll lose that soft pink color.
- Sweetened Vanilla Coconut Milk: Gives the drink its luscious, creamy consistency and a faint tropical backbone. Make sure it’s both sweetened and vanilla-flavored for that unmistakable Starbucks taste.
- Simple Syrup (optional): Adds extra sweetness if you want a real treat. Totally optional—taste before adding, as the juice and coconut milk are already sweet!
- Small Ice Cubes: Chills everything rapidly, helps with dilution, and creates that irresistible, refreshing texture.
Variations
One of the best things about making Starbucks Pink Drink at home is how easy it is to personalize! Whether you want to swap in different berries, make it dairy-free, or cut back on sugar, here are a few tasty ideas to play with.
- Switch up the Berries: Add raspberries or blueberries for a fun twist or simply use frozen berries if you’re out of fresh.
- Go Dairy (or Extra Creamy): If you love it even creamier, use vanilla almond milk or regular dairy milk—just note the change in flavor profile.
- Lower Sugar: Skip the simple syrup and choose an unsweetened coconut milk to let the fruitiness shine and cut out extra sweetness.
- Add a Green Tea Boost: Mix in strongly brewed green tea for bonus antioxidants and a subtle earthy balance to the drink.
How to Make Starbucks Pink Drink
Step 1: Muddle the Strawberries
Add your sliced, fresh strawberries to the bottom of a pitcher. Using a muddler (or even the back of a wooden spoon), gently press them just enough to release some juices—don’t turn them to mush! This lets the natural berry essence infuse the whole drink while leaving pretty slices for texture.
Step 2: Combine the Base Ingredients
Pour in the white cran-strawberry juice, sweetened vanilla coconut milk, and simple syrup (if using) over your muddled berries. Stir well to blend everything together. You’ll notice the gorgeous pink shade immediately—it’s like mixing up pure sunshine in a glass!
Step 3: Serve Over Ice
Fill two tall glasses generously with ice cubes. Pour the Starbucks Pink Drink mixture over the ice, making sure both glasses get some of those beautiful strawberry slices. Give it a gentle stir and get ready to impress yourself with how close this tastes to the original!
Pro Tips for Making Starbucks Pink Drink
- Juice Selection Matters: For the classic pastel color and berry flavor, don’t skip the white cran-strawberry juice—it’s the backbone of this Pink Drink!
- Gentle Muddling = Magic: Don’t pulverize the strawberries! Gently pressing releases just enough flavor without clouding the drink or making it pulpy.
- Ice, Ice Baby: Use lots of small ice cubes—not only does it chill your drink quickly, but it also mimics the café version’s extra-cold, slightly frothy finish.
- Taste Before Sweetening: Everyone’s sweetness preference is different—try the finished mix before adding all the simple syrup, and reduce or skip as you like.
How to Serve Starbucks Pink Drink
Garnishes
Fresh strawberry slices piled on top are the prettiest finishing touch! For extra flair, you could add a sprig of mint or even a twist of lemon peel—just a little something to brighten up your Starbucks Pink Drink and make it party-ready.
Side Dishes
This bright, fruity drink pairs deliciously with brunch staples like soft scones, lemon bars, or a simple fruit salad. Or serve it alongside a light sandwich or veggie wrap for the freshest lunch break ever!
Creative Ways to Present
Try pouring your Starbucks Pink Drink into mason jars with paper straws, cocktail glasses rimmed with sugar, or a clear pitcher filled with ice and berries for a crowd. It’s gorgeous in pretty much any glass—so make it pop with your own special twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you wind up with leftovers, pop the Pink Drink in a sealed jar or pitcher in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just be sure to stir before serving, as the strawberries and coconut milk may settle or separate slightly.
Freezing
While the Starbucks Pink Drink isn’t ideal for freezing as a whole beverage, you can freeze the juice mixture separately in ice cube trays—then just blend with coconut milk and fresh berries for a slushy, frozen treat!
Reheating
This refreshing drink is meant to be enjoyed cold, not hot, so reheating isn’t needed. If your leftovers have lost their chill, simply pour over fresh ice and stir for cool-down perfection.
FAQs
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Can I use regular cranberry juice instead of white cran-strawberry?
You can, but the flavor will be tangier and the color will turn more red than soft pink. For that true Starbucks Pink Drink taste and pastel hue, stick to the white cran-strawberry juice if possible!
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What can I use instead of coconut milk?
Vanilla almond milk works beautifully for a similar creaminess and flavor, or regular dairy milk if you aren’t dairy-free. Just know the coconut milk is what gives the Pink Drink its signature flavor.
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How do I make the Pink Drink less sweet?
Simply skip the simple syrup and consider using an unsweetened coconut milk. You can also add extra ice or a splash of water to mellow the sweetness to your liking.
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Can I make Starbucks Pink Drink ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! Mix the drink base (excluding ice) a day ahead, cover, and chill. When you’re ready to serve, pour over fresh ice and add extra strawberry slices to garnish for a crowd-pleasing, café-style batch.
Final Thoughts
There’s something irresistibly cheerful about swirling up a homemade Starbucks Pink Drink—especially knowing you can enjoy it anytime, exactly the way you like. Give this copycat recipe a try, and treat yourself (and your friends) to all that fruity, creamy, pastel-pink goodness right at home. Cheers to happy sipping!
PrintStarbucks Pink Drink Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 drinks 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make the refreshing and vibrant Starbucks Pink Drink at home with this simple recipe.
Ingredients
Fresh Strawberries:
- 1/2 cup stemmed and sliced fresh strawberries (plus more for garnish)
Drink Base:
- 2 cups Oceanspray White Cran-Strawberry Juice
- 1 cup sweetened vanilla coconut milk
- 4 teaspoons simple syrup (optional, for added sweetness)
- small ice cubes
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries: In a pitcher, add 1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries. Very gently crush the strawberries by using a muddler. The goal is to release some of the juices, not to smash them completely. The slices should still be intact.
- Mix Ingredients: Add 2 cups white cran-strawberry juice, 1 cup sweetened vanilla coconut milk, and 4 teaspoons simple syrup to the pitcher; stir to combine.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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