If you love sipping on a sweet, creamy refresher when the weather is warm, then you’re going to be obsessed with this homemade Summer Pink Drink (Starbucks Inspired)! This bubbly, berry-hued beauty blends vibrant strawberries, tropical juices, exotic dragon fruit, and luscious coconut milk. It’s pure sunshine in a glass—easy, stunning, and so delicious you’ll want to make it all summer long.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Breathtaking Color: The mesmerizing pink hue is irresistible and guaranteed to brighten up any summer table or mood!
- Better Than Take-Out: Skip the line and enjoy total control over sweetness, creaminess, and flavor right from your own kitchen.
- Easily Customizable: Whether you’re dairy-free, want more fruit, or need a caffeine-free treat, this drink adapts to you.
- Crowd-Pleasing & Fun: Everyone—from kids to grown-ups—loves this summery, copycat drink. It’s a guaranteed hit at parties and picnics.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how a handful of simple ingredients transform into the iconic Summer Pink Drink (Starbucks Inspired)! Each one adds to that signature taste, ultra-creamy texture, or tropical color—so don’t skip a single star.
- Fresh Strawberries: These are the foundation—juicy, sweet berries cook down to give the drink its undeniable summery flavor and natural pink blush.
- Passion Fruit or Maracuja Juice: This brings tropical tartness and a fragrant aroma that perfectly balances the creamy coconut milk.
- Red Grape Juice: Adds just a touch of richness and helps deepen the pink color for that classic Starbucks look.
- Water: Helps everything simmer gently together and keeps the drink totally refreshing, never too syrupy.
- Earl Grey Tea Bags: This gives subtle floral notes with a gentle caffeine kick—you can use decaf if you prefer a no-jitters version!
- Dragon Fruit Powder: A little goes a long way here—its vibrant color is stunning and adds mild tropical sweetness (totally worth hunting down, but optional if you can’t find it).
- Coconut Milk (Fat Reduced): The magic ingredient for that creamy, dreamy finish; use canned or carton, but shake it well!
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries (optional): For even more berry-forward flavor and the prettiest garnish in your glass.
- Ice Cubes: Essential for that icy-cold café experience—don’t skimp!
- Additional Cold Water (optional): Perfect if you want to stretch the batch or lighten the flavor a bit.
Variations
Don’t be shy about making this Summer Pink Drink (Starbucks Inspired) your own! There are so many ways to tailor it to your mood, pantry, or dietary needs—get creative and play with the ingredients.
- Caffeine-Free: Swap the Earl Grey for a herbal tea blend (like hibiscus or berry) for kid-friendly, zero-caffeine sips.
- Dairy-Free Delight: Opt for oat or almond milk if you want a slightly different creaminess or a flavor twist—both are absolutely delicious.
- More Tropical: Toss in pineapple or mango juice to amp up the sunshiney flavor and make this drink even dreamier.
- Extra Berries: Mix in some raspberries or blackberries for a deeper color and even more fruity flavor.
How to Make Summer Pink Drink (Starbucks Inspired)
Step 1: Simmer the Strawberry Mixture
Start with fresh, ripe strawberries—washed, hulled, and diced—and add them to a small saucepan with the passion fruit juice, red grape juice, and water. Bring everything up to a gentle boil over medium heat, letting the strawberries just start to soften and the juices mingle. This is where the magic begins, and your kitchen will smell amazing!
Step 2: Brew with Tea and Infuse Flavors
Add the Earl Grey tea bags to the bubbling fruit mixture, then lower the heat so it’s barely simmering. Let the strawberries get jammy and the tea infuse for 3-4 minutes—this gives incredible depth, color, and just a subtle floral note. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes (don’t forget to fish out those tea bags!).
Step 3: Strain and Boost Color
Set a fine-mesh sieve over a container and pour the strawberry-tea mixture through, pressing down on the fruit to extract every last drop of juicy goodness. Stir in the dragon fruit powder, blending it in smoothly. This is where your pink drink gets its signature pop! Cool the mixture fully, then chill in the fridge until icy cold.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes, then layer in some freeze-dried strawberries if you’re feeling fancy. Pour in about half of your cooled pink strawberry mixture (if making two drinks), then top with creamy coconut milk. Add a straw, give it a swirl to create dreamy marbling, and enjoy right away. If you want more volume or lighter flavor, add extra cold water or coconut milk—there’s no wrong way here!
Pro Tips for Making Summer Pink Drink (Starbucks Inspired)
- Maximum Pink, Minimum Fuss: To get the brightest color, use both ripe strawberries and dragon fruit powder—don’t skip either if you can help it.
- Ultra-Chill Factor: Make sure your pink tea mixture is completely cold before adding the coconut milk for that irresistible swirling effect and a perfectly cool sip.
- Flavor Efficiency: Press the cooked strawberries firmly in the sieve to extract extra juice before discarding—this little trick packs in maximum fruity flavor.
- Custom Creaminess: Shake or whisk your coconut milk before pouring to ensure it’s ultra-smooth and blends evenly into your drink.
How to Serve Summer Pink Drink (Starbucks Inspired)
Garnishes
Dress up your Summer Pink Drink (Starbucks Inspired) with a handful of freeze-dried strawberries, a fresh berry skewer, or even a sprinkle of edible flowers for an Instagram-worthy finish. These little touches add both beauty and a concentrated pop of berry flavor that will wow anyone you serve.
Side Dishes
This refreshing pink drink pairs fabulously with light summer bites. Try it with crisp salads, fresh fruit platters, or a pastry for brunch. For a true Starbucks café vibe at home, serve with a lemon scone, banana bread, or your favorite granola bar.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or showers, serve your Summer Pink Drink (Starbucks Inspired) in mason jars or tall clear glasses so everyone can admire that gorgeous ombre swirl. Add stripy straws, fancy ice cubes (try freezing berries or edible flowers inside!), or pour into a punch bowl for a DIY drink bar. Let guests top and mix their own!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover strawberry tea mixture, simply store it in a lidded jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 1–2 days. Wait to combine with coconut milk and ice until just before serving so your drink stays fresh and the coconut milk doesn’t separate.
Freezing
For a fun twist, freeze extra strawberry mixture in ice cube trays—these “pink ice cubes” are amazing for future drinks! Freezing the mixed drink isn’t recommended, as coconut milk can separate, but freezing the base keeps things handy for a quick treat.
Reheating
There’s no reheating necessary for this drink—just chill and enjoy! If your base has thickened in the fridge, give it a good stir or shake before assembling your Summer Pink Drink (Starbucks Inspired).
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work beautifully—just thaw them first so they cook down easily and blend smoothly into the drink. They can also help make the drink even colder and thicker.
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What can I substitute for dragon fruit powder?
If you can’t find dragon fruit powder, you can use a dash of beet powder or even a bit of hibiscus tea for extra color. The main role is for that vibrant pink, so don’t stress if you need to skip it—the strawberries do most of the work flavor-wise!
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Is this Summer Pink Drink (Starbucks Inspired) recipe vegan?
Yes! As written, this recipe is completely vegan since it uses coconut milk. Just make sure any juice blends or tea bags you use are vegan-friendly (almost all are) for peace of mind.
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How do I make this drink less sweet?
To lighten things up, simply add more water or coconut milk to taste, or use unsweetened juices. This drink is easy to adapt—taste as you mix and adjust until it’s just right for you!
Final Thoughts
The Summer Pink Drink (Starbucks Inspired) truly is a sip of happiness—vibrant, creamy, and bursting with flavor and color. I hope you feel as refreshed and delighted making it as you will when you take that first icy-cold sip. Gather your berries, invite a friend, and let the homemade pink drink magic begin this summer!
Print
Summer Pink Drink (Starbucks Inspired) Recipe
- Prep Time: 00:05
- Cook Time: 00:05
- Total Time: 01:00
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy a refreshing Summer Pink Drink inspired by Starbucks. This fruity and colorful beverage combines the sweetness of strawberries with the tropical flavors of passion fruit and dragon fruit, all topped with creamy coconut milk.
Ingredients
Strawberry Mixture:
- 5.3 oz. (150g) fresh strawberries, diced
- 1/2 cup (120ml) passion fruit juice or maracuja juice
- 1/3 cup (80ml) red grape juice
- 3/4 cup (180ml) water
- 2 bags of Earl Grey tea
- 1/2 tsp. Dragon fruit powder*
Additional:
- 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk (fat reduced)
- some freeze-dried strawberries (optional)
- ice cubes for serving
- additional cold water (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberry Mixture: Combine strawberries, juices, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, add tea bags, and simmer until strawberries are soft. Remove tea bags and let cool.
- Strain Mixture: Strain the mixture, add dragon fruit powder, and chill in the fridge.
- Serve: Add freeze-dried strawberries to a glass, ice cubes, pour in strawberry mixture, top with coconut milk, stir, and enjoy!
Notes
- If making smaller drinks, add cold water for more servings. You can pre-mix the strawberry mixture with coconut milk and store in the fridge for 1-2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
