Love Starbucks’ secret menu item, the Pink Drink? It’s really made with their Strawberry Acai Refresher and coconut milk… And now you can use this pink drink recipe to make your own Starbucks Pink Drink at home!
I’m the kind of person who gets totally flustered when ordering a drink in Starbucks. The menu completely confuses me, I never know what alterations I’m allowed to make to a drink (I constantly ask for things that aren’t possible!), and I always feel like I’m going to somehow order a drink that contains 8044 calories and not realize it until I’ve happily slurped the whole thing down. Also, I really, really enjoy the Oprah Chai Tea Latte (a million times more than the regular Chai Latte). But I feel ridiculously absurd ordering a drink with Oprah’s name in it (but seriously, the proceeds go to Oprah’s Leadership Academy Foundation, so really, I should order with PRIDE). Also, it’s never on the menu anymore, so I always have to go up to the counter and say, “excuse me, do you still have the Oprah Chai?” And then I want to crawl in a hole. I just want all my options laid out on the wall over the counter… But I guess there is just so much going on at Starbucks these days, it’s not possible.
Then there are the secret menu drinks. Ah. From what I hear, there’s not actually an official Starbucks secret menu… There are just people who order crazy off-menu things and then try to make them popular. And I guess you could say that worked with the Pink Drink, which all the sudden became all the rage (thanks, Insta!). I ordered my own Pink Drink just a couple weeks ago in what was my very first Starbucks “secret menu” order. Of course, when I ordered it, the barista looked at me like I was crazy and said, “you mean, you want the Strawberry Acai Refresher with coconut milk?” Um yes, I guess? I don’t know; I thought it was SECRET. And you just destroyed the mystery for me. But thanks, I’ll have it anyway because it won’t get out of my Instagram feed and therefore my brain. Also, it’s beautiful.
And it was delicious to boot. So, I went home and decided to recreate it. And I think my homemade Starbucks Pink Drink turned out to be pretty fabulous!
At first I was going to ignore the whole acai part of the drink. Because though I love acai and live for the frozen Sambazon packs, I knew that adding purple into my Pink Drink would turn it into Brown Drink. Not OK. But then I realized that I had this Lipton Acai Green Tea right in my very own cabinet (Starbucks Strawberry Acai Refresher is a drink with green coffee extract, so I figured green tea would work, too). Done and done. I brewed a strong cup and let it cool.
Then put it in a blender along with some fresh strawberries, a little bit of sugar, and ice. I blended away and poured the drink into two glasses with some coconut milk mixed in (I used Silk Unsweetened). Obviously I mixed in some sliced fresh strawberries for garnish, too. And I had my very own homemade Pink Drink without any awkward ordering or confused baristas.
And it was awesome! Chris said it was way better than Starbucks Pink Drink and I don’t think he was just saying that because he’s my husband and he loves me (I can always tell when he doesn’t really like something I’ve made…). I actually considered setting up a lemonade-style stand outside my house, but then I worried I live too close to Starbucks and if they saw me, they’d sue me.
I’m pretty sure Starbucks actually makes their Pink Drink with freeze dried strawberries, which I think would also be delicious. But at this time of year, I’m definitely not turning down any fresh strawberries. I know it’s just so trendy and “basic” at this point, but come on, that color! How can I ever go back to an Oprah Chai when I can have Pink Drink? Also, don’t you think this pink drink recipe would be absolutely perfect for Valentine’s Day?
I’m pretty sure “Pink Drink” previously meant Pepto Bismol, so I hope this drink goes down in history and changes everything. And also fixes whatever ails you. At the very least, it will brighten up your day.
Also, in addition to Valentine’s Day, the pretty color makes this drink PERFECT for your 4th of July weekend, too! I hope that you have a fabulous one planned… I feel very lucky in that I not only have the 4th off from work, but I also have the 5th! And the weather is looking beautiful here in Boston. Hooray!
Next up? I’m newly obsessed with the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew! Despite its name, a grande only has 110 calories. More than my typical morning black coffee, but still not too shabby for a treat. And I wonder if you can order it with sugar-free vanilla syrup?? I guess I’ll just have to ask and then crawl into my hole when they tell me I’m crazy. Or maybe I’ll try to recreate this one at home, too!
Have you tried Starbucks Pink Drink yet or ordered off their secret menu?
Homemade Starbucks Pink Drink
Ingredients
- 12 large strawberries, hulled
- 1 1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar (or sugar substitute)
- 3/4 cup acai green tea (or plain green tea), chilled
- 1 cup ice
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
Instructions
- Place 8 strawberries, sugar, cold tea, and ice in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Divide strawberry drink between two large glasses and pour in coconut milk.
- Slice remaining strawberries and use to garnish drinks.
You are like the 10th person I’ve seen talking about this Pink Drink, so it must be really awesome! I would much rather try your homemade version, though. Yum ?!
If this Pink Drink tastes as good as it looks, it must be amazing.. It’s the most gorgeous drink I’ve ever seen!!
So much better than the one Starbucks makes. They should be using your recipe.
This rocks! Starbucks has a secret menu? I need to start ordering something different when I show up in the drive thru.
Seriously, this looks really good. I have no doubt it is better than anything Starbucks could make.
Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July.
Velva
I tried the pink drink after hearing all of the hype, and it was good! A little sweet though. I would definitely try your version too…looks SO pretty!
Fresh strawberries are SO much better than freeze dried! This drink looks like it ROCKS. I want it badly in this heat!
Your pink drink looks a thousand times more delicious and healthier to boot than the Starbucks version.
Really gorgeous! I’m always a fan of recreating recipes, especially from Starbucks! Will definitely be trying this soon! Pinned 🙂
Girl I feel the Exact same way you do!! I found such joy reading this blog post I thought I was the only one who didn’t have it all together at Starbucks!!
I don’t like green tea and I can taste it in these drinks, darn. I used the Lipton tea bags of strawberry acai green tea. Any other ideas?
@Kathy- I might try a white tea! Or else, you can actually buy Starbucks Refreshers from the grocery store: http://amzn.to/2ctkAoc They are made with green coffee extract (not green tea), but I’m not positive how they taste.
How much tea do I need to boil for this recipe and do I add sugar to the green tea after its boiled? Gonna try make this
@Kristenntn: Hi! You only need 3/4 cup of tea for two drinks. You don’t need to add sugar until everything goes in the blender 🙂 I hope you enjoy!
I love Starbucks, but not their prices. This is fantastic!!
I have heard so many things about this Starbucks pink drink! I really need to try this recipe, especially since you use tea.
This recipe looks amazing and I would love to try it, but I can’t find the açai green tea bags anywhere.
@Layla- Hi! I think you could use something similar, like a blueberry green tea? I bet any kind of berry would work though!