Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher
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Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher is a delicious drink known for its sweet tropical flavor and vibrant magenta color. Instead of going to Starbucks, you can save money and make this drink at home for a fraction of the cost.
Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit refresher has it all. Sweet tropical flavors, with a touch of sour to balance it out. Like all Starbucks refreshers, you can get this drink with a different base, making it sweet, sour, or tropical.
When mixed with coconut milk, the mango dragonfruit becomes the uber-popular Pink Drink. I found out just how popular this drink was when I got stuck in line behind 20 tween girls. All I could think of was how perfect the pink drink would be with cotton candy popcorn at a tween party!
Three Refresher Flavors
Each Starbucks refresher line uses the same base. However, each has a unique taste because the base is mixed with water, lemonade, or milk to add additional flavor.
- Mango Dragonfruit Refresher: This is the classic version of the drink, featuring a blend of mango and dragonfruit flavors mixed with water and ice. It’s a refreshing and fruity beverage perfect for hot summer days.
- Dragonfruit Lemonade Refresher: This version replaces water with lemonade. The lemonade balances out the sweetness and provides a tartness. This version is perfect for those who love sour flavors and sour candy.
- Dragon Drink: The Dragon Drink variation replaces water with creamy coconut milk from the diary case. This drink has a tropical flavor reminiscent of warm weather vacations.
Ingredients
- Freeze-Dried Dragonfruit Powder: The powder has a slight flavor, but the color cannot be beat. A bottle of syrup costs close to $30, so I opted for the powder for $13. It can be purchased on Amazon.
- Mango Syrup: I have tried this recipe with fresh mangos and syrup. Hands down, Torani Syrup tastes most like the original Starbucks drink.
- White Grape Juice: This is a popular fruit juice used in most Starbucks refreshers. A little goes a long way, adding to the overall flavor. Too much, and the drink tastes like grape juice.
- White Sugar: Is needed to create the simple syrup, which is needed to make the base.
- Flavor Mixer: You can make this drink with water, lemonade, or coconut milk from the dairy case. The flavor will be sweet, sour, or tropical, respectively.
OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS
Green Coffee Extract Powder—Their base is unroasted coffee beans that add a little flavor while adding caffeine. If you want to add caffeine, start with one teaspoon increments until you reach the desired amount.
Freeze-Dried Dragon Fruit: The drink at Starbucks comes with 4 ounces of freeze-dried dragon fruit cubes made specially for Starbucks. An affordable option is freeze-dried pieces (chips), which are the same, just in a different shape.
Instructions
- Make the Simple Syrup – Place a small saucepan over low heat and combine water, white sugar, and dragon fruit powder. Stir periodically until the sugar dissolves—about five minutes. Set aside and let cool.
- Make the Base: Combine the simple syrup, grape juice, mango, and syrup. This recipe will make four grande 16-oz drinks.
- Select Your Flavor – Once the base has been made, add 1/4 cup base + 2 cups of the variations (water, lemonade, or coconut milk). If you would like a sweeter drink, add more simple syrup.
Additions and Substitutions
- Fresh Kiwis: Kiwis are the perfect substitute. They have the same seeds, texture, and mild flavor. Substitute at a 1:1 ratio.
- Mango Juice—Mango’s natural flavors are hard to beat. If you prefer natural fruit, I recommend starting with a tablespoon and increasing it in small increments until you reach the desired flavor. One bit of warning: a little goes a long way.
- Apple Juice – Apple juice can be used instead of white grape juice concentrate.
- Boozy – I recommend using vodkas; the flavor is neutral and does not alter the taste of the overall drink. When mixing a drink, I use 1/4 cup per 24 ounces. I prefer a lighter ratio of alcohol and then altering the amount according to personal tastes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did you make this? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!
Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher – Copycat Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Mason jar or other lid tight mixing glass/jar/etc.
Ingredients
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon freeze-dried dragonfruit powder
Base
- ¼ cup simple syrup
- 1 tablespoon white grape juice
- 2 teaspoons mango syurp
- ½ cup ice
Choose One Flavor to Mix With
- 2 cups water (refresher)
- 2 cups lemonade (lemonade refresher)
- 2 cups coconut milk from the dairy case (dragon drinnk)
Instructions
- Make the Simple Syrup – Place a small saucepan over low heat and combine water, white sugar and dragon fruit powder. Stir periodically until the sugar dissolves—about five minutes. Set aside and let cool.
- Make the Base – Combine the simple syrup, grape juice, mango and syrup.
- Select Your Flavor – Once the base has been made, add 1/4 cup base + 2 cups of the variations (water, lemonade, or coconut milk). If you would like a sweeter drink, add more simple syrup.
Giving you 5 stars cause it sounds spot on. I have tried a few others, I have even pureed my own fruit to see if that works.
When I go to starbucks and buy the drink. I order the following (it has no name)
Mango Dragonfruit refresher, no fruit, add strawberry puree.
I do ask for it with little water, no ice so when I get it home I can make 2 drinks out of it by adding water. But the strawberry gives it a pop (as in nice tasting kiss)
Thank you! You are so right. I tried making it with fresh fruit that had been purred and cooked down and it never tasted the same. No matter the combination, fresh fruit tastes nothing like Starbucks. I kept trying and trying and then I realized they use a clear base! It’s all sugar with a little flavor. It totally changed how I went back and recreated the recipe.
I love the no ice and little water! It is a great way to get two for the price of one.
Hi, I’d love to try your recipe, but I couldn’t find the Crystal Light Mango Passionfruit anywhere for $1.75 or even $3. One bottle in Amazon costs almost $9.
Are you still able to buy it anywhere for $2? Thanks
Hi Aly, that is a big difference from when I wrote the recipe. Do you live near a Kroger or a Safeway? I am showing it in stock at both my local stores. Kroger is 3.49 and Safeway is 2 for 5.00. The easiest way I have found to check what is in stock is via instacart. If you go to instacart and type in crystal mango passionfruit it will show you where it is in stock near you. Does this help?