Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher

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Starbucks mango dragonfruit refresher is a sweet cold beverage known for its tropical fruit flavor and vibrant magenta color. Next time you want this drink, skip the line and make my copycat version at home instead. Using this recipe, you can make this drink for as low as .81 cents, and save $3.44 simultaneously!

The Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit recipe was a challenging recipe to crack! I tried every combination of natural fruits, tropical fruits, and mango puree possible. I read, reread, and kept rereading the nutrition label to see what I was missing.

Then it dawned on me that Starbucks base is a concentrated clear liquid with no fresh fruit. The Starbucks recipe cannot be recreated using all-natural ingredients. In fact, the label says 'natural fruit flavor'. Not mango juice, not dragonfruit flavors, but only 'natural fruit flavor.' The beverage equivalent of 'froot', the official name of the fruit flavor in Fruity Pebbles.

I went back to the store and scoured the isles. I came home with many artificially flavored packets. Hands down, the mango passion fruit by Crystal Light was the closest in flavor to the Starbucks version. What I like about Crystal Light is that it is an artificial flavor without artificial colors or aftertaste. The taste was also as close as I could get to the original drink.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Recipe

Ingredients

Essential Ingredients

To replicate this drink at home you will need the following ingredients:

Freeze Dried Dragon Fruit Powder - ¼ teaspoon - Dragonfut is a vibrant pink color; however, the flavor is neutral. I add it because I love the bright color, but for the taste, it is optional. The powder can be purchased on Amazon.

White Grape Juice - 1 teaspoon - This is a popular fruit juice used in most Starbucks refreshers. I found that a little goes a long way, adding to the overall flavor. Too much, and the drink tastes like grape juice. That is why there is only one teaspoon used in this recipe.

Simple Syrup - 2 tablespoons - This is a blend of equal parts white sugar and water cooked on the stove until the sugar dissolves. For less sugar, add less simple syrup when mixing the drink.

Crystal Light Mango Passion Fruit - 1 teaspoon - While an artificial flavor, it does not leave an artificial aftertaste. I used a teaspoon because a little goes a long way. I also purchased this at my local grocery store. It is also available on Amazon.

Flavor Mixer - Depending on which drink you are making you will need an alternative mixer. Refresher = 2 cups of water. Lemonade alternative = 2 cups of lemonade. Dragon Drink alternative = 2 cups of coconut milk.

Optional Ingredients

Green Coffee Bean Powder - 1 teaspoon - Starbucks uses "natural green coffee flavor" in their base, which are unroasted coffee beans that add little flavor while adding caffeine. If you want to add caffeine, start with one-teaspoon increments until you reach the desired amount. Click here to purchase green coffee bean extract at amazon.

Freeze-Dried Dragon Fruit - - 1 handful - The refresher sold at Starbucks comes with a small amount of freeze-dried dragon fruit cubes. I did find the cubes on Amazon. However, the price was $100 for a bag. An affordable option is freeze-dried Dragon fruit pieces (chips), which are the same, just in a different shape. Soak the chips in water for five minutes before mixing.

Fresh or Frozen Dragon Fruit - 1 handful - An alternative to freeze-dried fruit. Click here to learn all about fresh dragon fruit.

Interested in A Different Starbucks Drink?

• Starbucks Crisp Apple Macchiato - Iced and Hot
• Starbucks Cold Foam Recipe
• Starbucks Pineapple Passionfruit Refreshers - All 3!

Instructions

There are three mango dragonfruit refreshers; mango dragonfruit refresher, mango dragonfruit lemonade, and dragon drink. Below are instructions for all three drinks. Start by making the simple syrup and then choose which version of the drink you would like to make.

Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is really sweetened water that blends the sugars into the drink better than mixing sugar directly. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine water and white sugar. Stir periodically until the sugar dissolves—about five minutes. Set aside and let cool.

Mango Dragonfruit Refresher Recipe

Combine dragon fruit powder, freeze-dried dragon fruit, water, grape juice, simple syrup, and Crystal Light Mango Passion Fruit Liquid Water Enhancer in a mason jar. Place the lid on top and shake well enough to break up the powder. Pour over ice.

Mango Dragonfruit Lemonaide Recipe

Combine dragon fruit powder, freeze-dried dragon fruit, lemonade, grape juice, simple syrup, and Crystal Light Mango Passion Fruit Liquid Water Enhancer in a mason jar. Place the lid on top and shake well enough to break up the powder. Pour over ice.

Dragon Drink Recipe

Combine dragon fruit powder, freeze-dried dragon fruit, coconut milk, grape juice, simple syrup, and Crystal Light Mango Passion Fruit Liquid Water Enhancer in a mason jar. Place the lid on top and shake well enough to break up the powder. Pour over ice.

Substitutions

Fresh Kiwis: Kiwis are the perfect substitute. They have the same seeds, texture, and mild flavor. Substitute at a 1:1 ratio.

Kiwi Fruit Powder: I strongly recommend not changing the dragon fruit powder. This powder gives this drink its trademark berry color. However, if you have to, the closest is kiwi fruit powder. It will alter the taste. However, this is the most comparable substitution.

Mango Juice - The natural flavors of mango is hard to beat. If you prefer natural fruit, I recommend starting with a tablespoon and increasing 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 in place of white grape juice concentrate.

Variations

Caffeinated - The recipe in this post is decaffeinated. To add caffeine, add one teaspoon of green coffee extract. Another option is to make a cup of hot green tea. Allow the tea to cool and use that in place of water at a 1:1 ratio.

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 ¼ cup per 24 ounces. I prefer a lighter ratio of alcohol and then altering the amount according to personal tastes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: This post does contain affiliate links to products used in this recipe.

Recipe