Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher - Copycat Recipe

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Starbucks mango dragonfruit refresher is a sweet cold beverage known for its tropical 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!
Included in this post are all three Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit drinks; Mango Dragonfruit Refresher, Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade, and the Dragon Drink.

It is well known I am a Starbucks addict. My addiction dates back to the 90s, and I cringe to think how much I have spent over the years. I have been trying to recreate some of my favorites from my local store to save money. I started with blueberry scones, followed by petite vanilla scones. Next is my favorite Starbucks cold beverage on a hot day, mango dragonfruit refresher.

This Starbucks copycat recipe was a challenging recipe to crack. I tried every combination of natural fruits and mango puree possible. 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.

Then I looked closer at the nutritional label on the Starbucks website and realized 'natural fruit flavor' was listed. Not mango juice, not dragonfruit flavors, but only 'natural fruit flavor.'

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. 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.

Costs

I am as big of a Starbucks lover as your average American. However, frequent trips add up quickly. If I am honest, I think I could consider early retirement if I had invested the money from all my daily trips.

As I write this, a grande at my local Starbucks is $4.25 plus tax. Yikes! From now on, I am making this drink at home for .81 cents. That is a savings of $3.44 per drink.

Here is the breakdown of my costs. Most items were purchased at my local grocery store. I have included links in the recipe card for specialty items that might be harder to find at a local store.

• Dragon Fruit Powder - $15 for 3.5 ounces (42 servings) = $0.35 per serving.
• Crystal Light Mango Passion Fruit - $1.75 for 1.62 ounces (24 servings) = $0.07 per serving.
• White Grape Juice Concentrate - $3.59 for 12 ounces (144 servings) = $0.02 per serving.
• Simple Syrup - $2.78 for 64 ounces for (128 servings) - $.02 per serving
• Frozen Dragon Fruit Cubes (optional) - $4.99 for 12oz (12 servings) $0.35 per serving.

My Total Cost Per Drink $.81. SAVINGS = $3.44

Ingredients

Essential Ingredients

Freeze Dried Dragon Fruit Powder - ¼ teaspoon - Dragonfut is a vibrant pink; 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.

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 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.

Instructions

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

Dragon Drink - Use this recipe, but substitute 2 cups water with 2 cups coconut milk. The result is a creamy tropical fruit drink.

Mango Dragon Fruit Lemonade - To make this popular lemonade version, follow the same recipe and exchange water for equal parts lemonade. I only like some lemonade in this drink, so I do a ⅔rds split; 2 cups lemonade and 1 cup of water. Use low-sugar lemonade or sugar-free lemonade at the same ratio for less sugar.

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.