Pineapple Passionfruit Refreshers, 3 Ways!

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Make Starbucks Pineapple Passionfruit Refreshers at home for a fraction of the price! All three drinks are delicious, but the paradise drink stands out as the most tropical. Next time you want Starbucks’ newest drink, skip the line and make it home with this copycat recipe.

“Sunshine in a cup” is how Starbucks describes their Pineapple Passionfruit Refreshers. I have to admit; this drink is all that! The color is a vibrant yellow with a fruity and tropical flavor reminiscent of beach vacations!

Like the Mango Dragonfruit and Summer-Berry Starbucks Refreshers, the new pineapple drinks are truly refreshing! It was so good that I kept driving back to Starbucks for “testing” reasons.

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What are the New Starbucks Pineapple Drinks?

In June 2022, Starbucks released their Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher line nicknamed “Sunshine in a cup.” As with previous refreshers, all three variations use the same base.

Starbucks describes the overall flavor as “tropical flavors of pineapple and passionfruit, hand-shaken by Starbucks baristas with real diced pineapple pieces and ice to create a delicious island escape that is 100 calories for a Grande.”

What Do the Drinks Taste Like?

There are three drinks, all sweet with a slightly tart finish. However, depending on the variation, the refresher could be sweet, tart, or tropical.

Ingredients

• White Sugar – Use equal parts white sugar and water to create a simple syrup. For a vegan drink, use organic or vegan sugar.
• Pineapple Juice – I tried several different types of pineapple juice and even pineapple powder during testing. Hands down, fresh pineapple or canned pineapple tasted like Starbucks. The other products have too many additional flavors that complicate the flavor (and not in a good way!)
• Passionfruit Powder – I ordered passionfruit powder on Amazon and found it works perfectly with this recipe. My only caution is that the powder is clumpy. I found that adding passionfruit powder while making the base on the stove worked the best in dissolving the powder.
• Citric Acid – Adds zip to the drink. Only a tiny amount of citric acid is needed.
• Freeze-Dried Pineapple– – I found freeze-dried pineapple on Amazon. The pieces are a little larger than the pineapple at Starbucks. If you prefer a smaller size, break the chunks down. That’s if you still have some because I cannot stop eating the pineapple while making my drinks;)

Starbucks Ingredients Not Used in My Recipe

The Starbucks ingredients list includes white grape juice and green coffee bean powder. During testing, I felt that adding both ingredients altered the overall flavor too much rather than recreating it. Below are more details about the omissions.

• White Grape Juice – This is a popular juice in many Starbucks refreshers. However, the flavor changed significantly even with a slight amount (1/4 teaspoon) during testing, so I omitted it.
• Green Coffee Bean Powder – Starbucks uses “natural green coffee flavor” in its base. I find the smell and flavor overpowering. If you want to add caffeine to this drink, I recommend brewing one white tea bag. Once cooled, use the tea in place of water. The subtle flavor does not change the overall taste of the drink.

Frequently Asked Questions