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Copycat Strawberry Acai Refresher can be made at home faster than you can drive to Starbucks! All it takes is a few syrups, and you can have anyone to the Starbucks Strawberry Aci Refershers, including the lemonade and Pink Drink, in minutes!
The Strawberry Acai Refresher's blend of freeze-dried strawberries, acai berry powder, and green coffee extract makes it unique. This combination gives the drink a distinct fruity flavor with a slight caffeine kick.
Much like the mango dragonfruit refresher, I love the vibrant pink color of the Strawberry acai refresher. To top it off, real strawberries are included.
Following my copycat recipe, you can easily make any of the three Strawberry Acai refreshers at home, including the strawberry acai lemonade and the pink drink. It takes only a few minutes, and it's so worth it!
Jump to:
What Are Starbucks Refreshers?
The Strawberry Acai Refresher is a drink that combines the flavors of sweet and tart. The recipe is easy to make at home using ingredients found online on Amazon. Once the initial investment is complete, this drink will cost just pennies.
There are three different versions of these drinks that you can try: the traditional version, the lemonade version, and the creamy coconut milk version, which is also known as The Pink Drink.
The traditional version uses the Strawberry Acai Refresher base and is mixed with water. The lemonade version adds a tangy twist and is perfect for those who prefer an increased sour taste to the regular refresher. The Pink Drink is a fan favorite made with coconut milk, giving it a creamy texture and a sweeter taste. In addition, there is a secret menu with the different twists on this recipe.
What does Starbucks Strawberry Acai Refresher taste like?
The Strawberry Refresher by Starbucks tastes sweet, like strawberry syrup, and has a slightly sour taste on the finish of the passionfruit. I like to make it with fresh strawberries, but you can easily make it with freeze-dried strawberries.
What is the Pink Drink?
The Pink Drink is the Strawberry Acai Refresher based, mixed with coconut milk and a small scoop of freeze-dried or fresh strawberries. The coconut milk balances out the sweetness, making the pink drink a perfect combination of sweet and tropical.
Ordering the drink at Starbucks will cost anywhere from $4.95 - $5.95, depending on the size. Making it at home will cost a fraction of that.
In the mood for another Starbucks recipe?
Developing Starbucks Strawbery Acai Copycat Recipes
Between enjoying this drink and reading the nutrition label at Starbucks, I could recreate this drink. I start by using strawberry syrup, as opposed to fresh strawberries. That is because I can distinctly taste the syrup whenever I have this drink.
Next, I was stumped by the sour finish. I tried the acai, but it did not replicate. I checked all three refresher labels and noticed something, not one listed acai directly! However, The Pink Drink listed "accents of passion fruit." It turns out passion fruit was the missing ingredient!
I am sure the acai is in the drink, but it's so tiny it is not listed. I tried to copy this recipe with acai powder to ensure I had it correct. All I can say is the acai powder was an epic fail! It leaves tiny little black particles in the drink.
Ingredients for this Acai Recipe
Base
Strawberry Syrup - 2 tablespoons -
Passion Fruit Syrup - ½ teaspoon -
White Grape Juice - ½ cup
Critic Acid - ⅛ teaspoon
Green Coffee Bean Extract Powder - ½ teaspoon (Optional) - The Starbucks base has green coffee powder. However, the flavor is very mild. Add this if you want caffeine in your drink.
Preferred Flavors
Each Starbucks refresher comes in three varieties. For this recipe, you will add one cup of your preferred flavor. They are:
| Flavor | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| Refresher | Water (one cup) |
| Lemonade | Lemonade (one cup) |
| Pink Drink | Coconut Milk* (one cup) |
*Use the coconut milk found in the dairy case by the milk at your grocery store.
Drink
Step One: Mix the base ingredients in a large glass or jar.
Step Two: Add your preferred flavor to the jar and combine.
Step Three: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Add a handful of fresh strawberries and pour the drink over the ice.
Strawberry Acai Variations (Starbucks secret menu)
| Drink Name | Recipe |
|---|---|
| Gummy Bear Drink | Mix 2 cups of peach juice with the strawberry acai refresher base and add two pumps of raspberry syrup. Top with your favorite gummy bears. |
| Sour Patch Kids | Mix strawberry acai refresher base with lemonade, three pumps of classic syrup*, three pumps of raspberry syrup, and a splash of tango passion tea. |
| Strawberries and Cream Refresher | Mix the strawberry acai refresher base with strawberry puree and top with sweet cream. |
| Strawberry Shortcake Refresher | Make a strawberry acai refresher with lemonade. Add one scoop of strawberry puree and top with vanilla sweet cream cold foam. |
| WandaVision Refresher | Mix the strawberry acai refresher base with two cups of guava juice blend and three scoops of strawberries, and top with vanilla sweet cream cold foam. |
*Note: Classic syrup (simple syrup) is a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water. Place the ingredients in a small saucepan and heat over low heat until the sugar dissolves into the water. Once it is cooled, you have classic syrup (simple syrup)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this Starbucks Refresher have Caffeine?
Yes, strawberry acai refresher contains caffeine. Typically a 16 oz. The refresher will have 45 mg of caffeine and is a perfect alternative for people who don’t enjoy coffee. Generally, people see it as a juice-based drink and assume no caffeine. It has green coffee extracts, giving your drink a pump of caffeine. However, it has no taste, so you can skip this ingredient in a home-based refresher without altering the flavor.
How much does the drink cost?
The drink cost at Starbucks varies depending on the size you order and the add-ons. Typically, this strawberry drink costs around $4-$6. With this copycat recipe, you can prepare a homemade blend for less than $1.
How do I store leftovers of Strawberry Acai Base?
Remove any fresh strawberries or freeze-dried strawberries. Store the drink in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Add fresh or freeze-dried fruit before serving.
Recipe
Starbucks Strawberry Acai Refresher Recipe
Ingredients
Strawberry Acai Refresher Base
- 2 tablespoons Strawberry syrup
- ½ teaspoon Passion fruit syrup
- ½ cup White grape juice
- ⅛ teaspoon Critic acid
- ½ teaspoon Green coffee bean extract powder (optionala)
Flavor Mixer - Choose One of the three opoins below
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup lemonaide
- 1 cup coconut milk Use the coconut milk found in the dairy section.
Instructions
- Step One: Mix the base ingredients in a large glass or jar.2 tablespoons Strawberry syrup, ½ teaspoon Passion fruit syrup, ½ cup White grape juice, ⅛ teaspoon Critic acid, ½ teaspoon Green coffee bean extract powder (optionala)
- Step Two: Add your preferred flavor to the jar and combine (water, lemonade or coconut milk,)
- Step Three: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Add a handful of fresh strawberries and pour the drink over the ice.
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