Homemade Strawberry Açaí Pink Drink (Starbucks Copycat)

Stay sweet and healthy this summer with a homemade strawberry pink drink. Freshly brewed iced strawberry açaí tea is swirled with creamy coconut milk for a fruity iced latte that is sweetened almost entirely by fruit. It is perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even dessert (it is so creamy it drinks like a milkshake), and it is made for the hottest days of the year.

Yes, it is 110 percent inspired by the Starbucks pink drink, but this version is made from scratch with far less sugar, so you can enjoy it without the sugar crash afterward. And it lives up to the hype: it is delicious.

The story

I am not a big Starbucks drinker. I like their coffee, especially when traveling, but unlike the rest of the world I have only ever ordered black coffee or espresso. Then last week at the airport I could not help noticing the pink drink on the menu. It sounded wonderful, and the color, the prettiest pale pink, had me hooked. As soon as I got home I made my own, and it turned out even better than I hoped: like a strawberry milkshake, but healthier and tastier.

The strawberry açaí tea

Start with the strawberry açaí tea, or as Starbucks calls it, the strawberry açaí refresher. I use passion fruit tea bags with dried hibiscus mixed in, and steep them together with açaí powder. At this point you can sweeten the tea with sugar or honey, or skip it entirely. I do not add any sweetener because the fruit is plenty sweet on its own.

Next, strain the tea into a pitcher and add a couple of cups of unsweetened green tea. While the tea steeps, purée fresh strawberries with mango or pineapple juice. White grape juice works too, but I prefer something tropical and sweet, and mango is my first choice. Stir the strawberry purée into the tea. This makes about five cups, so keep the extra in the fridge to enjoy all week.

Building the pink drink

From here it is simple. Fill a tall glass with ice, pour in the strawberry tea, then add creamy coconut milk and a handful of sliced strawberries. Stir and watch the pink and white swirl together. Every glass is thick, creamy, and just sweet enough, with the perfect ratio of strawberry tea to coconut milk. It is naturally vegan, not as thick as a smoothie, but creamy enough to count as dessert.

Ingredients

• 2 passion fruit tea bags
• 1 teaspoon açaí powder
• 1 to 4 tablespoons sugar or honey (optional)
• 2 cups (480 ml) unsweetened green tea
• 2 cups strawberries, halved
• 1 cup (240 ml) mango, pineapple, or white grape juice (I use mango)
• 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberries (optional)
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) unsweetened coconut milk

Instructions

1. Bring 2 cups (480 ml) water to a boil and remove from the heat. Add the tea bags and açaí powder, cover, and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain into a pitcher. Stir in the honey or sugar, if using (I leave it out), and the green tea.
2. In a blender, purée the strawberries, mango juice, and freeze-dried strawberries, if using, until smooth. Strain the purée into the tea, stir to combine, and chill. The strawberry açaí tea keeps in the fridge for 1 week.
3. To make a pink drink, fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) strawberry tea, add the coconut milk and 2 to 3 sliced strawberries, and stir. Drink and enjoy.

Tips

• Taste the tea before adding any sweetener; ripe strawberries and mango juice are usually sweet enough.
• Canned coconut milk gives the creamiest swirl; carton coconut milk makes a lighter drink.

Nutrition Information