How to Make Starbucks Pink Drink (Healthier Version Japanese-Style Recipe)

Starbucks Pink Drink was originally “secret menu” item created by customers and shared widely on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok thanks to its photogenic appearance. Its overwhelming popularity led Starbucks to officially add it to their permanent menu in the U.S. and some other countries, but sadly, it is not yet available in Japan.

The drink is made by combining the Starbucks’ original Strawberry Açaí Refresher, coconut milk, and freeze-dried strawberries. Now, you might wonder what ingredients are used in the Strawberry Açaí Refresher.

Here are the ingredients listed on Starbucks’ website:

• water
• sugar
• white grape juice concentrate
• citric acid, natural flavors
• natural green coffee flavor
• fruit and vegetable juice
• Rebaudioside-a

Checking from the ingredients, there are no words of strawberry and açaí, but people who have tried the Pink Drink say that it tastes just like a light and refreshing strawberry milk drink.

Ingredient Swaps (Starbucks vs Homemade Version)

• Strawberry Açaí Refresher base → Strawberry puree
• Added sugars → Adjustable simple syrup
• Green coffee extract (caffeine) → None
• Freeze-dried strawberry inclusions → Freeze-dried or fresh strawberries
• Coconut milk → Coconut milk, soy milk, or regular milk

Key Ingredients in This Homemade Version

1. Japanese strawberries

Japanese strawberries are naturally sweet, which means less sugar is needed resulting in a healthier drink, and winter is the season for Japanese strawberries. You can use fresh strawberries directly to make strawberry puree, but freezing the strawberries first helps soften the fibers, making the puree smoother.

If you prefer a shortcut version for preparing strawberry puree, you can use additive-free kakigori syrup, store-bought fresh strawberry puree, or additive-free strawberry jam instead. These items contain sugar, so omit or reduce the amount of simple syrup when you use these store-bought items.

2. Simple Syrup

You can buy store-bought one, but you can also make simple syrup by combining 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Heat them up until the sugar dissolves and mix them well.

3. No caffeine

Unlike Starbucks Pink Drink, our Pink Drink doesn’t contain caffeine extracted from green coffee, so anyone from achild to an adult can enjoy it as a healthy drink option.

4. Freeze-dried strawberries

Starbucks uses freeze-dried strawberry slices on top, so I chose freeze-dried ones. If you like, Muji’s chocolate-covered freeze-dried strawberries also work well in this drink. If you have freeze-dried strawberries on hand, I recommend using it, but you can use fresh or dried strawberries for the toppings as well.

5. Coconut milk

If you feel the coconut milk is too dense, use regular milk or soy milk to dilute for a lighter consistency.

Enjoy this refreshing homemade Pink Drink. And if you are a fan of café-style beverages, you may also like our other drink recipes: refreshing and vibrant strawberry matcha latte recipe, earthy and creamy black sesame matcha latte recipe, and the toasty and mellow houjicha latte recipe!