We all have those days. The sun is shining, you have a long to do list, and the craving for one of those special Starbucks Drinks hits. You know the one. It’s colorful, refreshing, and just feels like a little treat. But that daily trip can get a little pricey, right?
What if I told you that you could make one of the most popular Cold Starbucks Drinks right in your own kitchen? Get ready to say hello to your new favorite homemade beverage, the Strawberry Acai Refresher. It’s one of those Pretty Drinks you see all over social media, and it’s surprisingly simple to create yourself.
Jump To:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? First off, making your own copycat Starbucks Drinks at home saves you so much money. That alone is a huge win. But it gets even better. You get to control exactly what goes into your drink. No strange syrups or ingredients you can’t pronounce.
This recipe uses fresh, simple ingredients. The flavor is bright, fruity, and incredibly refreshing. It’s the kind of drink that’s just what you need on a warm afternoon. Plus, it’s just fun to make! There’s a special kind of satisfaction that comes from recreating a cafe favorite at home.
It’s also a fantastic recipe for beginners. There are no complicated techniques involved. If you can use a blender, you can make this drink. It’s a great way to start exploring different Starbucks Orders To Try making yourself. You get all the flavor and fun without the fuss.
Ingredients
The shopping list for this recipe is short and sweet. You’ll be able to find everything at your local grocery store. Here’s what you need to gather to make your own refreshing Starbucks Drinks.
- 1 cup White Grape juice or Sparkling Apple Juice
- 1 cup Green Tea, regular or decaffeinated
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 cup Fresh strawberries, sliced
- ½ Nectarine, peeled
- ½ teaspoon Acai Powder
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
- Ice, crushed
Step By Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get to the fun part. Making this drink is a breeze. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be sipping on one of the tastiest Cold Starbucks Drinks in no time. It’s a great starting point for making more Starbucks Orders To Try at home.
Step 1: Combine The Liquids
First things first, grab a large jar with a lid. A big Mason jar works great for this. You want something that can hold at least three cups of liquid. Pour in the white grape juice or sparkling apple juice, the cooled green tea, and the freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Step 2: Blend The Fruit
Now it’s time to create that beautiful pink color. In a food processor or a blender, add the sliced fresh strawberries, the peeled nectarine half, and the acai powder. Blend everything together for about a minute until it’s completely smooth. You want a nice, even puree.
Step 3: Mix It All Together
Carefully pour the fruit puree into the jar with your juice and tea mixture. Put the lid on the jar and make sure it’s secure. Now, give it a good shake! Swirl it around until everything is well combined and you have a gorgeous, vibrant liquid.
Step 4: Strain For Smoothness
This next step is optional, but I highly recommend it if you want a super smooth drink. Pour your mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or another pitcher. Use a spoon to gently press the liquid through. This will catch any pulp and seeds, preventing your drink from separating later.
Step 5: Serve And Garnish
It’s time to assemble your drink! Grab two tall glasses. Layer some crushed ice and a few fresh strawberry slices inside each one. Pour your beautiful pink refresher mixture over the ice. Top it off with a little more crushed ice and a final strawberry for garnish. Enjoy your homemade masterpiece!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any of this delicious refresher left over, storing it is simple. Just keep the liquid mixture in the sealed jar you used to mix it. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two days. Don’t add ice until you are ready to serve. This keeps it from getting watered down.
When you’re ready for another glass, just give the jar a quick shake to recombine everything. Then pour it over fresh ice with some strawberries. It’s a great way to have your own ready to go Starbucks Drinks waiting in the fridge.
Tips
Want to make your homemade refresher even better? Here are a few little tips to help you out. These simple ideas can make your beverage experience even more enjoyable and customizable. You’ll feel like a true barista.
For a little bit of fizz, definitely choose the sparkling apple juice over the white grape juice. It adds a lovely light sparkle that makes the drink feel extra special. It’s a small change that creates a big difference in the final texture.
Don’t skip the straining step if you can help it. It really does make a difference in creating that smooth, coffee shop quality texture. It only takes an extra minute or two and is well worth the effort to avoid a separated drink.
Feel free to get creative with your fruit. While strawberries and nectarines are a classic combination, you could try adding a few raspberries for a tarter flavor. A small amount of mango could also add a nice tropical note. This is the beauty of making Pretty Drinks at home.
Presentation matters! Use your nicest glasses to serve this drink. The visual appeal is part of what makes these kinds of Starbucks Drinks so popular. Layering the ice and fresh fruit makes it look just as good as it tastes.
Conclusion
And there you have it! Your very own homemade Strawberry Acai Refresher. See how easy that was? You can now enjoy one of the most popular Starbucks Drinks without ever leaving your house. It’s fresh, flavorful, and so much fun to make.
This recipe is a wonderful introduction to the world of homemade cafe beverages. Once you realize how simple it is, you might find yourself exploring other Starbucks Orders To Try. Have fun with it, experiment with different flavors, and enjoy your delicious creations. Cheers to that!
FAQ
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the refresher mixture and store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to two days. Just remember to hold off on adding the ice and fresh strawberry garnish until you are ready to serve it.
What If I Can’t Find Acai Powder?
Acai powder is usually in the health food section of larger grocery stores. If you can’t find it, you can leave it out. The drink will still be delicious. The acai adds a subtle earthy berry flavor and contributes to the deep color, but it’s not essential.
Is This Drink Very Sweet?
The sweetness comes naturally from the fruit juice and the fresh fruit. It is not overly sweet. If you prefer a less sweet drink, you can use an unsweetened white grape juice or add a little extra lemon juice to balance the flavors.
Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries if you don’t have fresh ones available. Just make sure to thaw them completely before blending them into a puree. This ensures you get a smooth consistency for your drink base.
Strawberry Acai Refresher
Make one of the most popular cold Starbucks drinks right in your own kitchen. This Strawberry Acai Refresher is bright, fruity, and incredibly refreshing, perfect for a warm afternoon treat. It’s easy to create with fresh, simple ingredients, offering a delicious cafe-favorite experience at home.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- First, gather a large jar. Pour in the white grape juice (or sparkling apple juice), cooled green tea, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- In a food processor or blender, combine the sliced fresh strawberries, peeled nectarine half, and acai powder. Blend until completely smooth.
- Carefully pour the fruit puree into the jar with the liquid mixture. Secure the lid and shake well until everything is combined.
- (Optional) For a super smooth drink, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into another pitcher. Use a spoon to press the liquid through, catching any pulp and seeds.
- To serve, fill two tall glasses with crushed ice and a few fresh strawberry slices. Pour the refresher mixture over the ice and garnish with another strawberry.
Notes
For a fizzier drink, choose sparkling apple juice over white grape juice for a lovely light sparkle.
Straining the mixture through a fine mesh strainer is recommended for a super smooth, coffee shop-quality texture.
Feel free to get creative with your fruit! While strawberries and nectarines are classic, try adding raspberries for tartness or mango for a tropical touch.
Presentation enhances the experience! Serve your drink in nice glasses, layering ice and fresh fruit to make it visually appealing.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
