Do you ever get that craving for one of those special Starbucks Drinks? You know, the kind that looks as good as it tastes. It’s so refreshing on a warm afternoon. Well, what if I told you that you could make one of the most popular ones right at home? It is totally possible and surprisingly simple.
We are making a copycat Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher today. It is one of those fantastic cold Starbucks drinks that’s packed with flavor. You get to control all the ingredients, and honestly, it’s a lot of fun to prepare. Let’s get started!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavor is just amazing. The floral notes of hibiscus tea mix so well with the sweet berries and a little kick from ginger. It’s a combination that feels both familiar and exciting. It is a really vibrant and tasty drink.
This is also one of the most beautiful pretty drinks you can make. The color is a gorgeous deep pink, almost ruby red. When you add the mixed berries, it looks like a jewel in a glass. It is definitely something you can show off.
Another great reason is how easy it is. There are a few simple steps, but none of them are complicated. You just steep some tea and make a quick syrup. Plus, making your own Starbucks Drinks at home saves you money.
You can also customize it to your liking. Want it a bit sweeter or less sweet? You have total control. This makes it easy to create your own version of healthy Starbucks drinks without all the extra sugar.
Ingredients
For The Ginger Simple Syrup
- 2 cups filtered water
- ½ to 1 teaspoon Green Coffee Bean Powder
- 2 cups sugar
- ¼ cup ginger, peeled and chopped
For The Hibiscus Tea
- 3 cups filtered water
- 3 Hibiscus Tea Bags
- 3 green tea bags
For The Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher
- 1 cup white grape juice
- 1 cup mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Make The Hibiscus Tea
First, let’s get the tea base ready. Bring three cups of filtered water to a boil in a pot over medium heat. Once it is boiling, take it off the heat. Add your hibiscus and green tea bags right away.
Let the tea bags steep for about 30 minutes. This gives them enough time to release all their wonderful flavor and color. Set it aside while you work on the next part of our homemade Starbucks Drinks adventure.
Step 2: Make The Ginger Simple Syrup
Now for the sweet and spicy part. In a medium pot, combine two cups of filtered water, two cups of sugar, and the green coffee bean powder. This powder is key for that authentic taste found in many Starbucks Drinks.
Place the pot on medium high heat and stir until the sugar completely dissolves. You want a clear, smooth syrup. Bring it to a boil. Once boiling, remove it from the heat immediately.
Add your chopped ginger to the hot syrup. Let it steep for 30 minutes, just like the tea. This will infuse the syrup with a lovely, warm ginger flavor. Afterwards, pour the syrup through a fine sieve to remove the ginger pieces.
Step 3: Assemble The Refresher
It is time to put it all together! Take the tea bags out of your steeped hibiscus tea. Pour the beautiful red tea into a large two quart pitcher. It’s going to be the base for one of our favorite cold Starbucks drinks.
Next, add the ginger simple syrup you just made. Then pour in the white grape juice. Give everything a good stir to combine all the flavors. The mixture should smell amazing at this point.
Finally, add your mixed berries to the pitcher. This makes it a truly pretty drink. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This chilling time is important for the flavors to blend together.
When you are ready to serve, you can add a few frozen berries to each glass. It keeps the drink cold and adds a nice touch. Now you can enjoy your homemade version of popular Starbucks Drinks!
How To Store Leftovers
If you have any of this delicious refresher left, storing it is simple. Just keep it in the pitcher, covered, in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh and tasty for up to three days. The flavors might even get a little bit stronger overnight.
The berries might soften over time, but that is perfectly fine. Just give the pitcher a little stir before you pour a glass. It is a great drink to have on hand for a quick refreshment. It is one of those cold Starbucks drinks you can enjoy for days.
Tips
Want to make this one of your go to healthy Starbucks drinks? You can easily adjust the amount of sugar in the simple syrup. Start with half the amount and add more to taste if needed. You can also use a sugar substitute.
Feel free to experiment with the berries. While a mix is great, using just raspberries or just blackberries can create a unique flavor profile. Frozen berries work just as well as fresh ones, and they help chill the drink faster.
If you cannot find green coffee bean powder, you can leave it out. The drink will still be very tasty. The powder adds a specific caffeine kick and flavor note found in the original Starbucks Drinks, but your homemade version will still be great without it.
For an extra fancy touch, try adding a sprig of fresh mint or a slice of lime to each glass when serving. It makes these pretty drinks even more special, especially if you are serving them to guests.
Conclusion
And there you have it! Your very own Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher. Making your favorite Starbucks Drinks at home is not only possible but also really rewarding. You get a delicious, refreshing beverage that you can customize any way you like.
This recipe is a great starting point. Once you get the hang of it, you can try different teas or fruits. Enjoy the process and the fantastic results. You’ll have a pitcher of one of the best cold Starbucks drinks ready whenever you want.
FAQ
What Is Green Coffee Bean Powder For?
Green coffee bean powder or extract is used in the original Starbucks Drinks like refreshers to add caffeine. It is made from unroasted coffee beans. It has a mild flavor that does not taste like coffee, so it works well in fruity drinks.
Can I Use A Different Kind Of Tea?
Absolutely! While hibiscus gives this drink its signature flavor and color, you could try other herbal teas. A passion fruit tea or a raspberry zinger tea would also be delicious alternatives for creating your own unique pretty drinks.
How Can I Make This Drink Sugar Free?
To make this a sugar free drink, you can use a sugar substitute like stevia or erythritol to make the simple syrup. Be sure to check the conversion rates for your chosen sweetener. Also, use an unsweetened white grape juice to keep it as one of your healthy Starbucks drinks.
Can I Use Frozen Berries Instead Of Fresh?
Yes, frozen berries work wonderfully in this recipe. They will help chill the drink faster and release their juices just as well as fresh berries. It is a convenient and budget friendly option for making your favorite Starbucks Drinks all year round.
Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher
This homemade Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher is a vibrant and tasty cold drink, perfect for a warm afternoon. It’s easy to make, packed with floral hibiscus and sweet berries, and a refreshing alternative to your favorite coffee shop drinks.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- First, let’s get the tea base ready. Bring three cups of filtered water to a boil in a pot over medium heat. Once it is boiling, take it off the heat. Add your hibiscus and green tea bags right away. Let the tea bags steep for about 30 minutes. This gives them enough time to release all their wonderful flavor and color. Set it aside while you work on the next part of our homemade Starbucks Drinks adventure.
- Now for the sweet and spicy part. In a medium pot, combine two cups of filtered water, two cups of sugar, and the green coffee bean powder. This powder is key for that authentic taste found in many Starbucks Drinks. Place the pot on medium high heat and stir until the sugar completely dissolves. You want a clear, smooth syrup. Bring it to a boil. Once boiling, remove it from the heat immediately.
- Add your chopped ginger to the hot syrup. Let it steep for 30 minutes, just like the tea. This will infuse the syrup with a lovely, warm ginger flavor. Afterwards, pour the syrup through a fine sieve to remove the ginger pieces.
- It is time to put it all together! Take the tea bags out of your steeped hibiscus tea. Pour the beautiful red tea into a large two quart pitcher. It’s going to be the base for one of our favorite cold Starbucks drinks.
- Next, add the ginger simple syrup you just made. Then pour in the white grape juice. Give everything a good stir to combine all the flavors. The mixture should smell amazing at this point.
- Finally, add your mixed berries to the pitcher. This makes it a truly pretty drink. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This chilling time is important for the flavors to blend together. When you are ready to serve, you can add a few frozen berries to each glass. It keeps the drink cold and adds a nice touch. Now you can enjoy your homemade version of popular Starbucks Drinks!
Notes
Want to make this one of your healthy Starbucks drinks? You can easily adjust the amount of sugar in the simple syrup. Start with half the amount and add more to taste if needed. You can also use a sugar substitute.
Feel free to experiment with the berries. While a mix is great, using just raspberries or just blackberries can create a unique flavor profile. Frozen berries work just as well as fresh ones, and they help chill the drink faster.
If you cannot find green coffee bean powder, you can leave it out. The drink will still be very tasty. The powder adds a specific caffeine kick and flavor note found in the original Starbucks Drinks, but your homemade version will still be great without it.
For an extra fancy touch, try adding a sprig of fresh mint or a slice of lime to each glass when serving. It makes these pretty drinks even more special, especially if you are serving them to guests.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
