How To Make The Strawberry Acai Refresher
Plenty of people love the Starbucks Strawberry Acai Refresher, so here's an easy Starbucks copycat to make at home that's refreshing and not too sweet.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
If you've had any of the "refresher" drinks at your local Starbucks and wondered how to make something similar at home, I've got you covered. This popular refresher flavor is an easy recipe with sweet strawberry flavors, and it's made with a just a few simple ingredients.
Here's what you need to know to make a homemade version:
Starbuck's version uses water, sugar, white grape juice concentrate, acai powder, passion fruit puree, additives, preservatives, natural green coffee bean flavoring and freeze dried strawberries (strawberry powder).
That said, I've adapted this to simple steps with easy to find ingredients to make your own strawberry acai refresher at home.
Fun fact! If you add a little coconut milk to this strawberry acai drink, the Internet says this makes it the popular Starbucks "Pink Drink".
In this recipe, we substitute most of the ingredients with natural flavors like fresh strawberries and green tea.
Acai powder is the only special item that's needed in this recipe, which you can find in most natural food stores, or in a well-stocked grocery store. Get it online too.
For the full recipe and list of instructions, please see the recipe card below.
Acai powder: Made from freeze dried acai berries, this stuff is a nutrition powerhouse.
Strawberries: To puree into a fruit juice and strain into the drink.
Nectarine: Just a half, peeled to be used instead of passion fruit puree that's in the original.
Lemon Juice: To balance the sweetness in this refreshing drink.
Apple juice OR white grape juice concentrate: For a little sweetness.
Green tea: Regular or make this a caffeine-free drink. We'll use this instead of green coffee bean powder in the original.
To make the strawberry acai base, here's all you do:
Add the apple juice (or white grape juice if using) plus the green tea and lemon juice to a jar with a tight fitting lid. For example, a large Mason jar that holds 32 ounces.
Next, make a strawberry puree by adding strawberries, fresh nectarine and acai powder to an electric blender, mini prep processor, or food processor and puree until it becomes liquid and pourable, about a minute.
Add the fruit puree to the jar with the juice, tea and lemon, then put the lid on and shake and swirl a couple times to combine.
For the next step:
4. Strain the drink to remove the pulp, a step that's mildly annoying but really doesn't take long, and is worth it because otherwise the liquids separate rather quickly, which doesn't look as nice in the glass. That said, keep the pulp in if you like it!
Just pour a little of the puree at a time through a fine mesh strainer, using a spoon to help push it through.
TIPS
Acai powder is available in many well-stocked grocery and natural foods stores, or online.
Straining the drink after you add the pureed fruit is optional, but the drink will separate quickly. Strain all the liquids together after combining the juice and tea with the pureed fruit. It's an easy step that takes just a few minutes, and is worth the effort!
Use simple syrup or agave nectar if you'd like a sweeter drink
Store the refresher in a mason jar with lid in the refrigerator until ready to serve for up to 2 days.
Sparkling apple juice is my pick for this drink instead of white grape juice. It adds a little extra something to the final drink.
FAQ’s
Does it matter if I use white grape juice or sparkling apple juice in this recipe?
No, either will add a little sweetness to this refreshing drink. Sparkling apple juice is particularly good.
Can I double this recipe?
Sure can. You can triple or quadruple it too. Store in the refrigerator with a tight fitting lid for up to two days.
How to Make the Strawberry Acai Refresher
Here's a Starbucks copycat for the Strawberry Acai Refresher to enjoy at home!
Course: Smoothies and Drinks
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients
▢ 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 see note
▢ Fresh strawberries for garnish
▢ Ice, crushed
Instructions
Using a large jar with a lid – like a Mason jar that will hold at least 3 cups – add the grape or apple juice, the green tea, and the lemon juice.
Using a food processor, mini prep processor or electric blender, add the strawberries, the half of peeled nectarine and the acai powder and blend together for a minute until completely smooth. Pour into the jar with the juice and green tea.
Put the lid on, shake and swirl until it's combined.
Next, pour this mixture through a fine mesh strainer, coaxing it with a spoon, then discard the pulp. This step is optional, but makes the drink less prone to separate when serving.
To serve, using two glasses, layer crushed ice and a few sliced fresh strawberries, then pour the drink over, adding a bit more ice on top and another fresh strawberry on top.
Enjoy!
Notes
Acai powder is available in many well-stocked grocery and natural foods stores, or online.
Straining the drink after you add the pureed fruit is optional, but the drink will separate quickly. Strain all the liquids together – after combining the juice and tea with the pureed fruit. It’s an easy step that takes just a few minutes, and is worth the effort!
Store the refresher in the mason jar with lid in the refrigerator until ready to serve over ice for up to 2 days.
Sparkling apple juice is my pick for this drink instead of white grape juice. It adds a little sparkle to the final drink.