Summer Skies Drink (Starbucks Copycat)

Welcome warmer weather in Starbucks style with my DIY Summer Skies Drink! This pale blue beauty is filled to the brim with a trio of berry flavors and creamy coconut milk, plus a cache of bright red raspberry popping boba at the bottom. 

We’re quickly approaching that time of year when Starbucks Refreshers become a part of my daily routine. After all, being a mom is a sweaty, thirsty, unglamorous business—especially during summer when the kids are home full-time. 😅

This creamy, dreamy, cerulean sipper is a coconutty twist on Starbucks summer berry refresher and summer berry lemonade refresher, swapping out the water or lemonade for lightly sweetened coconut milk. In other words, it is the pink drink to the strawberry açai refresher. 

While the azure color might seem alarming, I assure you, there’s nothing to worry about! It’s all-natural in this homemade version of the Starbucks summer drink, relying on nutrient-packed blue spirulina for its pretty hue. Don’t you love knowing what goes in your body?!? Me too.

So, next time you’re in need of a little refreshment that’s more interesting than water and less buzzy than iced coffee, give my DIY summer skies a try!

Jump to:

• What does it taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Refresher Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make Starbucks Summer Skies Drink
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• Homemade Starbucks Summer Skies Drink Nutrition
• Other Starbucks Refresher Recipes
• Summer Skies Drink (Starbucks Copycat)

What does it taste like?

Imagine the taste of a beach sunset in a cup—bright, dreamy, and refreshing all at once. The first sip of my homemade Starbucks Summer Skies Refresher tastes like a burst of berries—juicy raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry notes swirled with subtle hints of white grape and citrus. 

The addition of creamy coconut milk softens everything with its mellow sweetness and rich, velvety texture. It’s a little like sipping on a berry creamsicle with a gentle tropical twist. It’s light yet luscious, fruity yet smooth—perfect for hot afternoons, poolside lounging, or whenever you’re craving something cool, colorful, and a little bit quirky.

Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Refresher Recipe

• Budget-Friendly - As much as I love Starbucks, buying their drinks has become quite an indulgence. Last time I went, I spent nearly $7 for a single drink! This economical DIY means you can make a week’s worth of dreamy summer skies for the cost of just one at the café.
• One & Done - Like the majority of my refresher recipes, you’ll make enough of the base to last for 4 drinks. 10 minutes now for sweet, fruity refreshment all week long? That sounds like a deal to me!
• Rich, But Not Heavy - Creamy drinks can sometimes weigh me down, but this summer sipper is as airy-light as the name suggests. It has a lovely balance of acidity and creaminess, sort of like a liquid berry sherbet.

Ingredients Needed

• Summer Berry Refresher Base - Making this drink base is the only prep you’ll need to do. It’s made with water, white grape juice, sugar, a trio of berry extracts, a touch of citric acid, and blue spirulina.
• Sweetened Coconut Milk - I recommend getting the kind that comes in a carton, not the canned variety (which might be a little thick here). 
• Raspberry Popping Boba - These juicy little nuggets are like miniature Gushers fruit snacks, adding bright color, berry flavor, and a fun texture to the drink. 
• Ice - Make sure you have enough for both shaking the summer skies drink base together and enough for a fresh glass to strain it over. If possible, start with filtered water for the best taste. 

Substitutions

• Summer Berry Refresher Base - Feel free to follow the instructions to make the base sugar-free. You can also give the coconut treatment to any refresher base you like! Blackberry sage refresher base will give you the midnight drink, the pineapple passionfruit refresher will give you the paradise drink, and so on.
• Sweetened Coconut Milk - You’re welcome to swap in an alternative plant-based milk (e.g. soy milk) if you prefer. You can also use lemonade or water to make the original summer berry refresher or summer berry lemonade refresher.
• Raspberry Popping Boba - While these are a fun addition, the drink is still yummy with plenty of berry flavor. Feel free to omit them if you prefer. You can also swap in regular boba pearls!

How To Make Starbucks Summer Skies Drink

This simple Starbucks copycat recipe comes together in just a few simple steps:

Step 1: Make the Summer Berry Refresher Base. Mix the ingredients together in a small saucepan, bring to a simmer while stirring constantly, removing from heat when the sugar and spirulina powder are dissolved.

Step 2: Cool the Base in a mason jar in the fridge.

Step 3: Add the chilled refresher base and coconut milk to a cocktail shaker with ice.

Step 4: Shake until frothy and well combined.

Step 5: Strain into a glass of raspberry boba topped with ice. Add a boba straw and drink up!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

• Sugar-Free Summer Skies - Make the summer berry refresher base with your preferred cup-for-cup sugar substitute, swap in unsweetened coconut milk, and omit the raspberry popping boba for a diabetic-friendly version that’s lighter on calories and carbs.
• Caffeinated - Starbucks refreshers are all made with green coffee extract, which gives them a bit of buzzy energy. I make mine caffeine-free so I can share with the kids, but you’re welcome to add green coffee extract or green tea extract if you like!
• Add Protein - Rather than using raspberry popping boba, add texture with protein-packed chia seeds. Soak 2 tablespoons of chia seeds in ¼ cup of hot water for about 45 minutes, or until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the chia are room temp.

Serving Suggestions

This homemade summer skies drink is a looker all on its own, but there are a few ways to gussy up your glass:

• Poolside Perfection – Pour it into a tall glass filled with ice, add a few fresh berries and a sprig of mint for garnish, and serve with a colorful reusable straw. Summer lounging with vibes.
  Berry Brunch Mocktail – Serve in champagne flutes or coupe glasses with a rim of pink sugar or shredded coconut. It makes a festive non-alcoholic brunch drink that feels fancy without the booze.
• Tropical Party Pitcher – Hosting a summer gathering? Double or triple the recipe and serve it in a clear glass pitcher so the dreamy blue hue shines through. Add frozen berries as edible “ice cubes” and float some thin lime or lemon slices on top.
• Popsicle Form – Freeze the drink in molds to make creamy berry popsicles. It’s a great way to repurpose leftovers (if there are any!).
• Adults-Only Twist – For a cocktail version, add a splash of coconut rum, vodka, or berry liqueur. Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass for a beachy evening treat.
• Midday Pick-Me-Up – Pour over pebble ice in your favorite tumbler for an energizing, dairy-free afternoon boost that tastes like a Sonic treat. (Seriously, why is that ice so good?!?)

Recipe Success Tips

• Start Cold - Give the summer berry refresher base ample time to chill out in the fridge so you don’t dilute the flavors when you shake up your summer skies. To keep your drink extra frosty till the last sip, freeze your glass for about 15 minutes before shaking.
• Boba Straws Required - If you’re adding boba pearls to your drink, you’re gonna need an actual boba straw to enjoy your drink. If you try using a regular straw, it’ll just get clogged!
• Batch Up - If you need to serve a larger crew (or simply want to be prepared for a thirsty week), feel free to double or triple the berry refresher base as needed. You can always freeze any extra if you want to cut back on your prep. 

FAQs

Homemade Starbucks Summer Skies Drink Nutrition

At 182 calories per serving, this vibrant Summer Skies copycat is a light, refreshing option that’s perfect for a hot day. With 40 grams of carbs and 37 grams of sugar, this is definitely a “fun drink,” meant to be enjoyed in moderation like a sweet treat rather than an everyday hydration source.

The fat content is minimal (just 2 grams), thanks to the use of coconut milk, which also adds a bit of creamy texture and a subtle tropical flavor without introducing dairy. It’s completely dairy-free and vegan, making it a great option for those with lactose intolerance or plant-based preferences.

The sodium content is very low (just 12 mg), which is nice for anyone keeping an eye on salt intake. However, keep in mind there’s no protein or fiber, so pairing it with a balanced snack—like a handful of nuts or a slice of avocado toast—can help create a more satisfying, blood sugar–friendly combo.

If you’re looking for a colorful way to treat yourself, this copycat recipe checks a lot of boxes: fun, flavorful, dairy-free, and photogenic. Just be mindful of the sugar, and balance it out with other low-sugar choices throughout your day. Enjoy every sip!

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 182 calories
• Total Fat: 2 grams
• Protein: 0 grams
• Sodium: 12 mg
• Carbohydrates: 40 grams
• Sugar: 37 grams

*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.

Other Starbucks Refresher Recipes

xoxo Megan