Dragon Drink (Starbucks Copycat)

Defend yourself from the brutal summer heat with my copycat Starbucks Dragon Drink recipe! Featuring my tangy-sweet mango dragonfruit refresher base shaken with creamy coconut milk, this fiercely fuschia libation is sure to slay even the deepest thirst.

Good golly, it’s hot today! 🥵Don’t get me wrong, I love summer. But when the temps rise above 95ºF, it feels like I’m being punished. Just me? Aside from staying where the AC is or being in a pool, my favorite way to keep from feeling like I’m being boiled alive is by slurping down homemade Starbucks-style refreshers like there’s no tomorrow.

These fantastically fruity drinks have been a godsend over the last few weeks. Tart cool lime, tangy strawberry acai, and boba tea-style summer berry refreshers have been my life- (or at least sanity-) preservers every time I have to step foot out of the house. 

While I’ve been loving the coconutty twist pink drinks bring to the strawberry acai table, I was stoked to try the same slick move for my mango dragonfruit refresher. I’m happy to report this creamy DIY Starbucks dragon fruit drink is just as delightful as I’d hoped. Ready to dive into this this popular iced drink with me? Let’s do this!

Jump to:

• What is Starbucks’ Dragon Drink?
• What does it taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Dragon Drink Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make A Dragon Drink At Home
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• DIY Starbucks Dragon Drink Nutrition
• More Refresher Recipes
• Dragon Drink (Starbucks Copycat)

What is Starbucks’ Dragon Drink?

This slurp-worthy concoction is a treasure from Starbucks' secret menu that has won the hearts (and Instagram feeds) of enough fans to make it to the big board. It’s a variation of the jewel-bright mango dragonfruit refresher, a tangy-sweet and juicy delight. 

But, rather than mixing the fruity mango refresher base with lemonade or water (as is custom for the original recipe), we shake things up by using lightly sweetened coconut milk instead. The result? A vibrant, visually stunning sipper that feels like a tropical vacation in a cup.

What does it taste like?

If an island breeze could be distilled into a cup, this Starbucks dragon drink refresher would be it.

At first sip, you’re greeted with a burst of juicy mango flavor, its sunny sweetness perfectly mingling with the light, kiwi-pear flavor of dragonfruit. As the fruit punch vibes settle, creamy coconut milk softens the vibrant tartness, adding a feeling of luscious indulgence. 

With every gulp, this coconutty mango dragon fruit drink offers a refreshingly cool respite from the most sweltering summer days—when the air itself feels like a blanket of heat.

Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Dragon Drink Recipe

• Batch-Made - Mix up your mango dragon fruit drink mix once, then enjoy 4 successive days of tropical bliss. And if you’re feeling extra enthusiastic (or have someone you need to share with), double the batch for a full week.
• Customizable - Sometimes I want the creaminess of a dragon drink, and sometimes I want a tart mango dragonfruit lemonade. With this recipe, you can have both! 
• Cheap AF - Granted, there’s an upfront investment for the dragon drink ingredients, but once you have all the tools in your arsenal? The per-drink cost of this homemade version is a mere fraction of what you’d pay at Starbucks.

Ingredients Needed

Despite bursting at the seams with juicy goodness, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this Starbucks copycat dragon fruit drink recipe. Here’s what to grab:

• Water & Ice - When the mercury rises, hydration is the name of the game. If possible, start with filtered water for the best-tasting results. 
• Mango Nectar - This concentrated, sweetened version of mango juice can usually be found in shelf-stable Tetrapaks or glass bottles in the beverage aisle of grocery stores.
• Granulated Sugar - Plain white sugar adds neutral-flavored sweetness. Use organic if you have concerns about veganism.
• Dragonfruit Powder - This vibrant pink ingredient is made solely from freeze-dried dragonfruit that is pulverized to a powder. 
• Citric Acid - This super tart-tasting powder is a concentrated version of the naturally occurring compound that makes citrus taste sour. 
• Sweetened Coconut Milk - I recommend using the thinner variety that comes in a carton instead of a can.
• Freeze-Dried Dragonfruit Pieces - For a more authentic homemade version of the dragon drink from Starbucks, which includes chunks of dragonfruit.

Substitutions

Need to make some changes? Here are some easy ingredient substitutions:

• Mango Nectar - I haven’t tried it, but you could probably get away with using unsweetened mango purée thinned out with a touch of water. You may need to adjust the amount of sweetener if you do.
• Granulated Sugar - Feel free to swap in the sweetener of your choice, including natural options like honey or agave nectar, or sugar-free alternatives. Just note that different sweeteners have different levels of perceived sweetness, so you may need to dial the amount up or down depending. Starbucks adds white grape juice to their refresher base, but I don't think it's necessary for this one!
• Freeze-Dried Dragon Fruit Powder & Freeze Dried Dragonfruit Pieces - Don’t want to buy both? Feel free to either buy the pieces and pulverize them yourself, or buy the powder and omit the garnish. 
• Citric Acid - This stuff is pretty potent, so if you want to trade in lemon juice, note that 1 tablespoon of juice is equivalent to ¼ teaspoon of the powder. 
• Sweetened Coconut Milk - While I love the tropical flavor coconut milk brings to the table, feel free to swap in any variety of milk you please. You can also use water for a lower-calorie option or lemonade for a sweeter, tangier version.

How To Make A Dragon Drink At Home

This DIY Starbucks refresher recipe comes together in a flash. Here’s how:

Step 1: Mix. Add the water, mango nectar, sugar, dragonfruit powder, and citric acid to a medium saucepan and whisk to combine. Place the pan over medium-low heat, whisking continuously until the dragonfruit powder and citric acid are dissolved. Remove from heat.

Step 2: Cool. Allow the mixture to cool, then transfer to a large mason jar or lidded container. Once cool, make your dragon drink!

Step 3: Add ½ cup of the mango dragonfruit refresher base, ½ cup of sweetened coconut milk, and 1 tablespoon freeze-dried dragonfruit (this will make the drink purple) to a cocktail shaker or large mason jar with ice. 

Step 4: Shake. Secure the lid and shake until well combined.

Step 5: Strain the dragon drink into a tall glass over ice. Top with more freeze-dried dragonfruit if desired. Drink up!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

• Reduced-Sugar - If you’re trying to watch your added sugars, try using a cup-for-cup sugar alternative and using the mango purée substitution listed above. 
• Coconut-Free - Allergic to coconut milk? Try swapping in another plant-milk like oat or soy.
• Caffeinated - Add a few drops of green tea extract or green coffee extract to add some pep to your step.

Serving Suggestions

Ready to divine drink into a full-on summer celebration? Try one of these fun ideas:

• Go Big with Garnishes: Dress up your Dragon Drink with vibrant garnishes that pop. A skewer of fresh mango cubes, a sprig of fresh mint, and maybe a fun straw for ultimate Instagrammability.
• Add Some Sparkle: For a bubbly twist, top off your drink with a splash of sparkling water, citrusy seltzer, or sparkling lemonade. This adds a refreshing fizz and lightens the coconut richness, making it even more thirst-quenching.
• Blend It Up: Go for a fruity smoothie vibe by tossing your dragon drink in a blender and blitzing until creamy.
• Make It Adults-Only: Turn your dragonfruit drink into a Tiki-ready cocktail with a shot of coconut rum, white rum, or vodka. Don’t forget the cocktail umbrella for serious Margaritaville vibes. 🏖️

Recipe Success Tips

• Get the Balance Right: The key to that signature Starbucks flavor is the right balance between fruitiness and creaminess. Experiment with the ratio of fruit mixture to coconut milk until you find your perfect match. Remember, you can always adjust the proportions to suit your taste.
• Chill Your Ingredients: For extra refreshing coolness, ensure all your ingredients are well-chilled before mixing. Go the extra mile and chill your glass, too, to keep it nice and frosty for as long as possible.
• Shake It Like You Mean It: A vigorous shake will ensure all the ingredients are well blended, super chilled, and give it a deliciously frothy mouthfeel.

FAQs

DIY Starbucks Dragon Drink Nutrition

Each serving of this homemade dragon drink clocks in at 134 calories, which isn't too bad for a sweet drink. There’s about 2 grams of fat from the coconut milk, which gives it that creamy texture we love. Sodium is super low at just 10 mg, so no biggie there.

It’s got just 1 gram of protein, so it’s more about the carbs—28 grams. Now, out of those, 26 grams are sugars, so it’s on the sweeter side for sure. Basically, it’s a fun, fruity option when you feel like something sweet and refreshing, but like any sweet drink, it’s good to enjoy it in moderation!

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 134 calories
• Total Fat: 2 grams
• Protein: 1 gram
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Carbohydrates: 28 grams
• Sugar: 26 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.

More Refresher Recipes

xoxo Megan