Paradise Drink (Starbucks Copycat)

Brighten your day with my cool, creamy copycat Starbucks Paradise Drink recipe! Featuring a sweet-tart pineapple mango base shaken with dreamy coconut milk, this sensational summer sipper tastes like a tropical vacation in a cup.

Tommy and I are gearing up for a beach vacation with our kiddos next week, and I’ve gotta tell you—I can’t wait for some sandy fun in the sun! While I’m definitely packing plenty of sunscreen and a big ol’ beach umbrella, I’ll also be toting along insulated cups and all my favorite Starbucks refresher bases to keep us hydrated.

These delightful sippers can all play at least two roles. Cool lime is perfect for turning into margaritas, strawberry acai becomes my daughter’s beloved pink drinks, and mango dragonfruit looks like a beachy sunset in a glass. 🌅 What could be better for cooling down under the hot summer sun?

Along with all these flavorful, fruity options, I’m definitely packing a pitcher of my newest passionfruit pineapple refresher base. A tipple of rum turns it into a hurricane 🍹 while adding creamy coconut milk transforms it into this aptly named paradise drink. Beachy bliss in fruit juices await!

Jump to:

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

What is the Paradise Drink from Starbucks?

Starbucks has a line of non-coffee iced drinks known as “refreshers.” These fantastically fruity drinks all start with a juicy base and are typically shaken with water or lemonade to create clear, lightly sweet beverages that are wonderful for quenching your thirst.

But, as we all know, Starbucks devotees are wont to create their own hot takes and secret menu items. One of the most popular order modifications for the refresher line is replacing the lemonade with sweetened coconut milk for a less tart, creamier version of these brightly colored beverages.

Strawberry acai refreshers become pink drinks, while mango dragonfruit refreshers turn into dragon drinks, and pineapple passionfruit refreshers become paradise drinks. While these drink names were originally only for the folks who were “in the know,” Starbucks has since added them to their main menu.

This particular coconut refresher combo might just be my favorite—it’s like a tropical version of a melted orange julius. YUM!

What does it taste like?

Imagine a beach holiday, a warm breeze, and the feeling of sand between your toes, all encapsulated in a cup of chilled, creamy bliss. That’s how I’d describe this paradise drink Starbucks refresher! 

The initial taste is a delightful burst of sweet pineapple mingling with the exotic zest of passionfruit, laying a delightfully tropical foundation. Next, the creamy coconut milk swirls across your tongue, softening the tangy edges and creating a texture so smooth it almost feels like a light, tropical milkshake.

You’ll also taste a subtle tartness from the citric acid, which cuts through the sweetness and refreshes your palate. Finally, each mouthful is punctuated with tiny, chewy surprises of freeze-dried pineapple pieces, adding a playful texture and intensifying the pineapple flavor. In short, it’s paradise in a glass!

Why You’ll Love This Paradise Drink Refresher Recipe

• Beautiful & Balanced - The trio of passionfruit, pineapple, and coconut milk is undeniably dreamy. Plus, the peachy pastel hue is so pretty! 🤩
• Cool & Creamy - The coconut milk adds a lovely richness, but the juicy base keeps these paradise drinks from feeling heavy. 
• Budget Savvy - DIYing my favorite Starbucks creations makes going on family vacations much more doable. Given my considerable 2+ per day habit of drinks that would cost $5+ in store, I’m easily saving $9 a day while still satisfying all my cravings. That’s $63/week, or over $3200 a year!

Ingredients Needed

Despite boasting such big flavor, the list of DIY Starbucks paradise drink ingredients is rather short. Here’s what you need:

• Water & Ice - If you can, start with filtered water for the purest taste.
• White Grape Juice - Using this nearly neutral-flavored juice allows the passionfruit and pineapple flavors to shine and helps cut down on added sugars.
• Pineapple Chunks - Feel free to use either fresh or frozen. If you’re short on time, frozen chunks are the way to go. 😉
• Granulated Sugar - For an added touch of neutral sweetness. Superfine/caster sugar is the same thing, just with smaller granules. Feel free to use them interchangeably!
• Passionfruit Powder - This brightly flavored powder is made by pulverizing freeze-dried fruit. If you can’t find it, simply make your own by blending freeze-dried passionfruit chunks in a food processor or spice grinder!
• Citric Acid - This naturally occurring acid comes from citrus fruits and offers an exceptionally tart flavor. A little goes a long way!
• Sweetened Coconut Milk - Look for the kind that comes in a carton instead of a can for the right, pourable consistency.
• Freeze-Dried Pineapple Pieces - Starbucks garnishes their paradise drinks with these tasty little nibbles, so I do, too! 

Substitutions

When you play barista at home, you have the opportunity to make all the modifications you want—with no upcharges. Here are a few simple swaps to try:

• White Grape Juice - For a brighter flavor, you can use pineapple juice or passionfruit juice (not nectar) instead.
• Pineapple Chunks - While the flavor won’t be quite as intense, canned pineapple chunks packed in juice will work. If you go this route, use the packing juice to replace some of the white grape juice.
• Granulated Sugar - Feel free to swap in the sweetener of your choice (e.g. agave or honey). Note that you may need to adjust how much you add depending on the sweetness level of your preferred substitute.
• Passionfruit Powder - You can try using passionfruit purée, but make sure it’s made with only passionfruit to keep the sugars in check. Other tropical fruit powders or purées (e.g. mango or guava) can also be used for a fun twist. 
• Citric Acid - Since citric acid is so potent, you’ll need two tablespoons of lemon juice to replace the ½ teaspoon of powder. If possible, use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
• Sweetened Coconut Milk - Feel free to swap in any other plant milk (e.g. oat or soy) that you prefer. You can also go for a classic passionfruit pineapple refresher by using water or lemonade instead.
• Freeze-Dried Pineapple Pieces - Feel free to omit these, or use the freeze-dried fruit chunks of your choice.

How To Make Starbucks Paradise Drinks At Home

Making a paradise drink Starbucks would be proud of is a snap. Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Simmer. Add the water, grape juice, pineapple chunks, and sugar to a medium saucepan and stir. Heat to a simmer, then simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Strain. After 10 minutes, strain out the pineapple pieces, squeezing them to get as much liquid from them as possible. Discard the pineapple and pour the liquid back into the saucepan.

Step 3: Dissolve. Heat the pineapple liquid over low heat and whisk in the passionfruit powder and citric acid. Whisk until everything is dissolved.

Step 4: Chill. Remove from heat, transfer to a large mason jar, and allow to cool completely before using.

Step 5: Shake. Add ½ cup Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher base and ½ cup sweetened coconut milk to a cocktail shaker or a large jar with a lid. Shake a few times until well combined.

Step 6: Garnish & Serve. Add ice to a tall glass, then pour the paradise drink over the ice. Garnish with freeze-dried pineapple pieces and drink up!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

There are tons of ways for you to customize these delightful drinks to your exact specifications. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Reduced-Sugar - Start with diet white grape juice, swap in a cup-for-cup sugar alternative (e.g. monkfruit or stevia), and use unsweetened coconut milk (preferably from a carton, not a can). 
• Other Milk - While coconut milk adds an extra layer of tropical flavor, don’t feel limited. You can easily make this recipe with the plant-based milk of your choice. Dairy milk may also work, but I haven’t tried it—it may curdle.
• Lemonade or Water - Go for the OG refresher recipe and omit the coconut milk in favor of water or lemonade. 
• Sparkling - Add a fizzy topper of seltzer or sparkling mineral water for some effervescence. You could also run it through a soda stream if you like!
• Spiked - Take yourself to a vacation state of mind by adding a shot of coconut rum, white rum, or spiced rum. Vodka or tequila would also be good!

Serving Suggestions

Transform any moment into a tropical retreat with these fun and festive serving suggestions:

• Poolside Perfection: Serve this creamy tropical beverage in tall, frosty glasses next time you’re lounging by the pool. Add a colorful paper umbrella and a curly straw for that extra touch Instagram-worthy sparkle!
• Breakfast Bliss: Pair your paradise drink with a light breakfast like coconut yogurt topped with tropical fruits or a fresh mango and pineapple smoothie bowl for a sunny start to your day.
• Afternoon Refresher: Break the midday lull with a vibrant sip of paradise. Serve chilled in a frozen mason jar, garnished with a sprig of mint and a skewer of pineapple chunks to refresh and recharge.
• Dinner Party Delight: Impress your guests at your next summer dinner party by offering this drink as a unique mocktail or cocktail. Serve in coconut shells for an authentic tropical flair and watch as your guests are transported straight to the beaches of Hawaii. Bonus points if you greet your guests with leis! 🌺
• Kid-Friendly Fun: Make this drink a fun option for kids by serving it in colorful cups with fun straws. For an extra boost of magic, add a sprinkle of luster dust or edible glitter. It’s a great treat that feels festive and special, plus it’s packed with fruity goodness.

Recipe Success Tips

• Shake It Like You Mean It! The act of shaking a drink in a cocktail shaker doesn’t just chill the drink down. It also creates a lovely mouthfeel by aerating it with tiny shards of ice and creating a fluffy, foamy top. To get the full effect, shake vigorously for 45ish seconds.
• Start Cold. Make sure your coconut milk, refresher base, and even your drinking vessel are all chilled before starting to achieve maximum frostiness.
• Batch It. One batch of my pineapple passionfruit refresher base is enough to make 4 refreshers. Feel free to double, triple, or otherwise increase how much you make depending on your needs. It will keep for a week in the fridge, or can be frozen for up to 3 months. 

FAQs

Homemade Starbucks Paradise Drink Nutrition

Per serving, my DIY paradise drink refresher has 147 calories, which isn't too bad for a refreshing treat. It's pretty low in fat, with just 2 grams, and it has a gram of protein. There’s not much sodium either, only about 14 mg. 

However, it pack about 33 grams of carbs, and 30 grams of those are sugars. If you’re concerned about your sugar intake, follow my reduced-sugar instructions in the optional variations above. Overall, it’s a lovely choice to cool down, especially on a hot day!

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 147 calories
• Total Fat: 2 grams
• Protein: 1 gram
• Sodium: 14 mg
• Carbohydrates: 33 grams
• Sugar: 30 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 Refresher Recipes

xoxo Megan