Starbucks Dragon Drink - Copycat Recipe

This recipe was a challenging recipe to crack. I tried every combination of natural fruits and flavors I could think of. Then it dawned on me, that their version's base is a concentrated clear liquid.

Then I looked closer at the nutritional label on the Starbucks website and realized 'natural fruit flavor' was listed. Not mango juice, but 'natural fruit flavor'.

I went back to the store and scoured the isles. I came home with many artificially flavored packets. Hands down the mango passion fruit by Crystal Light was the closest in flavor. What I like about Crystal Light is that it is an artificial flavor, but it does not leave an artificial aftertaste.

Essential Ingredients

Freeze Dried Dragon Fruit Powder - ¼ teaspoon - Dragonfut is a vibrant pink; however, the flavor is neutral. I add it because I love the bright color, but for the taste, it is optional. The powder can be purchased on Amazon.

Coconut Milk - 1 cup - Gives this drink its signature tropical flavor.

White Grape Juice - 1 teaspoon - This is a popular juice used in most Starbucks refreshers. I found that a little goes a long way, but that it does add to the overall flavor. Too much, and the drink tastes like grape juice.

Simple Syrup - 2 tablespoons - This is a blend of equal parts real sugar and water that is cooked on the stove until the sugar dissolves. For less sugar, add less simple syrup when mixing the drink.

Crystal Light Mango Passion Fruit - 1 teaspoon - While an artificial flavor, it does not leave an artificial aftertaste. I used a teaspoon because a little goes a long way. I also purchased this at my local grocery store. It is also available on Amazon.

Optional Ingredients

Green Coffee Extract - 1 teaspoon - Starbucks uses this product in their base. It adds caffeine, but not the natural green coffee does not have much flavor. I did not add this to my recipe. However, please do if you want caffeine.

Freeze Dried Dragon Fruit - - 1 handful - The refresher sold at Starbucks comes with a small amount of cubed freeze-dried dragon fruit. I searched high and low, and I could only find freeze-dried chips, which are the same, just a different shape. Soak the chips in water for five minutes before mixing.

Fresh or Frozen Dragon Fruit - 1 handful - An alternative to freeze-dried fruit. Click here to learn all about fresh dragon fruit.

Instructions

The time needed: 5 minutes.

How to Make Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher - Copycat Recipe

1. Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine water and white sugar. Stir periodically until the sugar dissolves. About five minutes.
2. Refresher: Using a mason jar add dragon fruit powder, dragon fruit, coconut milk, grape juice, simple syrup, and Crystal Light Mango Passion Fruit. Place the lid on top and shake well enough to break up the powder. Pour over ice. Note: If using freeze-dried dragon fruit, soak in water for five minutes before starting mixing.

Substitutions

Fresh Kiwis: Kiwis are the perfect substitute. They have the same seeds, texture, and mild flavor. Substitute at a 1:1 ratio.

Kiwi Fruit Powder: I strongly recommend not changing the dragon fruit powder. This powder gives this drink its trademark berry color. However, if you have to, the closest is kiwi fruit powder. It will alter the taste. However, this is the most comparable substitution.

Mango Juice - The natural flavors of mango is hard to beat. If you prefer natural fruit, I recommend starting with a tablespoon and increasing in small increments until you reach the desired flavor. One bit of warning, a little goes a long way.

Apple Juice - Apple juice can be used in place of white grape juice concentrate.

Variations

Mango Dragon Fruit Refresher - This is a popular variation. Follow the same recipe and exchange water for equal parts coconut milk.

Mango Dragon Fruit Lemonade - This is a popular variation. Follow the same recipe and exchange coconut milk for equal parts lemonade. I only like some lemonade in this drink, so I do a ⅔rds split; 2 cups of lemonade and 1 cup of water.

Caffeinated - The recipe in this post is decaffeinated. To add caffeine, add one teaspoon of green coffee extract. Another option is to make a cup of hot green tea. Allow the tea to cool and use that in place of water at a 1:1 ratio.

Boozy - I recommend using vodkas; the flavor is neutral and does not alter the taste of the overall drink. Skyy makes a dragon fruit flavor vodka. When mixing a drink, I use ¼ cup per 24 ounces. This is on the lighter ratio side of alcohol. Alter the amount according to personal tastes.