Last Updated on February 22, 2023 by Karen
Featuring fresh pineapple chunks and tropical flavors, this Starbucks Copycat Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher is light and refreshing, making it a perfect summertime drink choice.
Starbucks added Chocolate Cream Cold Brew to their summer menu for 2022, and I’ve shared my Starbucks Copycat Chocolate Cream Cold Brew last month. They just launched three more new drinks this summer, one of which is their bright, fruity Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher. I actually love the drink so much, I’ve created this copycat Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher recipe so I can make it at home!
If you loved this drink, try our Starbucks Copycat Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Refresher or Starbucks Copycat Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher.
Thanks to this recipe, you can skip the line at Starbucks and make your own Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher in the comfort of your own home. The best part about making these copycat Starbucks drinks at home is you can customize it to your liking and find the right sweetness balance for your personal taste.
This might very well become my go-to refresher drink in the upcoming warmer months!
What is Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher?
Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher is a new caffeinated iced beverage at Starbucks. It’s described on Starbucks’ website as “tropical flavors of pineapple and passionfruit, hand shaken by Starbucks baristas with real diced pineapple pieces and ice to create a delicious island escape.”
What does it taste like?
It tastes like a tropical non-alcoholic cocktail with bright, fruity flavors. It has a vibrant yellow color, which looks like sunshine in a cup. The original drink is not too sweet, and even has a bit of tartness. if want it sweeter, you can add more sweetener.
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher:
Pineapple juice: 100% pineapple juice works best in this drink recipe.
Passionfruit juice: Passionfruit adds a tropical sweetness to this drink. You can buy it at your local grocery store or order online from Amazon. Try to avoid fruit nectar, which is usually heavily sweetened with sugar.
White grape juice: The Starbucks version uses a white grape juice base. You can also substitute with apple juice.
Green tea: Instead of using green coffee extract in the refresher, I use green tea for the caffeine. Either green tea bags or loose tea leaves work, just make sure you brew it at the proper temperature. Green tea is best brewed with 175F water and steeped for 1-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like it. The longer you steep it, the stronger the flavor. Just be careful about leaving the tea leaves in the water for too long, as it will develop bitter flavors.
Diced pineapple: You can use fresh, frozen, or canned pineapple.
How to make Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher from scratch
1. Brew and chill some green tea until very cold.
2. Make a pineapple passionfruit syrup. Simmer pineapple and passionfruit juice in a saucepan over low heat, until the liquid has reduced by half and the mixture turns syrupy.
3. Add pineapple pieces to a pitcher or individual glasses, and muddle with a mortar. Add ice cubes, pineapple passionfruit syrup, white grape juice, and green tea, and stir well.
Can I make this Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher ahead of time?
Yes. Make a large pitcher of this refresher and keep it chilled in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also make the pineapple passionfruit syrup ahead of time, and mix it with the grape juice and green tea right before serving.
How long does the pineapple passionfruit syrup last?
You can store the pineapple passionfruit syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Is Starbucks Refresher caffeinated?
Yes, the original Starbucks Refresher drink contains green coffee extract so it is caffeinated. My copycat version uses green tea which also contains caffeine. If you want to make this decaf, you can follow the recipe as is and just substitute with decaffeinated green tea.
Can you use green coffee extract instead of green tea?
Yes, instead of using green tea, you can substitute with the same amount of water or sparkling water, and add 1/2 teaspoon of powdered green coffee extract to each drink for a caffeine boost. Green coffee is coffee beans that have not been roasted and does not taste like traditional coffee at all. The extract is made by soaking arabica beans and extracting the caffeine during the process.
What are some variations to this drink?
Starbucks Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher Lemonade: Substitute 1 cup of green tea with 1 cup of lemonade
Paradise Drink: Substitute 1/2 cup of green tea with 1/2 cup of coconut milk for a creamy version
No caffeine: Use decaf green tea or sparkling water
Sugar-free version: Use sugar-free pineapple syrup (such as the one made by Torani), sugar-free passionfruit syrup, and sugar-free white grape juice or apple juice. That would turn this Refresher into a low calorie Starbucks drink.
Starbucks Copycat Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher
Ingredients
For the tea:
- 2 green tea teabags or 2 teaspoons loose green tea leaves
- 2 cups boiling water
For the pineapple passionfruit syrup:
- 3/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup passionfruit juice
For serving:
- 1/4 cup fresh, frozen, or canned pineapple, diced
- 2 cups green tea
- 1/2 cup white grape juice
- Ice
Instructions
To make the tea:
- Add tea bags to a glass pitcher with boiling water and let them steep for about five minutes. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
To make the pineapple passionfruit syrup:
- Combine pineapple juice and passionfruit juice in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer on low heat, until the liquid has reduced by half, about 8-10 minutes. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
To serve:
- Add pineapple pieces to a pitcher or tall glasses and muddle with a mortar. Add green tea, white grape juice, and pineapple passionfruit syrup to taste, and stir well. Top with ice cubes and serve cold.
Like this recipe? Try my other Starbucks copycat drinks:
Starbucks Copycat Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher
Starbucks Copycat Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
Easiest Overnight Cold Brew Coffee
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