How to Make Pink Drink with Cranberry Juice | ALDI Hack!
Wondering how to make a pink drink with cranberry juice? It couldn't be easier or more economical with this recipe made exclusively with ingredients found at Aldi! Combining creamy coconut milk with tangy cranberry juice, this is a refreshing and easy recipe that you will love. Topped with organic freeze-dried strawberries for an extra touch of sweetness and texture, this Starbucks pink drink recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether you're lounging poolside or hosting a gathering with friends.
Jump to RecipeWhy You'll Love this Copycat Starbucks Pink Drink
This homemade pink drink recipe is:
- made with simple ingredients.
- a fraction of the cost compared to the Starbucks version.
- made with ingredients found at Aldi stores! (or other grocery stores!)
- a great option for any time of year, especially summer poolside lounging or parties.
Coconut Milk Offers Several Potential Health Benefits
Coconut milk, one of the main ingredients in this Pink Drink recipe, offers some health benefits.
- Rich in Nutrients: Coconut milk is a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins C, E, and B vitamins. These nutrients are essential for various bodily functions such as energy production, immune system support, and bone health.
- Healthy Fats: Coconut milk is high in saturated fats, primarily in the form of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Unlike long-chain fatty acids found in many other foods, MCTs are easily absorbed by the body and are quickly converted into energy. They may also help boost metabolism and promote weight loss when consumed in moderation.
- Heart Health: While coconut milk is high in saturated fats, it mainly contains lauric acid, a type of saturated fat that may raise levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and improve heart health. Some studies suggest that consuming moderate amounts of coconut milk may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Antioxidant Properties: Coconut milk contains antioxidants such as vitamin C and selenium, which help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the body. These antioxidants may help lower the risk of chronic diseases and support overall health.
- Digestive Health: Coconut milk contains fiber, which aids in digestion and promotes gut health by supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. It may also help prevent constipation and promote regular bowel movements.
- Bone Health: Coconut milk is a good source of calcium, a mineral essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Consuming an adequate amount of calcium is important for reducing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, especially as you age.
How to Make a Pink Drink with Cranberry Juice
- Gather Your Ingredients: You'll need coconut milk (such as Friendly Farms from Aldi), cranberry or cranberry and fruit juice cocktail (such as Nature’s Nectar from Aldi), ice, and freeze-dried strawberries (such as Simply Nature organic freeze-dried strawberries from Aldi). Fresh strawberries are also delicious in this drink.
- Combine Ingredients: In a glass or pitcher, pour 1 cup of coconut milk and 2 cups of cranberry juice. Add ice to chill the drink and stir well to combine the ingredients.
- Top with Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Once the drink is mixed, add a handful of freeze-dried strawberries on top for a delicious garnish and extra flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Pink Drink with Cranberry Juice immediately.
Serving Suggestions for this Pink Drink with Cranberry Juice
Now that you know how to make a pink drink with cranberry juice, here are some possible serving suggestions:
- Garnish with Fresh Mint: Add a sprig of fresh mint to your Starbucks pink drink copycat for a pop of color. Mint complements the flavors of coconut and cranberry beautifully.
- Rim the Glass: Dip the rim of each glass in sugar or coconut flakes for a fun and decorative touch. It adds a hint of sweetness and a bit of texture to each sip.
- Add Citrus Slices: Garnish each glass with a slice of lemon, lime, or orange for a citrusy twist. The acidity of the citrus can enhance the flavors of the drink and look pretty as well.
- Serve with Coconut Whipped Cream: Top each glass of this favorite drink with a dollop of coconut whipped cream for an extra creamy and indulgent treat. It's a delightful addition that complements the coconut milk base.
- Make it a Mocktail: Turn this homemade Starbucks Pink Drink into a mocktail by adding a splash of sparkling water or club soda for some fizziness. It adds a refreshing effervescence to the drink without overpowering the flavors.
Frequently asked questions about this Pink Drink Starbucks Copycat Recipe
I am wondering how to make a pink drink with cranberry juice and simple syrup? I see simple syrup as one of the main ingredients in other pink drink recipes.
This recipe uses sweetened coconut milk and does not require extra sweetness. However, if you use unsweetened coconut milk, simple syrup can offer some sweetness to your pink drink.
To make the Pink Drink with Cranberry Juice using unsweetened coconut milk and simple syrup, you'll need to adjust the sweetness of the drink to your preference. Here's how you can modify the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (Friendly Farms is the Aldi brand)
- 2 cups cranberry or cranberry and fruit juice cocktail (Nature’s Nectar is the Aldi brand)
- Ice
- Freeze-dried strawberries (Simply Nature organic freeze-dried strawberries are found at Aldi)
- Simple syrup (to taste)
Instructions:
- Start by pouring 1 cup of unsweetened coconut milk into a glass or pitcher.
- Add 2 cups of cranberry or cranberry and fruit juice cocktail to the coconut milk.
- Adjust the sweetness of the drink to your liking by adding simple syrup, starting with a small amount and increasing as needed. Stir well to combine.
- Add ice to chill the drink and stir again to mix the ingredients thoroughly.
- Top the Pink Drink with Freeze-dried strawberries for a flavorful garnish.
How does Starbucks make their pink drink?
The Pink Drink used to be a secret menu item, but it is now a popular and well-known menu item. The real thing at Starbucks contains:
- Strawberry Acai Base: This is a blend of water, sugar, white grape juice concentrate, natural flavors, citric acid, natural green coffee extract, and fruit and vegetable juice (for color). It provides the fruity base flavor for the Pink Drink. It also contains caffeine, which is one difference between this copycat version and the Starbucks version.
- Coconut Milk: Starbucks typically uses their Coconutmilk, which is a dairy-free alternative made from water, coconut cream, cane sugar, tricalcium phosphate, coconut water concentrate, natural flavors, sea salt, carrageenan, gellan gum, corn dextrin, xanthan gum, guar gum, vitamin A palmitate, and vitamin D2.
- Ice
- Freeze dried strawberries
Pink Drink with Cranberry Juice (Aldi Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 1 cup of coconut milk Friendly Farms is the Aldi brand
- 2 cups of cranberry or cranberry and fruit juice cocktail Nature’s Nectar is the Aldi brand
- Ice
- Freeze dried strawberries Simply Nature organic freeze dried strawberries are found at Aldi
Instructions
- Combine coconut milk, cranberry juice and ice. Stir.
- Add freeze dried strawberries for topping.