5 Best Coconut Milk Starbucks Drinks to Try
You love the creamy richness of coconut milk but you are not sure which Starbucks drinks actually taste amazing with it. Some drinks are completely transformed by coconut milk and some just do not work at all. This guide takes all the guesswork away and gives you only the best coconut milk Starbucks drinks worth ordering.
Every drink on this list has been chosen because the coconut milk does not just replace regular milk. It elevates the entire drink into something richer, creamier, and more delicious than the original version.
Table of Contents
Why Coconut Milk Works So Well at Starbucks
Not all milk alternatives are created equal and coconut milk is in a league of its own at Starbucks. It has a natural sweetness and a subtle tropical flavor that pairs beautifully with both fruity and coffee based drinks. It also adds a creamy richness without making drinks feel heavy or overwhelming.
Coconut milk also froths surprisingly well which means it works just as beautifully in hot drinks as it does in cold ones. Whether you are ordering a fruity Refresher or a bold espresso drink, swapping to coconut milk almost always makes the result taste more interesting and more satisfying. It is one of the easiest and most impactful upgrades you can make to any Starbucks order.
Pink Drink
The Pink Drink is the drink that made coconut milk famous at Starbucks. It started as a secret menu item and became so wildly popular that every barista on the planet now knows exactly how to make it. It is simply the Strawberry Acai Refresher made with coconut milk instead of water and the difference is remarkable.
The coconut milk softens the tartness of the acai and adds a creamy tropical dimension that makes every sip feel indulgent and refreshing at the same time. That soft pastel pink color is absolutely beautiful in a clear cup and makes it one of the most photographed drinks on all of social media. If you have never tried the Pink Drink, this summer is the perfect time to start.
How to Make It at Home
Prepare the strawberry acai base Mix one cup of white grape juice with one tablespoon of acai powder and three tablespoons of strawberry syrup in a pitcher. Stir everything together until the acai powder is fully dissolved and the mixture looks smooth and even.
Add the coconut milk Pour half a cup of full fat coconut milk into the strawberry acai base and stir gently. Watch the color transform into that beautiful soft pastel pink that makes this drink so iconic and instantly recognizable.
Serve and garnish Fill a tall clear glass with ice and pour the mixture over it. Add a few fresh strawberry slices on top and serve immediately while the colors are still beautifully vibrant and the drink is perfectly cold.
Coconut Milk Latte
The Coconut Milk Latte is the perfect drink for people who love coffee but want something a little lighter and more interesting than a regular latte. The coconut milk adds a subtle sweetness and a tropical undertone that pairs beautifully with the bold bitterness of the espresso. It is smooth, satisfying, and completely addictive.
Order it iced on a hot day and it becomes one of the most refreshing coffee drinks Starbucks makes. The cold coconut milk softens the espresso perfectly and the result is something that feels both energizing and calming at the same time. Add a pump of vanilla syrup if you want a slightly sweeter version that tastes even more indulgent.
How to Make It at Home
Pull your espresso Brew two shots of espresso and let them cool for a few minutes if you are making the iced version. For a hot latte, keep the espresso shots warm and move straight to the next step.
Froth the coconut milk Pour three quarters of a cup of full fat coconut milk into a small saucepan and heat gently over medium heat. Use a milk frother to froth it until it is light and creamy with a good amount of foam on top.
Combine and serve Pour the espresso into your cup first then gently pour the frothed coconut milk over it. For the iced version simply pour both over a glass full of ice and stir once before serving.
Violet Drink
The Violet Drink is one of the most beautiful drinks Starbucks has ever created and coconut milk is the entire reason it works. It is made with the Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher base and coconut milk instead of water and the result is a stunning lavender purple drink that looks like something from a dream.
The coconut milk adds a rich creaminess that balances the tart hibiscus and berry flavors perfectly. Every sip delivers a combination of floral, fruity, and tropical notes that is unlike anything else on the menu. It is the kind of drink that makes people stop and ask what you are drinking every single time.
How to Make It at Home
Brew the hibiscus base Steep two hibiscus tea bags in one cup of hot water for five minutes. Add two tablespoons of simple syrup and a handful of freeze dried mixed berries then let everything cool completely in the refrigerator.
Strain and prepare Once fully cooled, remove the tea bags and strain out the berries. Pour the deep purple hibiscus liquid into a tall glass filled generously with ice cubes so it stays perfectly cold throughout.
Finish with coconut milk Pour full fat coconut milk generously over the hibiscus base and stir just once very gently. Add a few fresh blackberries on top for color and serve immediately while the drink still has its beautiful layered appearance.
Iced Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato
The Iced Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato is for the people who want something bold, rich, and a little indulgent. Layers of coconut milk, mocha sauce, espresso, and ice come together in a drink that looks as impressive as it tastes. The coconut milk cuts through the intensity of the mocha in a way that regular milk simply cannot.
Every sip delivers a different ratio of espresso, chocolate, and coconut which keeps the experience interesting from the first sip to the very last drop. It is one of those drinks that feels like a real treat but still gives you the caffeine boost you actually need to get through a busy day.
How to Make It at Home
Build the base Fill a tall clear glass with ice and pour three quarters of a cup of full fat coconut milk over it. Add two tablespoons of chocolate mocha sauce to the coconut milk and stir gently so it swirls through beautifully without fully mixing.
Add the espresso Brew two shots of espresso and let them cool slightly. Slowly pour the espresso shots over the back of a spoon on top of the coconut milk mixture so it settles in a beautiful dark layer on top.
Serve immediately Do not stir before serving. The layered look is part of what makes this drink so visually stunning. Let your guest or yourself stir it at the table for a dramatic and satisfying reveal of the flavors mixing together.
Dragon Drink
The Dragon Drink is the coconut milk version of the Mango Dragonfruit Refresher and it is absolutely stunning. Swapping the water for coconut milk turns that already beautiful deep pink drink into something even more tropical, creamy, and visually spectacular. The real dragonfruit pieces floating in the creamy pink coconut base look almost too beautiful to drink.
The flavor is a perfect tropical combination of sweet mango, exotic dragonfruit, and rich coconut that tastes like summer in a cup. It is one of the most Instagrammable drinks on the entire Starbucks menu and the taste matches the looks completely. Order this on your hottest summer day and it will not disappoint.
How to Make It at Home
Make the mango dragonfruit base Blend one cup of frozen mango with half a cup of white grape juice and one tablespoon of dragonfruit powder until completely smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to get a clean vibrant liquid with no pulp.
Add the coconut milk Stir half a cup of full fat coconut milk into the mango dragonfruit base gently. The mixture will turn a beautiful creamy pink color that is even more stunning than the original water based version.
Serve beautifully Pour over a clear glass filled with ice and add a few small pieces of fresh pink dragonfruit inside the glass. The result is a breathtakingly beautiful drink that tastes every bit as good as it looks.
Common Questions People Ask
Which coconut milk does Starbucks use? Starbucks uses its own single origin coconut milk that is lightly sweetened and designed specifically to work well in both hot and cold drinks.
Does coconut milk cost extra at Starbucks? Yes there is usually a small additional charge for any non dairy milk substitute including coconut milk at most Starbucks locations.
Which coconut milk Starbucks drink is best for someone who does not like coffee? The Pink Drink, Violet Drink, and Dragon Drink are all completely coffee free and taste absolutely delicious with coconut milk.
Can I use any coconut milk at home to recreate these drinks? Full fat canned coconut milk gives the best results at home. It is creamier and richer than carton coconut milk and much closer to the Starbucks experience.
Your Coconut Milk Upgrade Starts Today
Regular milk is fine but coconut milk makes everything better. Every drink on this list proves that one simple swap can completely transform your Starbucks experience into something more tropical, more interesting, and more delicious.
Try one this week, try them all this summer, and discover exactly why coconut milk has become the most loved milk alternative at Starbucks around the world.
