I was buying this drink almost every day for a while there.
Then I did the math on what that actually added up to over a month, and decided to figure out how to make it myself.
Turns out it takes about 5 minutes and three main ingredients. My wallet has been much happier since.
Why This Recipe Works
The base of this drink isn’t just fruit juice, it’s a coconut milk and juice blend, which is what gives it that slightly creamy, refreshing quality instead of tasting like a plain juice drink.
Freeze-dried strawberries add real fruit flavor without watering down the drink the way fresh strawberries can once they sit in liquid. 🍓
Building it over ice in layers, rather than just stirring everything together, gives you that same pretty gradient look you’d get from the drink at the counter.
What You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Passion fruit flavored juice drink (like Tazo Passion tea, brewed and cooled) | 1 cup |
| Coconut milk (the carton kind, not canned) | 1/2 cup |
| White grape juice | 1/4 cup |
| Freeze-dried strawberries, crushed | 2 tbsp |
| Ice | as needed |
The passion fruit tea base is what makes this taste closest to the real thing, so it’s worth seeking out if your grocery store carries it.
Tools You’ll Need
- Tall glass
- Long spoon
- Small bowl (for crushing the strawberries)
- Measuring cups
Pro Tips
1. Brew the passion tea ahead of time and let it cool completely. Adding it warm melts your ice too fast and waters down the drink before you even get to enjoy it.
2. Crush the freeze-dried strawberries into small pieces, not a fine powder. Small pieces float attractively throughout the drink, while a powder just dissolves and disappears.
3. Use full ice, don’t skimp on it. This drink is meant to be very cold and slightly diluted, which is part of what makes it so refreshing.
4. Add the coconut milk last, right before serving. Pouring it in last creates that signature layered, ombre look before you stir it together.
5. Stir gently, not vigorously. A gentle stir keeps some of that pretty color variation instead of turning the whole drink into one flat shade of pink.
Substitutions and Variations
- Dairy-free is already covered: Coconut milk keeps this naturally dairy-free as written.
- Extra fruity version: Add a few muddled fresh strawberries at the bottom of the glass before building the rest of the drink.
- Different fruit: Swap the passion fruit tea for a hibiscus tea for a slightly different, more floral flavor.
- Lower sugar: Use an unsweetened tea base and skip the white grape juice, adding a natural sweetener to taste instead.
- Sparkling version: Top with a splash of sparkling water for a little fizz.
- Protein boost: Stir in a scoop of vanilla protein powder for a more filling version.
Make Ahead Tips
Brew a larger batch of the passion fruit tea ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days, so you can build this drink in under a minute whenever you want it.
I wouldn’t recommend mixing the full drink ahead of time, since the ice will melt and dilute it the longer it sits.
How to Make It
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour the cooled passion fruit tea over the ice.
- Add the white grape juice.
- Sprinkle in the crushed freeze-dried strawberries.
- Slowly pour the coconut milk over the top.
- Stir gently just once or twice to combine slightly while keeping some of that layered look.
- Serve immediately with a straw.
Nutrition and Diet Notes
Here’s roughly what you’re working with per serving:
- Calories: about 90
- Sugar: about 15g
- Fat: about 3g
For a lower sugar version, use an unsweetened tea base and reduce or skip the white grape juice, sweetening lightly to taste instead.
What to Pair It With
- A light breakfast like overnight oats or a yogurt parfait
- A simple snack of fresh fruit alongside it
- An afternoon treat if you need a refreshing pick-me-up
Leftovers and Storage
This drink is best enjoyed fresh, right after making it, since the ice dilutes it the longer it sits.
If you want to prep ahead, store the brewed tea and coconut milk separately in the fridge for up to 3 days, then build the drink fresh whenever you’re ready for one.
I wouldn’t recommend freezing this drink, since the texture changes significantly once thawed.
FAQ
Can I use canned coconut milk instead of the carton kind?
I’d stick with carton coconut milk here. Canned is much thicker and richer, and it can make the drink taste heavier than intended.
What if I can’t find passion fruit tea?
A mild hibiscus tea or even a light fruit punch can work as a substitute, though the flavor will be a little different from the original.
Is this drink very sweet?
It’s moderately sweet, similar to the original version, though you can easily adjust it by reducing the white grape juice.
Can I make a big batch for a party?
Yes, multiply the tea, juice, and strawberry amounts, then build individual glasses with ice and coconut milk right before serving so each one stays fresh.
Does this taste exactly like the original?
It’s very close, though homemade versions can vary slightly depending on the specific tea and coconut milk brands you use.
Wrapping Up
Once I figured out how simple this drink actually is to make, I stopped seeing much reason to pay for it outside the house.
It’s refreshing, pretty enough to photograph, and takes barely any effort once you have the ingredients on hand.
If you make this, come back and tell me if you tried the hibiscus version, or added the fresh strawberries at the bottom. 🍹
I’d love to hear how yours turned out.
