The Pink Drink available at Starbucks is one of the most instagrammable beverages out there. But one question we have not yet found the answer to is, “Is there caffeine in pink drink?” If you are curious like us, read on!
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Is there caffeine in Pink Drink?
You’ve likely seen or heard of “The Pink Drink” if you’re an Instagram fan or a regular at Starbucks.
The brightly colored drink is a Starbucks favorite and can be seen on social media. One question isn’t clear: Is there caffeine in Pink Drink? And if so, how much caffeine does it contain?
The Pink Drink may seem like something from Willy Wonka’s factory but the ingredients might surprise you. Click To Tweet
Continue reading to learn more about this viral Starbucks success.
What is the Starbucks Pink Drink?
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If you order “The Pink Drink” at Starbucks, you’ll be getting one of their most popular beverages from the Refreshers range of drinks.
These are all made with exotic fruity flavors and other ingredients and served over ice.
It doesn’t contain espresso or medium roast coffee as its base, nor does it make up part of the Starbucks Iced Coffee menu.
The Pink Drink is just one variation of the Strawberry-Acai Refresher base.
The base is mixed with a small amount of coconut milk to add richness and color.
Is the Pink Drink caffeine-free?
Like all Starbucks Refreshers, the Starbucks Pink Drink contains caffeine. However, it is not a coffee-based beverage in terms of flavor.
This is because all Refreshers have one ingredient that contains a trace amount of caffeine: green coffee extract.
The Pink Drink is not meant to replace your regular cup of coffee. How much caffeine does the pink drink contain?
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The Refreshers drinks have consistent caffeine content, but it’s low: Each Grande Pink Drink has 45mg of caffeine. Click To Tweet
This is about 1/3 of the caffeine you would get in a Starbucks espresso shot. Another comparison is the Starbucks standard hot cocoa with 25mg of caffeine per grande size.
As you can see, the pink beverage contains more caffeine than the non-coffee beverages on the menu, but less than the standard coffee drinks, and much less caffeine than a Starbucks espresso shot.
It all comes down to the ingredients in the Starbucks Refreshers line, including the pink drink itself.
What is the Pink Drink made of?
The ingredients are quite healthy and you can make the drink at home with a little experimentation and trial-and-error.
The strawberry acai base is the most important component of the Starbucks pink beverage. It is made up of water, sugar, white grape juice concentrate, citric acid, natural flavoring, natural green coffee coloring, fruit and vegetable juice, and Rebaudioside A. Click To Tweet
Some of these items are unusual. One or two of them may not even be easily recognized. Let’s take a look at it a little further.
Rebaudioside A is the commercial name for a Stevia derivative, which is a sweetener that’s low in calories. It is the most popular and best-tasting Stevia product for food and beverages, according to the Encyclopedia of Food and Health.
Natural flavors can be a little more difficult to identify because the ingredients list does not specify. However, everyone can agree that the compounds for the Starbucks pink drink contain passion fruit, strawberry, and acai.
The white grape juice concentrate adds to the fruity flavor. The freeze-dried strawberries also enhance the sweetness.
This brings us to another key ingredient: natural green coffee flavor which is a green coffee extract.
Green coffee is simply coffee beans that are picked and dried, and then have the pulp removed. It is not roasted.
Because of the way green coffee beans are processed, the extract has a lower amount of caffeine and a lighter flavor.
Lastly, the Starbucks pink drink is also made with sweetened coconut milk. This helps lighten the color and adds to the creaminess.
What is the actual name of the Pink Drink?
Officially, the Starbucks pink drink is called “The Pink Drink” on the menu.
However, it is a Strawberry Acai Refresher made with coconut milk. Although the drink was originally a secret menu item, it is now one of the many barista creations that stuck and became successful over time.
The lightly caffeinated Starbucks pink beverage gets its name from its appearance. It’s the pinkest item on the menu and one of the pinkiest Refreshers.
The Dragon Drink, Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher, and the Star Drink are just a few of the other drinks in this line. All beverages that have “drink” in their title use different Refresher bases, mixed with coconut milk.
The surprising ingredient of green coffee sets the whole line apart. It’s a new way to enjoy the coffee flavor that isn’t coffee.
The pink drink is a great way to get your caffeine kick without feeling jittery.
Conclusion
So, is there caffeine in Pink Drink? The answer is yes – most of these drinks contain caffeine to help you stay alert and focused. However, it’s important to read the label carefully so you know how much caffeine is in each beverage.
Too much caffeine can cause problems such as anxiety and insomnia, so be sure to enjoy these drinks in moderation. Thanks for reading!