Save Summer hit differently the day my roommate came home with that pink drink from the coffee shop, and I watched her sip it like it held the secrets of the universe. She kept saying it tasted tropical and sweet, so naturally I became obsessed with recreating it at home without spending five dollars every afternoon. Turns out, the magic is just strawberry syrup, coconut milk, and the kind of ice that clinks satisfyingly against the glass. Now I make it whenever the heat makes thinking feel impossible, and somehow it always tastes like I've figured something out.
I brought this to a potluck once thinking nobody would care about a homemade pink drink, but somehow it disappeared faster than the actual food. My friend's kid asked for seconds, my mom asked for the recipe, and someone's partner actually said it tasted better than the original. That moment when something simple you threw together becomes the thing people remember—that's when I realized this drink deserved to be made more intentionally.
Ingredients
- Strawberry Syrup: Use the store-bought stuff if you're in a rush, but homemade syrup tastes noticeably better and the color is more natural-looking.
- Coconut Milk: The unsweetened, chilled kind is essential—sweetened versions make it cloying, and you want that creamy texture to balance the syrup.
- Cold Water: This dilutes the sweetness without watering down the flavor, and it keeps the drink from feeling too heavy.
- Fresh Strawberries: Sliced strawberries sink to the bottom and get softer as the drink sits, so bite into them for texture.
- Ice Cubes: Bigger cubes melt slower, which means your drink stays cold longer instead of turning into pink water.
Instructions
- Combine the Base:
- Pour the strawberry syrup, chilled coconut milk, and cold water into your shaker or jar. The coconut milk should be cold from the start, or your drink won't be as refreshing.
- Shake or Stir:
- Shake vigorously for about thirty seconds until it's frothy and the pink is distributed evenly. You'll hear the difference when it's ready—a lighter, airier sound instead of thick sloshing.
- Prepare Your Glasses:
- Divide the fresh strawberry slices between two glasses and fill each with ice cubes. The strawberries act as a flavor booster and something to chew on between sips.
- Pour and Serve:
- Gently pour the pink mixture over the ice and strawberries, watching how the colors layer for a second before swirling together. Stir once and drink immediately while it's still perfectly cold.
Save There's something unexpectedly grounding about making a simple drink that tastes like happiness in a glass. It's not fancy or complicated, but it transforms an ordinary afternoon into something worth pausing for.
Homemade Strawberry Syrup Worth Making
The store-bought syrup works fine, but if you have strawberries on hand, making your own takes fifteen minutes and tastes infinitely fresher. Simmer equal parts fresh strawberries and sugar with a splash of water until the berries soften and release their juice, then strain out the solids and let it cool. The syrup keeps in your fridge for two weeks, and knowing you made it yourself makes the drink feel less like a craving and more like self-care.
Customization Without Losing the Magic
You can play with ratios depending on your mood without ruining it—lighter coconut milk makes it less rich, extra water makes it more refreshing, and adjusting the syrup amount lets you control sweetness. I've experimented enough to know that the drink survives tweaks, but the strawberry-coconut-ice combo is non-negotiable. The beauty of this recipe is that once you understand the foundation, you can trust your own taste buds.
Why This Drink Hits Different in Summer
There's a reason this became a coffee shop phenomenon—it's tropical enough to feel like a tiny vacation without being complicated or heavy. The coconut milk reminds you of beaches, the strawberry makes it feel fruit-forward and healthy, and the ice means you're actually refreshing yourself instead of just drinking calories. I find myself making this on those days when the weather feels personal and you need something that tastes as good as it looks.
- Make a big batch in a pitcher by multiplying the recipe, and it keeps cold for a few hours if covered.
- Swap coconut milk for cashew or oat milk if you want to experiment, though the coconut creaminess is what makes it recognizable.
- Freeze leftover syrup in ice cube trays so you can grab it without measuring every single time.
Save This five-minute drink has somehow become my answer to overheated afternoons and moments when I need something that tastes intentional. Make one for yourself and you'll understand why this simple syrup and coconut milk combo became a coffee shop obsession worth copying.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make this drink ahead of time?
It's best prepared fresh just before serving to maintain the frothy texture and keep the drink chilled. However, you can prepare the syrup and milk mixture separately and combine with ice right before serving for up to 2 hours.
- → What type of coconut milk works best?
Use unsweetened, canned coconut milk that's been chilled for the creamiest result. Avoid coconut cream as it's too thick. You can also use lite coconut milk if you prefer a lighter beverage without sacrificing the coconut flavor.
- → How do I make strawberry syrup from scratch?
Combine equal parts fresh strawberries and sugar in a saucepan with a splash of water. Simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove pulp. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- → Is this drink naturally vegan?
Yes, this drink is completely vegan. It uses coconut milk instead of dairy and strawberry syrup as the sweetener. Just confirm your store-bought strawberry syrup doesn't contain any animal-derived ingredients, or make your own syrup at home.
- → What can I use as a substitute for coconut milk?
Almond milk, oat milk, or cashew milk work well as alternatives while keeping the drink dairy-free. For a creamier option, try canned coconut cream diluted with water. Each substitute will slightly alter the flavor profile, so adjust sweetness as needed.
- → How can I make this drink less sweet?
Reduce the amount of strawberry syrup or increase the amount of cold water to dilute the sweetness. You can also use fresh strawberries as the primary flavoring and add minimal syrup, or blend frozen strawberries into the base for natural sweetness without added sugar.