Starbucks Freeze Dried Dragon Fruit Refresher Review

Freeze Dried Reviews

The Starbucks Freeze Dried Dragon Fruit Refresher is a hit for Starbucks fans who are looking for something beyond coffee. In this review, we’ll cover the good and the bad about this popular refresher. Plus, of course, how to make one on your own at home.

What is the Starbucks Dragon Fruit Refresher?

This cool, refreshing beverage is really named Starbucks Mango Dragon Fruit Refresher. It’s fondly nicknamed Dragon Drink and has an enticing deep magenta color.

The secret to this captivating, I’m-dying-to-drink-you color is the dragon fruit. Suppose you haven’t heard of dragon fruit before. In that case, it’s an exotic cactus that grows in Peru, Mexico, Southeast Asia, and other tropical regions in the world. It got its name because it has pink skin with green scales. It’s also called pitaya or strawberry pear because of the scrumptious flesh with speckles of crunchy seeds.

The dragon fruit comes in white, red, and violet colors. Of all the types of dragon fruit, the one with the red or magenta-colored flesh is the sweetest. The Starbucks Freeze Dried Dragon Fruit Refresher uses this type of dragon that’s the secret to its tempting color.

Other key ingredients that made this drink a hit is mango juice and white grape juice. Dragon fruit, although it can be sweet as a treat, can be quite flavorless as a beverage. Of course, it’s not Starbucks without the caffeine fix, so there’s the added green bean coffee extract.

For those who want it creamier, Starbucks also adds in a splash of coconut. For a brighter, lighter drink, some said you can opt for a lemonade version with a bit of citrus juice.

What does it taste like?

It’s like a tropical medley of fruits and coconut having a field day on your tastebuds. What you get is a tropical nectar that will transport you to your dream island paradise. The Dragon Drink is sweet, but not too sugary that it will overwhelm your tastebuds.

The creaminess of the coconut milk (should you choose this option) doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. All the different flavors shine through, and you get this satisfying drink that’s fun, playful, and (for some) addicting.

Can I Make It At Home?

Yes, of course! Although the ingredients sound complicated, they’re surprisingly easy to find. All you need is:

• 1/4 cup freeze-dried dragon fruit (you can go with fresh, but freeze-dried has more concentrated flavors)
• 2  cups white grape juice
• ½ cup mango juice (you can use puree if you want a sweeter mango flavor)
• 1 teaspoon dragon fruit powder (for the dragon fruit flavor and magenta color)
• Green coffee bean extract (for a caffeine kick, should you prefer, but this is optional)
• Ice

Add all the ingredients to a pitcher or bowl and combine using a whisk.

You can also combine everything using a cocktail shaker, travel coffee cup, protein shaker, or measuring jug and shake away.

Others add the juices, dragon fruit powder, and ice in a blender, then blend everything until smooth. They just add the bits of freeze-dried dragon fruit in the end.

What can I use for the Starbucks Freeze Dried Dragon Fruit?

Wondering which brand of dragon fruit you can try for your Starbucks freeze-dried dragon fruit refresher? Here are some that you can try:

Suncore Red Pitaya Dragon Fruit Chips

Suncore made natural snacking more fun by freeze-drying only gluten-free, non-GMO red dragon fruit. These freeze-dried chips are great to add to your version of the Starbucks freeze-dried dragon fruit refresher. It’s a great alternative for those who can’t get fresh pitaya or red dragon fruit. Sweet, tangy, many found success in using it in making their own dragon drink.

KOYAH – Freeze-Dried Pink Dragon Fruit Powder

To make your Dragon Drink have that signature vibrant magenta color (and, of course, taste), you need the dragon fruit powder. This freeze-dried dragon fruit powder from KOYAH has the same fresh dragon fruit flavor that’s mildly sweet.

The company freeze-dries dragon fruit from Vietnam and processes it including the seeds. A 6.35oz tub has 30 servings. One scoop of powder is enough to make 1/4 cup of fresh organic dragon fruit juice.

Can I freeze-dry my own dragon fruit?

It’s easy to freeze-dry your dragon fruit and have your own stash for your favorite drink. All you need is your trusty freeze drier, and you’re good to go.

1. Place the freeze dryer trays in the freezer.
2. Peel the dragon fruit to take out the tough skin. Slice out about an inch off the bottom to reveal the flesh. Pick away the skin by pinching it from the flesh, then pull it away from the fruit.
3. Slice the dragon fruit into bite-sized pieces. You can cut it into cubes, half-moon slices, or whatever shape and thickness you prefer. Just remember, the smaller and greater the surface area, the faster and more efficient it will be to freeze dry.
4. Line your freeze dryer tray with parchment paper and spread the sliced fruit on the surface. Don’t let them touch each other to make it easy to remove them.
5. Place the tray in your freeze dryer and let it do its magic.

The Starbucks freeze-dried dragon fruit refresher is a popular way to quench your thirst and cool down on a hot summer day. If you wish to have it at home, it’s easy to make as long as you have the right ingredients. If you’re lucky enough to live in a place where you can easily score red dragon fruit, then freeze-dry your own batch! This way, you can have your own source of freeze-dried dragon fruit and easily make your own drink on demand.