Copycat Starbucks Watermelon Refresher
A quick 3-ingredient recipe for this thirst-quenching summer drink, our Copycat Starbucks Watermelon Refresher is destined to be a new summer favorite with it’s delightful yet unexpected combination of summer flavors that yield a sweet, crisp and utterly refreshing drink.
Watermelon Refresher Recipe
A weird fascination that I have is that I love checking out the other offerings that international brands have in different parts of the world.
Starbucks in Japan always has amazing seasonal menu items and when I read about this Shaken Watermelon and Passion Tea (not to mention their Watermelon Frappuccino – yum) I knew I had to try my hand at making my own, since a plane ticket to Japan isn’t exactly in the budget right now.
The result was a light, cooling and refreshing drink that is sweet and crisp at the same time, thanks to the balance of juicy, sweet watermelon, mellow passionfruit tea and zesty lime juice.
I am so ready to be enjoying an ice cool glass of this Watermelon Lime Refresher while outside on my deck, soaking up the sun while I read a good book.
Ella has loved all things tea since she was a toddler (she even modelled for a tea brand when they came out with a kid-friendly line years ago – BTS pic below) and now that she’s a teenager she has the obligatory Starbucks obsession, so I got major cool mom points for whipping up this copycat Starbucks recipe featuring her favorite Starbucks’ tea flavor, Passonfruit. (PS – don’t tell her I used her Passionfruit tea bags to make this recipe. Oops.)
Watermelon Refresher Variations:
- Swap out the hot water for coconut water and do a cold brew steep with the tea bags to add some natural electrolytes to this recipe
- As with our Watermelon Lemonade, you can blitz up fresh watermelon to use in this recipe instead of the watermelon juice called for in the ingredients below
- Use sparkling watermelon juice for added fizz
- Add frozen berries or cubes of (seedless) watermelon in place of the ice cubes to cool down your beverage without watering it down
- Add a shot of vodka or tequila for a fun adults-only version – maybe also add a salt rim if you’re going with this route
- Out of fresh limes? Add a splash of lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7UP) in a pinch
- Add a fresh sprig of mint and muddle it in your glass for a fresh burst of minty flavor
- For some added zing, add some freshly grated ginger or just a splash of ginger beer (don’t worry, it’s non-alcoholic)
- Freeze your refresher and then give it a quick blitz in the blender for a slushy-style version
- Add a bit of heat with a tajin rim on the glass
What to do if you over-steep your tea: Whenever I make a batch of iced tea (which I consider this recipe a form of) I always stir a teaspoon of baking soda into the pitcher. If you over-steep your tea, it can get bitter but the baking soda neutralizes that bitterness. I add it even when I don’t find a tea bitter, just incase the flavor changes with refrigeration.
Make-ahead and storage instructions: for best flavor, this watermelon refresher should be made no more than 24 hours before you plan to serve it. However, it will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks (you just may have some sediment at the bottom of the jug towards the end of that time).
More Starbucks Copycat Recipes
I have a giant post of 50+ Copycat Starbucks Recipes here, but here are a choice few favorites:
- Cinnamon Dolce Latte
- Healthy Strawberry Frappuccino
- Cinnamon Brown Sugar Scones
- Strawberry Acai Refresher
- Mango Dragonfruit Refresher
- Cookies and Cream Cold Brew
- Starbucks Skinny Mocha from The Soccer Mom Blog
- Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino from Big Man’s World
Ingredients for Starbucks Watermelon and Passionfruit Tea
- Teavana Passionfruit Tea bags
- Hot Water
- Watermelon Juice
- Lime Juice
- Lime Slices or Wedges
- Ice, as desired
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Tip: I used passionfruit tea bags because I already had them on hand, but you can alternatively use this passionfruit iced tea concentrate.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Ice maker or ice cube trays
- Kettle
- Pitcher
- Measuring Cups
- Citrus Juicer
How to Make a Watermelon Lime Refresher
Steep the passionfruit tea in the hot water for 4 minutes.
Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool completely before proceeding with the recipe.
Place the passionfruit tea in a pitcher and add the watermelon juice and lime juice to the pitcher.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Makes 8 servings.
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Copycat Starbucks Watermelon Refresher
Ingredients
- 2 Teavana Passionfruit Tea bags
- 24 oz Hot Water
- 2L Watermelon Juice
- 1/4 cup Lime Juice
- Lime Slices or Wedges
- Ice, as desired
Instructions
- Steep the passionfruit tea in the hot water for 4 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool completely before proceeding with the recipe.
- Place the passionfruit tea in a pitcher and add the watermelon juice and lime juice to the pitcher.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 146Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 40mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 7gSugar: 27gProtein: 2g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
I hope your family loves this easy Watermelon Refresher recipe as much as mine does!
For more delicious drinks, check out our full (non-alcoholic) drink recipe collection here:
