You’ve got to love a Pink Drink. The holy grail of Instagram coffee trends, the popular drink has a pretty baby pink aesthetic and is complete with a handful of freeze-dried strawberries and its own hashtag. If you’ve ever tried it, you’ll know it’s delicious.
But what about the caffeine content? This article will cover everything you need to know about the Pink Drink, including how much of a buzz you can get off this bright pink beverage.
What is a Pink Drink?
First and foremost, what is the Pink Drink? The Pink Drink is a fruity, refreshing Starbucks beverage that has become popular in recent years – primarily due to Instagram.
The drink’s base is made with Strawberry Acai Refreshers, a passionfruit, and açaí amalgamation, garnished with ice and real strawberries. But to transform it from a simple refresher drink into the infamous pink beverage, Starbucks adds coconut milk and real strawberries for the ultimate summer drink.
Although it’s not technically a ‘secret menu item, the Pink Drink is one of the most popular Starbucks drinks – and for good reason. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart and refreshing without being too heavy. The drink is dairy-free, making it a popular choice for those who are vegan or lactose intolerant – and with no artificial syrups, it’s also one of the healthiest options on the Starbucks menu.
How many calories are in a Pink Drink?
Depending on which size Pink Drink your purchase, the calorie count will naturally change in your beverage. However, the count is fairly low compared to some of the other drinks from Starbucks. But let’s talk numbers. These are the calorie counts for the different sizes of The Pink Drink:
- Tall – 110 calories
- Grande – 140 calories
- Venti – 200 calories
- Trenta – 270 calories
Overall, pretty low! And, when we dive even deeper into the nutritional value of those calories, it’s an even prettier (pink) picture.
So, what does this mean for caffeine levels? Let’s take a look.
How much caffeine is in a Pink Drink?
So, does the Pink Drink have caffeine? The answer is yes – but not as much as you might think. All four sizes, from the Tall (the smallest) to the Trenta (the largest), contain just 45 milligrams of caffeine. You might think that the larger the drink, the more caffeine it contains, but this isn’t the case with the Pink Drink.
The caffeine content is also notably lower than other drinks on the Starbucks menu. If you compare The Pink Drink to the Grande Cappucino, the cappuccino has 150 milligrams, so the Pink Drink has over 100 milligrams less caffeine.
Similarly, the Grande Iced Coffee contains 165 milligrams of caffeine, once again meaning the Pink Drink has significantly less. So, if you’re looking for a tasty summer Starbucks treat but don’t fancy the buzz that comes with it, The Pink Drink might be a good option.
Are Pink Drinks healthy?
Earlier in this article, we mentioned that the Pink Drink is one of the healthiest drinks you can buy from Starbucks. When we say healthy, what exactly are we implying?
Well, of course, like many drinks from Starbucks, The Pink Drink contains a rather high dose of carbohydrates, primarily in the form of sugar. In fact, of the 28 grams of carbs in the Grande Pink Drink, 25 are from sugar. But, since this is primarily from the fruit instead of sticky syrups, it’s a much lesser evil.
However, if you’re monitoring your sugar intake, it’s worth noting that you cannot create a sugar-free Pink Drink. It’s physically impossible. The acai mixture comes pre-prepped with sugar in it, and the coconut milk also has cane sugar. Of course, as the Pink Drink is hand-crafted, you could ask the baristas to exclude the fresh strawberries, but this won’t lower the overall sugar content significantly.
The Grande Pink Drink also only contains 2.5 grams of fat, almost entirely from coconut milk. So, once again, it’s a healthier option than the fats found in more processed ingredients.
How much does the Pink Drink cost?
Like any drink on the Starbucks menu, the cost of the Pink Drink will differ depending on which country you’re in and which location you visit in that country. For example, in a Starbucks located in the center of New York City or London, the drink will most likely be more expensive than in a smaller suburban town.
But as a general example, in the US, a Tall size will set you back $4.65, a Grande will cost $4.95, the Venti $5.65, and the Trenta $5.95. This is fairly expensive compared to other Starbucks cold drinks on the menu, such as the iced tea, which comes in at $3.45, or the iced coffee, which is $3.75.
NOTE: All prices quoted are current at the time of publication and may vary by location. Please refer to your local menu for the most accurate pricing.
Overall…
The Pink Drink is a refreshing and healthy beverage choice from Starbucks. It has lower levels of caffeine than other drinks on the menu and a moderate calorie count. The drink also has health benefits, such as antioxidants from the acai berry and good fats from coconut milk.
So, if you’re looking for a tasty summer treat that won’t leave you feeling jittery, the Pink Drink is a great option! Plus, it will look great on your Instagram story!
Happy Caffeinating!
