Iced Golden Ginger Drink {Starbucks Copycat}

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This Iced Golden Ginger Drink tastes just like the Starbucks version, made with coconut milk, turmeric, cinnamon, pineapple and ginger.

Ingredients and substitutions

Pineapple ginger syrup – make your own at home or use a store-bought syrup.
Turmeric – fresh turmeric would be good if you can find it.
Dried ginger – ginger powder is best. You can try using fresh minced ginger, but you’ll have to strain the drink before pouring it into your glass.
Cinnamon – nutmeg is a good substitute here, although it will have a slightly different flavour.
Pineapple juice – fresh pineapple juice is recommended but canned or bottled pineapple juice will work.
Coconut milk – you can use unsweetened coconut milk for a lower-calorie version.

Pineapple ginger syrup

Sugar – or another cup-for-cup sugar substitute of your choice.
Pineapple juice – fresh pineapple juice is recommended but canned or bottled pineapple juice will work.
Gingerroot – if you don’t have any fresh gingerroot, you can try using ground ginger powder.

How to make a golden ginger drink

Make the pineapple ginger syrup.
Assemble your ingredients.
Shake everything together.
Add ice to a large glass.
Pour the mixture over ice.
Serve and enjoy!

Calories in this recipe vs. Starbucks

If you use identical ingredients to the ones in the recipe card below, a 16 oz. serving of this drink will have right around 140 calories. In comparison, according to the nutrition information shown on the company website, a Starbucks Grande (16 oz.) serving of their drink has 190 calories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in the golden ginger drink at Starbucks?

This golden ginger drink is made with pineapple ginger syrup, turmeric, dried ginger, cinnamon, pineapple juice and coconut milk. You can use a store-bought syrup, but it’s super easy to make your own at home and has less preservatives – all you need is sugar, pineapple juice and gingerroot.

What does it taste like?

Although there is definitely some sweetness to this drink, there is also a warm and earthy flavour thanks to the cinnamon, turmeric and ginger. Unlike some of the overly sweet Starbucks refreshers, there is coconut milk and pineapple juice in this beverage. As a result, it’s creamy, with a tropical taste, but not excessively sweet.

Does it have caffeine in it?

This is actually one of the few Starbucks drinks that doesn’t have any caffeine in it! If having caffeine is important to you, feel free to add a caffeine supplement to your drink.

Making and storing the pineapple ginger syrup

Preparing pineapple ginger syrup is very similar to making a simple syrup. It starts with equal parts water and sugar, but with the addition of pineapple juice and fresh ginger root, the syrup is less sweet than a simple syrup. Nonetheless, it is still sweet and absolutely delicious!

It’s super simple to make, too, since you’re making it in the microwave instead of on the stovetop. Here’s how to make it:

Add the sugar, water, pineapple juice and ginger to a large mason jar. Use a spoon to stir and combine the ingredients.
Microwave the jar on high power for 5 minutes, or until the mixture comes to a boil.
Use oven mitts or kitchen towels to carefully remove the hot jar from the microwave.
Stir the pineapple ginger syrup again, then store the jar uncovered in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

You can keep the syrup in the fridge for 1 to 2 weeks and use it to make iced golden ginger drinks whenever you want!

More Starbucks copycat recipes

Meal prep tools for this recipe

Get some fun reusable straws for your drinks!