Copycat Very Berry Hibiscus Starbucks Refresher Recipe

Have you ever wanted to try and be your own personal barista but just thought that you couldn't do it? Well, we're here to tell you that there's no time like the present to realize your dreams! 

If you've dreamed of having the same tasty drinks that you buy from Starbucks in the comfort of your own home, it's possible. In fact, it's actually very easy. Jaime Shelbert of Wholly Nourished is the brains behind this copycat Starbucks very berry hibiscus drink, which is just what the doctor ordered for a hot summer day. To be honest, it's also refreshing on a winter day as well, or really any time of year. The drink is incredibly refreshing and flavorful and is way cheaper to make at home, too.

Shelbert shares that her favorite part about this recipe is the taste. "It's so refreshing for summer," Shelbert raves. "With the coffee bean powder, it makes for a great afternoon pick me up." It's sure to hit the spot!

First, let's take into account what you will need to get to make the drink. Luckily, one of the significant parts of the recipe is two cups of water, which you already have at home. Practically free ingredients? Heck yes! 

You'll also need a cup of sugar and a ½ cup of dried hibiscus flowers, which may be easier to find than you think. "I purchased mine on Amazon but they could possibly found at a specialty grocer," Shelbert says. "Side note: I could not find them at Whole Foods." To complete your list, add blackberries and white grape juice. In addition, you'll also need green coffee bean powder.

That's all you need to get started so let's dive right in!

For starters, you want to mix up the base of the drink, which is just your traditional simple syrup. Don't worry, as a simple syrup is plenty easy to do and forms the base for a lot of delicious drinks, including some classic and vintage cocktails if that's your thing. 

To make your simple syrup, take out a saucepan and put it over medium-high heat. Add one cup of water. Once it starts to simmer, add in the sugar and the hibiscus. Bring the entire mix to a boil and continue to stir until the sugar completely dissolves.

Next, place a lid on the pan and remove it from the heat. Steep the mixture for 20 minutes to allow the flavor and color of the hibiscus to fully incorporate into the mixture.

Once you allow the simple syrup and hibiscus mixture to steep for about 20 minutes, it's time to strain. Just get out any strainer you may have and line it with either a cheesecloth or a coffee filter, whichever is readily available to you. Pour the syrup through the strainer and allow it to drain over a couple of minutes. Once it's strained, your simple syrup is done. You can set it to the side for a moment until you need it again. 

If this is the first time you've ever made a simple syrup, give yourself a big old pat on the back because you did it! That wasn't so bad at all, was it?

Now, it's time to get to muddling! Not only is muddling fun to say, but it's also pretty fun to do. Take the blackberries and use the back of the spoon or a fork to muddle them. If you have a dedicated muddler, such as the type that might come with a bar set, that would also come in handy at this time. Make sure to keep some of the berries whole for appearance's sake, so set a few to the side.

Now, get out a pitcher that you'll use to serve your drink. Add the blackberries to the bottom and continue onto the next step.

Now, take your remaining cup of water and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the hibiscus simple syrup to it. Next, pour it into a mason jar. Don't close the lid just yet, because you need to add a few more items. Add in the white grape juice and the green coffee bean powder.

Place the lid on the top of the mason jar, making sure it's fully secured, and shake it until the green coffee bean powder dissolves. This won't take more than a couple of seconds and it is also the source of a pretty good arm workout. Just make sure you've got a good grip on the mason jar before you start mixing. 

Now, it's time to add everything together. Simply pour the juice mix into the pitcher filled with muddled berries. Next, add some ice cubes to whatever glass you will be serving the refresher in and pour it over the ice. Add some whole berries for garnish. If your cup has a lid, you can also shake it one more time. "I feel like this would be lovely for a light al fresco lunch or brunch," Shelbert shares. 

As for leftovers? The extra simple syrup will "keep for up to 3 weeks in the fridge," says Shelbert, so you'll be well prepared to make this a few times over, as you'll surely want to be doing.