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Home » Drinks

How to Make Strawberry Acai Refresher

May 11, 2023 by Carrie Tyler Leave a Comment

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This is the easiest and most delicious drink! Here I show you how to make a Strawberry Acai Refresher that everyone will love.

Two glasses of Strawberry Acai drink with pink and white striped straws and strawberries in the front glass.  In the background is the pitcher of the rest of the drink for this article How to make a strawberry acai refresher.

Here in Brazil, freshly squeezed juices and combination juices with Acai or coconut are extremely common. Acai is also grown locally in Brazil, so you can find Acai stores on nearly every block! So, today I am sharing a drink that you may have seen at a certain coffee store in the US that uses Acai. Keep reading to find out how to make a Strawberry Acai Refresher in the easiest possible way!!

This simple and delicious dark pink drink uses frozen acai that you can find in most grocery stores these days. It uses fresh or frozen strawberries and an everyday tea that you have on hand. Finally a simple syrup of sugar and water sweetens the whole thing up. You get tea notes, tangy acai notes, and sweet strawberry notes.

Pour it over ice and it's seriously the most refreshing and delicious fruity drink!  This is about to become one of your new favorite drinks.

Jump to:
  • Acai in Brazil
  • Simple Ingredients and Substitutes
  • Simple Equipment You'll Need with Options
  • Tips for this Strawberry Acai Refresher Recipe
  • How to Make Strawberry Acai Refresher
  • Variations on this Strawberry Acai Drink
  • FAQ
  • What to Pair with this Strawberry Acai Refresher
  • How to Make Strawberry Acai Refresher

Acai in Brazil

Acai berries growing on the Acai Palm tree for How to make Strawberry Acai Refresher.
Acai bowl with granola and sliced bananas.

Almost 95% of all açaí consumed in the world comes from the Pará state, in the Brazilian North Region. In Brazil, açaí, which at first glance looks similar to a blueberry or purple grape, is part of the daily diet. It's often referred to as a superfood because of the vitamins and nutrients it contains. "The fruit has...vitamins (A, E, D, K, B1, B2, C), minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, and phosphorus), amino acids, antioxidants, and essential oils." So, it's no wonder that it has gained such popularity among the health conscience. It has also gained much commercial appeal. Here in Brazil, there are many chains, such as Oakberry and Purpleberry. Chains in the US, such as Starbucks also launched seasonal drinks with açaí. We always have açaí in our freezer:)

Simple Ingredients and Substitutes

Ingredients prepped, measured out in bowls, and labeled  for the recipe: How to make Strawberry Acai Refresher..

Quick note!  This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them.  This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :).  I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used. 

This homemade strawberry acai refresher takes only a few ingredients.

  • Frozen Acai - I used a frozen pureed version, but as this is blended up, you can use frozen acai berries as well. You can also use freeze dried acai powder.
  • Strawberries - I used fresh, but you can certainly use frozen strawberries. If you use frozen, you may want to blend with hot green tea as opposed to cold tea so the berries thaw. Unless you want more of a frosty drink, which would also be amazing.  You can also use freeze-dried fruit if you don't have fresh or frozen strawberries.
  • Water - Some of the water is used to make the simple sugar syrup. The rest is to mix with the fruit purees.
  • Sugar - Regular white granulated sugar is best for this recipe as it gets cooked in the water to dissolve. You could also use artificial sweeteners, just add a little at a time and taste as a little goes a long way!
  • Tea - For this recipe, I recommend steeping your own unsweetened tea. I used 1 green tea bag in one cup of hot water. Store-bought sweet teas will make this drink way too sweet. Mild teas, such as green tea, english breakfast, or whatever tea you have should be fine. I just would not recommend cinnamon or other flavored teas that could also the flavor.

See recipe card for quantities.

Simple Equipment You'll Need with Options

For strawberries and acai, you need a blender to get a smooth and silky. I love my NutriBullet Blender but any blender will work! You can also use a food processor if you don't have a blender.

You may also need a fine mesh strainer or fine mesh sieve if you want to remove the strawberry seeds.

You also need a large pitcher to serve this drink.

Two glasses of Strawberry Acai drink with pink and white striped straws and strawberries in the front glass. In the background is the pitcher of the rest of the drink for this article How to make a strawberry acai refresher.

Tips for this Strawberry Acai Refresher Recipe

Make extra and freeze!

You can turn it into a granita by pouring it into a casserole dish and ever 1-2 hours, scraping it up.

Turn it into ice cubes for another drink!

Make popsicles!

How to Make Strawberry Acai Refresher

Here are the easy steps to pull this drink together.

If you are using frozen acai puree, take it out to soften a bit on the counter. Then prep the strawberries by cleaning under cold water and removing the stems and leaves.

Strawberries in a bowl with the stems cut off for How to make Strawberry Acai Refresher.

Make the tea with 1 tea bag and 1 cup of hot water.

Hand pouring granulated sugar into water in a pot on the stove for simple syrup for How to make Strawberry Acai Refresher.

Make the sugar simple syrup by pouring 2 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar into a small pot.

Granulated sugar dissolved into water in a pot on the stove for simple syrup for How to make Strawberry Acai Refresher.

Over low heat, bring to a simmer while stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.

TIP: if you want a less-sweet drink, you can add ¾ cup sugar

Remove from the heat and let cool.

Strawberries and tea blending in a smoothie blender for How to make Strawberry Acai Refresher.

In a blender, blend the strawberries and the tea.

Blended strawberries and tea going through a strainer to remove some of the seeds as it's added to the serving pitcher for how to make Strawberry Acai Refresher.

I prefer no seeds. so, I pour the strawberry puree through a fine mesh strainer over the serving pitcher.

If you don't mind seeds, then you can skip that step.

Acai and sugar simple syrup blending in a smoothie blender for How to make Strawberry Acai Refresher.

Next blend the acai and the simple syrup until smooth.

Acai mixture being poured into strawberry mixture for the recipe How to make strawberry acai refresher.

Then add that to the strawberry mixture.

Last, add the final cold cup of water. Mix everything together and pour over ice in a tall glass.

If you want to garnish with fresh strawberries, you can slice them and add to the pitcher or the individual glasses. Enjoy!

Variations on this Strawberry Acai Drink

This Acai Strawberry refresher drink is just delicious, but there are so many ways to change it up!

  • Adult-Only Version - If you want to serve this as a cocktail at a party, you could add a ½ cup to ¾ cup of rum or vodka to it.
  • Banana - I always keep frozen bananas sliced in my freezer. You can add a cup of them to this drink plus a bit of milk and it will be delicious!
  • Frozen Smoothie - For a frozen smoothie, you can add crushed ice, frozen bananas, frozen acai, and frozen strawberries all to the blender with a cup of milk, cup coconut milk, or almond milk instead of the sugar syrup. The bananas will bring all the sugar you need!
  • Lemon or Lime Spritzer - Add some club soda or other clear sparkling drink to the mixture and a squeeze of Fresh lime juice or lemon juice. You could also add champaign instead!
  • Strawberry acai lemonade refresher - Instead of water and sugar, you can use 3 cups of sweetened lemonade.
  • Strawberry Passion Fruit - You can swap either the strawberries or the Acai with Passion Fruit puree or passionfruit juice for a tangy twist.

See this spicy version of this recipe on my website! (placeholder for in-content link)

Hand holding a glass of Strawberry Acai drink with pink and white striped straw and strawberries in the glass. In the background is the pitcher of the rest of the drink for this article How to make a strawberry acai refresher.

FAQ

Is this the same drink as the Starbucks refreshers?

No, this is not the Starbucks recipe. Instead of green coffee powder or green coffee extract, this version uses tea. The amounts and the rest of the ingredients may be similar, but I did not use the Starbucks recipe.

Does this drink have caffeine?

This recipe uses tea, which does have caffeine. You can eliminate the tea or use caffeine free tea if you want a caffeine-free drink.

Can I freeze this Strawberry Acai drink?

You can absolutely freeze this drink! Pour it into popsicle molds to make a fun frozen dessert! Pour it into an ice cube tray for color and tasty ice cubes. Or simply freeze the drink in an freezer safe airtight container and it will last up to 6 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

What to Pair with this Strawberry Acai Refresher

I love this drink all on it's own while sitting in the sun. But you can take it up a notch and pair it with any of these delicious desserts.

  • Moist Vanilla Cake with Lime slice standing on a plate with lime glaze dripping down. A green lime behind the plate and the rest of the bundt cake on a platter in the background.
    Cake with Lime ~ Bolo de Limão
  • Brazilian Flan recipe in a tube shape with caramel sauce on top on a platter with a piece cut out of the front. In the background is the piece on a plate with a spoon.
    Pudim ~ Brazilian Flan Recipe
  • Brazilian Coconut Cake piece on a plate with a bite taken out and the rest of the cake on a platter in the background.
    Brazilian Coconut Cake {Bolo de Coco}
  • Brigadeiros in green paper in a plastic container. This Brigadeiro Recipe is based on traditional Brazilian chocolate truffles rolled in sprinkles. You won't believe how easy they are to make!
    Brigadeiros! Brazilian Chocolate Dessert Truffles
Two glasses of Strawberry Acai drink with pink and white striped straws and strawberries in the front glass. In the background is the pitcher of the rest of the drink for this article How to make a strawberry acai refresher.

How to Make Strawberry Acai Refresher

Carrie Tyler
This is an easy recipe for how to make a Strawberry Acai Refresher!! This simple drink uses frozen acai that you can find in most grocery stores these days. It uses fresh or frozen strawberries and an everyday tea that you have on hand. Finally a simple syrup of sugar and water sweetens the whole thing up. You get tea notes, tangy acai notes, and sweet strawberry notes. Pour it over ice and it's seriously the most refreshing and delicious drink!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American, Brazilian
Servings 4 Tall Drinks

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup Frozen Acai puree
  • 1 cup Fresh Strawberries
  • 3 cups Water (2 cups for the sugar syrup, 1 to mix into the refresher)
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 cup Steeped and Cooled Green Tea (1 tea bag + 1 cup hot water)

Instructions
 

  • If you are using frozen acai puree, take it out to soften a bit on the counter. Then prep the strawberries by cleaning under cold water and removing the stems and leaves. Make the tea with 1 tea bag and 1 cup of hot water.
  • Make the sugar simple syrup by pouring 2 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar into a small pot over low heat and bring to a simmer while stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. (NOTE: if you want a less-sweet drink, you can add ¾ cup sugar) Remove from the heat and let cool.
  • In a blender, blend the strawberries and the tea. Then I like to strain out the seeds over the serving pitcher. If you don't mind seeds, then you can skip that step.
  • Next blend the acai and the simple syrup until smooth. Then add that to the strawberry mixture. Last, add the final cold cup of water. Mix everything together.
  • If you want to garnish with fresh strawberries, you can slice them and add to the pitcher or the individual glasses. Enjoy!
Keyword acai, beverages, drinks, strawberry
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Hi there! I'm Carrie and a recent transplant with my family to São Paulo, Brazil from Hoboken, NJ! I am a recipe developer and author sharing my journey through Brazilian food recipes made super easy and delicious! Read more about me →

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