Is the Pink Drink Keto? How to Order a Keto-Friendly Version at Starbucks

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

The standard Starbucks Pink Drink contains over 20 grams of sugar, making it unsuitable for a ketogenic diet. However, a popular modification, known as the 'keto pink drink,' has emerged as a low-carb alternative for those following a keto lifestyle.

Quick Summary

The original Starbucks Pink Drink is high in sugar, but a custom, keto-friendly version can be ordered. This low-carb hack involves swapping sugary ingredients for a sugar-free base, sweetener, and heavy cream.

Key Points

The Original is Not Keto: The standard Starbucks Pink Drink is high in sugar due to its Strawberry Açaí base and sweetened coconut milk.
Order Unsweetened Passion Tea: The low-carb version uses unsweetened Iced Passion Tango Tea as its base instead of the sugary refresher.
Specify Sugar-Free Syrup: To add flavor without sugar, you must request sugar-free vanilla syrup instead of the standard sweetener.
Use Heavy Cream for Creaminess: Heavy cream is the go-to keto-friendly dairy choice to achieve the drink's signature creamy texture.
Avoid Sugary Extras: Hold the freeze-dried strawberries and the classic syrup, both of which contain sugar.
DIY at Home: A budget-friendly and precise way to get a keto pink drink is to make it yourself using hibiscus tea, heavy cream, and a keto sweetener.

Why the Original Pink Drink is Not Keto

The iconic Starbucks Pink Drink is beloved for its sweet, fruity flavor and vibrant hue. Its refreshing taste, however, comes from ingredients that are strictly off-limits for anyone following a ketogenic diet due to their high sugar and carbohydrate content. The primary reason the original drink is not keto-compliant lies in its base and sweetener.

The standard recipe combines the Strawberry Açaí Refresher base with creamy coconut milk and freeze-dried strawberries. The issue for keto dieters is twofold: the Strawberry Açaí base is made with water, sugar, and white grape juice concentrate, a cocktail of carbohydrates. In addition, the pre-sweetened coconut milk used by Starbucks adds to the total sugar count. A 16-ounce Grande Pink Drink can contain approximately 24-25 grams of sugar and nearly 28 grams of total carbs, easily exceeding a keto dieter's daily carbohydrate limit.

How to Order a Keto-Friendly Pink Drink at Starbucks

While you can't simply walk up and order a 'keto pink drink' from the official menu, you can achieve a delicious and low-carb replica by making a few simple substitutions. This secret menu hack bypasses all the high-sugar ingredients, leaving you with a creamy, fruity, and guilt-free beverage. The key is clear communication with your barista.

The Keto Pink Drink Order

To get your custom keto pink drink, follow these steps precisely. The modifications are crucial for keeping the carb count low.

Ask for an Iced Passion Tango Tea: This is the foundation of the drink. Make sure to specify "unsweetened" to ensure no classic syrup is added.
Request Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup: Instead of liquid cane sugar, ask for 2-4 pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup. Starbucks typically offers only this sugar-free syrup option.
Substitute Heavy Cream: Replace the sugary coconut milk with a splash of heavy cream. This adds the necessary creaminess and healthy fats while keeping carbs low. For a dairy-free option, you could use a keto-friendly, unsweetened nut milk, though heavy cream is the classic choice.
Hold the Fruit Inclusions: The freeze-dried strawberries included in the original contain carbs. Skip them to keep your drink truly keto.
Bonus Tip: Some people prefer to ask for "no water" to get a richer, stronger tea flavor.

Making a Keto Pink Drink at Home

For those who prefer to save money or have more control over their ingredients, making a keto pink drink at home is a simple and effective option. Here is a basic recipe:

Ingredients
- Tazo Passion Tea bags or any hibiscus herbal tea
- Heavy whipping cream or unsweetened coconut milk
- Sugar-free vanilla or strawberry syrup (e.g., Torani, Walden Farms)
- Optional: Liquid stevia or monk fruit sweetener
- Ice
Instructions
1. Brew the Tazo Passion tea bags in hot water and let them steep and cool completely. Chilling the tea prevents the heavy cream from curdling.
2. Fill a glass with ice.
3. Pour in the chilled tea.
4. Add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar-free syrup and a splash of heavy cream.
5. Stir to combine. Adjust sweetness to taste with extra syrup or liquid stevia.
6. Optionally, add a few fresh strawberry slices for garnish (being mindful of the small carb count).

Comparison: Original vs. Keto Pink Drink


Feature	Original Starbucks Pink Drink	Keto-Friendly Pink Drink (Custom Order)
Carbohydrates	High (approx. 28g per Grande)	Very Low (approx. 1-3g per Grande)
Sugar Content	High (approx. 25g per Grande)	None Added (sugar-free syrup)
Base	Strawberry Açaí Refresher Base	Unsweetened Iced Passion Tango Tea
Creaminess	Sweetened Coconut Milk	Heavy Cream (or unsweetened nut milk)
Flavor	Sweet, fruity, and slightly tart	Richer, creamier, and vanilla-forward with fruity undertones
Appearance	Vibrant Pink	Creamy, lighter pink or mauve hue

Staying in Ketosis with Starbucks

Beyond the keto pink drink, Starbucks offers several other low-carb options. Black coffee, plain espresso shots, and unsweetened herbal teas are all zero-carb bases. You can customize these with heavy cream and sugar-free vanilla syrup. Drinks like a simple iced coffee or cold brew with a splash of heavy cream and sugar-free vanilla are excellent alternatives. Always remember to specify "no classic" to avoid hidden sugar and control your additions.

Conclusion: Savor the Keto Pink Drink, Sans Sugar

While the original Starbucks Pink Drink is not a keto-approved beverage due to its high sugar content, a delicious and satisfying keto-friendly version is entirely possible with a few smart substitutions. By ordering an unsweetened Iced Passion Tango Tea with heavy cream and sugar-free vanilla syrup, you can enjoy a creamy, fruity treat that fits within your low-carb lifestyle. For the ultimate control and cost savings, whipping up a homemade version is also an easy and rewarding option. So, the next time the craving for a pink, refreshing drink strikes, you can indulge without breaking ketosis.

How to Order a Keto Pink Drink at Starbucks

Here’s how to order a keto-friendly Pink Drink at Starbucks:

Grande Iced Passion Tango Tea, unsweetened.
Add 3-4 pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup.
Request a light splash of heavy cream.
Ask for no water and no classic syrup.
Hold the freeze-dried strawberries.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard Grande Pink Drink from Starbucks contains approximately 28 grams of carbohydrates, primarily from the sugary strawberry acai base and coconut milk.

The regular Pink Drink is not keto because it is made with a strawberry acai base that contains sugar and white grape juice concentrate. The coconut milk used also contains added sugar.

Politely ask for an 'Unsweetened Iced Passion Tango Tea with a splash of heavy cream and 3-4 pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup. Please add no classic syrup or water'.

No, the coconut milk used at Starbucks contains added sugar and is not considered keto-friendly. Always ask for a splash of heavy cream instead.

Starbucks' almond milk also contains added sugar, making it a low-carb but not strictly keto option. Heavy cream is the safest choice, but you can bring your own unsweetened almond milk if you prefer.

Starbucks' sugar-free vanilla syrup contains maltodextrin, which can impact blood sugar in some individuals. Many keto dieters use it sparingly or bring their own monk fruit or stevia drops to be safe.

For a fruitier flavor, you can ask for a few freeze-dried strawberries, but be aware they contain a small amount of carbs. You could also bring a keto-friendly strawberry flavoring of your own.