Copycat Starbucks Cannonball Drink Recipe

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Starbucks Cannonball Drink is bright, fruity, and packed with a refreshing kick that instantly lifts your mood. This drink, inspired by bold lemonade and exotic fruit bases, has become a crowd favorite, and honestly, I couldn’t resist diving deeper into it.

How to make a Starbucks Cannonball Drink

The Starbucks Cannon Ball Drink is a limited-edition, cold Refresher beverage Starbucks launched in collaboration with YouTube creator MrBeast to celebrate Beast Games Season 2 on Prime Video.

Ingredients

To replicate the Starbucks Cannonball Drink, you’ll need the following:

• 1/2 cup coconut water
• 2–3 fresh strawberries (or freeze-dried strawberry powder)
• 1 teaspoon açai powder
• 1–2 teaspoons sugar or other sweetener (optional).
• 1/2 cup water or lemonade
• 1/4 cup mango juice
• 1–2 tablespoons dragonfruit powder (available online or at specialty stores)
• Frozen dragonfruit pieces or dried inclusions (optional).
• 1 cup fresh lemonade (store-bought or homemade).
• Fresh strawberry slices
• Freeze-dried mango chunks or dragonfruit pieces
• Ice cubes

Instructions

1. Strawberry Açaí Base: Blend coconut water, fresh strawberries, açai powder, and sweetener until smooth. Strain if needed to remove strawberry seeds and set aside.
2. Mango Dragonfruit Base: Combine water or lemonade, mango juice, and dragonfruit powder. Stir thoroughly until the powder dissolves. Add frozen dragonfruit pieces if desired.
3. To create the cascading ombré effect: Take a tall glass and fill it with ice cubes. Pour the lemonade first as the base layer since it’s the lightest. Slowly add the mango dragonfruit mixture over the lemonade by carefully pouring over the back of a spoon to prevent mixing. Finally, layer the strawberry açaí base using the same method for a seamless transition.
4. Place fresh strawberry slices, freeze-dried mango chunks, and dragonfruit inclusions on top for a decorative finish.

Tips to Perfect Your Cannonball Drink

• Use Fresh Ingredients: Freshly squeezed lemonade and ripe fruits will enhance the flavor of your Starbucks Cannonball Drink.
• Adjust Sweetness: Taste each layer while preparing and adjust the sweetness by adding honey, sugar, or a sugar substitute as preferred.
• Slow Pouring Technique: The key to achieving Starbucks-style layered drinks is by pouring each liquid slowly over ice using the back of a spoon.
• Chill Your Ingredients: Cold juices and bases will help maintain the ombré layers better and keep your drink refreshing.
• Get Creative: Want a twist on the classic recipe? Add a splash of sparkling water for fizz or substitute lemonade with limeade for extra tartness.

What to serve with

The Starbucks Cannonball Drink is a bright, citrusy, and tropical beverage bursting with fruity flavors.

1. Light Pastries & Baked Goods

The fruity nature of the Starbucks Cannonball Drink complements buttery, flaky baked treats beautifully. Consider the following:

• Croissants: Plain, almond, or chocolate-filled croissants add a hint of indulgence without overpowering the drink’s flavors.
• Scones: Opt for fruit-filled scones (like blueberry, cranberry, or orange) for a cohesive pairing with the drink’s tropical notes.
• Muffins: Lemon poppy seed or banana muffins are fantastic choices that mirror the fruity brightness of the Cannonball Drink.
• Fruit Tarts: Miniature tarts with a layer of custard and fresh fruits like strawberries, kiwi, and mango will amplify the fruity theme.

2. Fresh Fruits & Light Snacks

The Cannonball Drink is already fruity, but pairing it with fresh fruits and light savory snacks can make for a truly refreshing experience:

• Fresh Fruit Salad: Combine berries, tropical fruits like mango and pineapple, and citrus slices for a fresh side dish.
• Cheese Platter: Create a cheese board with mild cheeses like brie, mozzarella, or Havarti. Add crackers, nuts, and dried fruits for balance.
• Greek Yogurt Parfaits: Layer Greek yogurt with granola and fresh fruits, such as strawberries, dragonfruit, and mango, to tie in the drink’s flavor profile.
• Fruit Popsicles: Homemade fruit popsicles made from blended fruits like strawberry, pineapple, and peach create a fun and cooling pairing.

Ingredients Substitutes

Recreating Starbucks famous Cannonball Drink at home is a fun experience, but sometimes you may not have access to all the exact ingredients listed in the recipe.

1. Strawberry Açaí Base

The Strawberry Açaí base is the heart of many Starbucks Refreshers, and its tropical, fruity flavor complements the tang of lemonade in the Cannonball Drink. While not everyone has access to Starbucks Refreshers mix for this, you can easily replicate its essence with these substitutes:

Substitutes:

• Coconut Water + Strawberry Puree: Blend a 1/2 cup of 100% pure coconut water with fresh or frozen strawberries. Add a teaspoon of honey or simple syrup if needed. This combo delivers a light sweetness and a fruity punch.
• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Rehydrate, blend with water, and strain to create a concentrated juice. Add sugar or honey to taste, if necessary.
• Açaí Powder Substitute: If you don’t have access to açai powder, you can use cranberry juice or pomegranate juice instead. While they don’t have the exact same taste, they provide a similar tangy depth and beautiful coloring.

2. Mango Dragonfruit Base

This layer adds tropical richness and a vibrant magenta hue to the drink. If dragonfruit isn’t available in your area, there are a few ways to substitute the ingredients while still achieving a close match in flavor and color.

Substitutes:

• Dragonfruit Powder Alternative: If dragonfruit powder is unavailable, you can use hibiscus tea concentrate or beet powder to achieve the same vivid pink color. Hibiscus also adds a similar tart, fruity flavor.
• Mango Juice Replacement: Instead of mango juice, feel free to use tropical fruit juices, such as passionfruit, peach, or pineapple. These flavors pair beautifully with the lemonade and can mimic the tropical vibe.
• Frozen Mixed Tropical Fruit: If you have a mix of fruits like papaya, pineapple, and mango in your freezer, blend them to make a homemade tropical fruit puree that can replace the Mango Dragonfruit mix.
• Lemonade + Pomegranate Juice: A splash of pomegranate juice mixed with lemonade makes a great alternative for both color and flavor, giving the drink a vibrant, sweet-tart kick.

3. Lemonade Base

The lemonade base is key to providing the tangy freshness in the Cannonball Drink, but if you don’t have lemonade on hand or want a different take, there are several options to replace it.

Substitutes:

• Fresh Lemon Juice + Sweetener: Make your own lemonade by squeezing fresh lemons and mixing the juice with a liquid sweetener like honey, agave syrup, or sugar. To mimic Starbucks’ signature taste, adjust the sweetness to your liking and add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors.
• Lemonade Alternatives: Bottled limeade, orange juice, or even grapefruit juice can replace lemonade while maintaining the citrusy base.
• Flavored Sparkling Water: Swap in a citrus-flavored sparkling water for a lighter, fizzy version of the drink. This option is perfect for those who want a fresh but less sweet drink.

4. Ice

Ice is a non-negotiable for Starbucks-style drinks because it keeps them refreshing and helps create the iconic layered look. However, if you want to get creative, there are ways to infuse your ice with flavor or texture.

Substitutes:

• Fruit-Infused Ice Cubes: Instead of plain ice, freeze small pieces of strawberries, mango, or dragonfruit inside your ice cubes to release flavor as they melt.
• Crushed Ice or Shaved Ice: For extra texture and a more fun aesthetic, you can use crushed or shaved ice instead of traditional cubes.
• Frozen Fruit Pieces: Replace ice altogether with frozen fruit chunks. This keeps your drink cold and adds a boost of extra flavor—perfect for fruit lovers.

5. Sweeteners

Starbucks is known for perfectly sweetened drinks, but you can personalize this at home to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Substitutes:

• Honey or Agave Syrup: Natural sweeteners are great substitutes for refined sugar and dissolve well in liquids.
• Coconut Sugar: For a caramelized taste that pairs beautifully with the tropical flavors, coconut sugar is a great option.
• Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener: For those cutting back on calories, these natural, sugar-free alternatives provide sweetness without the added calories.
• Maple Syrup: While unconventional, maple syrup can be used as a sweetener for a unique depth of flavor. Keep the quantity minimal to avoid overpowering the drink.
• Skip Sugar: Many of the fruits used in this recipe are naturally sweet. If you’re going for a healthier version, you may find the natural sugars in the fruits and juices are enough!

Final Thoughts

Enjoy your homemade Starbucks Cannonball Drink, and don’t forget to admire its Instagram-worthy appearance before taking a sip!

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