Summer heat calls for cool, refreshing drinks that quench your thirst and lift your spirits. But why spend a fortune at your favorite cafes and restaurants when you can make these iconic summer beverages at home?
I’ve gathered 20 copycat recipes for the most popular summer drinks that taste just like the real thing—maybe even better!
1. Starbucks Pink Drink
Craving that Instagram-worthy rosy refresher without the Starbucks price tag? The secret’s out! Mix white grape juice with coconut milk, add a splash of strawberry acai tea (or hibiscus tea in a pinch), and toss in freeze-dried strawberries.
The coconut milk creates that signature creamy texture while keeping things dairy-free. For extra authenticity, serve it over ice in a clear cup so you can show off those floating strawberry pieces.
2. Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade
Holy brain freeze, Batman! This lemony milkshake hybrid is summer’s ultimate comeback against heatwaves. Vanilla ice cream meets fresh-squeezed lemonade in a blender for sixty seconds of pure magic.
The tangy-sweet balance makes this drink impossible to sip slowly—despite the inevitable ice cream headache. Getting that perfect consistency requires just enough ice cream to make it creamy without becoming too thick to drink through a straw.
3. McDonald’s Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Forget waiting in that drive-thru line! Grab frozen strawberries, a ripe banana, vanilla yogurt, and a splash of apple juice. Thirty seconds in a blender transforms these simple ingredients into that familiar McDonald’s treat.
The yogurt creates that signature smooth texture while apple juice adds sweetness without being cloying. Fresh bananas work better than frozen ones here – they contribute natural creaminess that makes this drink special.
4. Panera Bread Green Passion Smoothie
Green never tasted so good! This vibrant smoothie combines spinach (yes, spinach!) with mango, peach, and passion fruit juices for a refreshing drink that tastes nothing like a salad. The tropical fruit flavors completely mask the leafy greens.
A frozen banana adds natural sweetness and creates that signature Panera creaminess without dairy. For authenticity, white grape juice concentrate gives it the perfect sweetness level without overpowering the delicate fruit flavors.
5. Sonic Ocean Water
Azure blue and mysteriously delicious—Sonic’s Ocean Water creates instant summer vibes! The startling blue color comes from coconut syrup mixed with blue food coloring, but the flavor is pure tropical paradise.
Club soda provides the fizzy base while coconut extract delivers that signature flavor punch. Some swear by adding a splash of lime juice to cut through the sweetness, creating the perfect balance. Serve it over crushed ice (never cubes!) for that authentic Sonic experience.
6. Starbucks Iced Matcha Latte
Green tea fanatics, rejoice! Skip the $6 price tag and whip up this emerald beauty at home. Ceremonial grade matcha powder (accept no substitutes!) creates that vibrant color and earthy flavor that’s become a caffeine-lover’s obsession.
The trick? Dissolve the matcha in a splash of hot water first to prevent clumping, then shake vigorously with ice and milk. Oat milk creates the creamiest version, but any milk works in this versatile drink. A touch of vanilla syrup elevates it to Starbucks-level indulgence.
7. Dutch Bros Electric Berry Lemonade
ZAAAP! Your taste buds just got struck by lightning! This shockingly vibrant purple drink combines blue raspberry syrup with fresh lemonade for a sweet-tart explosion that’s practically electric.
The real Dutch Bros uses their Rebel energy drink, but substituting lemon-lime soda creates a perfectly acceptable caffeine-free version. For die-hard fans, a splash of any energy drink works wonders. Fresh lemon juice is non-negotiable here—bottled stuff creates a flat, artificial taste.
8. Taco Bell Baja Blast Freeze
Mountain Dew fanatics, prepare for frozen nirvana! This legendary turquoise slush requires only two ingredients: Mountain Dew Baja Blast and ice. Blitz them together and boom—instant Taco Bell nostalgia without the drive-thru.
For extra authenticity, add a splash of blue curaçao syrup (non-alcoholic version) to amp up that signature color and tropical lime flavor. The key to the perfect consistency? Blend in short pulses until it’s slushy but still sippable through a straw.
9. Dunkin’ Coolatta
Remember being 16 and thinking these were the height of sophistication? The Coolatta nostalgia is real! Creating this frosty delight requires vanilla frozen yogurt, milk, and flavored syrup of your choice—strawberry and blue raspberry being the classics.
The secret to that signature Dunkin’ texture is blending just enough to keep it thick but not so much that it melts. A dollop of whipped cream on top isn’t authentic, but who’s gonna stop you?
10. Wendy’s Tropical Berry Lemonade
Sunshine in a cup! This vibrant fuchsia concoction brings together fresh-squeezed lemonade with a tropical berry puree that’ll transport you straight to island time. The secret weapon? Frozen mixed berries simmered with a touch of sugar until they break down into jammy goodness.
Layer the berry puree on the bottom, add ice, then pour in homemade lemonade for that gorgeous ombré effect. The first sip through the straw delivers a perfect sweet-tart punch that rivals anything Wendy’s serves.
11. Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
Coffee snobs and sweet-tooth enthusiasts unite! This cult favorite combines rich espresso with cinnamon-infused brown sugar syrup and creamy oat milk for a drink that’s basically dessert in a cup.
The magic happens in the shaking—espresso and syrup vigorously shaken with ice creates a frothy, almost velvety texture. Pour oat milk over this mixture and watch the beautiful layers form. No espresso machine? Strong cold brew concentrate works surprisingly well.
12. Jamba Juice Caribbean Passion Smoothie
Tropical vacation in a glass! This sunset-colored smoothie combines strawberries, peaches, mango, and passion fruit juice for a flavor explosion that screams summer. The secret to nailing that authentic Jamba texture? Frozen fruit and sherbet!
Orange sherbet gives this smoothie its signature creamy-yet-light consistency that sets it apart from regular fruit smoothies. A splash of passion fruit juice (find it in the international foods section) delivers that exotic tang that makes this drink special.
13. Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher
Purple drinks break Instagram, period! This eye-catching refresher combines sweet mango flavor with exotic dragonfruit (technically pitaya) for a caffeine-boosted beverage that’s basically summer in a cup. White grape juice forms the base, while green coffee extract provides that subtle energy boost.
The showstopper? Freeze-dried dragonfruit pieces that release their vibrant magenta color as they rehydrate in the drink. Can’t find dragonfruit powder? Use beetroot powder for color and amp up the fruit flavors with mango nectar.
14. Chick-fil-A Sweet Tea Lemonade
Southern charm meets summer refreshment in this two-toned classic! Half sweet tea, half lemonade—sounds simple, right? The magic lies in the proportions and preparation. Brew black tea double-strength, then sweeten it while hot (true Southerners know this is non-negotiable).
Fresh-squeezed lemon juice mixed with simple syrup creates that perfect lemonade balance—none of that powdered nonsense. Layer them carefully in a glass filled with ice for that Instagram-worthy gradient effect.
15. Orange Julius
Mall nostalgia in a glass! This frothy orange cream dream has been delighting taste buds since 1926, and now you can skip the food court. The secret? Frozen orange juice concentrate, milk, vanilla, a touch of powdered sugar, and—wait for it—a raw egg white!
Don’t panic about the egg! It creates that signature frothy texture, but pasteurized egg whites work fine for the squeamish. A splash of vanilla extract is crucial for that distinctive flavor that sets it apart from regular orange juice.
16. McDonald’s Minute Maid Slushie
Childhood brain freeze memories come flooding back with this simple frozen treat! Unlike other slushies that require special equipment, this McD’s copycat needs only a blender and some patience.
Minute Maid fruit punch (accept no substitutes!) gets mixed with ice and a touch of simple syrup, then blended until it reaches that perfect not-quite-liquid, not-quite-solid consistency. The trick is adding just enough simple syrup to prevent it from freezing too hard.
17. Sonic Cherry Limeade
Pucker up, buttercup! This ruby-red sensation balances sweet cherry syrup with fresh lime juice for a drink that’s criminally refreshing. The signature Sonic experience comes from those perfectly pellet-shaped ice pieces—regular ice cubes just won’t cut it.
Crush your ice in a blender or food processor until it resembles small pebbles. Mix Sprite (or any lemon-lime soda) with grenadine and fresh lime juice, then pour over that special ice. Garnish with both a lime wedge AND a maraschino cherry—this is non-negotiable for authenticity!
18. In-N-Out Lemon-Up
West Coast burger fans, rejoice! This lesser-known In-N-Out secret menu item combines fresh-squeezed lemonade with 7UP for a fizzy, citrusy revelation. The beauty lies in its simplicity—just two ingredients creating something greater than the sum of its parts.
The ratio matters: 70% lemonade to 30% 7UP gives that perfect balance of tart and sweet with just enough bubbles. Homemade lemonade works best, with its fresh-squeezed intensity standing up to the soda’s sweetness.
19. Chipotle Hibiscus Lemonade
Gorgeous crimson color meets tangy-sweet flavor in this Mexican-inspired refresher! Dried hibiscus flowers (find them as “jamaica” in Latin markets) steep like tea to create a vibrant base with cranberry-like notes.
Mix the cooled hibiscus tea with fresh lemonade and a touch of agave nectar for authentic Mexican sweetness. The hibiscus provides a subtle floral complexity that elevates this beyond ordinary lemonade. For maximum Chipotle vibes, serve it in a clear cup with plenty of ice and a lime wheel garnish.
20. Starbucks Iced Guava Passionfruit Drink
Pink, tropical, and utterly refreshing—this coconut milk-based sensation took social media by storm! The tropical flavor combo tastes like vacation in a cup, even when you’re just sitting in your backyard.
Guava juice concentrate and passion fruit puree create the foundation, while coconut milk adds creamy texture without heaviness. A splash of pineapple juice brightens everything up with zippy acidity. Instagram-worthy and delicious—what more could you want from a summer drink?