When you want something sweet, creamy, and just a little nostalgic, this Carnival Drink Mix gets the job done fast. It makes a strawberry-flavored powdered drink mix you can stir into hot water for a cozy mug or blend with vanilla ice cream when you’re leaning more milkshake than sensible beverage.
The base is simple: instant nonfat dry milk, mini marshmallows, strawberry drink mix, powdered sugar, buttermilk powder, and powdered nondairy creamer. Shake it together in a large zip-top bag and you’ve got a pantry-friendly mix that tastes like strawberry carnival candy grew up and got practical.
Because this is a dry mix, it keeps best in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. For the most reliable storage, use it within 2 months at room temperature or up to 6 months in the refrigerator, which is the more conservative choice here since cultured buttermilk powder is commonly labeled to refrigerate after opening and dry dairy quality lasts longer when kept cool and dry. Once prepared with hot water, treat it like any dairy-based leftover and refrigerate it promptly. For general leftover safety, USDA leftover food safety guidance recommends using refrigerated leftovers within 3 to 4 days.
Carnival Drink Mix Recipe
You’ll Need:
- 2 1/2 cups instant nonfat dry milk powder
- 2 cups multicolor mini marshmallows
- 1 cup strawberry-flavored drink mix
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup buttermilk powder
- 1/3 cup powdered nondairy creamer
Measure all of the ingredients into a large zip-top bag. Seal tightly, then shake until the mix looks evenly combined. If you’d rather store it in a jar, give it a good shake before each use since the finer powders settle and the marshmallows like to drift where they please.
Expert Tip: Crush any oversized marshmallows lightly before mixing if you want the powder to portion more evenly. It saves you from scooping a mugful that’s all fluff and no flavor, which is a disappointment nobody asked for.
To Use:
Add 1/3 cup mix to a mug of hot water and stir until dissolved. For a thicker frozen treat, blend the same amount with a little milk and a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream.
One batch makes about 6 1/2 cups of dry mix, which is enough for approximately 19 servings at 1/3 cup each. That’s an estimate, but it’s close enough to plan a family movie night without anybody fighting over the last mug.
Store the dry mix in an airtight jar or tightly sealed bag away from heat, moisture, and direct light. For best quality, use it within 2 months in the pantry or keep it refrigerated for up to 6 months. If you’ve already mixed a mug and have leftovers, refrigerate them within 2 hours and use them within 3 to 4 days.
A fun pairing for this mix is a batch of Mini Carnival Funnel Cakes, and if you like keeping pantry beverages on hand, you’ll also want to peek at Strawberry-Vanilla Drink Mix or Creamsicle Drink Mix.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Carnival Drink Mix
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Instant nonfat dry milk powder |
$9.28 |
2 1/2 C. |
$2.17 |
|
Multicolor mini marshmallows |
$1.24 |
2 C. |
$0.44 |
|
Strawberry-flavored drink mix |
$3.24 |
1 C. |
$0.72 |
|
Powdered sugar |
$2.24 |
1/2 C. |
$0.15 |
|
Buttermilk powder |
$9.28 |
1/3 C. |
$0.29 |
|
Powdered nondairy creamer |
$3.24 |
1/3 C. |
$0.54 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost (makes 6 1/2 cups / 19 servings) |
$4.31 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$0.23 |
📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!
Frequently Asked Questions about Carnival Drink Mix
You can, but the flavor will be a little flatter and less creamy. Replace the 1/3 cup buttermilk powder with an extra 1/3 cup instant dry milk if you need a simple swap, and expect a sweeter, less tangy finish.
Use a powdered strawberry drink mix, not a liquid enhancer or gelatin mix. An unsweetened packet-style drink mix gives the strongest strawberry flavor without throwing off the texture too much, while sweetened canister mixes can make the final drink noticeably sweeter.
They add sweetness and help create that creamy carnival-stand style texture once they start to soften in hot liquid. They also bulk up the mix a bit, so if you leave them out, the drink will taste stronger and the yield will drop.
Absolutely, if you want a finer powder that dissolves faster. Pulse it in short bursts instead of running it nonstop, or you’ll turn the marshmallows into a sticky nuisance and have to pretend that was the plan.
Keep moisture out at all costs. Use an airtight container, store it somewhere cool and dry, and always use a completely dry scoop because powdered milk, buttermilk powder, and confectioners sugar all pull in moisture quickly.
Yes, and it scales cleanly because everything is measured by cups. Double the batch for about 13 cups of mix or triple it for roughly 19 1/2 cups, then divide it into jars and include the 1/3-cup-per-mug directions on the tag.
You can, but it dissolves better if you start with a little warm liquid first. Stir 1/3 cup mix with just enough warm water or milk to dissolve it, then add cold milk, ice, or blend it with vanilla ice cream for a thicker treat.
Use a little less mix per mug and start at 1/4 cup instead of the full 1/3 cup. You can also make it with hot milk instead of water for a creamier flavor that softens the candy-sweet edge without changing the dry mix itself.
It is, especially for holiday baskets or care packages. Pack it in a tightly sealed jar, keep it cool and dry, and add a simple label that says to use 1/3 cup mix per mug of hot water so nobody has to guess.
Anything a little nostalgic works nicely, especially simple fair-style treats and buttery cookies. It also makes a fun drink to serve with pancakes, brunch pastries, or a dessert board when plain coffee feels a bit too responsible.
Instagram: If you make this Carnival Drink Mix, tag @Budget101 and show us whether you went cozy mug or full carnival milkshake.
📌 Love this Carnival Drink Mix? Pin it!
🖨️ Print-Friendly Carnival Drink Mix
Carnival Drink Mix
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups instant nonfat dry milk powder
- 2 cups multicolor mini marshmallows
- 1 cup strawberry-flavored drink mix
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup buttermilk powder
- ⅓ cup powdered nondairy creamer
Equipment
Instructions
- Measure the instant nonfat dry milk powder, multicolor mini marshmallows, strawberry-flavored drink mix, powdered sugar, buttermilk powder, and powdered nondairy creamer into a large zip-top bag.
- Seal the bag tightly and shake until all of the ingredients are evenly combined.
- Transfer the mix to an airtight container if desired.
- To serve, add 1/3 cup of the mix to a mug of hot water and stir until dissolved.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
Estimated yield is about 6 1/2 cups of dry mix, or 19 servings at 1/3 cup each.
Estimated ingredient cost uses current online package pricing and will vary by store and date.
For best quality, store the dry mix airtight in a cool, dry place for up to 2 months, or refrigerate for up to 6 months.
Once prepared with water, refrigerate leftovers promptly and use within 3 to 4 days.
when you say buttermilk powder do you mean something like bisquick?
No, Bisquick is a quick mix containing flour/shortening/leavening agents.
Buttermilk powder is literally powdered buttermilk- an acidic dairy product that is similar to sour cream or yogurt (but dried). It contains
It is used to replace Liquid Buttermilk in recipes.
Pictured left, this is the most common brand available at most local grocery stores in baking isle near the powdered milk/evaporated milk/sweetened condensed milk area.