Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat Recipe) (2024)

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by Jee Choe

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Make this popular Starbucks favorite at home, using a Frappuccino base syrup to recreate the perfectly smooth and creamy texture. This Caramel Frappuccino recipe is so good, you’ll want to make it all year!

Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat Recipe) (1)

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Table of Contents

Caramel Frappuccino

Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino is a frozen drink made with ice, milk, caramel sauce, coffee, and Frappuccino base syrup. All ingredients are blended together then served with vanilla whipped cream and drizzle of caramel.

The secret to making this drink just like Starbucks is to use a Frappuccino base syrup. This ingredient is in every single Starbucks Frappuccino and it’s what gives the ice cold beverage that creamy texture.

RELATED: 13 Frappuccino Recipes

Recipe Highlights

  • This copycat Frappuccino recreates the Starbucks recipe so it’s as close to their version as possible, using a homemade Frappuccino base syrup.
  • A blender is needed to make this caffeinated frozen drink at home.
  • There’s no need for any fancy espresso machines since the coffee used is an instant coffee, just like how Starbucks makes it.
  • The recipe makes a grande (16 ounces) Caramel Frappuccino.

RELATED: Mocha Frappuccino

Ingredient Notes

Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat Recipe) (2)
  • Homemade Frappuccino base syrup: Make a batch of this first and use it to make all kinds of Frappuccinos. If you don’t want to use the base, add just simple syrup, but your drink won’t have that smooth Frappuccino texture.
  • Caramel sauce: Out of all the brands, this one is my favorite.
  • Instant coffee: Starbucks uses their own Frappuccino Roast, which is an instant coffee blend. UseStarbucks VIA Instant Italian Roast, or any instant coffee you have.
  • Milk: Frappuccinos are made with whole milk but you can use any milk you like.
  • Heavy cream: This is to make the whipped cream topping.
  • Vanilla syrup: The syrup flavors the whipped cream.
  • Ice: Make ice using filtered water for a better tasting Frappuccino.

For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat Recipe) (3)

Step 1: Whisk heavy cream and vanilla syrup to make whipped cream. Set aside.

Use a handheld milk frother to make whipped cream in seconds.

Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat Recipe) (4)

Step 2: Blend milk, caramel sauce, homemade Frappuccino base syrup, instant coffee, and ice until smooth.

Start the blender on low, then turn it up to high. Use a tamper tool to make sure the ice gets blended evenly.

Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat Recipe) (7)

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Recipe Notes

The order of ingredients into the blender matters.

Put ingredients into the blender as it’s in the recipe. Don’t put ice in first since you won’t get an efficient blend since there will be air pockets. Always add the liquids in first (milk) and put the hardest or heaviest ingredients in last (ice).

No Frappuccino base syrup?

Homemade Frappuccino base syrup is made of sugar, water, and xanthan gum (the secret to creating the Frappuccino texture). If you don’t want to use the base syrup, you can add simple syrup instead to match the sweetness but you won’t get the same texture.

Make it caffeine-free.

Caramel Frappuccino can be made caffeine-free by taking out the instant coffee in the recipe.

Expert Tips

  • The vanilla syrup in the recipe is used in the whipped cream, just like Starbucks, but you can take it out and replace it with 2 teaspoons of sugar.
  • The longer you whisk the heavy cream to make whipped cream, the stiffer it’ll get. It should take less than a minute, using a handheld milk frother, to get soft peaks. Spoon the whipped cream on top of your drink.
  • Starbucks uses both caramel syrup, which doesn’t have dairy, and caramel sauce, which does have dairy, to make their Caramel Frappuccino. This recipe uses caramel sauce, which contains dairy, for both.

Questions You May Have

Is there a difference between caramel sauce and caramel syrup?

Yes, caramel sauce is made with dairy and caramel syrup is usually made without dairy.

Is there caffeine in a Caramel Frappuccino?

Yes, the instant coffee in the recipe makes the drink caffeinated.

Can I buy the Frappuccino base syrup instead of making it?

Starbucks won’t sell you their Frappuccino base syrup but you can find it sold by other sellers onAmazonand Ebay.

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Related

  • Iced Caramel Macchiato
  • Caramel Cold Foam
  • Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
  • Espresso Frappuccino
  • Best Starbucks Frappuccinos

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Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat Recipe) (9)

Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat)

Author: Jee Choe

A delicious Starbucks copycat recipe, made just like the original!

PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Yield1 serving (16 ounces)

INGREDIENTS

Caramel Frappuccino

  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons caramel sauce + more for drizzle on top of drink
  • 3 tablespoons homemade Frappuccino base syrup
  • 1 ½ teaspoon instant coffee
  • 1 cup ice

Vanilla Whipped Cream

  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Whisk heavy cream and vanilla syrup to make whipped cream. Set aside.

    Use a handheld milk frother to make whipped cream in seconds. The longer you whisk, the stiffer the whipped cream. It should take about 30 seconds to get peaks.

  • Blend milk, caramel sauce, homemade Frappuccino base syrup, instant coffee, and ice until smooth.

    Put ingredients into the blender in the order listed.

    Start the blender on low, then turn it up to high speed. Use a tamper tool to make sure the ice gets blended evenly.

  • Pour Caramel Frappuccino into a cup. Top drink with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.

    Serve immediately.

NOTES

  • The homemade Frappuccino base syrup recipe is the star of this recipe since it’s what creates that smooth texture. Make a batch of this first.
  • Homemade Frappuccino base syrup is made of sugar, water, and xanthan gum (the secret to creating the Frappuccino texture). If you don’t want to use the base syrup, you can add simple syrup instead to match the sweetness but you won’t get the same texture.
  • Frappuccinos are made with whole milk but you can use any milk you like.
  • The vanilla syrup in the recipe is used in the whipped cream, just like Starbucks, but you can take it out and replace it with 2 teaspoons of sugar.
  • The longer you whisk the heavy cream, the stiffer it’ll get. It should take less than a minute, using a handheld milk frother, to get soft peaks. Spoon the whipped cream on top of your drink.
  • You can make a caffeine-free Caramel Frappuccino by taking out the instant coffee in the recipe.

NUTRITION

Calories: 651 | Carbohydrates: 107g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 343mg | Potassium: 360mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 65g | Vitamin A: 1126IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 228mg | Iron: 3mg

5 thoughts on “Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat Recipe)”

  1. Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat Recipe) (12)
    Love this drink I do have a question do I have to put instant coffee in hot water or no or just instant coffee and blend it ? Thanks

    Reply

    • Hi Marina, just add instant coffee (no water) and blend.

      Reply

  2. Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat Recipe) (13)
    Unfortunately I did not even use the frappe base! I just used regular sugar and still came out really good!

    Reply

  3. Questions- Do you refrigerate the base ?
    Also my frappucino is coming out too thick. Any suggestions on that ?

    Reply

    • Hi Bryan, yes, refrigerate the base. To thin out the Frappuccino, try using less Frappuccino base syrup and less ice.

      Reply

Leave a Comment

Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is in a caramel Frappuccino from Starbucks? ›

Buttery caramel syrup meets coffee, milk and ice for a rendezvous in the blender. Then whipped cream and caramel sauce layer the love on top.

How do they make Frappuccinos at Starbucks? ›

The Starbucks vanilla bean frappuccino is made with milk, ice, vanilla syrup, and whipped cream. The milk and ice are blended together to create a creamy base, and the vanilla syrup is added for flavor. The whipped cream is then added on top to finish the drink.

What are the ingredients in Starbucks Frappuccino? ›

Ingredients. Ice, Milk, Coffee Frappuccino Syrup [Sugar, Water, Natural Flavor, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid], Coffee.

How many shots of coffee are in a caramel Frappuccino? ›

Step One: The Coffee
SizeFrapp Roast (Pumps)Shots of Espresso
Tall (12 oz.)21
Grande (16 oz.)32
Venti (24 oz.)43
Oct 24, 2022

How many ingredients are in a caramel Frappuccino? ›

Blend ice, coffee, milk, caramel sauce, and sugar together in a blender on high speed until smooth. Pour into two 16-ounce glasses.

What kind of coffee is in a caramel Frappuccino? ›

It's an indulgent blend of our signature espresso roast coffee, creamy milk and buttery caramel — the perfect treat at home or on the go.

What is the main ingredient in a Frappuccino? ›

A Frappuccino is a blended coffee drink that is typically made with coffee or espresso, milk, and ice. It is blended together in a blender, which gives it a smooth and creamy texture. Additional ingredients such as syrups and whipped cream can also be added to customize the flavor.

Does a Starbucks caramel Frappuccino have coffee in it? ›

There is in coffee based Frappuccinos. The Frappuccinos that typically come with coffee are the Coffee Frappuccino, Espresso Frappuccino, Caramel, Mocha, White Mocha, and Java Chip Frappuccinos. The creme based Frappuccinos do not contain any coffee.

What is the difference between a frappe and a Frappuccino? ›

A frappuccino is different from a frappé in that it either uses strong brewed coffee rather than instant or it doesn't include any at all, as is the case with the Starbucks' Creme Frappuccino line. While the two blended frozen coffee drinks — the frappé and frappuccino — sound similar, they can be quite different.

What is the best Starbuck drink? ›

  • Strawberry Açaí Lemonade Refresher. Starbucks. ...
  • Honey Citrus Mint Tea. Starbucks. ...
  • Java Chip Frappuccino. Starbucks. ...
  • Dragon Drink Refresher. Starbucks. ...
  • Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha. Starbucks. ...
  • Chai Tea Latte. Starbucks. ...
  • Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade. Starbucks. ...
  • Oleato Caffé Latte. Starbucks.
Mar 23, 2024

What is in the Cupid Frappuccino? ›

Cupid Frappuccino® Strawberry and Mint*: This decadent new beverage is a delightful fusion of white chocolate mocha, strawberries, milk, and peppermint — a true sensory indulgence to celebrate the season.

Do Starbucks frappuccinos have real coffee? ›

The Starbucks Frappuccino is a line of iced, blended coffee drinks usually topped with whipped cream and flavored syrup. Basically, it's a coffee milkshake (but not all of them contain coffee).

What is an affogato shot? ›

All you need for affogato is a shot of hot espresso (coffee), ice cream or gelato and optional half a shot of liquor (Frangelico, amaretto, rum). A little more information on each of these below! Espresso – This is a small concentrated shot of hot coffee. The standard size for a shot of espresso is 30 ml (1 ounce).

What does a caramel frap taste like? ›

Caramel syrup - The caramel syrup used in the Caramel Frappuccino adds a sweet, buttery flavour to the drink. It's made from a blend of sugar, water, and natural flavours. Milk - Milk is a crucial ingredient in the Frappuccino and contributes to the creamy, smooth texture of the drink.

What does double blended mean at Starbucks? ›

The blenders at Starbucks have buttons that are set to specific times based on the drink being made (smoothie or frappuccino). When you get something “double blended” it means they blend it a second time, meaning the beverage will be smoother and more viscous, and easier to consume.

Does a caramel Frappuccino from Starbucks have coffee in it? ›

A bottle of Caramel Frappuccio® drink is kind of like that – only you can pop the cap on this mix of rich arabica coffee and luscious golden caramel whenever you want. Don't forget to shake before drink it.

Does a Starbucks caramel Frappuccino have caffeine in it? ›

Coffee Frappuccinos: These are made with coffee and therefore contain caffeine. This category includes the regular Coffee Frappuccino, Caramel Frappuccino, Mocha Frappuccino, and many others that are coffee-based. 2. Creme Frappuccinos: These are typically non-coffee-based and don't have caffeine.

Do caramel frappes have coffee in them? ›

McDonald's Caramel Frappé recipe is made with rich caramel flavor and a hint of coffee, blended with ice, and topped with whipped topping and caramel drizzle. Available in Small, Medium, and Large. There are 420 calories in a small Caramel Frappé. Order a Caramel Frappé using Mobile Order & Pay!

Is there a lot of caffeine in a caramel Frappuccino? ›

But the amount of caffeine in any one Frappuccino might be wildly different than what you might assume. A Caramel Frappuccino has more caffeine than a Coffee Frappuccino. (Both drinks still have less caffeine than a regular cup of coffee, though. In fact, no Frappuccinios have more caffeine than a cup of coffee.)

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