What is the difference between Frappe and Frappuccino?

The difference between a frappe and a frappuccino is that a traditional frappuccino is made with espresso or a strong brewed coffee, whereas a frappe is made with instant coffee. The Frappuccino was invented by George Howell, who named it by combining “frozen” and “cappuccino,” and then sold to Starbucks (5). The Greek Frappe is a traditional shaken drink popular in Greece and around the Mediterranean (6).

Do all Frappuccinos have coffee in them?

No, not all frappuccinos have coffee in them. Starbucks offers frappuccinos that are either coffee-based or crème-based. The Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino, Mocha Frappuccino, and Java Chip Frappuccino have coffee, but the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino, Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino, and the Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino do not. Starbucks puppuccino aka pup cup, a 'frappuccino' drink Starbucks makes for dogs, also does not contain coffee as it is harmful for them.

Do Frappuccinos have caffeine?

Frappuccinos have caffeine if they are coffee-based and sometimes if they are crème-based. Crème-based frappuccinos do not have coffee, but caffeine can still be found in the chocolate or tea ingredients used in these drinks. Starbucks makes coffee-based frappuccinos that vary in caffeine content from 85 mg to 155 mg, depending on the size of the drink before any additional espresso shots. You can get a crème-based frappuccino without caffeine; however it depends on the type ordered. (7)

How do you make a Frappuccino thicker?

You make a frappuccino thicker using Xanthan gum powder, a common food additive (8). More ice also thickens the consistency of the drink, but ensure not to overuse it, or your homemade frappuccino will become too watery, and the coffee will separate from the crushed ice. You can also experiment with using a heavier type of milk like whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, or whipped cream

Are Frappuccinos healthy?

Frappuccinos at their most basic can be healthy, but the dessert versions are best consumed in moderation. They are high in sugar, calories, and fat, so this is more of an occasional treat than a daily must-have. For a healthier version, skip the whipped cream topping, chocolate chips, flavored syrups, and added sugar. Use less sugar or sugar-free syrups, and look for low-fat, fat-free, or skim milk options. Or try a milk alternative like coconut, oat, soy, or almond milk.

Homemade Frappuccino Recipe: Make A Frappuccino In Minutes!

Name: How to Make a Frappuccino (Recipe You Can DIY at Home!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups of ice; 2 shots of espresso (or 1 cup of really strong coffee); 1 cup of milk; 2 tbsps of sweetener; Whipped cream (optional); Chocolate syrup (optional – other flavors are also encouraged!)

The perfect frappuccino is a delicious cold coffee treat – and simple enough for any home cook!

Did you know that the original frappuccino got its name from the combination of “frozen” and “cappuccino”? While we tend to associate modern Starbucks style frapps today with incredible decadence, I still love the basic frozen cappuccino concept.

My easy frappuccino recipe keeps the coffee flavor at the forefront. It’s a refreshing drink for a hot day, not a dessert masquerading as a beverage.

I would say this copycat recipe tastes just like Starbucks, but I think it’s even better!

How Do You Make A Frappuccino At Home?

This recipe is for the simplest Starbucks frappuccino variation – the espresso frappuccino – with a few easy options for mocha, caramel, and vanilla variations at the end.
If you’re looking for a treat that’s closer to a dessert, check out my other recipes for the Java Chip Frappuccino, Mocha Chip Frappuccino, or the wild and whacky Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino (1).

Frappuccino Ingredients

2 cups of ice
2 shots of espresso
1 cup of whole milk
2 tbsps of simple syrup
Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
Chocolate syrup (optional, for topping)

AT A GLANCE

BREW TIME

10 minutes

YIELD

One drink (12 ounces)

Choosing The Milk For Your Frappuccino

I like to use whole milk when making a frappuccino because it provides a wonderful creamy texture. However, if you’re looking to reduce fat and calories, you can swap in a lower-fat alternative; it will just be a little icier.

You can use non-dairy milk to make a vegan version of this frappuccino. Almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk are all excellent options.

Some recipes call for sweetened condensed milk, but I prefer keeping the milk and sweetener separate so that I have more control over the flavor and texture balance.

Choosing The Sweetener For Your Frappuccino

I always recommend using a liquid sweetener for iced coffee recipes because granulated sugar doesn’t dissolve well in cold water. Simple syrup has the most neutral flavor, but you can also use maple syrup or honey.

To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer gently for 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves the the liquid thickens slightly.

Step-By-Step Copycat Frappuccino Recipe

A simple espresso frappuccino is one of the easiest coffee drinks you can make at home, requiring just a blender and a few minutes. Here’s how to do it – with a few pro tips along the way.

Step 1: Make Espresso (Or Strong Coffee)

Use an espresso maker to pull a double shot of espresso (2 or 3 ounces). If you don’t have an espresso machine, substitute the same amount of extra strong coffee brewed with a French press, Aeropress, Moka pot, or even instant coffee. Or use the same volume of cold brew concentrate.

Set the espresso or coffee aside to cool for a few minutes.

Pro tip: You can use your favorite coffee when making frappuccinos, but I generally favor a medium or dark roast Arabica bean with a chocolatey flavor profile. Use Starbucks Signature Espresso Blend if you want to mimic the chain’s original.

Step 2: Put Everything In The Blender

Add the ice, cooled coffee or espresso, simple syrup, and milk to the blender. Blend in short bursts to avoid generating too much heat and melting the ice. You’re aiming for a texture that’s smooth and creamy.

If you don’t have a very powerful blender, consider starting with crushed rather than cubed ice.

Pro tip: Use leftover coffee to make coffee ice cubes, and use these in place of regular ice for a frappuccino with a stronger coffee taste. Depending on your caffeine tolerance, you may want to consider doing this with decaf coffee.

Step 3: Serve, Garnish, And Enjoy!

Pour your blended frappuccino into a tall glass. Top it with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce for the classic presentation. Or get creative with any toppings of your choice. I like to add something with a little texture, like chocolate chips or crumbled cookies.

Pro tip: As with every iced coffee beverage – or frosty beer, for that matter – a chilled glass straight from the freezer makes for the best experience.

Delicious Frappuccino Variations

Make a mocha frappuccino by swapping the simple syrup for chocolate syrup and adding 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder.
Make a caramel frappuccino by using caramel syrup in place of simple syrup. Top with whip cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Make it a vanilla frappuccino by using vanilla syrup and adding a few drops of vanilla extract to your whipped cream topping.

Final Thoughts

Homemade frappuccinos are among the most delicious and straightforward cafe recipes to replicate. All you need for this frozen coffee concoction is ice, coffee, milk, and sweetener. And with this basic recipe in hand, it’s easy to get creative to suit your taste. Explore different toppings, syrups, and mix-ins to create your perfect treat!

FAQs

The difference between a coffee frappe and a frappuccino is that a frappuccino is made with espresso or strong brewed coffee, whereas a frappé is traditionally made with instant coffee. Additionally, the frappuccino is a blended coffee drink, while the frappe is shaken (2).

No, not all frappuccinos have coffee in them. Starbucks makes frappuccinos that are either coffee-based or crème-based, and the creme options – for example, Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino or Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino – don’t have coffee. Of course, the famous Starbucks Puppuccino (aka pup cup) for dogs is also coffee-free.

Coffee shops often thicken icy drinks like the frappuccino using Xanthan gum, a common food additive (3). This is also possible when you make it at home, or you can keep things simple by adding a bit more ice or replacing some of the milk with heavy cream.

References

Hopper, N. (2017, April 25). Why the Unicorn Frappuccino Is the Drink America Deserves. Retrieved from https://time.com/4754989/starbucks-unicorn-frappuccino-trend/
Grant, T. (2020, February 25). An Exploration of Greek Frappés. Retrieved from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2020/02/an-exploration-of-greek-frappes/
Metcalf, E, Wiginton, K. (2024, August 21). Xanthan Gum. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/xanthan-gum-uses-and-risks

Homemade Frappuccino Recipe: Make A Frappuccino In Minutes!