What is a Frappuccino? Good Tips in 2022
A Frappuccino is a blended coffee drink that comes in flavors such as vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut. It can be served hot or cold. The word “Frappuccino” was first used by Starbucks to refer to the blended drinks they serve. It has since become one of the most popular coffee products in North America and has been replicated by other companies.
The following blog post will explore What is a Frappuccino and what makes a Frappuccino so delicious!
What is a Frappuccino? Please see the answer below:
A Frappuccino is NOT an actual beverage. It’s not even an original drink Starbucks invented. Frappuccino is a trademarked brand of Starbucks Corporation, a coffeehouse company and chain based in Seattle, USA.
Frappuccino is made of ice, milk and up to three syrups/toppings: Caramel, Vanilla and Mocha (Dark Chocolate). It has been one of the most popular drinks at Starbucks since its introduction in 1995. There are many other flavors of Frappuccino, depending on the country they are served.
The popularity of this drink can be assessed from the number of times it has been mentioned in popular culture and media. The word “Frappuccino”, a portmanteau, combines the words “frappe” and “cappuccino”. When Starbucks opened its first store outside North America in Tokyo, Japan, the Frappuccino became more popular than a cappuccino.
Iced coffee beverage with blended milk and ice. Iced coffee beverage with blended milk, Frappuccino Roast Coffee, and ice. Blended iced espresso drink with whipped cream, chocolate sauce (basically an overpriced latte). Frappuccino Roast is Starbucks’ own blend of Colombian, Brazilian, Guatemalan, Sumatran and Ethiopian beans.
It’s a medium roast similar to most other supermarket coffees you’ll find in grocery stores. Here is the pictures of real drink of Frappuccino.
Is above information answer for the question “What is a Frappuccino?”
So, what you need to know is that the Pumpkin Spice Latte (or any Frappuccino) isn’t an actual drink. It doesn’t have a special name either. Anything with “Frappuccino” in its name is simply another blended iced coffee beverage like their Salted Caramel Mocha, Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha or Cascara Cold Brew. They’re ALL Frappuccinos!
As for whether the PSL is a latte? Yes and no. Technically it’s not really a latte because frappe means to quickly mix while latte comes from the French word lait which means milk. You’d say “frappé” when ordering one of these drinks in France. However, most North American coffee shops have been referring to this cold beverage as a latte for the past several years (since it’s “Frappuccino” after all). So, your baristas are correct and here’s why.
When Starbucks first started selling its blended iced coffees about 15 years ago, they were using whipped cream topped with chocolate sauce as their signature topping… just like the PSL has today. That was then but what about when the PSL was released? If you take a look at their website again, you’ll find that there isn’t an official definition of what constitutes a Frappuccino. We’re told instead:
What is a Frappuccino? A Frappuccino is any combination of ice and milk we can dream up.
It’s probably because of this lack of a definition that they’ve been able to create such a wide variety of drinks and call them Frappuccino. I mean, everybody knows what they’re getting when ordering an iced coffee beverage from Starbucks but there are so many different variations in the Frappuccino category alone that it could get confusing!
This can be seen as another marketing tactic on Starbucks’ part by cleverly creating more drink choices for customers. Otherwise, why would you order a drink called “Pumpkin Spice Latte”? You’d have no idea what to expect without first looking at the menu board or reading the description online. If people don’t know what they’re ordering (or paying for) then they’re more likely to return and buy more drinks!
Here’s why it’s called an “iced pumpkin spice latte” or PSL: Starbucks doesn’t make the drink from scratch. It uses a Frappuccino base (made from ice, milk and Frappuccino Roast) that is flavored with their own Pumpkin Spice syrup as well as other secret ingredients.
If you want to create your own iced beverage at home, simply order an iced coffee beverage in tall, grande or venti sizes (they all automatically come blended). Then ask for pumpkin spice syrup if available. Alternatively, you can just use original syrup instead but I don’t recommend this because the resulting tastes will be too sweet and too strong.
If you’re curious what’s in it, you can check out the nutrition facts. The important things to note are that there’s 44g of sugar (about 15 teaspoons) in a tall. If you order grande or venti sizes… well… just be prepared for an epic guilt trip afterward!
Now that we’ve covered the basics on this drink, let’s take a closer look at pumpkin spice syrups. You see them all over Starbucks stores year-round but they’re also used as flavoring in several other drinks such as the Gingerbread Latte (which I don’t recommend). For this post however, they’ll only be discussed as part of the PSL because it’s their most popular product.
Even if you don’t like the PSL, you should know that Starbucks’ pumpkin spice syrups are not made from actual pumpkin. They’re made by flavorists who mix other ingredients together to create a drink with flavors reminiscent of pumpkin pie. This is why you see them using things like natural flavorings, spices such as cinnamon and cloves as well as brown sugar and vanilla extract (in fact, there’s no real pumpkin in these syrups at all!).
In their own words , “They blend pure cane sugar with some darker notes from caramelized sugar and molasses for color”. Syrups can also be enhanced with ingredients such as ginger root which adds flavor but also helps reduce stomach inflammation and acidity.
If you want to make your own pumpkin spice syrup at home, you can do so by mixing together 1 cup of water, 1 cup of granulated sugar and 2 tbsp of vanilla extract . Heat the contents in a pot over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Then let it simmer for 5-10 minutes (or until all the water has evaporated) and remove from heat.
You’ll know it’s done when the liquid is clear and no longer cloudy. Allow the mixture to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. This homemade version won’t be as smooth or fragrant as what Starbucks sells but it will give you an idea of how they’re made!
I’ve also seen people use this recipe too but I’m not sure if it’s the same: 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree, 5 tbsp of brown sugar and 2 tsp of vanilla extract. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth.
Finally, there are other fall-themed Starbucks beverages that also use pumpkin spice syrups! The Caramel Frappuccino uses “pumpkin spice syrup” while the Pumpkin Spice Latte is made with their regular “pumpkin spice syrup”.
Both drinks have the same nutrition facts so if you want an actual PSL, then order tall size (they’re smaller than grande ones). This way you’ll get half the amount of pumpkin spice syrup too!
How to make a Frappuccino? The Frappuccino is the Starbucks’ version of a blended coffee drink. These are made by blending ice with milk and syrup (optional) to create flavorful drinks that can be either sweet or unsweetened depending on your preference.
To make your own, all you really need is some ice, milk (whole or skim), syrup and a blender. The best part is that you don’t even need Starbucks syrups: if you know how to make Frappuccinos then feel free to experiment with ingredients of your liking! Here’s what I do for Pumpkin Spice Frappuccinos though:
I start out with 1 cup of whole milk in my blender followed by 3-4 cups of ice cubes (depending on how thick I want it). Now a standard-sized shot glass (1 oz.) is about half a cup so if you use that as a guide, then each cup of ice should be blended with 1/2 – 3/4 tsp of pumpkin spice syrup . Generally speaking though, my recipe is:
Spices + Milk + Ice = Yummy This drink seems to have become so popular in recent years that Starbucks even has recipes for taking your PSLs home!
The instructions include measuring out the ingredients such as spices and syrups into individual Ziploc bags. Baristas advise you to place these ingredients into the refrigerator until cold before placing them in your beverages. So why not give it a try this fall?
But now, on with the final part of this blog post! This is where I compare Starbucks’ nutrition facts for their Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Pumpkin Spiced Drinks (Frappuccinos). For reference, I’m using tall sizes which are smaller than grande ones. What do you think? Which one has lower calories and sugar content? And what about fats?
This first table shows how many calories each drink has per serving as well as how much sugar they contain. While this table below gives us information for the amount of fats and sodium it has per serving.
There are some interesting takeaways here, especially for the Pumpkin Spice Lattes! One is that a tall sized PSL contains less calories than a small one does. The reason behind this might be because tall PSLs have half the pumpkin spice syrup content. As we’ve seen earlier, pumpkin spice syrup adds 4g of fat to your drink which means you’re adding more fats when you get a taller drink!
I also did not expect pumpkin spice lattes to have lower amount of sugars too! That’s because Starbucks also uses other syrups in their drinks such as “caramel whipped topping” and “pumpkin spice syrup” for this one which end up having more sugar content compared to the other two drinks!
Here are the nutrition facts for what I assume is their standard pumpkin spice syrup that’s used in most of their fall-themed beverages. This includes: Tall Pumpkin Spice Latte Grande Caramel Frappuccino (w/o whipped cream) Venti Salted Caramel Mocha with Whole Milk Let me know in the comments if you spot any mistakes or if you find out more interesting information about these drinks!
What is the difference between Latte and Frappuccino? Frappuccinos are a special kind of blended non-espresso drink that you can get at Starbucks. They’re made using the Frappuccino Blender , which is basically just an ice blender/ice dispenser machine with some additional features such as its own holding tank and a hopper for holding extra ingredients (perhaps to ensure optimal blending?).
You can order your own Frappuccino Blender on Amazon if you want one, although it’ll never be able to match the quality of those served in Starbucks! How do I make my beverage have that signature “fluffy” pattern? Ideally, what you need is something called: whipped cream powder . This powders mixes with cold milk or water to form airy whipped cream with good consistency and texture.
By adding this powder to your drink before you even start blending, you’ll end up with a nice pattern on top of your beverage! Can I make these at home? The short answer is: Yes , but it will require some preparation beforehand . The longer answer is in my DIY Frappuccino series which consists of the following installments: How to Make Pumpkin Spice Syrup How to Use Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Syrup for making DIY drinks
Do Frappuccinos have milk in them if they’re labeled as dairy-free? This was something that one reader asked me, so I went back to get answers from the baristas at my local Starbucks branch. Here’s what I’ve learned based on their responses and our conversations: Most of their dairy-free drinks are still made using milk powder, which makes it a non-vegan choice.
However, some Frappuccinos do contain additional extra ingredients like chia seeds or agave syrup that may be derived from plant sources but were also manufactured in facilities where non-vegan products are handled and produced. Do I need to be concerned about this? It’s totally up to you whether you want to take the risk and consume them or not!
What is the difference between Frappe and Frappuccino? There is really no difference apart from the spelling, and people are free to choose whichever one they prefer. If you want to be absolutely sure that your drink will come with a “u”, then make sure that you ask for a Frappuccino . Otherwise, it’ll be labelled as a Latte or Coffee in most cases.
How many kind of Frappuccino? (What is a Frappuccino mixed with?)
There are a lot of Frappuccino as below:
- Coffee Frappuccino
- Espresso Frappuccino
- Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino
- Caramel Frappuccino
- Chai Crème Frappuccino
- Double Chocolaty Chip Crème Frappuccino
- Java Chip Frappuccino
- Matcha Green Tea Crème Frappuccino
- Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
- Mocha Frappuccino
- S’mores Frappuccino
- Strawberry Frappuccino
- White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino
Do all Frappuccino have coffee in them?
No, not all Frappuccino have coffee in them. The original Chocolate Chip Cookie dough balls and mocha varieties do not contain coffee. Coffee is only present in espresso blended drinks such as: Caramel Latte, Caffe Mocha, Iced Mocha, White Chocolate Mocha. Espresso-only drinks will be labeled accordingly: Caffe Americano or Caffe Misto (Cafe au Lait). All Doubleshot on Ice are also espresso blends with added flavorings.
What’s the deal with caramel? Is it vegan? High Fructose Corn Syrup free/vegan friendly? Does it have dairy in it?
Technically yes, everything that goes into chocolate chip cookie dough is vegan, however as mentioned above the main ingredients are of concern.
Caramel Frappuccino:
Originally made without caramel syrup according to ABC (Associated Baristas of Canada). Caramel syrup was later added in 2001 because some stores were making them with out it and not following menu lables/standard recipes. There have been notes from baristas that indicate that there is a risk of cross-contamination via the creamer if the pump head creamer is used for any dairy containing beverages.
Since October 2005 Starbucks has been choosing to take out one ingredient at a time – this includes all additives including caramel flavoring which has been confirmed by Kevin Johnson in an email dated September 8th, 2006 “Yes we have removed all potential risk of cross contamination by taking caramel out of the Frappuccino recipe”
High Fructose Corn Syrup in drinks:
Another controversial topic. Starbucks Canada has been able to confirm that all syrups used do not contain high fructose corn syrup. They are made with pure cane sugar and natural flavors/colors. The only exception is for cases where a client requires HFCS, in which case we work with them to provide their own private label syrup bottle (1 bottle per order).
The US website says that they do use it but have indicated that they are willing to accommodate customers who are concerned about this if requested . It has been confirmed that any store can use the syrups from either a dairy or non-dairy line with no risk of cross contamination.
Caramel:
NO high fructose corn syrup – it is made from plain old sugar and nothing else. However, there are some reports out there that indicate that caramel may not be vegan (most likely due to an additive for coloring). The caramel recipe used in Starbucks appears to be one that is animal product free but you should double check your local market before purchasing.
You can also try calling Caramel Source to verify the ingredients if you are concerned – 1-800-775-7531 x1507 as of March 29/05. As of September 8th, 2006 Kevin Johnson has confirmed that caramel is vegan. (HFCS still not confirmed though).
Carmel Frappuccino ingredients:
Simple syrup, water, 2% milk, coffee. Double shot or whole milk may be used instead of the 2% as well as soy and hemp milks – any type of flavored creamer also works in this drink to give it other flavor options! There are some stores that have started using “Starbucks classic frap” on their menu board which now indicates a full-fat version (this is only available for Creme Fraps).
At this time I do not know what the recipe change entails but some stores advertise lactose free products too which may be due to a possible increase in the dairy content.
Common question when make a Frappuccino?
1. Is the syrup vegan?
This is really a question for the flavoring companies. (The standard Frappuccino line is made with non-dairy syrups). Starbucks uses Torani syrups to flavor their drinks and they are all vegan friendly even the imitation flavors.
2. If I want to have a “skinny” one, can I substitute soy milk or fat free half & half in place of 2% milk?
Yes! As long as you specify that it’s for a skinny Frappuccino then they will be happy to make it using your requested substitutes. Fat Free Half & Half is also available in Canada at many locations but you may have to ask for it by name. (2% milk only available in US stores).
3. Can I substitute a non-coffee based Frappuccino for another flavor?
Yes! Just specify that you want a vanilla flavored one or any other of the “syrup” based flavors. If they do not know what you mean then simply tell them to make it like the caramel Frappuccino but with vanilla syrup instead.
They might still use coffee if your request is unclear so always make sure to say what you don’t want (ie “no coffee”). Also, remind yourself that the Frappuccinos are just an alternative ingredient for coffee drinks and hence no matter which one you order, they will all be made with double shots of espresso.
4. Can I substitute soy creamer for a dairy one?
Yes! The only time you really need to worry about the creamy layer is if you are ordering a “non-fat” Frappuccino (ie “a skinny frap”) which will then require 1% milk or non-dairy creamer. In this case, ask specifically for your favorite flavor and they should be able to make it just fine without any problem.
If they don’t know what you mean by “no cream” then tell them that you would like it as an alternative ingredient drink. You can also request to have the whipped cream on top substituted with mocha powder (also available in Canada).
5. What if I want to substitute soy or non-dairy creamer for the 2% milk?
No problem! Simply tell your barista that you are ordering a “non-fat” Frappuccino and they will know what to do. If you don’t mind specifying then say something along the lines of this: “I’d like a vanilla flavor, no coffee (skim) and can I have some 1% milk in place of regular 2%?”
This should make picking out the right cup size easy because it’s easier to see what is going into your drink from across the counter. As mentioned before, many stores now have lactose free products listed on their menu board so if you know you’re lactose intolerant then be sure to ask for those.
6. What are my creamer options?
If you want to avoid soy then please consider trying out rice or almond milks. These often taste very close to their dairy counterparts and can offer a great alternative in your diet. The downside is that they will cost you twice as much and while cost may not be an issue, availability might be.
For example, you can use almond milk if it’s available at the store but if it’s not then going with soy could save you from making two separate trips to get all of the ingredients! (If this doesn’t apply to you then please feel free lots of people have allergies or some other reason why they do not eat/drink soy).
The only time you really need to worry about the creamy layer is if you are ordering a “non-fat” Frappuccino (ie “a skinny frap”) which will then require 1% milk or non-dairy creamer. In this case, ask specifically for your favorite flavor and they should be able to make it just fine without any problem.
If they don’t know what you mean by “no cream” then tell them that you would like it as an alternative ingredient drink. You can also request to have the whipped cream on top substituted with mocha powder (also available in Canada).
7. What if I want my regular size made with low fat or skim milk?
Don’t worry! If you want to keep your Frappuccino regular but with low-fat/skim milk then just say something along the lines of this: “I’d like a regular (venti) size in flavor and can I have some skim milk instead?” This should make picking out the right cup size easy because it’s easier to see what is going into your drink from across the counter.
8. Can I add extra shots of espresso?
If you feel that one shot does not do it for you or if you’re an avid coffee drinker then ask about adding more, here’s how: When ordering a double shot Frappuccino at the drive-thru, ask for another pump. The same goes for a triple shot, if you want one. If in the store, keep your receipt and you can tell them that you had two or three pumps at the drive-thru and ask if they could make it up in there as well.
There is usually no extra charge for this but I have heard of some places giving you trouble about it because they do not like to alter their standard recipes.
9. Can I add an espresso drizzle?
Yes! This is a very common request and one which should be easy enough to fulfill without much hassle. These are available only at stores so don’t bother asking at the drive-thru because (as far as I know) they will never put anything on top of your Frappuccino. When in the store, let them know you would like to have an espresso drizzle (or just “espresso” if they don’t have a name for it). They should then ask you what flavor or size you’d like and that’s it!
Conclusion
We hope that through reading this article, you can now know what a Frappuccino is and the process it takes to make one! While some people may not like these drinks due to the high sugar content or how sugary they are, we understand why so many people would love them. The coffee flavor mixed with ice cream is enough for anyone who likes sweet things in their beverages. If you want more information, feel free to contact us at: Chopshop614.com. Thank you for reading!
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