Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino (Ingredients, taste, variations, sizes, Copycat recipe, caffeine, calories & more information)
If you love your coffee with a rich, sweet caramel taste, you will love the Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino. This beverage is beautifully delicious and topped with whipped cream to give it a smooth, creamy finish.
I have never tasted a delicious drink with a rich and intense caramel flavor like the caramel ribbon crunch offered at Starbucks. I came across this drink a year after it was launched at the coffee house. That summer, I was craving a cold drink with a caramel flavor, and my friend suggested we try out the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino as she had tasted it before.
I loved this drink and learned how to make it at home. Luckily, this drink is no longer a seasonal item at Starbucks as it was added to the coffee chain’s permanent menu. Read on to learn more about the Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino, and even get a recipe to make it at home.
Table of Contents
A brief history of the drink
You will not appreciate the all-year-round availability of the Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino if you do not know a bit of its history. When this caramel-flavored coffee was launched at the coffee chain in 2013, it came as a seasonal item and was only available during the summer.
Despite being seasonal, this drink developed a cult following and was a favorite for many during summer. In 2019, this decadent summer Frappuccino officially joined the Starbucks permanent menu and is now available all year round. The history of the dark caramel sauce used to give this beverage a rich caramel flavor can be traced back to 1984, when its first handcrafted version was made.
Is Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino still available at Starbucks?
Yes, the Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino is still available at Starbucks. This drink is available at the coffee house all year round, as it left the seasonal menu in 2019. To order this drink, just tell your barista to make you a caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino and how you’d want it prepared. All Starbucks baristas know how to prepare the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino since it is a regular menu item.
Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino (ingredients, taste, variations, sizes, caffeine, calories)
What’s in a Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino (ingredients)
According to Starbucks’ official website, the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino is made of coffee Frappuccino syrup, whipped cream, dark caramel sauce, caramel sauce, coffee, caramel sugar topping, milk, and ice. In short, this drink is just coffee flavored with caramel and served iced.
- Ice – wondering if ice is an ingredient? Yes, it is! This drink could not have its cool and refreshing features without ice. Ice makes this drink a suitable pick-me-up beverage on a hot afternoon.
- Milk – Starbucks uses whole milk to prepare its caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino. The whole milk perfectly blends with the other ingredients giving the caramel ribbon crunch a slightly creamy texture.
- Coffee Frappuccino syrup – Starbucks uses sweetened coffee Frappuccino syrup in all its coffee-based Frappuccino to give them their identity as well as enhance the unique taste of Frappuccino.
- Coffee – if you have ever tasted the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino and wondered where the subtle hints of coffee come from, then here you have it. Starbucks adds coffee to the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino hence the caffeine content in the drink.
- Dark caramel sauce – the dark caramel sauce added to the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino gives it a rich caramel flavor.
- Caramel sauce – just like the dark caramel sauce, this sauce enhances the Frappuccino’s caramel flavor and adds sweetness to it.
- Caramel sugar topping – the caramel sugar toppings enhance this beverage’s sweet, caramel flavor.
- Whipped cream – Starbucks uses whipped cream to garnish this drink; hence the smooth, creamy finish you taste when having the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino.
Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino (sizes, nutrition, caffeine & calories)
What sizes are available?
Starbucks offers the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino in three sizes; a tall, grande, and a venti. A tall serving holds 12 ounces of fluid, a grande holds 16 ounces, and a venti holds 24 ounces. The calorie content and general nutritional information of this caramel-flavored Frappuccino will vary depending on the size of the drink. For example, a tall serving of the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino has 330 calories, a grande has 40 calories, and a venti serving has 570 calories.
Nutritional facts
This drink is quite unhealthy due to its high calorie and cholesterol content. Just a 12-ounce serving of the Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino has 330 calories and 50 mg of cholesterol. The figures are even worse for the 24-ounce serving, as it has 570 calories and 75 mg of cholesterol. Therefore, if you are on a weight loss journey or a low-calorie diet, consider avoiding this drink or customizing it to reduce its calorie content when ordering.
Calories | 470 |
Nutritional Value (grande serving) | Daily Value |
Total fat 22 grams
Saturated fat 14 grams | 28%
70% |
Total carbs 65 grams
Sugars 60 grams | 24% |
Sodium 280 mg | 12% |
Cholesterol 65 mg | 22% |
Protein 5 grams |
Caffeine information
A Grande serving of the Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino has a caffeine content of 115mg. This caffeine is from the coffee added to this drink. You can increase the caffeine content in your caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino by requesting your barista to add espresso shots to it while preparing it.
So, what does Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino taste like?
Caramel! The taste profile of the Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino is simply caramel with subtle hints of coffee. This beverage has a deep, caramel taste, unlike other caramel drinks offered at the coffee house. It uses both the dark caramel sauce and the caramel sauce to enhance its caramel flavor and give it an identity almost similar to ribbon crunch. The caramel sauces blend perfectly with the coffee and the coffee Frappuccino syrup making this drink delicious and sweet, with hints of coffee.
Ways to customize a Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino at Starbucks – Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino variations
You can customize your caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino in several ways, depending on what you are looking for. If you want to make this drink healthier, start by ditching the whipped cream, as this significantly reduces the calorie and fat content of this beverage. Additionally, substitute whole milk with non-fat milk or any plant-based milk to reduce the calorie content of this beverage even further.
However, if you want more caffeine from the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino, have it ‘dirty’ by adding espresso shots to your drink. To enhance the caramel flavor of this drink even further, ask your barista to line the cup with caramel sauce. You can also line your cup with mocha sauce if you want to twist the flavor of this drink just a little bit.
You can also sweeten this drink more by adding the sweeteners of your choice to your drink. Lastly, you can customize this drink by asking your barista to prepare it differently, either by blending all ingredients or by asking him to change the arrangement of the ingredients while serving it.
How to make Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino at home – Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino Copycat recipe
Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino Copycat recipe
Equipment
- Coffee maker
- Blender
- Glass
Ingredients
- Brewed coffee
- Milk
- Caramel sauce
- Dark caramel sauce
- Whipped cream
- Coffee
- Frappuccino
- Caramel sugar
- Ice
Instructions
- To make this drink, Prepare your coffee using a coffee maker.
- After your coffee is ready, put coffee, milk, and ice into a blender.
- Blend all the ingredients until they mix perfectly well and the ice breaks completely.
- Add the dark caramel sauce, coffee Frappuccino syrup, and the caramel sauce to the blender and blend till the mixture becomes creamy.
- Pour your drink into a glass, and garnish it with whipped cream and caramel sugar toppings.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- To get a drink with a strong flavor, use fresh ice. I have tried both fresh ice and ice that has lasted in the fridge for a long, and I noticed a big difference in flavor.
- You are not restricted on the milk choice when making this drink. If you are a vegan, you can use any plant-based milk.
- You can ditch whipped cream to make this drink healthier and reduce the calorie count.
- You can prepare the syrups mentioned above at home or easily buy them at a grocery or online store.
Informative Section
How do you order a caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino?
Ordering a caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino is relatively straightforward since this item is on Starbucks’ regular menu. When ordering it online, simply search for blended beverages, search further for the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino, and tap on it. Customize your drink, choose the delivery location, and place your order. To order this drink physically, simply mention its name to the barista, and your drink will be prepared and served to you.
Is the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino good?
Yes. If you want to try the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino offered at Starbucks, then you have it. This drink is delicious; it is meant for coffee lovers who love their beverage with a rich caramel taste.
How much is caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino?
The Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino price ranges from $5.15 to $5.75, depending on the Starbucks location store. Expect this price to change depending on the size of the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino you will order and how you customize it.
Is caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino seasonal?
No, the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino is no longer seasonal, as it joined Starbucks’ permanent menu in 2019. This drink was introduced at Starbucks as a seasonal item in 2013 and was only available during summer, starting from April 30th till the end of summer, before joining the permanent menu.
When did caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino come out?
Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino was introduced at the coffee house on April 30th, 2013, as a summer drink. This drink shifted to Starbucks’ permanent menu in 2019 alongside the mocha cookie crumble Frappuccino.
Is the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino cold?
Yes, Starbucks offers the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino in its iced version. However, if you want it warm, you can ask your barista not to add ice to your Frappuccino.
Is Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino healthy?
No, this drink is quite unhealthy due to the high number of calories and carbs present in it. Just a Grande serving of this drink which holds 16 ounces of liquid, has a whopping 470 calories, 65 grams of total carbs, and 65 mg of cholesterol. The calories are even worse in a venti serving as it has 570 calories and 84 grams of total carbs.