You can never go wrong with a chilled Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino on those hot sunny days to cool off the raging heat. Read on to see my copycat recipe for this drink; you won’t even know the difference.

I first learned about this drink with my late wife on our first date night. She had ordered the drink, and out of the spirit of adventure, I also decided to have the same and try out the experience. To my amazement, it turned out to be the best drink I have ever had yet.

Buying this drink became routine, and we always enjoyed them together. I continued with the tradition when she passed on, hoping that she watched from above and smiled. Due to how often I craved this drink, I sought to find a way to make it at home. But before I share my copycat recipe with you, a brief history of this drink would also do you good.

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A brief history of the drink

Judging from how much this drink intrigued me, I needed to know more about it. Being the curious cat I am, I started on a mission to unravel the mystery behind this drink.

This drink was inspired by the sakura frappuccino that is only available in Japan at Starbucks. Since cherry blossoms do not grow in North America, the drink is made with strawberries instead of cherry blossoms. The drink was introduced in America for a limited time and was only served for 5 days. The thought behind it was to signify the Japanese sakura tradition of gathering under the cherry blossom trees with their friends and family to welcome spring. Though the drink is named after cherry blossoms, I was surprised that it had no cherries. The drink’s name symbolizes the spirit of togetherness (Japanese sakura tradition) and new beginnings.

Is the drink still available in Starbucks?

Though Starbucks only introduced the Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino on March 15, 2016, and only served it for 5 days, it has been available in Japan Starbucks since 2010. However, worry not as though this drink is not on Starbucks’ official menu; you can still enjoy it as it is on the secret menu. All you have to do is know the ingredients to make it and tell the barista. The drink is, however, available in Starbucks Japan during spring.

Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino (Ingredients, taste variations, sizes, caffeine, and calories)

What’s in a Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino (ingredients)

Now that you have a brief history of the origin of this drink, I know you are curious about what makes this drink so sweet and unique. Well, worry not, as I have just the correct answer for you! So, what exactly is in the Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino?

According to Starbucks, the ingredients used to make all Starbucks Frappuccinos are milk, ice, xanthan gum, citric acid, water, potassium sorbate, natural flavors, sugar, and salt.

However, you only need 6 essential ingredients to make Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino at home. Let’s discuss each of them;

Strawberry sauce or puree– this is the main ingredient in this drink; it is used in place of cherry blossoms. It gives the drink a rich, fruity flavor and simultaneously makes it sweet and sour.
Milk – the milk gives the drink a creamy flavor and makes its texture smooth. Starbucks mainly uses 2% of half and half in this drink.
Mocha sauce– according to Starbucks, the ingredients used to make it include cocoa, potassium sorbate, corn syrup, natural flavor, water, inverted sugar, and citric acid. However, in layman’s language, the mocha sauce is made from the White chocolate sauce, chocolate, and toasted white chocolate. It gives the drink a sweet and velvety texture.
Matcha powder-The matcha powder is used to make a drizzle sauce when combined with mocha sauce and used as a garnish on top of whipped cream topping.
Whipped cream – the cream gives the drink a thick consistency and a remarkable creamy flavor.
Ice cubes – this is the most apparent ingredient, as we can all agree that it is not a frappe if it is not cold or chilled!

Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino: sizes, nutrition, caffeine, and calories

Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino copycat recipe

What sizes are available?

When it comes to sizes, Starbucks has got you covered. From the smallest and most affordable sizes to the large sizes for sweet teeth. The drink is available in four sizes, starting from a small (8 ounces of fluid), a tall( 12 ounces of fluid), a Grande( 16 ounces of fluid), and the largest size, which is the venti containing 24 ounces of fluid. I prefer the Grande cup as I find the drink too sweet to get a venti. However, if you are a sweet tooth, you can get the venti and enjoy it as you cool off under the raging heat of summer.

Nutrition facts

Many nutritionists and dieticians have often been against Starbucks drinks, regarding them as unhealthy. However much I wish to disregard their opinion, I have to admit that the Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino isn’t exactly the healthiest drink at Starbucks. A Grande cup contains 370 calories, 51 grams of carbs, 5 grams of protein, 50 mg of cholesterol, 16 grams of fat, and 51 grams of sugar. Also, remember that the venti size contains a whopping 460 calories. This is not exactly what you would call healthy. However, you can reduce the calorie levels by skipping the whipped cream, reducing the syrup pumps, and opting for plant-based milk. However, this may alter the original taste of your drink. In a nutshell, though you may be tempted to get this drink daily, treating it as a once-in-a-while indulgence is a much healthier option.

Caffeine information

This drink has 0mg of caffeine as its ingredients do not contain caffeine. However, this drink is very energizing and gives you that morning kick to start your day with, and you won’t even need an extra espresso to add to it. You won’t even know the difference!

So, what does Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino taste like?

Starbucks cherry frappuccino has a sweet and sour taste from strawberries. It combines sweet, sour, creamy, and authentic flavors that burst in your mouth with every sip you take. It feels like giving a warm hug to spring, with its smooth and velvety texture brought about by the mocha sauce. Although the drink often confuses people who expect it to taste like cherry blossoms, as its name suggests, I have to admit that it is one of the very best frappes that Starbucks has ever made. If you have not had one yet, you are missing out!

Ways to customize a Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino at Starbucks – Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino variations

One of the reasons I love Starbucks is that they always give you a chance to customize your drink to your satisfaction. This way, the experience never gets boring. Depending on your preferences, there are many different ways to customize a Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino at Starbucks. For instance, if you are a sweet tooth, you can always add a few pumps of syrup to your drink to make it sweeter. If you are vegan, you can ask the barista to use vegan syrup and plant-based milk for your order. However, this may alter the taste of your drink.

Additionally, for the toppings, you can play around with the drizzle sauces, different types of cream, and powder toppings like matcha powder, cookie bits, sugar bits, and many more.

The drink does not have listed allergens; however, if you are vegan, tell the barista to avoid cross-contamination, as the equipment used to make drinks are the same. The chances of this happening are, however, minimal.

How to make Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino at home- Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino copycat recipe

Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino copycat recipe

Kai Jordan

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Equipment

Blender
Cups to serve
Measuring cups and spoons
Ice cube tray

Ingredients

Strawberry sauce or puree
Milk ( half and half)
Mocha sauce
Matcha powder
Ice cubes
Whipped cream
Vanilla extract ( optional)

Instructions

Put strawberry sauce, vanilla extract, milk, and ice cubes to get the frappuccino
Mix the mocha sauce and matcha power to make drizzle sauce
Drizzle the sauce made from the mocha sauce and matcha power in a cup, carefully aligning the cup with it.
Pour the frappuccino into the cup lined with a drizzle
Top with whipped cream.
Drizzle the matcha power as garnish
Enjoy!

Notes

I add vanilla extract to my recipe for a creamier taste, but it is optional.

If your drink has a thicker consistency, you can add cream to the milk.

If you are completely vegan, you can swap the milk and syrup for vegan ones though the taste is not the same.

If you want a caffeinated drink, you can add a shot of espresso to it to get that caffeine boost.

If you love your drink sweet, you can add sweeteners to it

If you want to reduce the calorie count, skip the whipped cream and opt for skim or non-fat milk instead of half and half.

If you want additional toppings or change them entirely, you can bake sugar until brown and break it into bits on top of your drink. Alternatively, you can use a cookie and break it into bits also.

A blender comes in handy in this recipe, but a handheld mixture would also do if you don’t have one.

FAQs

How do you order a Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino?

Ask the barista for a strawberry crème frappuccino, line the cup with mocha sauce drizzle and matcha powder, and top it with whipped cream and matcha.

Is the Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino good?

Yes, this drink is worth every penny spent on it. It has a sweet combination of authentic flavors that leaves you feeling like you are hugging spring in every sip.

How much is the Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino?

The Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino takes you back 5 bucks per Grande cup.

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Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino (taste, variations, sizes, copycat recipe, caffeine, calories, and more information)

A brief history of the drink

Is the drink still available in Starbucks?

Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino (Ingredients, taste variations, sizes, caffeine, and calories)

What’s in a Starbucks cherry blossom frappuccino (ingredients)