Starbucks Frappuccino (What are Starbucks Frappuccino, How Do You Order Starbucks Frappuccino+ More Information)

Do you ever wonder what is a Starbucks Frappuccino?The article below gives a detailed description of what a Starbucks Frappuccino is and how to order it.

I recall the first time I ordered a double chocolate chip Frappuccino at Starbucks. The Frappuccino was delicious, creamy, with a tongue-coating sweetness I never expected from a caffeinated drink. Made of whipped cream and vanilla-flavored syrup, the Frappuccino felt like a coffee milkshake. Just like milkshakes, a Frappuccino can be made in different variations. Did you know that Starbucks has about 36,000 Frappuccino variations?

So, what is a Starbucks Frappuccino? A Frappuccino is a cold coffee drink made from Frappuccino instant coffee roast, flavored Frappuccino base syrup, and topped off with whipped cream. The flavored syrups can vary from vanilla bean, java chocolate chips, or mocha, to caramel depending on what you like. To order a Frappuccino at Starbucks, you can ask for a Frappuccino with or without coffee, affogato style, chocolate chip Frappuccino, etc. When it comes to Starbucks Frappuccino’s, you can customize your order to suit your preferences.

If you are a Frappuccino fanatic, read on to find out more about the Starbucks Frappuccino.

How did Frappuccino start at Starbucks

The first Frappuccino at Starbucks dates back to 1993 on a hot California summer. Back in 1993, a few managers at a local Starbucks store wanted to try blended coffee drinks they had seen from other small coffee shops. They asked for permission from the Starbucks headquarters and a blender was shipped.

This started a series of research and trials which culminated in a blended creamy iced coffee drink– the Frappuccino. In 1995, Starbucks officially launched its first Frappuccino coffee drink. The first two flavors to be launched were the coffee and mocha Frappuccino made from Italian roast and served at double strength. Yes, they did not add whipped cream to these two flavors.

Over the years, Starbucks has continued to launch interesting Frappuccino drinks such as phantom Frappuccino, unicorn, vanilla bean, and strawberry Frappuccino that have become ridiculously popular among its customers.

What is a Frappuccino made of?

A Starbucks Frappuccino is made of instant coffee blended with ice, 2% whole milk, and a Frappuccino base. The instant coffee is made of Italian roast and espresso mixed with water. Because the Starbucks Frappuccino is a sweet drink due to the additional syrups, the instant coffee roast is supposed to be very bitter.

A Frappuccino without the Frappuccino base does not have the smooth texture of a Frappuccino. You need to use a Frappuccino base made from water, sugar, and xanthan gum to give your drink the smooth Frappuccino base we all love. Ice and 2% whole milk are also an integral part of making a creamy and cold Frappuccino drink.

How many calories is a Starbucks Frappuccino?

If you are looking to shed the extra kilos, a classic Starbucks Frappuccino is not the drink for you. Why? Because the Starbucks Frappuccino contains a whopping 300 calories in a Grande. Consuming this drink will derail your weight loss plans.

Luckily, you do not have to give up your favorite drink. Why? You can order a low-calorie Frappuccino from Starbucks by skipping the whipped cream and asking for a light option.

Let’s be honest, replacing the sweet flavored syrup toppings will help to reduce the calories in a Frappuccino without compromising the flavor of your drink. You may find yourself preferring a less sweet version of the Frappuccino.

How does Starbucks make its Frappuccinos?

The mecca of caffeinated drinks– Starbucks makes their Frappuccino beverage with pre-packed instant coffee instead of hot brewed coffee. The instant coffee is then mixed with cold water to make a Frappuccino roast coffee which is usually very bitter.

To make a Frappuccino, Starbucks starts with a special ingredient– the Frappuccino syrup. The syrup is made from a mixture of sugar, water, xanthan gum, and color to create a similar syrup used in making cocktails. The Frappuccino syrup tastes a lot like maple syrup and acts as a glue that prevents the drink from separating. The Frappuccino base is combined with instant coffee, ice, and 2% whole milk and blended to make the classic Starbucks Frappuccino we all love.

You can add whipped or heavy cream to your beverage for a creamier texture.

How do you order a Frappuccino at Starbucks?

There are plenty of Frappuccino drinks on the Starbucks menu. Excitingly, the Starbucks menu has around 36,000 Frappuccino variations you can choose from. You can also customize your Frappuccino order to suit your preferences.

To order a Frappuccino, you need to ask for a blended iced coffee drink with whipped cream, flavored syrup, and simple sugar. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, below are some of my favorite Frappuccino variations you can order from.

1. Vanilla bean Frappuccino

Are you looking for a Frappuccino that tastes just like a vanilla milkshake with a creamy vanilla flavor that’s not too overwhelmingly sweet? Then you need to order a crème vanilla bean Frappuccino. To order this beverage, you can ask your barista to give you a vanilla bean Frappuccino with Frappuccino base syrup, vanilla bean powder, iced, 2% whole milk, and ice cream.

2. Strawberry Frappuccino

If a fruit and creamy drink that tastes like strawberry ice cream without caffeine are what you are looking for, then the Strawberry Frappuccino is the one for you. To order a strawberry Frappuccino, you can ask for a strawberry Frappuccino with ice, whole milk, Frappuccino base syrup, strawberry puree, and classic syrup. Even though the Strawberry Frappuccino is a bit pricey, it is worth a retreat.

3. Matcha Green tea Frappuccino

The Matcha green tea Frappuccino has a distinct earthy flavor that’s different compared to other Starbucks Frappuccinos. With this Frappuccino, you either like it or you don’t due to its bitter earthy flavors that are sure to strike your taste buds. Despite the bitter earthy flavor, there seems to be a good balance between the sweetness and the bitterness. To order this drink, ask your barista to give you Matcha green tea with milk and ice. Top it off with sweetened whipped cream to balance out the bitter taste.

Did you know that you can also order a dairy-free Starbucks Frappuccino? Starbucks has around four dairy-free Frappuccino options for lactose-intolerant people. When ordering, ask your barista to give you a Frappuccino with plant-based milk and skip the whipped cream. Also, remember that the caramel sauce and chocolate contain dairy. Therefore, avoid the flavors and syrups at all costs.

If you are on a weight loss journey, you can also order a vegan or Keto Frappuccino at Starbucks. To order a vegan Frappuccino, replace the 2% whole milk with oat milk, soy milk, or almond milk. You can also replace the syrups to make your drink vegan.

What was Starbucks’ first Frappuccino?

The OG Starbucks Frappuccino drink was the coffee and mocha Frappuccino launched in 1995. The Frappuccino was made from Italian roast and served at double strength with no whipped cream. The launch of the first Frappuccino beverage changed the trajectory of Starbucks as it brought in new customers.

These two Frappuccinos accounted for 11% of Starbucks’ summer sales. This success launched a new revolution in Starbucks which led to the launch of bottled Frappuccinos. Starbucks eventually launched new flavors to meet the growing demand for Frappuccinos.

How many flavors of Frappuccino does Starbucks have?

Following the success of the first two flavors launched by Starbucks in 1995, Starbucks has continued to innovate and launch new Frappuccino flavors to meet the growing demand. Two decades later, Starbucks has successfully launched over 36,000 new Frappuccino flavor combinations that continue to sell out.

Recently, Starbucks has launched six new Frappuccino flavors which continues to increase the number of flavors available at all Starbucks stores. The success and constant launch of new Frappuccino flavors can be partly attributed to their loyal customers who come up with new flavor combinations that become instant hits. It is safe to assume that as long as the Frappuccino is still on the official menu, Starbucks will continue to launch new and improved Frappuccino flavors.

FAQ Section

What is the difference between a latte and a Frappuccino?

The major difference between a Frappuccino and a latte is the temperature at which they are served. While Frappuccino is served as cold blended coffee drinks, lattes are served both iced and hot. To prepare a latte, you will need shots of espresso. But a Frappuccino requires blended instant coffee. Also, they differ based on their texture and taste. A Frappuccino is creamier and thicker compared to lattes that are smoother in texture.

If you are looking for a more intense coffee taste, we recommend the latte as Frappuccinos are sweeter due to added syrups.

If a higher caffeine content is what you are looking for, lattes contain about 150mg of caffeine while Frappuccino contains 120mg of caffeine content.

Do all Frappuccino’s Have Coffee?

Simple answer: No!

Assuming you are not a coffee fan but still want to enjoy a Frappuccino, you will be delighted to know that even though most Starbucks drinks contain coffee, not all Starbucks Frappuccinos contain coffee. The most popular coffee-free Frappuccino at Starbucks includes my favorite vanilla bean Frappuccino and Java chocolate chip Frappuccino. You can also order a Strawberry Frappuccino or a caramel Ribbon crunch.