Starbucks Secret Menu: Candy Cane Frappuccino (Ingredients, Taste, Variations, Sizes, Copycat Recipe, Caffeine, Calories & More information)
The Starbucks secret menu would not be complete without the Starbucks Candy Cane Frappuccino. See what it’s all about.
Nothing gives you that festive season feeling like the Starbucks Candy Cane Frappuccino does. Every year, my family flocked to Starbucks joints to enjoy this drink, and even when it was removed from the main menu, we were pleased to learn that it was on the secret menu. It’s all about how you order it.
What impressed us most is that you can order it all year long. My husband has been trying to do away with caffeine from his diet, and it was a relief that the drink on the secret menu has no caffeine! He has enjoyed the Candy Cane Frappuccino ever since. Read on to find out what this drink on the secret menu contains.
Table of Contents
Brief history of the drink
The Candy Cane Frappuccino was a favorite item on the Starbucks menu in 2015 that people looked forward to during the holidays. It even came with red and white striped cups reflecting the candy canes better. It was holiday-inspired, and nothing communicated Christmas time as this drink did.
This frappuccino resembled Christmas elves in red and white colors, and curious Starbucks fans online came up with the Elf on the Shelf tag in 2019. It then trended on Instagram and Twitter, and people could not get enough during the holidays. Unfortunately, by 2020, they were among the Starbucks drinks that did not make it back on the menu.
Starbucks has a large fan base, so even after its removal, the people with this blog still found a way to order this drink at the coffee house. Because fans loved this holiday drink, the new secret menu was massively received. The drink is now on the Starbucks secret menu.
Is Candy Cane Frappuccino still available at Starbucks?
Officially, the Candy Cane Frappuccino is no longer on the Starbucks menu. Still, Starbucks fans found a way to order it by customizing their drinks and including the right toppings.
Now you will ask for a Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino, then ask the barista to add peppermint (no mocha) to the blend. A tall cup size will have one pump, a Grande one and a half pumps, and a venti cup will get two pumps of peppermint syrup. Lastly, on top, ask for whipped cream.
Starbucks Candy Cane Frappuccino (Ingredients, Taste, Variations, Sizes, Caffeine, Calories)
What’s in a Candy Cane Frappuccino – (ingredients)
Ingredients
What is in a Candy Cane Frappuccino? This drink is on the secret menu and has to be ordered as a different drink and then customized to make up the Candy Cane Frappuccino. Its ingredients are Base drink as Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino and peppermint syrup. Let’s talk about these ingredients in detail.
- Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino– This base drink has the following:
- Ice
- Milk
- Vanilla bean powder is blended
- Cream frappuccino syrup
- Whipped cream toppings
- Peppermint syrup– this is what turns the base drink into the secret drink on the menu.
Starbucks Candy Cane Frappuccino: Sizes, nutrition, Caffeine & Calories
What sizes are available?
Because the Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino is the base drink, the Candy Cane Frappuccino comes in the exact sizes as its base. It comes in three sizes; tall-12 ounces, grande- 16 ounces, and venti- 24 ounces.
Nutritional facts
Calorie count 380 (out of 2000 cal) | Calories from Fat 150 |
Nutrient content (per daily serving) | % Daily Value |
Total fat (16 g)
Saturated fat (10 g) Trans Fat (0.5 mg) | 21 %
50% |
Sodium (250 mg) | 11 % |
Cholesterol (50 mg) | 17 % |
Carbohydrates (53 g)
Dietary Fiber (0 g) Sugars (52 g) | 19 % |
Caffeine (0 mg) | |
Protein (5 g) |
Caffeine information
The Starbucks Candy Cane Frappuccino drink has zero caffeine content. Ensure you order the Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino as it uses a caffeine-free cream frappuccino base instead of the Vanilla Frappuccino, which is made of a coffee base and contains caffeine.
So, what does Starbucks Candy Cane Frappuccino taste like?
The Candy Cane Frappuccino has a refreshing minty taste of peppermint. Just as it usually feels, the vanilla in the base drink makes the drink smooth and unforgettable. The drink brings out a festive cheer with its sweet taste. Still, because it is just a secret menu, the candy cane is not brought out as strong as it used to be when it was on the main menu. All in all, it brings out a sweet taste mixed in mint.
Ways to Customize Candy Cane Frappuccino at Starbucks – Starbucks CANDY CANE FRAPPUCCINO Variations
Include strawberry puree
Layer the drink with strawberry puree at the bottom, vanilla in the middle, and peppermint. On the top, remember to add whipped cream and finish with an additional strawberry puree.
Add pumps of peppermint syrup
You could use the simplest method: the Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino as the base drink and adding pumps of peppermint syrups. Remember to add the syrup to your liking.
Use holiday sugar sparkles
Just follow the procedure of ordering the base Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino drink and add peppermint syrup. Ensure you ask for extra holiday sugar sparkles at the bottom and the top of the cup together with whipped cream.
Use Sweet Cream Cold Foam Brew
Order a sweet cream cold foam brew without vanilla, and then have them add four pumps of white chocolate mocha, two peppermint pumps, and holiday sprinkles on top.
How to make Starbucks Candy Cane Frappuccino at home – Starbucks Candy Cane Frappuccino Copycat Recipe
Starbucks Candy Cane Frappuccino Copycat Recipe
Equipment
- Ice cube trays
- Reusable straws
- Blender
- Serving cups
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
- Ice cubes
- 3-4 cups of milk
- Two tablespoons of peppermint syrup
- One tablespoon of simple syrup
- Three tablespoons of vanilla syrup
- Half a cup of whipped cream
- Candy cane
Instructions
- Prepare simple syrup early by adding sugar and water to a saucepan
- Allow the mixture to heat until the sugar dissolves
- Leave the simple syrup to cool
- Thoroughly blend the milk, vanilla, peppermint, simple syrups, ice, and candy cane.Add your desired topping
- Enjoy your drink
Notes
- You can use xanthan gum to act as a drink thickener if you like
Informative Section
How do you order Candy Cane Frappuccino from the Starbucks app?
You cannot order a Candy Cane Frappuccino from the Starbucks app but will have to be present to guide your barista on what exactly you need.
Does Starbucks have Candy Cane Frappuccino all year round?
Yes! Starbucks offers this drink all year round since the ingredients used to make it are always present throughout the year. All you have to do is make suitable customizations.
Is the Starbucks Candy Cane Frappuccino healthy?
No. The drink on the secret menu is not healthy as it has high amounts of sugar and fat. It is a drink that should only be enjoyed once in a while.
How much is the Starbucks Candy Cane Frappuccino?
The Starbucks Candy Cane Frappuccino will vary depending on the Starbucks location. A Grande vanilla bean crème frappuccino costs $4.95, exclusive of tax, and the peppermint syrup goes for $0.50.