I still remember the first time I tried to recreate my favorite Starbucks treat at home: the creamy, caramel-swirled Frappuccino that tastes like a little coffee-shop vacation in a glass. This copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino is everything you want on a hot afternoon—rich coffee, sweet caramel, and a frothy, velvety texture that’s surprisingly simple to make in minutes. It’s perfect when you want a café-style pick-me-up without the line or the cost.
Why you’ll love this drink
Making this at home saves money and lets you control sweetness, caffeine, and dairy. It’s fast—under 10 minutes once your coffee is cooled—kid-approved (skip the caffeine), and endlessly tweakable. You get the same luscious caramel flavor with no mystery ingredients. Ideal for hot days, weekend brunches, or when you crave a coffeehouse treat without leaving the house.
“Just like the one I order, only I made it in my kitchen—and I can adjust the sweetness!” — a satisfied home barista
How this recipe comes together
First you brew a strong coffee and cool it—this forms the flavor base and keeps the ice from melting the drink too fast. Next, you combine the cooled coffee with caramel sauce, a touch of sugar and vanilla for depth, milk for creaminess, and plenty of ice. A high-speed blend creates the frothy, slushy texture. Finish with a cloud of whipped cream and an extra drizzle of caramel for that signature café look.
What you’ll need
- 2 tbsp Caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1 tbsp Granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 Whipped cream (for topping)
- 1 cup Coffee, strong (chilled)
- 1/2 cup Milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 1/2 cups Ice cubes
Notes: Use chilled or room-temperature strong coffee; espresso works if diluted slightly. For less sugar, reduce the granulated sugar or swap for a liquid sweetener.
Step-by-step instructions
- Brew a cup of strong coffee. Let it cool completely in the fridge or at room temperature.
- Add the cooled coffee, 2 tablespoons caramel sauce, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup milk, and 1 1/2 cups ice to a blender.
- Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and frothy, about 30–60 seconds depending on your blender.
- Pour the frappuccino into a tall glass and top with whipped cream.
- Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the whipped cream and serve immediately.
Best ways to enjoy it
Serve in a chilled glass to keep the drink colder longer. Pair with a buttery croissant, shortbread cookie, or a salted caramel brownie for a decadent combo. For a brunch spread, make a pitcher of the coffee-carafe base (without ice) and blend individual servings to keep the ice texture perfect.
Storage and reheating tips
This drink is best fresh. Once blended, it will separate and lose its frothy texture if stored. If you must save leftovers, pour into an airtight container and keep it in the freezer for up to 24 hours—shake or re-blend briefly before serving. Alternatively, freeze leftover blended frappuccino in an ice-cube tray for quick coffee slush later. Always discard if left at room temperature for more than two hours.
Pro chef tips
- Use coffee ice cubes (freeze leftover strong coffee in an ice tray) to avoid diluting flavor as the ice melts.
- Chill the milk and glass beforehand for the coldest result.
- A high-speed blender makes the creamiest frappuccino; pulse first to break up large ice, then blend until smooth.
- Taste before topping: adjust sweetness with more caramel sauce or a pinch more sugar if needed.
Creative twists
- Salted Caramel: Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the whipped cream.
- Mocha Caramel: Add 1 tbsp chocolate syrup to the blender for a chocolate-caramel combo.
- Vegan/Dairy-Free: Use almond, oat, or soy milk and coconut whipped topping.
- Decaf version: Use decaf coffee so you can enjoy it later in the day.
- Seasonal: Stir in 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice in fall, or a few drops of peppermint extract at the holidays.
Helpful answers
Q: How long does it take to make?
A: Active time is about 5–10 minutes plus the time to cool the coffee if you don’t already have chilled coffee on hand.
Q: Can I make this without a blender?
A: You can vigorously shake the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice, but you won’t get the same smooth slushy texture a blender provides.
Q: Is there a low-sugar option?
A: Yes—reduce the granulated sugar, use a sugar substitute, or skip the added sugar and rely on the caramel sauce for sweetness. Taste and tweak as you blend.
Q: Can I make a large batch for a party?
A: Prepare the coffee-caramel base (without ice) ahead of time and chill. When guests arrive, blend individual servings with ice to preserve texture.
Q: Is it safe to store the pre-mixed base?
A: Yes—store the coffee and milk mixture (no ice) in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Discard if it develops off smells or separation that won’t re-blend.
Conclusion
If you want a faithful home version of the Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino with control over sweetness and ingredients, this copycat recipe delivers. For another trusted take on the classic, check out this well-tested Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino copycat recipe on Allrecipes.
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Copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A creamy, caramel-swirled frappuccino replicating the beloved Starbucks treat, perfect for hot afternoons.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1 tbsp Granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 Whipped cream (for topping)
- 1 cup Coffee, strong (chilled)
- 1/2 cup Milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 1/2 cups Ice cubes
Instructions
- Brew a cup of strong coffee. Let it cool completely in the fridge or at room temperature.
- Add the cooled coffee, 2 tablespoons caramel sauce, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup milk, and 1 1/2 cups ice to a blender.
- Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and frothy, about 30–60 seconds depending on your blender.
- Pour the frappuccino into a tall glass and top with whipped cream.
- Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the whipped cream and serve immediately.
Notes
Use chilled or room-temperature strong coffee; espresso works if diluted slightly. For less sugar, reduce the granulated sugar or swap for a liquid sweetener.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American