Starbucks’ caramel frappuccinos are one of the most well-known coffee drinks in America. It is so good that nearly every Starbucks aficionado has tried it at least once. And the caramel sauce they add to the drink is to die for.
It is no wonder this drink became so popular; it is addicting! The Starbucks caramel frappuccino is a blended coffee drink. A creamy and salty caramel drizzle is added to the sides of the cup before a thick iced coffee blend is added. It is topped with whipped cream and even more caramel drizzle.
While coffee and chocolate are the most popular ingredient combination at Starbucks, there is something to be said about coffee and caramel as well. The sweet and salty taste of the drizzle just matches perfectly with coffee’s bold and intense flavors.
I am happy to report that making a Starbucks caramel frappuccino at home is easier than you may think. If you have a blender, some caramel, and a delicious brew of coffee, you can enjoy this drink without making a Starbucks run.
What is a Starbucks Frappuccino?
Starbucks has become legendary for its blended coffee drinks that we lovingly refer to as frappuccinos. Nothing is really quite like a Starbucks frappuccino, but what goes into making this drink, anyway?
A Starbucks Frappuccino is made from a few key ingredients. Various flavoring and toppings are added to create the many different frappuccino drinks you can order at the Green Mermaid. The basis for every frappuccino is a simple syrup referred to as the base.
There are two options for base syrups. The first option is a creme base. This is what distinguishes the creme frappuccinos from the coffee frappuccinos. The creme base does not contain any coffee but instead sweetens the frappuccinos and helps blend the ice.
The coffee base, as its name suggests, contains coffee as well as a sweetener. Any frappuccino can be ordered with the coffee base instead of the creme base; if you are looking for a caffeinated one, pick me up.
The next ingredient is, of course, ice. The ice is blended with the other ingredients to give the drink a cold, slushy-like texture. Milk is also added to the blend, and the whole drink is topped with whipped cream.
Frappuccinos can be made from any syrup or sauce that your Starbucks carries, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your order!
What is in a Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino?
A Starbucks caramel frappuccino is a variation of the classic coffee frappuccino. Any flavoring can be added to a frappuccino to create any number of delicious coffee drinks.
For the caramel frappuccino, it is common to use a coffee base instead of the creme base. If you are ordering a caramel frappuccino at Starbucks, your barista will probably assume that you want the coffee base, but you can always specify if you prefer the creme base. The creme base does not have coffee.
This drink is traditionally made with whole milk, but if you can’t drink milk, it can always be substituted. Starbucks has many non-dairy milk options to choose from, including almond, coconut, soy, and even oat milk.
The caramel frappuccino contains two flavorings, and both of them are caramel. This may seem like overkill, but they taste quite different, and the combination of the two is what makes Starbucks’ caramel frappuccino so delicious.
This frappuccino contains caramel syrup and caramel drizzle. The caramel syrup is blended into the coffee, ice, and milk. It is mixed throughout the drink and is much sweeter than the drizzle.
The caramel drizzle is much saltier and thicker than the caramel syrup. Baristas use this sauce to coat the sides of the cup and to make pretty patterns on top of the whipped cream.
If you are looking to cut down on your sugar intake but still want your caramel frappuccino, it is easy to order less syrup or get rid of one of the two caramel flavorings. A coffee frappuccino with caramel drizzle is just as delicious but contains fewer calories.
How to Make Starbucks Caramel Sauce?
Starbucks’ famous caramel sauce is simple to make at home. The caramel sauce is what puts the caramel frappuccino over the top. It is deliciously creamy, and its sweet and salty flavor pairs perfectly with coffee.
All caramel sauces are made from butter, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla. You are going to need a large saucepan and access to a stove. Once the ingredients are gathered, making caramel sauce is a very straightforward and hands-off experience.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter or one stick of butter
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Add the butter and milk to a saucepan on low heat. Stir until the butter is melted.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix until well incorporated.
- Add the brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Do not stir after the sugar has been dissolved because this will cause it to crystalize in chunks.
- Bring the sauce to a boil and remove it from the heat.
- Allow the sauce to cool before using.
Does the Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Have Coffee?
Starbucks’ famous caramel frappuccino is made with coffee. All Starbucks frappuccinos can be made with one of two base syrups: coffee or creme. A caramel frappuccino is considered a coffee frappuccino, so baristas will use the coffee syrup base.
If you prefer a frappuccino without coffee, you can always order a caramel frappuccino without the coffee base syrup. Your barista will use the creme base syrup instead so that the ice can better blend with the milk.
Without a syrup base in your frappuccino, the ice does not blend very well, and big chunks of it will end up in the final drink. If you prefer a coffee-free frappuccino, I recommend ordering a caramel creme frappuccino so the ice can blend into the coffee and the milk.
Copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Recipe
The Starbucks caramel frappuccino is one of my absolute favorite orders, so I was delighted when I found out how easy it was to make at home. While you do need a blender, no other special equipment is needed to make this delicious treat.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup iced coffee
- 1 ½ cups ice
- ½ cup milk
- 4 tablespoons base syrup
- 4 tablespoons caramel syrup
- Caramel drizzle
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the coffee, milk, ice, base syrup, and caramel syrup until well incorporated.
- Use the caramel drizzle to coat the sides of your cup, and add the blended coffee.
- Add whipped cream to the top of the drink.
- Cover with more caramel drizzle and enjoy!
Conclusion
The Starbucks caramel frappuccino has become insanely popular, but you don’t need to wait in line or spend a fortune to have this delicious coffee every day. With only a blender and a few ingredients, you can make the exact same drink in your own kitchen.