Afternoon Coffee Break: Recipe For Homemade Frappuccinos

by Alice Currah on July 17, 2009. Updated April 12, 2011

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Before buying a nice espresso machine, my husband and I would go to Starbucks daily sometimes even twice.  With the current state of the economy we cannot in good conscience or afford to continue spending $12/daily.  Instead we opted to invest in a nice home espresso machine knowing the machine would pay itself off in a few months.  And for the record it has.  Now we just make our favorite espresso drinks at home. Most  mornings I usually drink a hot latte but by afternoon you can find me drinking an iced coffee beverage including my own home version of a Starbucks Frappuccino. Besides saving Instead of giving Starbucks almost $5  for a frappuccino, I feel better knowing I have broken free from the power of the green topless mermaid.  Let me tell you right now how much I love making these at home because of the flexibility of controlling the amount of sugar, type of milk(s), and flavoring (therefore calories) to cater to whatever it is I’m craving.  It is my own personal opinion that these homemade iced coffee blended drinks are just as good as the local mermaid-cafe if not better.  As an added bonus, it only take less than 2 minutes from start to finish.  So if you find yourself trying to save some money (and who isn’t?) but love frappuccinos may I present to you my version of this beloved favorite.

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**Disclaimer: This is not Starbuck’s actual proprietary recipe. This is my own version copycat clone frappuccino recipe of it. This recipe is for a blended icy coffee frappe / beverage similar to but not the same as Starbucks.

Alice’s Copycat Starbucks Frappuccino Recipe
4.5 from 16 reviews
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Recipe type: beverage
Author: Savory Sweet Life
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 2 mins
Total time: 3 mins
Serves: 1
Homemade version of Starbucks Frappuccinos
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups crushed iced
  • 2-1 ounce shots of espresso OR use 3/4 cup of double strength (strong) coffee mixed with 1/2 cup of milk and increased crushed iced amount by 1/4 cup.
  • 3/4 cup your choice of milk
  • 3 tablespoons sugar (more or less depending on preference)
  • optional whipped cream in a can or freshly made and chocolate syrup
Instructions
  1. Blend all the ingredients except the whipped cream in a blender for 30-45 seconds. Pour into a tall glass and top off with whipped cream and garnish with chocolate syrup. Best served with a straw. Enjoy!
Notes

Mocha Frappuccino Variation: Prepare everything the same as a regular Frappuccino (recipe above) except reduce sugar to 2 tablespoons and add 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup. Enjoy!

**Other Variations**
*Use Splenda, flavored coffee syrups, or flavored coffee creamers for a portion of the milk. For a richer beverage, use half and half, or heavy cream for a portion of the milk.

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{ 133 comments… read them below or add one }

2
Anne Boulley July 17, 2009 at 9:35 am

Another reason to sway me towards buying a new espresso machine. Thanks for the recipe and idea!

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3
Kamran Siddiqi July 17, 2009 at 11:51 am

You have me hooked. Starbucks may lose one of their customers if my mother goes out today to gets a frap. machine.

I can just taste that frap. now…

Great post!

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4
Kristina July 17, 2009 at 12:20 pm

Alice – these look fantastic!

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5
jenn July 17, 2009 at 1:41 pm

oh, I wish I had an espresso machine. It’s just worth making my own fraps at home. Awesome job, Alice!!! Saves you some good cash.

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6
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction July 17, 2009 at 3:11 pm

GORGEOUS pictures… yours look even better than Starbucks! Every time I read about your espresso machine, I want one even more. I do like to make iced coffee drinks with my french press, though. I don’t notice the difference to much on cold drinks.. but I miss the espresso machine when I make hot drinks. I will be giving your frappuccinos a try!

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7
Michelle July 17, 2009 at 3:41 pm

I wish I was your neighbor and could pop in every morning for a frap. I love them ~ esp. peppermint white chocolate mocha. Your photos look just perfect. Nice job on all accounts.
~Michelle

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8
Amanda July 17, 2009 at 9:58 pm

Yep, this just went in my favorites for when I’m in my apartment. Time to convince my mom that the coffee/espresso machine that’s just been sitting on the counter for years should move in with me!

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9
Nutmeg Nanny July 17, 2009 at 10:57 pm

Oh I love that you make your own frappuccinos. The cost can add up overtime so I totally want to give this recipe a try. Yummy!

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10
alice July 18, 2009 at 12:30 am

To everyone who doesn’t own an espresso machine, just make it with double or triple strength coffee. If you read over the recipe I have the ratios posted for you. :)

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11
Danica July 18, 2009 at 6:31 pm

YUM – I need to start making Frappucino’s for The Husband more often since the homemade version is definitely healthier!

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12
deeba July 18, 2009 at 8:45 pm

DELICIOUS!! I ♥ the Alice version of Starbuck Frappucino…mmmmmmmm!! How wonderful this is Alice! ♥ you for posting the coffee version too!

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13
Zenchef July 19, 2009 at 10:18 pm

Is there a cure for lazy people (me) who actually own an espresso machine but still go buy Frappuccinos at Starbucks? No!?.. ok fine! :)
It looks fabulous Alice but … do you deliver?

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14
Roz (bella) July 22, 2009 at 9:27 pm

I just found your blog and love, love, love it….I think your daughter is probably right about your garlic butter ribeye recipe that you posted lately. I’ll make that very soon and re-comment. Love your pesto too. I subscribed to you and added you on twitter. Please do stop by sometime to. Ciao! Roz

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15
Panda Foodie July 25, 2009 at 3:05 am

this made me laugh in a good way. nicely done. hehe. ;)

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16
Joe W August 6, 2009 at 11:21 pm

This is nice but I don’t have an Espresso machine. What I do have is a Toddy maker, also known as a cold coffee brewer. It’s simple to make toddy with it, removing the acidity of coffee and at the same time make a nice coffee concentrate.

Want a Frap that’s better than Starbucks and you can make? First get a toddy maker and ice brew some cold coffee concentrate.

Joes Caramel Mocha Frap:

In a blender add:

1. 1/3 cup toddy
2. 2/3 cup milk
3. 1/4 cup sugar
4. 1/4 cup Coffemate creamer (adds thickness and taste)
5. 3 or 4 good squirts Hersey chocolate syrup
6. 3 or 4 good squirts Hersey caramel syrup
7. Now add enough ice to blender that ice sticks out the top of the liquid
8. Blend until ice is crushed and ingrediants are mixed
9. Line a glass with choc and carmel stipes, pour in glass, top with whip cream.
10. Top the whip cream with stripes of chocolate and caramel syrup. Put in the straw and enjoy. Blows away SB’s Frap. Serves 2 unless you want a really large frap to yourself.

FYI Toddy makers can be found on the net for around $40. You can also make your own cups of coffee by putting 1 part toddy to 3 parts water in a cup and heating it in a microwave for some of the best coffee you’ll ever taste.

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17
Michael August 9, 2009 at 11:22 am

The taste is awesome! I had one problem though, it was way too fluid in its consistency. I substituted the milk with soymilk, because I’m lactose intolerant. I blended it for about 20 seconds, but it wasn’t thick in its consistency, but completely fluid. And it foamed on top. I think I did everything according to the book though, although I had to translate to metric since I’m Dutch, so all my equipment is based on liters. So I ended up using 60 ml of espresso, about 180 ml of soymilk and about 375 ml worth of crushed sugar. Anything wrong with this?

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18
alice August 9, 2009 at 10:31 pm

Joe: You toddy machine sounds really cool. And I like your version / recipe of a Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino!

Michael: I’m not sure what went wrong but I do know that you need to do this rather quickly so the ice doesn’t melt. As a general rule to follow, you want to put slightly more ice than liquid when making this. If you put too little liquid in,.. you will get an overly icy slush. If you but too much liquid it, you will still get a nice drink, but the consistency you’re looking for will be off. So next time perhaps put in just a tad more ice and see how it works. Good luck and let me know how it works for you!

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19
Malcolm August 24, 2009 at 1:25 pm

I just wanted to stop and say thanks! This is a great recipe. I was craving something sweet this morning while I did my schoolwork (Im homeschooled =)) so why not kill two birds with one stone? A great way to start the day and geting Home Ec outta the way early. Thanks again.

P.S. I think this is a typo:
3 tbl. of sugar (more or less depending on preference)
I believe its Tbsp. Being super early this morning I was a little confused =P

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20
Wynter August 24, 2009 at 3:51 pm

you don’t have to have an expresso machine, right? just a blender?

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21
TryGal September 6, 2009 at 11:33 pm

Hello. First off, love your pics! It is really mouth-watering.

Question: Im using the coffee-no-expresso-machine part. Do I still have to add the 3/4 cup of milk from the original recipe?

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22
Alice September 6, 2009 at 11:42 pm

TryGal: *If you don’t have an espresso machine, use 3/4 cup of double strength (strong) coffee mixed with 1/2 cup of milk and increased crushed iced amount by 1/4 cup.

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23
angie October 27, 2009 at 5:08 pm

I discovered ur blog not so long ago. Love ur pictures! May I ask what camera and lens your using?

When it comes to Michael’s question, maybe it’ll help to cool down the coffee first before pouring it to the ice.
Had the same problem with the coffee shop @ work where the lady always made bland and liquidy, watery fraps. When asked if why it came out that way, she answered because we choose blended ice instead of icecubes, the ice melts faster.

I suggested that she give us the espresso in a seperate cup and that we would mix it ourselves when it has cooled down and so we waited before we pured it in with the rest of the mix and it tasted much more after that. Hth :)

Thanks btw for all the lovely recipes.

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24
Justin December 7, 2009 at 7:00 pm

Just wanted to take a second to say how delicious this frapp recipe is! It takes EXACTLY like Starbuck’s! Thanks a ton!

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25
AVEbrahimi December 17, 2009 at 3:37 am

Thanks, it worked, now I am looking after some addons, like caramel syrup or …?

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26
Tawnya December 20, 2009 at 8:27 pm

Wonderful! Perfect recipe to make the perfect frap from home. Thank you so much!

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27
Sharon December 28, 2009 at 6:04 pm

I like this recipe – but it’s not nearly enough espresso. Starbucks is very dark.. and yes, I have an espresso machine. I’m not sure how to add more but still keep the other ingredients complimentary

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28
Michelle January 1, 2010 at 1:50 pm

So glad you reminded me of this!!! Bookmarking this time to try out first thing tomorrow. : )

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29
Jesse January 1, 2010 at 4:54 pm

Nice clear instructions. Can’t wait to make my own frappuchino tomorrow!

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30
Zee February 6, 2010 at 8:55 pm

omg !
I’m so making it !! It sounds super easy !!!
Thank you Alice, you saved my parents cash ! Haha <3

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31
Andrew J March 10, 2010 at 2:31 am

Can’t wait to try. I need some of the ingredients. Going by the pictures, I can say I am dissappointed it’s too late to go to the store right now to pick them up.
I always order the WHITE MOCHA Frap. Not really sure what the difference is but I like it much better.
Any ideas on how to make the WHITE Mocha version?

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32
The Art of Doing Stuff March 28, 2010 at 9:30 pm

I came looking for one final idea for dinner next week and instead came across THIS recipe! Who am I kidding … it probably will be my final dinner recipe for next week. It has Friday written all over it. :)

Yay for another use for my Espresso maker and blender!

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33
Ashley April 15, 2010 at 12:54 pm

Went in search of a frappuccino recipe and yours was the first I found…and OH SO GOOD! What a perfect addition to my week!

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34
Homemade Generator April 21, 2010 at 11:17 am

All these pictures just make me realize how much I love Starbucks

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35
cc May 11, 2010 at 10:37 pm

Love this recipe! i made a mocha with coffee instead of espresso and topped it with whip cream and sprinkled some cocoa powder instead of drizzling chocolate syrup and it looked and tasted professional! I’ve been looking for a recipe for a mocha with out using espresso and this is perfect! thanks so much.

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36
mike May 13, 2010 at 6:45 pm

Wow! Thank you! I had a craving for frozen coffee and looked this up. Perfect recipe and tastes great! Drinking mine now.. mmmm

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37
Chasity May 26, 2010 at 4:14 pm

LOVE IT!!!!!!
Two little ones, in college, a husband that doesnt know if he’d in or out of our marriage..
Who can afford the little luxuriess?!
I Love this! Thank you so much!
I added a scoop of carnation instant breakfast for nutrients and vitamins & a little extra ‘chocolatty’ sweetness & I like mine better than starbucks now! Yeah I have my weekly coffee back!
Thank you!

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38
Michelle June 3, 2010 at 3:01 pm

I just made this recipe above with the coffee version…OH MY it is super good! I have tried other recipe in the past and they have always bombed but this was a success with the first try! I can’t wait to try and make flavored ones the next time around.

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39
alice June 4, 2010 at 5:21 pm

Michelle,
So glad you liked it and its great feedback to have since you used regular coffee! Thanks!

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40
lisa June 8, 2010 at 3:35 pm

I am very. picky but I loved this one . Great job .I of course had to have the chocolate syrup added . Again great job .

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41
alice June 8, 2010 at 11:29 pm

Lisa,
So glad you enjoyed this drink. I made one for myself today too.

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42
Gloria June 9, 2010 at 8:29 am

I would love to live on Starbucks Mocha Frappachino, but as you know that is not possible, I am very concerned over weight and heart due to my health and I accidentally discovered something that fits my appetite. This is very quick and quite tasty. I have included my recipe.

1 Cup (8 oz) 1% Chocolate Milk
2 heaping teaspoons Folger’s Instant Coffee ( I use decaf)
1 Cup ice cubes
Blend until ice is blended. Makes an extra large size drink known as a “viente” from the other company.

Lite Redi-Whip if desired ( I do not use it) Below is a comparison of calories, etc. for both drinks.

Starbucks: 470 calories 150 fat calories, 73 grams sugar compared to
My Recipe 170 calories 25 fat calories, 28 grams sugar, quite a difference in comparison and quite a healthy drink considering.

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43
Kids Eat Free Houston June 9, 2010 at 6:40 pm

This is a great idea and saves money, thanks for posting this!

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44
Ahmad Hasbini June 16, 2010 at 10:30 pm

Hey, I started trying this recipe but then got confused with some of the measurement cause in my place it’s all metric. Just wanna make sure, did you mean 2 fl. ounces of espresso or not? If yes then are they equivalent to 60 ml of espresso?
Thanks anyway for the good recipe.

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45
alice June 17, 2010 at 1:51 am

Hi Ahmad,
Yes, the recipe calls for 2 fluid ounces which is the equivalent of two shots of espresso (1 oz. each). I’m sorry I don’t have the measurements in metric but hope you adjusted the recipe accordingly.

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46
Starbuck's Girl22 June 19, 2010 at 8:39 am

Okay, First off I LOVE this recipe, it’s just like Starbuck’s Original :D But I was wondering, -as a teen/adult- How do you make flavoured ones? I just really don’t like the plain taste of it -Lol- I like it but, I mean, I want to try flavoured Frapps. :)
Thank you!
Starbuck’s Girl22

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47
alice June 21, 2010 at 1:38 am

Hi there.

I think by adding different flavored syrups such as vanilla, hazelnut, almond, etc is are great flavorings. I’ve also made this drink with flavored creamers you buy in the store. Chocolate and caramel sauces are another great addition. Anything you think of that pairs well with coffee would work beautifully.

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48
Josh June 25, 2010 at 6:44 am

question!

i’ve never made a frap. before, so i was wondering do you brew the coffee first or toss in the beans?

also, does it taste better with expresso?

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49
alice June 26, 2010 at 1:33 am

Hi Josh, you brew the coffee first. As far as which taste better, I think they both taste pretty good. As long as you use really strong coffee, it should taste about the same as using espresso. Hope this helps.

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50
Laura July 3, 2010 at 10:23 am

Absolutely divine!! I used Almond milk and don’t forget to add a few squirts of chocolate syrup to the coffee mix. I’ve tried only one other Mocha Frap recipe and this one wins, HANDS DOWN!!

Thank you so much for posting it.

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51
Ali July 11, 2010 at 4:02 pm

Wow what a great recipe!
First I made your version to see how it would turn out, and it was divine. But, I tend to oversweeten my coffee (just normal coffee, not coffee drinks) so the second time around, I replaced the milk for some ice cream. It tasted delectable if you enjoy very sweet things. Also, i’ve done it with and without the sugar and I haven’t been able to taste much difference, so would it be worth adding the extra calories? Just food for thought.
Overall, great work! I hate spending 5 dollars for just one drink, and this will be saving me so much money!

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52
Colleen July 12, 2010 at 2:33 pm

Apparently I’m the only person in the US who doesn’t live near a Starbucks, so being able to make one of these made my day!

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53
Julie July 16, 2010 at 2:59 pm

How much do the espresso machines cost?? I want!

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54
Not Brad Pitt July 18, 2010 at 7:51 pm

Substitute 2 shots of Starbucks Coffee Liqueur, half-and-half and chocolate syrup to the top and you’ve got yourself your own little Gulf Oil Spill to clean up.

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55
ann michaelis July 19, 2010 at 4:49 am

Great recipe…..for those of us who may be on high protein diets…I used soymilk instead of reg milk and I used splenda instead of sugar and I added a scoop of unflavored whey protein… this made my favorite frozen coffee drink into a healthy snack. aprox grams of protein 20 and low calories. As great as going to Starbucks and and as healthy as a smoothie!!!!

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56
Caitie July 28, 2010 at 7:05 am

When using coffee, would you brew up a pot and them let it cool before you use it? And how long is cooled brewed coffee good for?
I’m excited to try this because I definitely spend like ALL my money on starbucks… Ha.

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