Blended Coffee Recipe (i.e., Frappuccino, Frappé, Freeze)
It goes by many names. A blended coffee most generically, a Frappuccino at Starbucks, a Frappé at Mcdonald’s, a Frozen Coffee at Dunkin’, a Freeze at Dutch Bros, and the list could go on. But, we can all agree this cold drink is a delicious way to enjoy your coffee.
(Related: Starbucks guides & drinks)
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A blended coffee is generally a drink made with milk, coffee, sugar and ice and blended in a blender to create a milkshake-type drink. It was popularized by Starbucks and its Frappuccinos but is a drink that can now be found at nearly every coffee shop.
They are very customizable as you can add many types of syrups, sauces and add-ins to create different drinks.
Ingredients
There are a variety of recipes out there for how to make a blended coffee at home. If you want to make them exactly how most coffee shops do, this is the recipe for you.
Cold Brew Concentrate
Cold brew concentrate is my fave coffee option for making at-home frappés. It’s a way to get a bolder coffee flavor and more caffeine than using drip-brewed coffee.
Some cold brew is sold as a concentrate and some is sold ready-to-drink. So, make sure you get a concentrate, and I suggest it be a 1:1 ratio. Meaning, to make the cold brew ready-to-drink you would add 1 cup of concentrate to 1 cup of water. (But, you won’t be adding water to this recipe.)
If you don’t have cold brew concentrate, you can use drip-brewed coffee, especially if you brew it strong. You can also use ready-to-drink cold brew if you like.
If you want to use espresso, that’s also doable. I’d suggest adding three shots (ounces) and then adding milk for the remainder of the coffee called for in the recipe. That way your liquid ratio stays the same.
Or, you can add both — espresso shots AND cold brew, for something similar to an Espresso Frappuccino.
Ghiradelli Frappé Mix
This ingredient, Ghiradelli Frappé Mix, Classic White, , is THE secret to making the perfect blended coffee at home.
This is the same product that many coffee shops use, and can be easily purchased on Amazon or at your local restaurant supply store such as Chef’s Store.
The reason this mixture is key is that it contains the ingredients to make sure the frappé blends well and stays together after mixing. It creates the exact consistency that you are used to getting at a coffee shop by including binders like xantham gum and guar gum as well as sugar and milk.
I suggest getting the “Classic White” option, as that is a generic base that can be used to create any coffee-based or cream-based frappés. It can also be used to make smoothies.
You’ll be able to make about fifteen 16-ounce frappés with this mix.
(Related: Try making a matcha frappé with this same frappé mix!)
Flavored Syrup
If you want to create any of the numerous and tasty flavored blended coffees available, you can add a flavored syrup.
I suggest using syrup from Torani or Monin.
Syrups work a bit better than a sauce, but either work. You can also add in other things such as small chocolate chips.
Ice
Ice is what makes this drink cold and delicious. Yes, I always feel like I’m adding too much ice, but then it blends together perfectly. Just keep in mind that the size of your ice cubes may change how many you need. I tested this recipe with largeish cubes from my auto ice-maker in my freezer.
Whipped Cream
This is optional, but many coffee shops top their drinks with whipped cream, and it does give them that fancy finished look. Feel free to experiment with different flavored whipped creams like chocolate.
Variations
The truth is, most people don’t drink plain blended coffees without flavorings. So, here are the syrups or additions you need to make the most popular Frappuccinos and frappes.
Mocha blended coffee
A mocha blended coffee is easily one of the most popular options, and is usually made with a chocolate sauce. Don’t forget to top the drink with the sauce as well!
This chocolate sauce from Ghiradelli is a popular choice and can be found on Amazon.
Caramel blended coffee
When I worked at Starbucks, the caramel Frappuccino was by far the most popular option. To make this, you need both caramel syrup and sauce. Add one tablespoon of syrup to the drink and then top it (you can even line the cup) with the sauce.
Ghiradelli also sells a popular caramel sauce. For the syrup, you can check out this Torani caramel option.
Irish cream blended coffee
Another delicious option is an Irish cream blended coffee. I even have a recipe for Irish cream syrup that you can use, or purchase this Irish cream syrup from Amazon. If you use my homemade recipe, I’d add two tablespoons of syrup, and if a store-bought syrup, add just one tablespoon.
Cinnamon dolce blended coffee
If you want another tasty option, try a cinnamon dolce blended coffee. You can make the cinnamon dolce syrup yourself, or try this similar syrup from Amazon.
To add a little extra, you can top the drink with a cinnamon sugar mixture!
FAQs
This question has no direct answer as the word “frappé” is used for various drinks. It will always mean a cold drink and one that is often blended or mixed in some way. In the United States, McDonald’s calls their blended coffee a frappé and many other businesses also use this term.
Elsewhere, for instance, in Greece, the term frappé is used for something similar to an iced coffee but made with instant coffee. When in doubt, just ask.
In this post and recipe, I use the terms to mean the same thing.
This specific recipe will always include dairy because the Ghiradelli Frappé mix includes dairy.
Yes, there are two options. You can use a decaf cold brew. Or, instead of using coffee, replace the coffee with your choice of dairy for a coffee-free blended beverage.
Simple Blended Coffee
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 5 ounces cold brew concentrate The concentrate should be at a 1:1 ratio.
- 1/2 cup Ghirardelli Frappé Mix, Classic White
- 12 ounces ice
- 1 Tablespoon syrup (optional)
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a blender, starting with the cold brew. Blend on a smoothie setting.
- Pour into cup and top with whipped cream if desired!
Nutrition
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Finally! Someone sharing this secret is going to save me $$$. I love Starbucks Frappuccinos this time of year and I have never been able to figure it out from home. Thank you!
Glad you can enjoy it! Let me know how it goes making them. It’s easy to adjust to make smoothies for the kids too.
Hello recipe, I’ve been waiting for you all my life. We are going to be good buddies this summer.
BFFs!
Looks delish! Can you recommend a blender? I don’t have one and there are so many types…would a smaller bullet type one work well?
I just use a “normal” blender from Hamilton Beach. This one is similar to what I have – Power Elite Wave Action Blender. Whatever you use, it needs to be able to blend ice well and have enough room to make a 16 ounce drink.
This recipe provides information on making a Blended Coffee at home using cold brew concentrate, which is a great option for a stronger coffee flavor and more caffeine. Overall, this is a helpful introduction to using cold brew concentrate for blended coffee.
Thanks!