If you’ve ever been to Starbucks, then you’ve probably seen a Frappuccino on the menu. But what is a Frappuccino, exactly? And how do you order one?
Quick Answer: What is a Frappuccino?
A Frappuccino at Starbucks is a blended coffee beverage that is made with coffee, milk, and ice and is usually topped with whipped cream. You can customize it with a variety of different flavors and toppings.

This complete guide will tell you everything you need to know about Starbucks’ Frappuccinos.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned pro, this guide has got you covered! So what are you waiting for? Read on to learn more!
What is a Frappuccino at Starbucks?
As I’ve previously mentioned, a Frappuccino is a blended coffee beverage from Starbucks made with coffee, milk, and ice.
If you prefer, it can be topped with whipped cream (which makes it even more decadent!)
The most common flavors are vanilla, mocha, and caramel, along with seasonal favorites like the pumpkin spice Frappuccino for the fall and the peppermint mocha Frappuccino for the holiday menu.

Starbucks has trademarked the Frappuccino since its launch in 1995, and it’s been an ever-growing part of Starbucks since.
What does a Frappuccino taste like?
A Frappuccino usually tastes like a sweet and creamy coffee beverage. The flavor and sweetness can vary depending on the type of Frappuccino, but they all generally have a similar taste in terms of sweetness.
Some people love Frappuccinos, and others find them too sweet. They’re definitely not for everyone, but they can be a fun treat occasionally.
But do not worry; you can completely customize your Frappuccino to taste, so there’s a flavor combination for you out there. More on this later.
What is in a Frappuccino at Starbucks? (Is there coffee in it?)
Some, but not all, Frappuccinos have coffee added. The crème-based Frappuccinos do not contain coffee. This means that the remaining Frappuccinos have coffee added.
But what coffee does Starbucks use in its blended drinks? That’s what I wanted to find out as well, which is why I contacted their customer service and asked that question:

This means that they use a sweetened coffee-based Frappuccino syrup as a coffee flavoring, which they call Frappuccino Roast.
The only Frappuccino that uses espresso as its basis is the espresso Frappuccino, which is one of my favorites to order (along with the caramel Frappuccino).
If you want to know which Frappuccinos have coffee added and which don’t, I suggest checking out this article, which has a complete overview of all the available Frappuccinos to see if your favorite Frappuccino contains coffee.
Do Frappuccinos taste like coffee?
Not really. Most of the flavor in a Frappuccino comes from the syrup, not the coffee. The coffee is just there to give it a little bit of backbone so it doesn’t taste too sweet.
Frappuccinos are made with Frappuccino Roast, milk, ice, and flavoring, and they are blended together to create a thick and creamy beverage.
They usually have a sweet flavor, and many people find them to be delicious.
However, Frappuccinos are not the right choice if you are looking for a great cup of coffee.
Are Frappuccinos good for people who don’t like coffee?
Frappuccinos are a great option for people who don’t like coffee because they have a very light coffee flavor.
They’re also high in sugar, so they’re not the healthiest option, but if you’re looking for something that tastes like coffee without bitterness, a Frappuccino is a good choice.
You can get used to drinking coffee by ordering a Frappuccino every once in a while.
Especially if you pick one of the flavors, such as the coffee Frappuccino or espresso Frappuccino, which are the most coffee-forward Frappuccinos out there.
If you want to check out the complete list of available Frappuccinos, you can find a nice overview of everything in this article.
How much caffeine is there in Starbucks Frappuccinos?
Most coffee-based Frappuccinos have between 60 and 130mg of caffeine. The amount of caffeine in the Frappuccino increases by size ordered and varies by flavor.
For example, a Tall Frappuccino, such as the caramel Frappuccino, starts at 60mg of caffeine, while the Venti has 120mg of caffeine.
As I’ve said before, crème-based Frappuccinos do not contain coffee. However, some do contain caffeine.
If you want to know the exact amounts of caffeine in all Frappuccinos currently available, I suggest checking out the complete chart in this article!
Can you get a caffeine-free Frappuccino?
Yes, you can get a caffeine-free Frappuccino. In fact, many of the newer flavors (like vanilla bean) are made without caffeine.
Most crème-based Frappuccinos are caffeine-free as they don’t contain coffee.
However, ingredients such as chocolate (including java chips), matcha, and chai all contain caffeine:

So, if you want to skip the caffeine completely, not including these ingredients in your Frappuccino will be your best option.
If you want to be certain of the amount of caffeine in your Frappuccino, you can always ask your barista or check the Starbucks site before ordering.
How do you customize a Frappuccino?
There are a variety of ways to customize a Frappuccino. One way is to add syrups (chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla, etc.), which can be added either straight or in combination.
Another option is to add shots (of espresso, for instance). You can also request whipped cream on top, different types of milk (e.g., soy milk), and extra ice.

There are seemingly endless possibilities!
The best way to order a customized Frappuccino is through the Starbucks app or by placing an order on the Starbucks website.
This will give you all the time you need to customize your drink exactly how you want it.
If you’d instead order a Frappuccino in-store, you can ask for additional add-ins as well.
For example, if you want to order a pumpkin spice Frappuccino with caramel sauce, you can ask: “Hi, can I get a pumpkin spice Frappuccino with extra caramel sauce on top?”

That specific order is one of my favorites to get in the fall, but there are more than 36.000 different drink combinations available worldwide. (Source)
Frappuccino at Starbucks FAQs
Do you want to learn more about the Frappuccinos at Starbucks? Here are some more frequently asked questions to check out:
How do you drink a Frappuccino?
It’s best to drink your Frappuccino as soon as possible. The Frappuccino is served alongside the iconic green straw.
Insert the straw into the Frappuccino and start slowly sipping it. If you ordered your Frappuccino with whipped cream, you could choose to stir it in with your straw.
Keep things simple and enjoy your Frappuccino the way you like!
Is a Starbucks Frappuccino stronger than coffee?
No, a Frappuccino is a coffee-flavored drink that is blended with ice and milk. It is much weaker than regular coffee because it has a lot of added sugar and flavors.
But they’re still a great way to get your caffeine fix!
Is there a warm version of a Frappuccino?
There is no such thing as a warm Frappuccino. A Frappuccino is a blended coffee drink that is served cold.
However, Starbucks stores also offer iced coffee drinks, which can be customized to order with Frappuccino-like flavors and ingredients.
Conclusion
So there you have it: everything you need to know about a Frappuccino at Starbucks.
Now, when you go to order, you can be confident that you’ll get exactly what you’re looking for – and maybe even find a new favorite in the process!
If you love trying out recipes, you can check out some of my favorite homemade Frappuccinos below: