Coffee Frappuccinos are a popular blended coffee drink made by Starbucks. They contain coffee, milk, ice, and flavorings like syrups and sauces. So the quick answer is yes, coffee Frappuccinos do contain syrup as one of their main ingredients. The type and amount of syrup can vary depending on the specific Frappuccino flavor. Keep reading to learn more details about the ingredients in different Frappuccino varieties.
Background on Frappuccinos
Starbucks first introduced Frappuccinos in 1995 with the Coffee Frappuccino blended beverage. Since then, many new flavors have been added to the menu. All Frappuccinos start with a base of coffee, milk, and ice blended together to create the signature thick, creamy frozen texture. Flavorings like syrups, sauces, purees, and powders are then added to give each Frappuccino variety its distinct taste.
Some of the most popular Frappuccino flavors include:
- Coffee Frappuccino – coffee blended with milk and ice
- Caramel Frappuccino – coffee, milk, ice, and caramel syrup
- Mocha Frappuccino – coffee, milk, ice, chocolate sauce, and mocha syrup
- Vanilla Bean Frappuccino – coffee, milk, ice, and vanilla syrup
- Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino – coffee, milk, ice, strawberry puree, and vanilla syrup
- Java Chip Frappuccino – coffee, milk, ice, mocha syrup, and chocolate chips
As you can see, syrup is a key ingredient used to distinguish the different flavors. The type and amount of syrup varies: caramel, mocha, vanilla, etc. But in general, syrup is present in every Frappuccino to add sweetness and flavoring.
Primary Syrups Used in Frappuccinos
These are the main syrups used to create the most popular Frappuccino varieties:
Caramel Syrup
Caramel syrup adds a sweet, buttery caramel flavor. It’s used in Caramel and Iced Caramel Frappuccinos. Each size contains:
| Size | Caramel Syrup |
|---|---|
| Tall (12 oz) | 2 pumps |
| Grande (16 oz) | 3 pumps |
| Venti (24 oz) | 4 pumps |
Mocha Syrup
Mocha syrup provides a rich chocolate and coffee flavor. It’s used in Mocha, Espresso Mocha, and Java Chip Frappuccinos. The mocha syrup amounts are:
| Size | Mocha Syrup |
|---|---|
| Tall (12 oz) | 2 pumps |
| Grande (16 oz) | 3 pumps |
| Venti (24 oz) | 4 pumps |
Vanilla Syrup
Vanilla syrup provides a sweet, vanilla flavor. It’s used in Vanilla Bean, Caffe Vanilla, and Strawberries & Crème Frappuccinos. The vanilla syrup amounts used are:
| Size | Vanilla Syrup |
|---|---|
| Tall (12 oz) | 2 pumps |
| Grande (16 oz) | 3 pumps |
| Venti (24 oz) | 4 pumps |
Other Syrups
Some additional syrups used in select Frappuccino flavors include:
- Raspberry syrup – Provides raspberry fruit flavor in Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher
- Toffee nut syrup – Adds a sweet, nutty taste to Toffee Nut Frappuccino
- Peppermint syrup – Gives a minty flavor to Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino
- Cinnamon dolce syrup – Adds spiced cinnamon sugary flavor to Cinnamon Dolce Frappuccino
The amount of these syrups used depends on cup size, similar to the standard pumps of caramel, mocha, and vanilla syrups.
Syrup Pump Guidelines by Cup Size
Starbucks follows specific pump guidelines when making Frappuccinos to ensure consistency across stores:
| Cup Size | Number of Syrup Pumps* |
|---|---|
| Tall (12 fl oz) | 2 pumps |
| Grande (16 fl oz) | 3 pumps |
| Venti (24 fl oz) | 4 pumps |
*For mocha and vanilla bean Crème Frappuccinos, add 1 additional pump of mocha or vanilla syrup per size.
So a Tall Caramel Frappuccino gets 2 pumps of caramel syrup, while a Venti Mocha Frappuccino gets 5 pumps of mocha syrup. Following these guidelines results in a consistent sweetness and flavor profile in every sip, regardless of size.
Ordering Tips to Customize Syrup Amount
While Starbucks follows standard syrup guidelines, you can always customize your Frappuccino and ask for an extra pump or two of your favorite syrup flavor. Some ordering tips:
- Ask for an extra pump of caramel in your Caramel Frappuccino for more sweet caramel taste
- Request an extra 2 pumps of vanilla for extra vanilla flavor in a Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino
- Order a Mocha Frappuccino with an extra shot of mocha syrup to make it extra chocolately
- Substitute a different syrup flavor instead of the standard one (like raspberry instead of mocha)
When ordering, specify the size first, then the number of extra syrup pumps you want. The baristas will follow your customized syrup directions. Adding extra pumps can come with an additional charge.
Low-Sugar or Sugar-Free Syrup Options
For customers looking to cut down on sugar, Starbucks also offers low-sugar and sugar-free syrup options:
- Sugar-free syrups – Caramel, mocha, vanilla, cinnamon dolce, etc. 0 grams of sugar per pump
- Skinny mocha sauce – 25% less sugar than regular mocha sauce
- Sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup – No sugar added
Ask for any of these low-sugar syrup options to be used in your customized Frappuccino. For example, you could order a Venti Iced Sugar-Free Vanilla Latte Frappuccino made with sugar-free vanilla syrup instead of regular vanilla. This allows you to enjoy the flavors you love without the added sugar.
Frappuccino Flavor Combinations Without Syrup
If you want to skip the syrup altogether, you can order a Frappuccino flavor combination using just coffee, milk, and spices for sweetness instead of syrup. Some options include:
- Coffee blended with cinnamon powder
- Mocha Frappuccino with added cocoa powder and cayenne pepper
- Coffee blended with pumpkin spice mix
- Iced coffee, milk, and vanilla bean powder
Let the baristas know you want your Frappuccino made without any syrup and specify which coffee, milk, and spice flavors to use instead. This allows you to enjoy a layered flavor profile without the added syrup.
Do All Frappuccinos Contain Syrup?
While the vast majority of Frappuccinos contain some amount of syrup, there are a select few flavors that are syrup-free:
- Coffee Frappuccino – Only coffee, milk, and ice blended together
- Espresso Frappuccino – Espresso shots, milk, and ice
- Caffé Vanilla Frappuccino – Uses sugar-free vanilla powder but no syrup
- Double Chocolaty Chip Crème – Only uses mocha sauce, no syrup
So if you want to avoid syrup altogether, these options are your best bet. But the vast majority of menu Frappuccinos do contain syrup as a main ingredient for added sweetness and flavor.
Making Frappuccinos at Home Without Syrup
You can mimic Frappuccinos at home without needing syrup by using strong coffee, milk, ice, and spices for flavor. Here are some easy DIY recipes:
Spiced Coffee Frappuccino
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee, chilled
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup ice
- 1 tsp cinnamon + 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Whipped cream for topping
Combine coffee, milk, ice, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a blender. Blend until frothy and creamy. Top with whipped cream.
Iced Mocha Frappuccino
- 1/2 cup freshly brewed espresso, chilled
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup ice
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Whipped cream for topping
Mix together the espresso, milk, ice, cocoa powder, and vanilla in a blender until smooth. Top with whipped cream.
You can experiment with your own custom spice blends and extract flavors too. Syrups can be avoided at home while still enjoying a refreshing blended coffee drink.
Frappuccino Syrup vs Sauce
Besides syrups, Frappuccinos also utilize different sauce ingredients to add flavor:
- Syrups – Liquid sweetener like caramel, vanilla, mocha syrup
- Sauces – Thicker blended ingredients like mocha sauce, dark caramel sauce, white chocolate sauce
While both syrups and sauces add sweetness and flavor, they have slightly different textures and uses:
- Syrups are usually pure liquid flavorings that easily blend into the drink
- Sauces are thicker, evenly dispersed flavorings added in layers or drizzled on top
Some examples of Frappuccinos that use both syrup and sauce:
- Java Chip Frappuccino – Mocha syrup blended throughout, mocha sauce drizzled over the top
- Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino – Dark caramel sauce layered on bottom, caramel syrup swirled in
So in summary, syrups and sauces work together to provide the full flavor profile and texture of blended coffee Frappuccinos.
Conclusion
So does coffee Frappuccino have syrup? The answer is yes – syrup is one of the core ingredients used to provide the signature sweet taste in Frappuccinos. While the exact type and amount of syrup varies by flavor, most menu varieties contain caramel, mocha, vanilla, or other syrups blended throughout the drink. Customers can always request less syrup or sugar-free options to cut down on sugar while still enjoying the flavors they love. For an at-home Frappuccino without syrup, spices and extracts can be used instead. But overall, the blend of coffee, milk, ice, and syrup is what makes Frappuccinos a sweet and refreshing blended coffee drink loved by Starbucks customers.
