Quick Answers
Starbucks uses a variety of syrups for its Frappuccino blended beverages, depending on the specific drink. Some of the most common syrups used include:
- Coffee Frappuccino Syrup – Used in coffee-based Frappuccinos like the Coffee Frappuccino.
- Cream Frappuccino Syrup – Used in cream-based Frappuccinos like the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino.
- Mocha Frappuccino Syrup – Used in mocha flavored Frappuccinos like the Mocha Frappuccino.
- Caramel Frappuccino Syrup – Used in caramel flavored Frappuccinos like the Caramel Frappuccino.
- Vanilla Frappuccino Syrup – Used in vanilla flavored Frappuccinos like the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino.
- White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino Syrup – Used in the White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino.
The exact syrups used depend on the recipe for each specific Frappuccino drink. Baristas combine coffee, milk, ice, and syrups in a blender to create the blended beverage.
Background on Frappuccinos
Frappuccinos are blended coffee drinks made from coffee, milk, ice, and flavored syrups. The name “Frappuccino” is a portmanteau of the words “frappé” and “cappuccino”. It was trademarked by Starbucks in 1995 when the coffee giant debuted the drink.
The earliest Frappuccinos only came in coffee and mocha flavors. Since then, Starbucks has expanded the Frappuccino lineup to include a wide variety of flavors including vanilla, caramel, white chocolate mocha, and many seasonal/limited-time options. Popular flavors like the Caramel Frappuccino and Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino have become menu staples.
Part of the appeal of Frappuccinos is their creamy, icy blended texture. They are meant to be refreshing drinks that combine coffee with milk, ice, and sweet flavored syrups. Whipped cream is another key topping that completes the Frappuccino.
Frappuccino Syrup Ingredients
The main ingredients in Starbucks Frappuccino syrups include:
- Sugar – Provides sweetness.
- Water – Thins out the syrup for even blending.
- Natural and artificial flavors – Give the syrups their distinctive tastes.
- Natural and artificial colors – Give the syrups their vibrant colors.
- Potassium sorbate – A preservative.
- Citric acid – Provides tartness.
The exact proportions and types of ingredients vary slightly between syrups. Additionally, Starbucks uses some different ingredients for specialty syrups, like using real coffee extract in its coffee Frappuccino syrup.
Nutritionally, the syrups are high in sugar. A pump of frappuccino syrup contains around 12g of sugar. The calorie count per pump is 45 calories.
Coffee Frappuccino Syrup
The Coffee Frappuccino Syrup helps give coffee Frappuccinos their distinct roasted coffee taste. Its ingredients include:
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural and artificial coffee flavors
- Caramel color for coloring
- Potassium sorbate
- Citric acid
This syrup has an aromatic, dark coffee flavor. It is used in the Coffee Frappuccino.
Cream Frappuccino Syrup
The Cream Frappuccino Base is the main syrup used in cream-based Frappuccinos. It contains:
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Mono and diglycerides
- Guar gum
- Potassium sorbate
- Citric acid
The Cream Base creates the signature creamy, smooth texture of cream Frappuccinos. It has a mildly sweet flavor. The Vanilla Bean Frappuccino uses this syrup as its base.
Mocha Frappuccino Syrup
Mocha Frappuccino Syrup gives mocha Frappuccinos their chocolatey flavor. It contains:
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural and artificial mocha flavors
- Potassium sorbate
- Citric acid
- Caramel color for coloring
This syrup has a rich chocolate taste. It is used in the Mocha Frappuccino.
Caramel Frappuccino Syrup
Caramel Frappuccino Syrup lends its sweet, buttery caramel flavor to caramel Frappuccinos. It is made from:
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Potassium sorbate
- Citric acid
- Coloring for a golden color
The Caramel Frappuccino features this syrup blended with coffee, milk, and ice.
Vanilla Frappuccino Syrup
Vanilla Frappuccino Syrup gives vanilla Frappuccinos their sweet, creamy vanilla taste. Its ingredients are:
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural and artificial vanilla flavors
- Potassium sorbate
- Citric acid
- Colors
This aromatic vanilla syrup is used in the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino.
White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino Syrup
The White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino Syrup creates the white chocolate and mocha flavors in the White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino. It contains:
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural and artificial white chocolate and mocha flavors
- Potassium sorbate
- Citric acid
- Caramel color
This sweet white chocolate and coffee flavored syrup gives the White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino its signature taste.
Standard Frappuccino Recipes
While customized ordering allows for some personalization, most Frappuccinos follow standard recipes for each flavor variety.
Here are some of the standard recipes for popular Frappuccinos and the syrups used:
Coffee Frappuccino
- Coffee Frappuccino syrup
- Milk
- Ice
- Coffee base (brewed espresso or Frappuccino roast coffee)
- Whipped cream topping
The Coffee Frappuccino Syrup is blended with milk, ice, and coffee for a creamy, coffee-flavored Frappuccino.
Caramel Frappuccino
- Caramel Frappuccino syrup
- Milk
- Ice
- Coffee base
- Whipped cream topping
Caramel syrup gives this drink its signature caramel flavor and sweetness.
Mocha Frappuccino
- Mocha Frappuccino syrup
- Milk
- Ice
- Coffee base
- Whipped cream topping
- Mocha drizzle on top
The Mocha Frappuccino Syrup provides rich chocolate flavors.
Vanilla Bean Frappuccino
- Cream Frappuccino syrup
- Vanilla Frappuccino syrup
- Milk
- Ice
- Whipped cream topping
This Frappuccino gets vanilla flavoring from the Vanilla Frappuccino Syrup.
White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino
- White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino syrup
- Milk
- Ice
- Coffee base
- Whipped cream topping
- Mocha drizzle on top
The specialized White Chocolate Mocha syrup gives this drink its signature flavor.
Seasonal and Limited Edition Frappuccino Flavors
In addition to its core Frappuccino lineup, Starbucks frequently releases limited-time and seasonal Frappuccinos. These specialty drinks call for unique syrups developed to create new flavors.
Some examples of past limited edition Frappuccinos include:
- Snickerdoodle Frappuccino – Used a cinnamon dolce syrup with sugar sprinkles on top.
- Zombie Frappuccino – Featured a combination of tart apple and caramel syrups.
- Unicorn Frappuccino – Changed colors with a sweet and sour mango syrup combined with a sour blue drizzle syrup.
- Crystal Ball Frappuccino – Peach citrus and matcha green tea syrups gave this sparkly gel colored drink a tropical flavor.
Starbucks keeps the Frappuccino menu fresh by continuing to introduce inventive new syrups and recipes. Some limited edition flavors end up being so popular that they join the permanent menu, like the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino did in 2021 after a successful promotional run.
Making Frappuccino Syrups
While Starbucks keeps its exact Frappuccino syrup recipes private, it is possible to replicate them at home. Homemade Frappuccino syrup recipes involve combining simple sugar syrup with coffee, chocolate, caramel, or other flavor extracts.
Here is a basic homemade Frappuccino syrup recipe:
Homemade Frappuccino Syrup
| Ingredients: | |
| 1 cup white sugar | |
| 1 cup water | |
| 2 tbsp flavored extract (vanilla, caramel, mocha etc) | |
| Pinch of salt |
- Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan.
- Heat over medium, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Stir in flavored extract and salt.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until chilled before using.
This easy syrup can be customized by switching up the extract. It can be swirled into blended coffee drinks for a homemade Frappuccino.
Nutrition Information
Frappuccino syrup ingredients like sugar mean the drinks are high in calories and carbohydrates. Here is the nutrition information for a standard 16 oz Coffee Frappuccino with 2% milk and whipped cream:
| Calories | 410 |
| Fat | 8g |
| Carbohydrates | 71g |
| Sugar | 61g |
| Protein | 9g |
The high sugar accounts for most of the calorie content. Using non-fat milk and skipping whipped cream can reduce the calories by about 100. Overall, Frappuccinos are considered high calorie indulgences rather than daily nutrition drinks.
Cost of Frappuccino Syrups
Since Starbucks keeps its Frappuccino syrup sources and recipes private, it does not share details on exact syrup costs. However, industry estimates suggest Starbucks spends an average of around 4 to 5 cents on syrup per drink.
With Frappuccinos retailing for $4 to $6 on average, the syrup expense represents a relatively minor production cost for Starbucks. The milk, coffee, whipped cream and cups likely make up larger shares of the direct drink costs. Labour is also a significant expense when factoring in the costs of operating retail locations.
Overall, Starbucks wields major purchasing power for sourcing syrup ingredients at scale to minimize costs. This allows them to maximize profit margins on Frappuccinos despite using custom syrup recipes.
Conclusion
Starbucks puts great care into crafting proprietary Frappuccino syrups that define the brand’s iconic blended beverages. While the exact recipes are closely held secrets, core ingredients like sugar, flavors, and preservatives produce the sweet tasting, vibrantly colored syrups that give Frappuccinos their signature flavors. Continual innovation on seasonal syrups keeps customers coming back for new taste experiences. The customizable combinations of coffee, milk, ice, whipped cream, and syrups give Frappuccinos widespread appeal and make this chilled coffee drink a beloved summer staple.