Our Caramel Frappuccino recipe is for the caramel flavor and Starbucks fans, inspired by the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino.

A Frappuccino is a cold blended drink made by Starbucks. Technically you can only have a frappuccino at a Starbucks because it is a trademark brand of the company.

Some links found in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Click here to jump to the recipe.

But we can still make a copycat version of it at home!

Unlike a milkshake, which is ice cream based, a frappuccino is ice based. The main ingredients for a frappuccino are ice, milk, coffee and then the flavoring. In this case, we’re using caramel sauce.

It’s really easy. We’ll simply blend those ingredients together and top it with the signature generous layer of whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce, just like one you’d get at Starbucks.

You can also make a caffeine free version of the caramel frappuccino by omitting the espresso.

What is a caramel frappuccino?

At Starbucks, a caramel frappuccino is made with coffee, milk, ice and caramel syrup. Whipped cream and caramel sauce are added to the top.

There’s another caramel flavored frappuccino available at Starbucks called the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino. This is similar to the regular caramel frappuccino but topped with an additional topping – a caramel sugar topping.

The Starbucks website lists the ingredients for the Caramel Sugar Topping as Cane Sugar, Natural Flavors, Vegetable Colors, Salt, Annatto and Baking Soda.

Instead of putting these ingredients together to top the caramel frappuccino, I used Werther’s caramels and crushed it into smaller pieces. Pieces of Heath candy bars would also work.

Caramel Frappuccino Ingredients

1 cup ice cubes (or coffee ice cubes)
¼ cup espresso
1 cup milk (or milk alternative)
3 tbsp caramel sauce
Toppings: whipped cream, caramel sauce, Werther’s caramel

Tips for Making a Caramel Frappuccino

Ice Cubes

I used regular water based ice cubes, but you could also use coffee ice cubes if you prefer a strong coffee flavor in your frappuccino.

To do this, use any leftover coffee you have from a pot or brew extra coffee in the morning. Simply pour that coffee into ice cube trays and freeze it. You have coffee ice cubes!

You can also add flavors to the coffee like putting in coffee syrups, or condensed milk for a Vietnamese coffee style ice cubes.

Espresso

I used a stove top moka pot to make espresso.

If you don’t have an espresso machine at home, I find the moka pot the next best option for concentrated coffee. Check out our guide to making espresso without an espresso machine.

Milk

I used oat milk. Feel free to use milk or any plant based milk alternatives.

Caramel Sauce

I used Torani Caramel Sauce.

I use Torani sauces for most of my coffee recipes. They are great to use in coffee drinks and also to drizzle on top of the drink.

Alternatively, you could also use caramel syrup, like Monin Caramel Syrup instead of sauce.

Toppings

Frappuccinos are topped with a generous amount of whipped cream. So I put whipped cream on top of mine. I used store bought, but you can make this at home by mixing heavy cream on medium to high speed on your mixer until stiff peaks form.

I also drizzled caramel sauce on top of the whipped cream like a Starbucks caramel frappuccino.

You can turn it into a Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino, which is topped with caramel drizzle and a crunch caramel sugar topping, by adding pieces of caramel candy on top.

Some options are crushing Werther’s caramel candies or breaking a Heath candy bar (made of toffee, almonds and milk chocolate) into pieces.

How to Make a Caramel Frappuccino

Brew espresso and set aside to cool. I used a stove top moka pot.
If using coffee ice cubes, make sure to make coffee and freeze it in ice cube trays in advance.
Blend ice cubes, espresso, milk and caramel sauce in a blender.
Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream, drizzle caramel sauce and garnish with crushed Werther’s caramels (optional).