Frappuccino Vs Frappé [Detailed]

A frappé and Frappuccino are popular drinks and often coffee fans will do a Frappuccino Vs Frappé comparison to decide which one they want to make and enjoy.

These two delicious summer coffee treats are detailed in this article, how they are different and with a recipe for each of them.

Keep reading for two great recipes and the full details about these coffee drinks.

Frappuccino Vs Frappé – Are They The Same Drink?

Many coffee lovers and Starbucks fans often think that a Frappuccino and a Frappé are the same drink. After all, you can walk into Starbucks, order a Frappuccino, then head off to McDonald’s, order a frappé and get what is pretty much the same drink.

To top it off, you then go to Costa, request a Frostino and get served the same drink again!

Confusing?

It really shouldn’t be.

In this context, the retail chains are all serving a Frappuccino but have different names for it.

Why I hear you asking!

Trademark laws. Only Starbucks can call their drinks a Frappuccino. Costa, while being a rival of Starbucks, came up with their own trademark name of Frostino that only they can use. While McDonald’s not really being a coffee outlet opted to use the familiar name of another drink, frappé, and add whipped cream.

Yes, for the sharp minded, what McDonald’s sells and calls a frappé is not really a frappé as this drink in the true sense does not have a whipped cream topping.

Keep reading for a more detailed dive into these two tasty delights.

Read: Difference between frappe and Frappuccino

What Is A Frappuccino?

A Frappuccino is a word that is made by combining the words frappé and cappuccino, which is exactly what this beverage is. It’s the combination of a frozen crushed iced drink of a frappé with a single or double shot of espresso instead of instant coffee and a whipped cream topping.

Some coffee shops may use filter coffee instead of espresso or instant coffee to make their frappuccino.

There are a wide range of flavors that you can choose from, including, but not limited to:

• Caramel.
• Chocolate.
• Java Chip.
• Mocha.
• White Chocolate.
• Coffee.
• Strawberry Funnel Cake.
• Pumpkin Spice.
• Caffe Vanilla.
• Espresso.
• Caramel Ribbon Crunch.
• Mocha Cookie Crumble.
• Caramel Brûlée.

On top of these options, which all contain coffee, you can order a Frappuccino that does not have coffee.

Here are some of the popular coffee-free Frappuccino‘s.

• Vanilla Bean Crème.
• Matcha Crème.
• Chai Crème.
• Green Tea Crème.
• Strawberry Crème.
• Chocolate Chip.

With such a wide range of tasty options to choose from it is of no surprise that this trademarked beverage accounts for US$3 billion dollars in annual sales for Starbucks.

It is perhaps with an eye on those numbers that the coffee giant has their eye on expanding their sales in Europe, where, unlike America a frappé and Frappuccino are seen as distinctly different drinks, particularly in Southern Europe where the frappé originates.

If you are watching your weight or on a diet, you might want to ease up on your Frappuccino‘s due to the high fat, high sugar and high calorie count.

The bulk of the calories come from the sugar in the flavored syrups, with chocolate syrup and caramel syrup and vanilla syrup being the most popular flavored simple syrups used.

Of course, the whipped cream adds a lot of calories too. There is a reason why many of the drinks at Starbucks, and not just their Frappuccino‘s are liquid cakes!

Read: What does a frappuccino taste like?

What Does A Frappuccino Taste Like?

A Frappuccino and the dominant taste is that of the particular flavor. As a beverage they are a lot like a milkshake, they are sweet, tasty rich and creamy.

Even when coffee is used, it is not a dominating flavor.

What Is A Frappé?

A frappé, something we have touched on, is a delightful iced coffee drink that originated in the Southern European country of Greece.

The traditional and original recipe has very few ingredients, just instant coffee, sugar, milk and ice. The ingredients are mixed and placed in a cocktail shaker and shaken with vigor and gusto for a minute or two.

The result of this very easily made beverage is a very refreshing frothy and sweet coffee drink that is an enjoyable summer drink.

Although coffee enthusiasts and coffee fans make their frappé with brewed coffee and often coffee shops will make them with either brewed coffee or shots of espresso this is not a true frappé as they produce a different tasting iced drink.

In the strictest of sense only a frappe made with instant coffee and cold water is a frappé as this is the original recipe.

Some may debate that use of hot coffee does not make the beverage a frappé. However, there is a little too much snobbery in this.

A frappé is simply an iced beverage that is made with crushed ice and often, but not always coffee. Unlike a Frappuccino, no whipped cream is used.

In some coffee outlets, like McDonald’s their frappé’s contain coffee flavoring but no actual coffee and use whipped cream.

The caffeine content of a frappé varies from establishment to establishment and depends on the type of coffee that is used, and the size of the beverage. The caffeine content can vary from 30 mg to 170 milligrams.

The calorie content also varies widely in frappé beverages and depends on the amount of sugar is used, and in particular how many pumps of syrup. Naturally, the use of ice cream in a frappé adds on a lot of extra calories.

If you are making a frappé at home you have full control over the calorie content as you can make your own sugar-free syrup or buy Torani or DaVinci gourmet syrups and attempt to make an enjoyable drink with the lowest possible calorie count.

You can also reduce the calorie count by changing the type of milk that is used. You can use low fat, skimmed milk, nonfat milk or alternative milks to completely change how your beverage will taste.

Here are some ideas to try:

• Almond milk.
• Coconut milk.
• Soy milk.
• Oat milk.

Read: What is a Frappuccino?

What Does A Frappé Taste Like?

A frappé has a taste that is more like a milkshake than a coffee drink. It’s very refreshing, creamy, rich and only has a very light taste of coffee.

They are a great treat on a hot day to cool you down.

Frappuccino Recipe

A Frappuccino is an absolutely fantastic summer treat and an incredibly popular one that generates US$3 Billion in sales every year.

If you want to make your own Starbucks style Frappuccino at home it is very easily achieved with only a few ingredients.

Ingredients Needed

All the ingredients for making the perfect Frappuccino at home are easy to find locally or online at Amazon, Target or Walmart. This recipe will make 2 Frappuccino‘s.

• Milk: You can use any milk of your choice be it half-and-half or full fat milk, non-fat milk or an alternative nut or plant based milk. 3/4 of a cup will be needed.
• Ice: If you have an ice crushing blender I still suggest that you break them down your ice cubes a bit as there is no reason to risk breaking your blender. If you don’t. Simply put your ice cube in a ziplock bag and using a hammer. It gets the job done easier and quicker. 2 cups of crushed ice will be needed.
• Strong Coffee Or Espresso: One of the main ingredients in your Frappuccino and source of the caffeine kick. If you don’t have a home espresso machine to pull a shot use a moka pot or brew some very strong coffee. 1 cup of espresso (4 shots) or very strong coffee will be needed.
• Sweetener: To sweeten your Frappuccino you can use Stevia, honey, brown sugar, coconut sugar, regular sugar or agave. Two tablespoons needed.
• Toppings: Whipped cream and chocolate syrup to give your Frappuccino that authentic, exotic look, feel and taste to your coffee drink.

Instructions

This recipe is so easy to make at home and enjoy. It is as 1, 2, 3.

Step 1: Crush it!

Crush your ice, brew your strong coffee and add them to your blender with milk and your choice of sweetener.

Blend them together well.

Step 2: Pour It

Pour the contents of your blender into a tall glass and top with whipped cream and add a drizzle of chocolate syrup. If you want a more eye-catching look, sprinkle with chocolate shavings.

Step 3: Serve And Enjoy

The best step of them all. Relax and enjoy what you have just made.

Top Tips For Making An Amazing Frappuccino

To get a more dominant coffee taste use a well-brewed double shot or espresso or ristretto with deep dark roast like a French or Italian roast.

For exotic flavors, consider how the milk that you use matches with the flavored syrups that you use – coconut milk with vanilla syrup, or coconut milk with coconut syrup for an amazing more dominant coffee taste. In such a case, consider coconut flakes to decorate.

The same can be said if you want to make your Frappuccino sweeter. Consider how the sugar you used affects the flavor you are trying to achieve. In the example above, consider using coconut sugar with coconut milk and syrup or brown sugar if you are making a caramel flavored Frappuccino.

When making a different flavored Frappuccino all you need to do is change the type of syrup used.

To thicken your drink, use Xanthan gum.

Frappé Recipe

This traditional and classic Greek coffee is very easy to make at home without any special equipment, but it is better if you use a blender.

Ingredients

There are only 4 ingredients needed in this recipe, which are:

• Instant coffee. Optional is to use instant espresso.
• Ice.
• Milk.
• Sugar.

Instructions

Although it is very common for a frappé to be made with crushed ice, it is recommended but not essential. To crush your ice, use a Ziplock bag and use a hammer to break the ice.

Make your instant coffee as you normally enjoy it with the required amount of sugar and milk to suit your taste.

Add the instant coffee and crushed ice to your cocktail shaker and shake with vigor for 2 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

Alternatively, blend it (with the crushed ice) using your blender, starting at a low speed and graduating to a full high speed blend. Serve and enjoy.

Top Tips For Making An Amazing Frappé

If you want a more dominant and strong coffee taste in your frappé use less milk and a little more coffee.

To make your frappé sweeter, use more milk and reduce the amount of coffee used. For a more authentic Greek frappé and a better taste, use a high-quality instant coffee. Try one of the many single coffee bean origin instant coffees from Nescafé.

If it is a more well-rounded and balanced taste that you want, use a one of the man instant coffees from Nescafé that are a made using a blend of coffee beans.

Dark roasted coffee beans work better than medium roasts and light roasts. Keep that in mind when selecting an instant coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions About Frappuccino Vs Frappé

Can I Use The Word Frappuccino?

If you own your coffee shop, cafeteria or restaurant, you should not use the word Frappuccino or Frostino to name your frappé beverages that have whipped cream. Both these names are trademarks owned by Starbucks and Costa respectively.

The only way you can legally use those two words is to get permission from the trademark owner, and that is highly unlikely to be given.

Do McDonald’s Frappés Actually Have Coffee In Them?

Yes, frappé’s at McDonald’s have coffee. Both caramel frappé and mocha frappé at McDonald’s have coffee, but only a hint of it.

Do Frappés Taste Like Coffee?

No, not always. Not all frappé’s have coffee. The ones that do contain coffee do not have a strong dominant coffee taste and are more like a tasty milkshake than a coffee drink.

What Is The Most Unhealthy Frappuccino At Starbucks?

The most unhealthy Frappuccino at Starbucks is the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Grande 16 Oz (480 ml). With 60 grams of sugar, it is twice the daily limit as recommended by the FDA and AHA – the American Heart Association.

It also has a whopping 470 calories, almost 25% of your daily intake in a single drink. The 14 grams of fat, which is 70% of the recommended daily amount, is way too much for a single food item.

Will A Frappé Keep Me Awake?

Yes, a frappé will keep you awake as they contain coffee and have a comparable caffeine content to regular coffee and popular coffee beverages. You can expect your frappé to have approximately 95 milligrams of caffeine.

Some, the chocolate based ones, have an extra caffeine kick due to the caffeine content of the chocolate and have approximately 110 mg of caffeine.

If you don’t want a sleepless night, opt for a frappé that does not have coffee or request that the barista makes you one that is made with decaffeinated coffee.

What Makes Frappé Thick?

Xanthan gum, a commonly used flavorless food additive, is used as the emulsifier to get your homemade frappé and Frappuccino thick like you see in retail outlets like Costa and Starbucks. You will find Xanthan gum sold in the baking section in grocery stores.

Final Thoughts – Frappuccino Vs Frappé

In the battle and comparison of Frappuccino Vs Frappé we all have our preferences and favorites, for me, not to sit on the fence, I love both. It’s a frappé for me when I am watching my weight and Frappuccino as an occasional treat.

Which is it for you?

A frappé or a Frappuccino?

Join our fun and fantastic online coffee community and share your amazing frappé or Frappuccino coffee creations and tasty recipes.

Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location