Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Recipe

Enjoy pumpkin season by making this delicious drink at home. This quick and easy recipe has quickly become a go-to this year. A delicious pumpkin drink with added caffeine will keep you going while prepping for this upcoming holiday season. 

If you love Starbucks frappuccinos, try out this Starbucks Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino. 

What is a Starbucks Pumpkin Frappuccino?

The easiest way to explain what a frappe is is to imagine a blended coffee beverage or a coffee milkshake. It isn't as smooth as a milkshake, but it is close enough. For this recipe, try to picture a pumpkin spice latte blended with ice and topped with whipped cream and pumpkin spice. 

What does a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino taste like?

Imagine that you're drinking pumpkin pie and a coffee together, and that's exactly what this drink tastes like. Add a bit of whipped cream on top with a dash of pumpkin pie spice, and you'll have all of your fall favorites in one cup. 

Pumpkin Spice Frappe Tips and Tricks: 

Want your drink a little sweeter? Not a problem. Add in some more simple syrup, or maple syrup, or for even more flavor, feel free to add vanilla flavor. 

Is your frappe melting? The most common reason that this happens is that you're probably using the espresso when it is still a little too warm. Put it in the fridge for a bit or let it settle to room temperature. 

Do you like more of a creamy drink? Go ahead and use half and half instead of milk. This will create more of a thick and smooth consistency. 

Are things not mixing together? If your blender isn't super powerful, try using smaller ice. This will keep you from having large ice chunks. If things are separating, use just a little more xanthan gum. 

What do I need to make a Starbucks Pumpkin Frappuccino? 

Ice: Any ice that you have will work because it will be tossed into a blender. If your blender isn't super strong, I would choose a smaller version so that everything blends evenly. 

Espresso: You can use any espresso that you prefer just make sure that it is cooled. You don't want to add anything hot to this recipe as it will melt the ice and warm up the milk, making it a melted mess instead of a creamy pumpkin frappe. Don't worry if you don't have an espresso maker; there are instant espresso packets and canned espresso options, too. 

Milk: You're welcome to use your milk of choice for this recipe. Some of my favorites are 2% and whole milk. If you're looking for a good non-dairy milk option, I would use thicker milk, like oat milk or coconut milk. Almond milk may make your frappe too thin. 

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Sauce: You can either make your own pumpkin spice sauce or purchase already-made sauce at the store, like this Torani sauce. 

Xanthan Gum: is added to the recipe to keep the ingredients in the frappuccino to emulsify. This creates the smooth frappuccino consistency that you're looking for. 

Whipped Cream: Who doesn't love whipped cream? Top this recipe off with your favorite whipped cream. If you're making this recipe vegan, feel free to use a plant-based whipped cream. 

Pumpkin Pie Spice: Add a dash of spice on top of the whipped cream for garnish, which gives the ideal Starbucks copycat feel. 

How do you make a copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino?

1. Add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend, starting with the ice, espresso shots, milk, pumpkin spice cause, and the xanthan gum.
2. Blend until smooth then pour in a tall glass, top with whipped cream and a dusting of pumpkin pie spice, and enjoy!

How do I make this drink dairy-free?

It's super easy, all you need to do is make a few simple changes. First, instead of using regular milk and whipped cream, substitute for dairy-free milk and plant-based whipped cream. I like to use either coconut milk or oat milk because it is creamy and is the closest consistency to regular cow's milk. 

Does a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino have coffee in it?

It does have espresso in it, which is stronger than coffee! So, it definitely contains caffeine.

However, if you don't have any espresso shots, you're welcome to use super strong coffee, like nitro cold brew coffee. You can also pick up instant espresso packets if you're looking for a quick substitute. 

When does Starbucks have pumpkin spice frappuccinos?

Starbucks starts carrying its pumpkin drinks and other fall beverages around the end of August. It just depends on the year. Keep an eye out online and on all of their social media channels for fall release countdowns!

How do I store leftover Frappuccinos?

While you can make some of the ingredients in advance, I don't recommend mixing your frappuccino until ready to drink. This is because the ice will melt, causing the drink to become very watered down. 

However, you can make other ingredients in advance, such as your pumpkin spice blend. This can be kept in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to around two weeks. 

Starbucks pumpkin spice frappuccino