Chai Frappuccino

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An easy and delicious chai Frappuccino using store-bought chai concentrate, milk, ice, and homemade Frappuccino base syrup to make it super smooth and creamy. Top the whole thing off with freshly made whipped cream!

Chai Frappuccino in a cup with whipped cream, ground cinnamon, and star anise as garnish.

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Chai Frappuccino

Once I found out the secret to making Frappuccinos just like the way they do at Starbucks, I tested and tasted every Frappuccino they had on their menu right in my kitchen, including this one with chai. The secret is the homemade Frappuccino base syrup. It’s what makes the drink smooth and creamy, almost like a melted milkshake.

This frozen drink is made by blending ice, milk, my homemade Frappuccino syrup, and store-bought chai concentrate. I even make my own fresh whipped cream that takes just a couple of minutes using a handheld milk frother.

Note from Jee

I love chai, so it’s not surprising I love this frozen drink. Make the Frappuccino base syrup first, then use it to make Frappuccinos all week.

As you can imagine, I’ve save so much money and time by making these frozen drinks at home.

Ingredient Notes

Chai Frappuccino ingredients.
  • Homemade Frappuccino base syrup: This is key to making Frappuccinos just like Starbucks. Make a batch of this first.
  • Tazo Chai Latte Concentrate: If you like the chai latte at Starbucks, you’ll love this since it tastes exactly the same.
  • Milk: I like using whole milk for a creamier drink but you can use any milk you like, including plant-based.
  • Heavy cream: This is to make the whipped cream.
  • Vanilla syrup: This flavors and sweetens the whipped cream. Use store-bought or homemade vanilla syrup.
  • Ice: Use filtered water to make the ice if possible, for a better tasting drink.
  • Ground cinnamon: A sprinkling of cinnamon is added on top of the whipped cream.
  • Star anise (Optional): I added a star anise as garnish so it’s completely optional.

For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Whipped cream in a measuring cup.

Step 1: Use a handheld milk frother to whisk heavy cream and vanilla syrup to make whipped cream. Set aside.

Chai concentrate, milk, ice, and homemade Frappuccino base syrup in a blender.

Step 2: Blend chai concentrate, milk, ice, and homemade Frappuccino base syrup until smooth. Start the blender on low, then turn it up high.

Pouring chai Frappuccino in a cup.

Step 3: Pour Frappuccino into a cup.

Pouring whipped cream on a chai Frappuccino.

Step 4: Top drink with whipped cream and add a sprinkle of cinnamon. Optional garnish: star anise.

My Blender Pick

Photo Credit: amazon.com

A splurge, but totally worth it. Makes perfect Frappuccinos in seconds.
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Expert Tips

  • There is a proper order when it comes to putting thing into a blender so that you don’t get air pockets. Add ingredients into the blender in the order it’s shown in the recipe. Don’t put ice into the blender first.
  • The magic of Starbucks Frappuccinos is the Frappuccino base syrup. But, if you don’t want to use the Frappuccino base syrup, just use simple syrup to sweeten. Your drink will be a bit icy with the chai separating from the ice though.
  • Chai is a tea blend that combines black tea with warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. There’s caffeine in this drink from the black tea.

RELATED: Matcha Frappuccino

Chia Frappuccinos in cups with whipped cream.

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4.58 from 7 votes

Starbucks Chai Frappuccino

By: Jee Choe, Certified Tea Sommelier
A recreation of the Starbucks chai frozen drink, made with a Frappuccino base syrup.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 serving (16 ounces)

Ingredients 

Chai Frappuccino

Whipped Cream

Instructions 

  • Whisk heavy cream and vanilla syrup to make whipped cream. Set aside.
    A handheld milk frother makes whipped cream in seconds.
    ¼ cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
  • Blend chai concentrate, milk, ice, and homemade Frappuccino base syrup until smooth.
    Start the blender on low, then turn it up high. Use a tamper tool to make sure the ice gets blended evenly.
    ½ cup Tazo Classic Chai Latte Concentrate, ⅓ cup milk, 1 cup ice, 1 tablespoon homemade Frappuccino base syrup
  • Pour Frappuccino into a cup.
  • Top drink with whipped cream and add a sprinkle of cinnamon.
    Optional garnish: star anise.
    pinch of ground cinnamon

Notes

Make the Frappuccino base syrup first. It can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 471Carbohydrates: 64gProtein: 4gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 119mgPotassium: 246mgSugar: 63gVitamin A: 1006IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 148mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4.58 from 7 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was the only thing my wife would drink at Starbuck’s until they took it away on March 4th. I made this recipe for her and she said it was spot on. Can’t thank you enough for publishing this recipe. The frappuccino base is amazing stuff! I also used it to to make my daughter’s favorite (and also discontinued drink), the Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccio.

    P.S. – If you are interested, my daughter put a petition on Change.org to ask Starbuck’s to put the 13 drinks that were discontinued back on the menu.

  2. 4 stars
    Almost perfect! I’d go a bit harder on the chai tea the half a cup only produce a slight taste of chai tea and I changed the milk for sweet cream creamer so I can have a little more creamier drink. Mine did come out a bit icy, even with the Frappuccino base syrup from the recipe but it’s not a dealbreaker for me. Overall, just a little tweak here and there and more experimenting. I think this is a great copycat!