Starbucks Frappuccino Base Syrup

The secret to making perfect Frappuccinos at home is to use a base syrup that transforms an ice, slushy drink into a smooth, creamy one! It’s just 4 ingredients and it’s easy to make!

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Secret to Homemade Frappuccinos

The secret ingredient in every Starbucks Frappuccino is the Frappuccino base syrup. It makes a HUGE difference in the texture of a frozen drink, making Frappuccinos perfectly smooth and creamy, like a melted milkshake.

This Frappuccino base syrup is a game changer for me and I know it will be for you. It’s what makes an icy frozen drink into a smooth and creamy Frappuccino.

Starbucks has a creme version (no caffeine) and coffee version (with caffeine) of the Frappuccino base syrup. This homemade version doesn’t contain any coffee and is caffeine-free, so you can add it to any frozen drink to make it like a Frappuccino.

Note from Jee

When I would make frozen drinks at home, it never came out as nice as Starbucks. I wanted to find out how Starbucks made their Frappuccinos and after some digging, found out that the secret ingredient is a thickener. Once I had the ingredient (xanthan gum), I tested it multiple times so that it would come out great each time.

Now, I never make frozen drinks without a thickener like xanthan gum since it completely changed the texture of my frozen beverages, for the better. Give this Frappuccino base syrup a try to see the difference yourself!

Recipe Highlights

• This copycat recipe recreates the Starbucks Frappuccino base syrup using just 4 ingredients in a blender.
• Make a batch of the Frappuccino base syrup and add it with other ingredients in a blender to make frozen drinks smooth and creamy.
• Makes 1 cup of base syrup that can be used to make multiple Frappuccinos.

RELATED: Mocha Frappuccino

Ingredient Notes

• Xanthan gum powder: The secret ingredient that’s in every Starbucks Frappuccino, it’s a common food additive that’s used to thicken and prevents ingredients from separating, like ice cream and yogurt.
• Sugar: Use regular white, granulated sugar or cane sugar. You can also use brown sugar if you want a richer, caramel-like syrup.
• Water: Use filtered water if possible.
• Vanilla extract: A flavor enhancer, it’s not absolutely necessary but it adds a little something that makes drinks taste better.

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

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Put sugar and water in a saucepan. Simmer on low heat and stir until sugar completely dissolves. Turn off heat and let it cool down.

Step 2: In a blender, combine cooled down simple syrup, xanthan gum powder, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.

Step 3: Pour Frappuccino base syrup into an airtight container. Stir well before using.

The Frappuccino base syrup is thick, so it’s best to put it in a jar instead of a bottle so you can scoop it out.

Expert Tips

• Xanthan gum powder smoothes out and thickens frozen drinks. It’s added to sugar and water (simple syrup) so it can sweeten and thicken a drink at the same time.
• Don’t add xanthan gum powder to the saucepan with the sugar and water since it just won’t mix well and will clump.
• Frappuccino base can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a month.

Related

• London Fog Frappuccino
• Matcha Frappuccino
• Chai Frappuccino
• 17 Simple Syrup Recipes

If you tried this Frappuccino Base Syrup recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and let me know how you like it in the comments below.

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4.75 from 85 votes

Starbucks Frappuccino Base Syrup

By: Jee Choe

The secret ingredient to making perfectly smooth Frappuccinos at home.

Prep Time: 7 minutes minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes minutes

Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ ½ cup water
• ▢ ¾ cup sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon xanthan gum powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

• Put sugar and water in a saucepan and simmer.

  Simmer on low heat and stir until sugar completely dissolves. Turn off heat and let it cool down to room temperature.
• Combine cooled down simple syrup, xanthan gum powder, and vanilla extract in a blender.

  Blend until smooth. Start on low speed then increase to high.
• Pour Frappuccino base syrup into an airtight container.

  Stir well before using.

  Frappuccino base syrup can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a month.

Notes

• The Frappuccino base syrup is thick, so it’s best to put it in a jar instead of a bottle so you can scoop it out.
• Don’t add xanthan gum powder to the saucepan with the sugar and water since it just won’t mix well and will clump. Mix it in a blender.
• Use regular white, granulated sugar or cane sugar. You can also use brown sugar if you want a richer, caramel-like syrup.
• Vanilla extract is what I consider a flavor enhancer. It’s not absolutely necessary but it adds a little something that makes it taste better.
• Turn any frozen drink with ice into a Frappuccino! Instead of adding simple syrup or sugar in blended frozen drinks, use the Frappuccino base to make it smooth and creamy.

Nutrition

Calories: 120Carbohydrates: 31gSodium: 19mgPotassium: 4mgFiber: 1gSugar: 30gCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg

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

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