6 Cafe-Style Frappe Recipes You Can Make at Home

Blended cafe drinks are fun, but they are expensive and often too sweet. The good news is that you can make the same thick, frosty frappes at home in about 5 minutes. All you need is a blender, milk, ice and one flavor.

Here are 6 cafe-style frappe recipes, from a classic mocha to a fresh strawberry and cream. Each recipe makes one tall glass, and some of them have no coffee at all, so everyone can enjoy them.

Before You Start: The Basics

• Chill your coffee. Brew it strong and let it cool in the fridge, or freeze it into coffee ice cubes.
• Blend ice last. Add the liquids first, then the ice, so the blender runs smoothly.
• Blend until thick. 30 to 45 seconds on high is enough. Too long makes the drink melt.
• Add sugar to taste. Start with 2 tbsp. You can always add more.
• Need it thicker? Add a handful more ice, or a small pinch of xanthan gum for a cafe-style texture.

1. Mocha Frappe

The classic. Chilled coffee and chocolate blended into a thick, frosty drink.

Ingredients (makes 1 glass)

• 1 cup strong chilled coffee
• 1 cup cold milk
• 2 tbsp chocolate syrup
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Whipped cream and extra chocolate drizzle

Instructions

1. Drizzle chocolate syrup inside a tall glass.
2. Add the coffee, milk, chocolate syrup, sugar and ice to a blender.
3. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until thick and smooth.
4. Pour into the glass and top with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.

Tip: Chill the coffee first. Warm coffee melts the ice and gives you a thin drink.

2. Vanilla Bean Frappe

A creamy, coffee-free frappe with real vanilla flavor. It tastes like a vanilla milkshake.

Ingredients (makes 1 glass)

• 1 cup cold milk
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or 1½ tsp vanilla extract)
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1½ cups ice cubes
• Whipped cream

Instructions

1. Add the milk, vanilla, sugar and ice to a blender.
2. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until thick and creamy.
3. Pour into a tall glass.
4. Top with whipped cream.

Tip: Want a coffee version? Swap half the milk for strong chilled coffee.

3. Caramel Frappe

Coffee, caramel and cream blended until smooth. Sweet, rich and very easy to make.

Ingredients (makes 1 glass)

• 1 cup strong chilled coffee
• 1 cup cold milk
• 2 tbsp caramel sauce
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Whipped cream and extra caramel drizzle

Instructions

1. Drizzle caramel sauce inside a tall glass.
2. Add the coffee, milk, caramel sauce, sugar and ice to a blender.
3. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until thick and smooth.
4. Pour into the glass and top with whipped cream and caramel.

Tip: Use coffee ice cubes in place of regular ice for a stronger coffee flavor.

4. Cookies & Cream Frappe

Crushed chocolate cookies blended into a creamy, thick drink. Great for anyone who loves dessert.

Ingredients (makes 1 glass)

• 1 cup cold milk
• 4 chocolate sandwich cookies
• 2 tbsp chocolate syrup
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Whipped cream and crushed cookies

Instructions

1. Add the milk, cookies, chocolate syrup, sugar and ice to a blender.
2. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until thick with small cookie specks.
3. Pour into a tall glass.
4. Top with whipped cream and crushed cookies.

Tip: Save one cookie to crush on top. It makes the drink look cafe-style.

5. Matcha Green Tea Frappe

Earthy matcha with creamy milk. Lightly sweet, bright green and very refreshing.

Ingredients (makes 1 glass)

• 1 cup cold milk
• 1 tsp matcha powder
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Whipped cream and a pinch of matcha

Instructions

1. Add the milk, matcha, sugar and ice to a blender.
2. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until smooth.
3. Pour into a tall glass.
4. Top with whipped cream and a light dusting of matcha.

Tip: Sift the matcha first so you do not get green clumps.

6. Strawberry & Cream Frappe

Fresh strawberries and cream blended into a pink, fruity treat. No coffee needed.

Ingredients (makes 1 glass)

• 1 cup cold milk
• ½ cup fresh strawberries (or frozen)
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Whipped cream and a fresh strawberry

Instructions

1. Add the milk, strawberries, sugar and ice to a blender.
2. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until thick and pink.
3. Pour into a tall glass.
4. Top with whipped cream and a fresh strawberry.

Tip: Frozen strawberries make it thicker, so you can use less ice.

Common Questions

Can I make a frappe without coffee?

Yes. The vanilla bean, cookies and cream, matcha and strawberry recipes have no coffee, so they work for kids and anyone avoiding caffeine (matcha has a little).

How do I make a frappe without a blender?

A blender gives the best texture. You can shake the ingredients with crushed ice in a jar, but it will be thinner.

How do I make a dairy-free frappe?

Swap the milk for oat, almond or coconut milk, and use dairy-free whipped topping.

Why is my frappe watery?

The coffee was probably warm or there was too little ice. Chill everything first and add a little more ice.

Can I make it ahead?

Frappes are best fresh. You can brew and chill the coffee ahead, then blend when you are ready.

Final Thoughts

With a blender, some milk and ice, you can make any of these 6 frappes in minutes. Pick one this weekend and see how close it gets to your favorite cafe. Save this post for later, and tell us in the comments which flavor you tried first!