Pump-by-pump
Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino
Exactly how baristas build a Caramel Frappuccino in each size, what is on the ingredient label, how to order it lighter, stronger or caffeine-free, and how to blend a caramel frappe at home in 5 minutes.
Quick answer. The Caramel Frappuccino is coffee, milk and ice blended with caramel syrup, then topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle. A Grande (16 oz) has 3 pumps of caramel syrup and 3 pumps of Frappuccino Roast coffee: 380 calories, 54 g of sugar and about 90 mg of caffeine, for about $7.02 on average in the US.
- Size in this answer: Grande
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 54 g
- Caffeine: 90 mg
- Average US price: $7.02
Checked October 2026. Prices are average US prices and vary by store.
How a Barista Builds It, Size by Size
| Size | Caramel syrup | Frappuccino Roast | Calories | Sugar | Fat | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tall (12 oz) | 2 pumps | 2 pumps | 260 | 37 g | 11 g | 60 mg |
| Grande (16 oz) | 3 pumps | 3 pumps | 380 | 54 g | 16 g | 90 mg |
| Venti (24 oz) | 4 pumps | 4 pumps | 470 | 72 g | 17 g | 120 mg |
The blend order is milk, Frappuccino Roast (an instant coffee made for cold blending), caramel syrup, the sweet Frappuccino base syrup and ice, then whipped cream and a caramel sauce drizzle. Frappuccinos come only in Tall, Grande and Venti; the Venti is a 24 oz cold cup. See every cup in our Starbucks sizes page.
The ingredient label, decoded
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ice + milk | The body. Whole milk is the default. |
| Coffee Frappuccino syrup | Sugar, water, flavor and xanthan gum: sweetens and keeps the blend smooth and slow to melt |
| Coffee (Frappuccino Roast) | The coffee flavor and all the caffeine |
| Caramel syrup | Sugar, water and natural flavor: the caramel taste in the blend |
| Whipped cream | Cream whipped with vanilla syrup |
| Caramel sauce (drizzle) | Thick, buttery caramel made with butter, cream and corn syrup |
Ways to Order It
| You want… | Ask for… |
|---|---|
| Less sugar | 1 or 2 pumps of caramel, nonfat or almond milk, no whipped cream |
| More coffee | An extra pump of Frappuccino Roast, or a shot of espresso blended in |
| Affogato-style (a Starbucks suggestion) | A hot espresso shot poured over the top |
| No caffeine | A Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino with caramel syrup and caramel drizzle (no coffee) |
| Extra caramel | Caramel drizzle lining the cup and extra drizzle on top |
| Dairy-free | Oat, almond, soy or coconut milk and no whipped cream (the caramel drizzle contains dairy) |
Caramel Frappuccino vs. Other Caramel Drinks
| Drink (Grande) | What is different | Calories | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caramel Frappuccino | Caramel syrup blended in, caramel drizzle on top | 380 | 90 mg |
| Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino | Adds dark caramel sauce and crunchy caramel-sugar topping | 470 | 85 mg |
| Coffee Frappuccino | No caramel, no whipped cream | 230 | 95 mg |
| Iced Caramel Macchiato | Not blended: vanilla, milk, espresso shots and caramel drizzle over ice | — | 150 mg |
| Caramel Brulée Frappuccino | Holiday-only, burnt-sugar caramel and crunchy topping | Not yet posted | Has coffee |
Want the holiday twist? Read our Caramel Brulée Frappuccino page. For every blended flavor and its calories, see the full Starbucks Frappuccino menu, and for hot caramel drinks, the hot drinks menu.
Frappuccino vs. frappe: “Frappuccino” is Starbucks’ trademarked name, while “frappe” is the generic name for a blended or shaken iced coffee. A McDonald’s caramel frappé is a different recipe, and so is the 9.5 oz bottled Caramel Frappuccino from the grocery store, which has its own nutrition label.
How to make Caramel Frappuccino (Caramel Frappe)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (about 200 g) ice
- ¾ cup (180 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) strong brewed coffee or 2 shots espresso, chilled (or 1 ½ teaspoons instant coffee dissolved in 2 tablespoons water)
- 3 tablespoons caramel syrup (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional; Starbucks’ coffee base is sweetened)
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum (optional, for the smooth Starbucks texture)
- Whipped cream and 1 tablespoon thick caramel sauce, for topping
Instructions
- Chill the coffee. Brew the coffee strong and chill it in the fridge, or freeze it in an ice cube tray the night before for the boldest flavor.
- Add to the blender. Pour in the milk, cold coffee, caramel syrup, sugar and xanthan gum, then add the ice on top.
- Blend. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until thick and completely smooth. Add a splash of milk if it is too thick or a few cubes of ice if it is too thin.
- Top it. Pour into a 16 oz glass, swirl on whipped cream and drizzle with caramel sauce. Serve immediately.
Tips, swaps and storage
- Homemade caramel syrup: melt ½ cup sugar until amber, carefully add ½ cup hot water, simmer 2 minutes and cool. Keeps 1 month in the fridge.
- Syrup vs. sauce: use thin syrup in the blend (it mixes in evenly) and thick sauce on top (it sits on the cream).
- Lighter caramel frappe: almond milk, sugar-free caramel syrup and light whipped cream.
- Caramel Ribbon Crunch style: add 1 tablespoon dark caramel sauce to the blend and top with crushed caramel candy.
- Make it caffeine-free: skip the coffee and add ¼ cup more milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla.
- Storage: best right away. Freeze leftovers in an ice cube tray and re-blend with a splash of milk.
Watch: Homemade Caramel Frappuccino
Caramel Frappuccino FAQs
What is in a Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino?
Ice, milk (whole milk by default), coffee, Starbucks’ sweetened Frappuccino syrup base, caramel syrup, whipped cream and a caramel sauce drizzle. A Grande has 3 pumps of caramel syrup and 3 pumps of Frappuccino Roast coffee.
How many calories are in a Caramel Frappuccino?
260 in a Tall, 380 in a Grande and 470 in a Venti, made with whole milk and whipped cream.
Does a caramel frappe have caffeine?
Yes. A Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino has about 60 mg (Tall), 90 mg (Grande) or 120 mg (Venti). For no caffeine, order a Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème or a Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino with caramel syrup.
How much is a Caramel Frappuccino at Starbucks?
About $7.02 for a Grande at average US prices. Tall and Venti are typically lower and higher; prices vary by store and city.
What sizes does the Caramel Frappuccino come in?
Tall (12 oz), Grande (16 oz) and Venti (24 oz). Frappuccinos do not come in Short or Trenta.
Caramel Frappuccino vs. Caramel Ribbon Crunch: what is the difference?
The Ribbon Crunch adds dark caramel sauce to the blend and a crunchy caramel-sugar topping, so it is richer and sweeter: 470 calories in a Grande vs. 380 for the Caramel Frappuccino.
Is a Starbucks caramel frappe the same as a McDonald’s caramel frappé?
No. They are different recipes from different companies. Starbucks uses the name Frappuccino, a registered trademark; McDonald’s calls its blended drink a frappé.
What is the bottled Caramel Frappuccino?
The 9.5 oz bottled Frappuccino sold in grocery stores is a separate ready-to-drink product. Check its label for exact caffeine and calories, which differ from the café drink.
Nutrition, caffeine and ingredients are from starbucks.com (checked October 2026) with whole milk and whipped cream. Prices are average US prices and vary by store. Frappuccino is a registered trademark of Starbucks; starbukmenu.com is not affiliated with Starbucks Corporation.
