Insulin shots at the ready, kiddos! Starbucks unleashed a new Frappuccino on these United States, introducing the Caramel Ribbon Crunch flavor on Monday. Being serious investigators of important chain restaurant creations, we ventured to our local coffee and calorie purveyor to order up some of the icy treats for an office sampling.
To establish a baseline—and ensure the sugar high to end all sugar highs—we ordered "regular" Frappuccinos in Mocha and Coffee flavorings, plus the new Caramel Ribbon Crunch and the Mocha Cookie Crumble, a "customer favorite" making a return to the chain. As you can see from the photo, if eye appeal were the sole factor in this Day of Judgement, the boring old Frapps would be condemned to die on a sunny pier in June. The newer drinks have crunchies! And crumbles! And chocolate whipped cream for crying out loud!
And they win in taste, as well. When you're adding all those bells and whistles and extra bits of caloric joy how could they not? Per the brand, the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino is a "blend of buttery caramel syrup with Frappuccino® roast coffee, milk and ice, then topped with a layer of our new dark caramel sauce, whipped cream, caramel drizzle and crunchy caramel sugar topping." Sure, they say there's coffee in there, but all you're going to taste is the "dark" caramel sauce, which offers a faint chemical aftertaste that's not entirely unpleasant. Like when you sniffed those smelly markers as a kid because that Grape was sooo realistic and you got a little dizzy but then you were kind of like, "Cool!" and then huffed the black/Licorice marker, which was a mistake because we all know it's the Scent of Hell trapped inside a plastic tube.
POV shot! (Tien Mao/Gothamist)
The Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino scored high points as well, mostly for the aforementioned chocolate whipped cream and a generous sprinkling of chocolate cookie dust. I won't get into a discussion of flavor profiles of the "old" Frapps—we all went to high school and know what watery coffee ice milk tastes like. If you like sugary "coffee" drinks then you'll probably like these new calorie bombs (only 420 in a tall size!).
And every afternoon through May 12th, from 3 to 5 p.m., Starbucks is offering a "Frappuccino Happy Hour", so you too can pick up the diabetes drinks at half price.
Updated: October 19, 2022 | Author: | Verified Sources |
When someone mentions Starbucks, frappuccino is most likely the first beverage that
comes to mind. This delicious, blended goodness comes in so many flavors that it’s hard not to find a favorite. Some go for a frappuccino to keep the daily caffeine intake in order, thinking the drink doesn’t contain any. But do Starbucks frappuccinos have caffeine? Let’s find out.
Topics Explored
- What is a Frappuccino?
- Do Starbucks Frappuccinos Have Caffeine?
- Can You Get a Caffeine-Free Frappuccino?
- How Much Caffeine is in a Starbucks Frappuccino?
- Caffeine-Free Frappuccinos
- FAQs
What is a Frappuccino?
Frappuccino is an iced, blended coffee drink trademarked by Starbucks, making it the only place where you can get one.
It’s topped with whipped cream and some flavoring syrup. It uses a unique blend of coffee and comes in over a dozen varieties.
Frappuccino originated over the summer of 1994 when an employee noticed other coffee shops selling blended coffees(1).
Starbucks decided to test the idea in their Los Angeles shops. The new product was a great success, so Starbucks offered frappuccinos in all their US and Canadian locations the following summer.
Today you can get a frappuccino at every Starbucks shop.
Do Starbucks Frappuccinos Have Caffeine?
Today, not all frappuccinos are made with coffee which means not all of them have caffeine. For example, the creme frappuccinos are caffeine-free.
The coffee flavors, on the other hand, all have a varying amount of caffeine. And not to forget the tea-based frappuccinos. They aren’t made with coffee, but the caffeine from the tea is still present.
Can You Get a Caffeine-Free Frappuccino?
There isn’t a decaf frappuccino. The frappuccino roast, which is the base of this drink, contains caffeine.
To avoid caffeine entirely, go for a creme frappuccino. If you want a coffee-based frappuccino, ask the barista to hold the frappuccino roast and add a decaf espresso.
But beware, decaf espresso still contains trace amounts of caffeine.
How Much Caffeine is in a Starbucks Frappuccino?
So do Starbucks frappuccinos have caffeine? Most of them do. If you’re wondering how much caffeine is in a Starbucks frappuccino(2), we made a list ordered from highest to lowest caffeine content.
Important Note: The amounts provided are for a grande size of each flavor.
Espresso Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Espresso frappuccino is made with 3 pumps of frapp roast and a shot of espresso. The combination is then blended with milk and ice.
It’s at the top of our list for the highest caffeine content, but espresso frappuccino has the lowest calorie count.
Caffeine Content:
- Grande: 155 mg
Mocha Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Mocha frappuccino is made with 3 pumps of frapp roast and 3 pumps of mocha sauce.
This flavor comes in an affogato style where you can have a hot espresso shot poured over the blended drink. The caffeine content above is without an espresso shot.
Caffeine Content:
- Grande: 100 mg
Coffee Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Contrary to the name, the coffee frappuccino is not packed with caffeine – it has a moderate amount compared to other flavors. It’s also low in calories.
It includes only 3 pumps of frapp roast, blended with milk and ice.
Caffeine Content:
- Grande: 95 mg
Caramel Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Caramel frappuccino has the same amount of caffeine as a regular brewed coffee.
It has 3 pumps of frapp roast and 3 pumps of caramel sauce. It’s also available in an affogato style, but it will raise the caffeine content.
Caffeine Content:
- Grande: 90 mg
Java Chip Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Java Chip Frappuccino might sound like a caffeine-packed cup, but it holds a moderate amount.
It’s made with 2 pumps of frapp roast and 2 pumps of mocha sauce. It also has Frappuccino chips which are similar to cookie crumble.
Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino has the lowest caffeine content of all the coffee-based frappuccinos. This is because it has only 2 pumps of frapp roast and vanilla bean powder.
It’s a good choice if you want some coffee flavor but less caffeinated.
Caffeine Content:
- Grande: 65 mg
Chai Crème Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Creme frapps are usually caffeine-free, but few are the exception. This one is made with chai tea – which includes a few spices and black tea.
Black tea has a substantial amount of caffeine but still less than coffee which pushes it down on our list.
Caffeine Content:
- Grande: 40 mg
Double Chocolaty Chip Crème Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Our last entry is another creme-based frapp with caffeine. Where does caffeine come from when it doesn’t include coffee or tea?
It contains mocha sauce which contains a small amount of caffeine. This delicious frappuccino is very high in calories.
Caffeine Content:
- Grande: 15 mg
Full List of Caffeinated Frappuccinos
| Espresso Frappuccino | 125 mg | 155 mg | 185 mg |
| Java Chip | 75 mg | 105 mg | 145 mg |
| Pumpkin Spice | 70 mg | 100 mg | 135 mg |
| Mocha | 70 mg | 100 mg | 130 mg |
| Mocha Cookie Crumble | 65 mg | 95 mg | 130 mg |
| Caffè Vanilla | 65 mg | 95 mg | 125 mg |
| Coffee Frappuccino | 65 mg | 95 mg | 125 mg |
| White Chocolate Mocha | 65 mg | 95 mg | 125 mg |
| Apple Crisp | 60 mg | 85 mg | 115 mg |
| Caramel Ribbon Crunch | 60 mg | 85 mg | 115 mg |
| Caramel Frappuccino | 60 mg | 90 mg | 120 mg |
| Strawberry Funnel Cake | 55 mg | 85 mg | 115 mg |
| Chai Crème | 20 mg | 40 mg | 40 mg |
| Double Chocolaty Chip Crème | 10 mg | 15 mg | 20 mg |
| Chocolate Cookie Crumble Crème | 10 mg | 15 mg | 20 mg |
These values are accurate at the time of publishing. Always obtain updated nutritional values from the Starbucks website or ask your barista at the time of order if you’re unsure.
Which Frappuccinos Contain No Caffeine?
You can have a frappuccino even if you’re trying to watch your caffeine intake. If you’re looking to switch your regular frapp for a caffeine-free one, we have a few suggestions. They’re still delicious and refreshing even if they aren’t made with tea or coffee.
Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino: 0 mg
If you’re a fan of the caramel frappuccino but don’t need that extra caffeine, this is its dupe. With zero caffeine and made only with caramel syrup and milk, this drink is a caloric bomb.
The grande size contains around 420 calories.
Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino: 0 mg
Pumpkin Spice is a crowd favorite come fall, but the original frappuccino has 100 mg of caffeine.
Welcome fall with the Pumpkin Spice Creme frappuccino, which is caffeine-free and slightly less caloric than the caffeinated version.
Strawberry Funnel Cake Crème Frappuccino: 0 mg
Strawberry Funnel Cake Creme Frappuccino is made with funnel cake syrup, strawberry puree, and milk. It’s a refreshing dessert drink for those not looking for a caffeine pick-me-up.
The sweet fruity drink has no caffeine as it doesn’t include any type of coffee.
Full List of Non-Caffeinated Frappuccinos
| Pumpkin Spice | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Apple Crisp | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Strawberry Funnel Cake | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Caramel Ribbon Crunch | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Strawberry Crème | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Vanilla Bean Crème | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| White Chocolate | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
These values are accurate at the time of publishing. Always obtain updated nutritional values from the Starbucks website or ask your barista at the time of order if you’re unsure.
Summary: Do Starbucks Frappuccinos Have Caffeine?
Excessive amounts of caffeine can’t be good for you in the long run. Even some unsuspected drinks can drive you over the daily limit. If you’re a frequent frappuccino drinker, you probably wonder, do Starbucks frappuccinos have caffeine?
Most of them do, and much more than the average cup of brewed coffee. However, there are fewer caffeinated and even caffeine-free frapps you can get.
FAQ
Does the vanilla bean frappuccino have caffeine?
Vanilla Beam Creme Frappuccino doesn’t have any caffeine. It’s a creme-based drink with no coffee or additives that include some caffeine in them. You can also get it affogato style, which consists of a hot espresso shot on top, but this is optional, not the norm.
What is the most caffeinated frappuccino?
Espresso frappuccino is the most caffeinated frappuccino you can get at Starbucks. A grande size has 155 mg, and a venti has 185 mg of caffeine. For reference, the daily limit for adults is up to 400 mg. So if you’re indulging in an espresso frappuccino, you have to pay attention to other caffeinated drinks you might consume during the day.
Will a Frappuccino keep me awake?
Coffee-based frappuccinos can help you stay awake with the help of caffeine. Frapps, in general, contain lots of sugar that can give you a surge of energy and make you feel awake. But this energy comes from processed sugars which means it’s short-lived. So you might feel alert for a while, but then comes the crash.