Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat Recipe)

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Make Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino all year with this delicious and easy Starbucks copycat recipe. It’s made using a Frappuccino base so it’s smooth, just like the one at Starbucks.

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino copycat drink in a class with a straw.

Recipe Highlights

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino is a caffeinated frozen coffee drink made in a blender and topped with whipped cream.
All Starbucks Frappuccinos are made with a Frappuccino base syrup, giving them that signature smooth and creamy texture. This recipe uses a homemade Frappuccino base syrup which should be made first. Store the base syrup in the refrigerator to make Frappuccinos at any time.
This copycat recipe recreates a grande (16 ounces) Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino using 8 ingredients, including the homemade whipped cream.

Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino at Starbucks

There are 2 Pumpkin Spice Frappuccinos on the Starbucks menu: Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino (contains coffee) and Pumpkin Spice Creme Frappuccino (no coffee).
Pumpkin spice drinks are seasonal and are only available for a limited time at Starbucks. They’re usually added back to the menu for a couple of months starting at the end of August.
Pumpkin spice is a combination of spices that give pumpkin pie it’s signature taste. The Starbucks pumpkin spice blend is made with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.

Ingredient Notes

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Copycat ingredients in bowls and measuring cups.

Homemade Frappuccino base syrup: You can’t make a proper Frappuccino without the Frappuccino base, which is made from sugar, water, and xanthan gum (thickener). Make a batch of this first.
Pumpkin sauce: Starbucks uses a pumpkin spice sauce to sweeten and flavor the drink. Store-bought or homemade pumpkin spice sauce can be used.
Instant coffee: Instead of espresso or brewed coffee, Starbucks adds Frappuccino Roast, which is an instant coffee blend of Italian Roast and Signature Espresso.
Milk: Starbucks uses whole milk for their Starbucks Frappuccinos, but you can use any milk you like. Whole milk makes your drink creamier than any other kind of milk.
Heavy cream: For the whipped cream topping.
Vanilla syrup: Starbucks uses vanilla syrup to flavor and sweeten the whipped cream. Use store-bought or homemade vanilla syrup.
Pumpkin spice: A blend of spices that would go into a pumpkin pie. This specific blend is the closest to what Starbucks uses as topping.
Ice: Whenever possible, use filtered water to make ice.

For full ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Whisk heavy cream and vanilla syrup to make whipped cream. Set aside.

Use a handheld milk frother to make whipped cream in seconds. Whip until soft peaks form.

Pumpkin spice sauce, instant coffee, milk, ice, and homemade Frappuccino base syrup in a blender.

Step 2: Blend pumpkin spice sauce, instant coffee, milk, ice, and homemade Frappuccino base syrup until smooth. Start the blender on low and then increase it to high. Use a tamper tool to make sure the ice blends evenly.

Step 3: Pour Frappuccino into a cup.

Use a handheld milk frother to make whipped cream in seconds. Whip until soft peaks form.

Whipped cream poured on top of a Frappuccino.

Step 4: Top drink with whipped cream and garnish with pumpkin spice.

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Expert Tips

Make the homemade Frappuccino base syrup first. You can make a batch ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
Homemade Frappuccino base syrup is made by combining sugar, water, and xanthan gum. The xanthan gum is a thickener that creates that smooth Frappuccino texture. If you don’t want to use the base syrup, you can replace it with the same amount of simple syrup to match the sweetness, but the texture won’t be the same.
For an efficient blend, add ice after you’ve added other ingredients into the blender. Don’t put ice into the blender first.
Using a handheld milk frother is my quick and easy trick to making whipped cream. The longer you whisk the heavy cream, the stiffer it’ll get. It should take about 30-50 seconds for medium peaks, which is all you need. Spoon the whipped cream on top of your drink.
Homemade vanilla syrup is so tasty and super easy to make. Make a batch ahead of time and use it all week to add vanilla flavoring to drinks and whipped cream.
If you don’t have vanilla syrup to make the whipped cream, you can replace it with 2 teaspoons of sugar.

Questions You May Have

What’s in a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino?

A grande sized drink is made with ice, whole milk, 3 pumps Frappuccino Roast (Coffee Frappuccino syrup), and 3 pumps pumpkin spice sauce. The drink is topped with whipped cream and pumpkin spice topping.

What is PSL?

PSL is short for Pumpkin Spice Latte and PSL season is the limited time when Starbucks has its pumpkin spice drinks available.

Can I make this without the coffee?

If you like pumpkin spice but not coffee or the caffeine, you can leave out the instant coffee from the recipe.

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino copycat in a glass.

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Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Copycat

Author: Jee Choe

Make Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino in 4 easy steps!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Course Drinks

Yield serving (16 ounces)

INGREDIENTS

Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino

▢ 2 tablespoons pumpkin spice sauce
▢ 1 stick Starbucks Instant Coffee or 1 ½ teaspoon instant coffee
▢ ½ cup whole milk
▢ 1 cup ice
▢ 3 tablespoons homemade Frappuccino base syrup

Vanilla Whipped Cream

▢ ¼ cup heavy cream
▢ 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup

Garnish

▢ ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice topping

INSTRUCTIONS

Whisk heavy cream and vanilla syrup to make whipped cream. Set aside.
Use a handheld milk frother to make whipped cream in 30-50 seconds.
Blend pumpkin spice sauce, instant coffee, milk, ice, and homemade Frappuccino base syrup until smooth.
Start the blender on low, then increase it to high. Use a tamper tool to make sure the ice gets blended evenly. It should take about 15 – 30 seconds depending on the blender.
Pour Frappuccino into a cup.
The drink makes 16 ounces (grande size) of Frappuccino.
Top drink with whipped cream and garnish with pumpkin spice topping.

EQUIPMENT

Handheld Frother

Blender

NOTES

Make the homemade Frappuccino base syrup first. You can make a batch ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
Homemade Frappuccino base syrup is made by combining sugar, water, and xanthan gum. The xanthan gum is a thickener that creates that smooth Frappuccino texture. If you don’t want to use the base syrup, you can replace it with the same amount of simple syrup to match the sweetness, but the texture won’t be the same.
Frappuccinos at Starbucks are made with whole milk but you can use any milk you like.
For an efficient blend, add ice after you’ve added other ingredients into the blender. Don’t put ice into the blender first.
Using a handheld milk frrother is my quick and easy trick to making whipped cream. The longer you whisk the heavy cream, the stiffer it’ll get. It should take about 30-50 seconds for medium peaks, which is all you need. Spoon the whipped cream on top of your drink.
Homemade vanilla syrup is tasty and super easy to make. Make a batch ahead of time and use it all week to add vanilla flavoring to drinks and whipped cream.
If you don’t have vanilla syrup to make the whipped cream, you can replace it with 2 teaspoons of sugar.

NUTRITION