Starbucks Frappuccino Base Recipe

Author: Jee Choe

The secret ingredient to making perfectly smooth Frappuccinos at home.

4.7 from 93 votes

Prep Time 7

Total Time 7

Course Drinks

Yield servings

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.
Blend together cooled down simple syrup, xanthan gum powder, and vanilla extract.
Pour Frappuccino base syrup into an airtight container.
Stir well before using.
Use 3 tablespoons of base syrup to make a 16 ounce cup of Frappuccino.

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.
Starbucks has a creme version and coffee version of the Frappuccino syrup and this one without coffee is closest to the creme base.
Frappuccino base can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a month.
Recipe makes 1 cup of Frappuccino base and 3 tablespoons of the base syrup can be added to make a grande (16 ounce) Frappuccino at home.
Xanthan gum powder is 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, salad dressing, yogurt, and spreads.
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.