Starbucks Matcha Frappuccino (Crème Frappe)

Matcha Frappuccino is the ultimate drink for those who can’t get enough of this delicious flavor. This crème frappe is super simple to make, and has a secret trick that makes it creamier just like the ones you find at Starbucks.

Jump to:

• 🍵What is matcha powder
• 🫖Why this recipe works
• 📃Ingredients and substitutions
• 🥛How to make it
• 🥄Tips for this recipe
• 🙋🏻‍♀️Questions you might be asking
• 🧋More Starbucks inspired drinks
• 📖 Recipe

🍵What is matcha powder

Matcha is simply fine powdered green tea leaves. When you enjoy a matcha drink, you're actually consuming the whole green tea leaves.

Unlike sugar, matcha powder doesn't completely dissolve in water, because it consists of tiny bits of green tea leaves. When you blend the ingredients for this Frappuccino, you're creating a suspension of the matcha powder within the milk and water, rather than dissolving it.

That’s why if you let any green tea drink sit for too long, you’ll find some matcha powder settled at the bottom of the cup.

🫖Why this recipe works

• It’s full of matcha flavor;
• You can go with sugar or choose your favorite sweetener;
• It’s as good as the one you order at Starbucks, but will cost you less;
• If you’re a matcha fan, you probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen.

📃Ingredients and substitutions

• Milk. Starbucks uses whole milk for their drinks, so if you want your matcha Frappuccino just like theirs, stick with whole milk.

You can use plant-based milk for a dairy-free version. For this recipe, I find that almond milk works better than coconut or oat milk, but it will give you a thinner, less smoother frappe.

• Sugar. 2 tablespoons will make your Frappuccino lightly sweet, 3 tablespoons will make it Starbucks sweet. You can substitute for any sweetener you like, just remember to adjust the amount accordingly.
• Matcha powder. Make sure you’re using 100% matcha powder. If you are wondering what type of matcha to choose, a premium matcha will make your Frappuccino taste less bitter, while a culinary grade matcha will make you feel a bit more the bitterness aftertaste.

Matcha and green tea are different ingredients. Don’t try making this recipe using green tea leaves.

• Vanilla extract. Use vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste. Try to avoid vanilla flavor, as this one might give your drink a more artificial taste.

• Whipped cream. It’s optional to top your frappe with it, but doing so makes your drink taste like Starbucks Frappuccinos. You can use homemade or buy it.

Want to make whipped cream just like the one at Starbucks? Add ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of sugar to every 1 cup of heavy cream you’re whipping.

• Xanthan gum. It thickens liquids as soon as it's added. It’s an optional ingredient, as the blended ice will already thicken the Frappuccino, but you can use it for an extra smooth Frappe.

• Ice cubes. Makes a frappe thicker. Use filtered water to make ice cubes.

Here's my secret for achieving an extra creamy and smooth Frappuccino: milk ice cubes. Yes, you can make it using water ice cubes, but after I did it using milk, I never used water ice cubes for frappes again.

Ice cubes are so underestimated, but they have the power to elevate any cold beverage. Have you tried making an iced matcha latte with matcha milk cubes? It's a complete game changer: no more watery drinks!

How much is an ice cube? For all my recipes, 1 cup of ice cubes is exactly 8 ice cubes (about 140g).

🥛How to make it

If you’re making homemade whipped cream, start by whipping it.

If you’re using milk ice cubes, make sure they’re settled (it takes about 2 to 3 hours for milk to freeze).

1. Add ice cubes, milk, sugar, matcha powder, vanilla extract and xanthan gum (if using) to the pitcher of a blender.
2. Blend it for 30 seconds, or until you have a smooth texture.
3. Pour in a tall glass, and top it with whipped cream.

Frappuccinos taste better if consumed as soon as they’re made. I wouldn't do this recipe in advance, nor freeze it or store in the fridge for later.

🥄Tips for this recipe

• The better quality the matcha, the less bitter the taste and the brighter your drink will look;
• Blend this frappuccino for at least 30 seconds, so the ice will be fully crushed and the matcha powder well mixed;
• You need a blender able to crush ice for this recipe to work.

If you frappe is tasting off, check those things:

• If using water ice cubes, did you use filtered water?
• What grade of matcha did you use? Culinary grade matcha tastes more bitter. Also, storing your matcha correctly avoids it going bad (expired matcha sometimes will give a recipe off flavors).
• Matcha powder mixed with other ingredients (not 100% matcha) won’t work for this recipe.

🙋🏻‍♀️Questions you might be asking

🧋More Starbucks inspired drinks

📖 Recipe