Starbucks Strawberry Frappuccino Recipe

Made with real berries, this Starbucks Strawberry Frappuccino is topped with a delicious homemade strawberry syrup and smoothly finished with vanilla whipped cream. Make an amazing frappuccino at home using simple ingredients and spending way less!

This strawberry Frappuccino tastes similar to a strawberry milkshake: it’s not as thick as the ice cream drink, but still delicious and made with WAY LESS sugar. Healthier, cheaper than buying one at your favorite cafe, and perfect to cool down in the middle of a hot summer day!

Wanna try the vanilla version of this drink? Here's a Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccino recipe for you - no ice cream added! And for all matcha lovers, I have a perfect Matcha Frappe for the summer.

Ingredients

What's in a Strawberry Frappuccino?

As the one made by Starbucks, this drink is a blend of ice, milk and strawberries. I added Greek yogurt for it to be even creamier, and a secret ingredient to enhance the flavors even more.

The strawberry puree sauce is the perfect topping, and can be used to create patterns on the glass cup, so you get an even more beautiful drink.

Strawberries. Use frozen strawberries for a better result. Fresh strawberries can be used, but they will make a less thick frappuccino. You can buy fresh, wash, remove the stems, and then freeze the clean berries for 2 hours before using.

Milk. You can use dairy milk (whole, skimmed, or partially skimmed), as well as plant-based options. If using plant based, my choices are almond or oat milk.

Greek Yogurt. It makes a creamier, smoother drink. You can use plain Greek yogurt, vanilla, or strawberry flavored. Flavored version tend to have added sugar and will make a sweeter frappuccino. You can use a plant-based yogurt for a dairy-free version.

Ice Cubes. It gives the drink a slushie, frappe consistency. You can use milk ice cubes: just freeze your choice of milk using an ice tray.

Sugar. If you’re using Greek yogurt with added sugar and want a less sweet drink, you can leave out this ingredient. If you like your frappuccino extra sweet, double the amount. You can substitute sugar for honey, maple syrup, agave, or your favorite sweetener.

Strawberry Puree Sauce. I’ll teach you how to make an easy homemade strawberry puree sauce below, but you can use a store-bought strawberry syrup if in a hurry.

Vanilla Whipped Cream. If making homemade whipped cream, just add a splash of vanilla extract when whipping it. It can be substituted for store-bought whipped cream, milk or plant-based.

Milk Powder. That’s my secret ingredient for a frappuccino to taste like a milkshake. Skip this ingredient for a a vegan version.

How to make it

If you’re making everything from scratch, let’s start with the strawberry puree sauced. If you’re only making the Frappuccino, and using store-bought syrup and whipped cream, jump to step 3.

1. Strawberry Puree Sauce. Start by blending strawberries, water and sugar. For this, strawberries cannot be frozen (if using frozen, let them thaw for some minutes first). Now, let the strawberry mixture come to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes on medium high. Stir all the time to avoid burning.

2. Vanilla Whipped Cream. You can make it by hand, but it’s way easier to make it using a mixer. First, make sure the heavy cream is extra cold. In a bowl, add heavy cream and vanilla extract, and whip in medium-high speed. It will take 3 to 4 minutes until medium peaks are formed and your vanilla whipped cream is ready.

What are medium peaks? It’s one that keeps in the beater/whisk, not too soft but not too heavy either. If lifted, the peak will drop down slightly, but won’t totally lose its shape.

3. Strawberry Frappuccino. In a blender’s cup, add frozen strawberries, milk, milk powder, Greek yogurt, sugar and ice, and blend for 1 minute, or until well blended and smooth. Serve it in a tall glass.

You can make patterns in the glass using the strawberry sauce/syrup. Pour in the frappuccino, and top it with whipped cream and more sauce.

Quick Tips

• Want it vegan? Use plant-based milk, yogurt and whipped cream, and skip the milk powder. My favorite vegan version for this strawberry frappucino: replace dairy option for almond milk, coconut yogurt, coconut yogurt ice cubes, and any plant-based whipped cream. Skip milk powder.

• If you don’t want to use ice cubes, try freezing the milk in an ice tray and use it instead. It will give you a creamier frappe.

• You can make it using any sweetener for a sugar-free version.

• Use strawberry-flavored Greek yogurt to enhance even more the strawberry flavor.

• Choose good-tasting strawberries for the best flavor. If you're using strawberries that taste bland, you'll end up with a bland strawberry frappe.

More Starbucks Copycats

Mocha Latte
Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
Chocolate Almond Shaken Espresso
Matcha Frappuccino