A caramel frappe is a popular blended coffee drink made with espresso, milk, caramel syrup, and ice. It’s a sweet, creamy, and icy beverage that many coffee lovers enjoy. But with all that caramel flavor, some people wonder – does a caramel frappe actually contain coffee? The short answer is yes, caramel frappes do contain coffee. Keep reading to learn more about the ingredients and caffeine content of this delicious blended drink.
What is a Caramel Frappe?
A caramel frappe, sometimes spelled “frap”, is a type of blended coffee offered by coffee chains like Starbucks and McCafe. It’s made by blending together espresso, milk, ice, and sweet caramel syrup, resulting in a smooth, creamy, frozen coffee drink.
The espresso is the key coffee element of a caramel frappe. Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee made by forcing hot water through very finely ground coffee beans under pressure. This produces a thick, potent coffee liquid which forms the base of the frappe.
The espresso is then combined with milk, which helps dilute the strong coffee taste and contributes to the smooth, creamy texture. Milk options can include whole milk, nonfat milk, soy milk, or other alternatives. Sweet caramel sauce is also added for plenty of sugary flavor.
Finally, the drink is blended with ice to create the characteristic thick, frozen consistency of a frappe. The blending incorporates air into the mixture, resulting in a light, foamy texture.
So in summary, a caramel frappe contains brewed espresso, steamed milk, sweet caramel sauce, and blended ice. The espresso is what gives it that distinctly coffee taste.
Caramel Frappe Ingredients
Here is a typical recipe for a 16-ounce caramel frappe:
- 2 shots of espresso, about 1-2 oz
- 12 oz milk
- 2-3 oz caramel syrup
- 2 cups ice
As you can see, espresso is a key ingredient in a standard caramel frappe order. Those two shots of espresso contain the caffeine and coffee flavor that helps define this drink.
The exact amount of espresso may vary slightly between coffee shops. Some places add more shots for a stronger coffee taste. But you can expect at least a couple shots of espresso in a caramel frappe.
Other Frappe Ingredients
While espresso is the core coffee ingredient, frappes also contain:
- Milk – Usually 2% milk or nonfat milk. Milk gives frappes a creamy texture and cuts the bitterness of coffee.
- Sweetener – Caramel syrup, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, etc. for sweetness.
- Ice – Crushed ice is blended into the drink for a thick, frozen consistency.
- Flavorings – Vanilla extract, cinnamon, cocoa powder, etc. may be added too.
These additional ingredients complement the espresso to create an indulgent coffee-based milkshake. But the espresso remains the key source of coffee flavor.
Does a Caramel Frappe Contain Caffeine?
Yes, absolutely. Since a caramel frappe is made with brewed espresso, it provides a good amount of caffeine per serving.
On average, a 16 oz caramel frappe made with two shots of espresso contains about 150-200 mg of caffeine.
This is comparable to the caffeine content of other coffee-based drinks:
| Beverage | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|
| Brewed coffee (16 oz) | 200 |
| Espresso (2 oz double shot) | 150 |
| Caramel frappe (16 oz) | 150-200 |
| Latte (16 oz) | 150 |
As you can see, a caramel frappe contains a similar amount of caffeine as you’d get from brewed drip coffee or an espresso-based drink like a latte.
This caffeine comes directly from those shots of espresso in the recipe. So while the caramel and milk make it sweet and creamy, you’re still getting that energizing jolt of caffeine you expect from coffee.
Lower Caffeine Options
If you prefer a lower caffeine caramel frappe, order it made with:
- Just 1 shot of espresso instead of 2
- Decaf espresso
- Half caffeinated, half decaf espresso
- Substitute brewed coffee for the espresso
These tweaks will reduce the total caffeine, but the drink will still contain some from the brewed coffee. Keep in mind the taste may also be slightly weaker without as much espresso.
Caramel Frappe vs. Caramel Latte
Since both caramel frappes and caramel lattes contain espresso and caramel flavoring, what’s the difference between the two drinks? Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Texture – Frappes are blended to a frozen, thicker consistency. Lattes have a hot, creamy liquid texture.
- Milk – Lattes use steamed milk while frappes use milk that is simply poured in cold.
- Ice – Frappes contain ice; lattes do not.
- Sweetness – Frappes are usually sweeter with more caramel sauce.
So in summary:
| Caramel Latte | Caramel Frappe |
|---|---|
| Hot temperature | Frozen, blended texture |
| Uses steamed milk | Uses milk poured cold |
| No ice | Contains ice |
Both drinks offer that espresso and caramel flavor, just in different forms depending on whether you want a cold blended frappe or hot latte.
Making Your Own Caramel Frappe at Home
Want to enjoy caramel frappes without leaving your house? Here is an easy homemade recipe to duplicate the flavor:
Ingredients:
- 2 shots freshly brewed espresso
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- 2 cups ice cubes
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Caramel drizzle (optional)
Instructions:
- Brew 2 shots of espresso and let cool slightly.
- In a blender, combine the espresso, milk, caramel sauce and ice cubes.
- Blend until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and caramel drizzle if desired.
- Enjoy your homemade caramel frappe!
Tips for the best homemade frappe:
- Use strongly brewed espresso for intense coffee flavor.
- Add extra ice for a thicker, frostier texture.
- Use coffee ice cubes for even more coffee taste.
- Substitute 2-3 tablespoons instant coffee if you don’t have an espresso maker.
- Try adding cocoa powder or hazelnut liqueur for more flavor options.
With this easy frappe recipe, you can treat yourself to this coffeehouse classic in the comfort of your own home any time.
Where to Buy Caramel Frappes
While delicious to make at home, you can also purchase caramel frappes at:
- Starbucks – Offers the Caramel Frappuccino, their popular blended caramel coffee drink.
- McCafe – Serves the McCafe Caramel Frappé at McDonald’s locations.
- Caribou Coffee – Their Caramel Mocha Cooler is a caramel mocha frappe.
- Peet’s Coffee – Their menu includes a Caramel Frappé.
- Local coffee shops – Many cafes offer their own version of blended caramel coffee drinks.
Order it topped with extras like whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, or caramel sauce to satisfy your caramel cravings along with your caffeine fix.
Conclusion
So in summary, yes, caramel frappes do contain coffee in the form of espresso. The espresso gives this blended drink its caffeinated kick as well as distinct coffee flavor notes. Milk, sweet caramel sauce, and ice balance out the espresso to create the sweet blended frappe texture.
A caramel frappe offers a tasty way to enjoy coffee in a refreshing chilled form. With its cameo solid drink, this sweet coffee drink provides a pick-me-up any time of day.