Quick Answer
Frappes at McDonald’s typically cost between $2.49 and $4.99 depending on size and customizations. The base price for a small frappe is usually around $2.49, while a large can cost up to $4.99 or more with add-ons like extra shots of espresso. The exact price does vary a bit by location.
Frappes on the McDonald’s Menu
McDonald’s offers a variety of frappes (also known as frappe or milkshake-style coffee drinks blended with ice) on their McCafé menu. Here are some of the main frappe offerings at McDonald’s and their typical base prices:
| Frappé | Typical Small Price | Typical Large Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mocha Frappé | $2.49 | $3.99 |
| Caramel Frappé | $2.49 | $3.99 |
| Java Chip Frappé | $2.79 | $4.29 |
| Vanilla Bean Frappé | $2.79 | $4.29 |
| Strawberry Banana Frappé | $2.49 | $3.99 |
| Oreo Cookie McFlurry | $2.59 | $3.89 |
As you can see, a small frappe typically costs between $2.49-$2.79 depending on the flavor. Large sizes range from $3.99-$4.29. The blended Oreo McFlurry treat is slightly cheaper than a frappe.
Customizations and Add-Ons
There are also a variety of customizations and extras you can add to any McDonald’s frappe to change the flavor or make it more of an indulgent coffee drink. Some popular add-ons include:
– Extra espresso shot – $1.00
– Substitute nonfat or soy milk – $0.60
– Add whipped cream – $0.60
– Add caramel, mocha, or other syrup flavors – $0.60-$0.80
– Make it a large – $1.50-$1.80 upcharge
So if you wanted to customize a large frappe with extras like 2 extra shots of espresso, whipped cream, and caramel syrup, your total could be around $4.99 or more depending on the base price of the specific frappe.
The most customizable or “fancied up” versions of the drinks where you add 2-3 extra shots and multiple syrups or toppings can end up costing over $5 or $6 in some cases at McDonald’s.
McDonald’s Frappé Prices by Size
To summarize, here are the typical McDonald’s frappe prices by size:
| Size | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Small | $2.49-$2.79 |
| Medium | $3.29-$3.59 |
| Large | $3.99-$4.29 |
Small frappes run from about $2.49 to $2.79. Mediums are usually $3.29 to $3.59, and larges typically cost between $3.99 and $4.29 depending on the flavor.
Again, exact frappe prices can vary a bit across different franchises and geographic locations. Taxes will also be additional to the base price. But in general, you can expect to pay roughly $2.50 to start for a small and up to about $5 for a large with all the bells and whistles added on.
Price Differences by Location
Since McDonald’s has franchised locations all across the country, frappe prices may differ slightly between regions. Here are some of the factors that can influence the price:
– State and municipal taxes: Areas with higher sales tax rates will have higher final prices.
– Higher minimum wages: Stores in areas with higher minimum wage laws may have slightly elevated prices.
– Rental costs: Restaurants located in areas with high real estate prices tend to charge more.
– Competition: Prices may be adjusted based on competitor’s pricing in some markets.
However, the differences are generally not too dramatic. You can expect to see small and large frappes costing within a dollar or two of the typical base prices listed earlier. The overall price range remains $2.50 to $5.00 for most locations.
Some exceptions with greater price differences:
– Major cities like NYC, San Francisco, Las Vegas may be $.50-$1 more.
– International and non-mainland US locations like Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam due to import costs.
– Airports, hotels, casinos, and other travel hubs often add a small price premium.
But across most standard US McDonald’s stores, the prices should align closely with the prices listed earlier in this article.
Tips for Saving Money on McDonald’s Frappes
If you want to get the tasty McDonald’s frappe flavors but don’t want to drop $4-$5 on a specialty coffee drink, here are some tips to save:
– Order a small size – SIZE UPGRADES WILL ALWAYS ADD TO THE PRICE. Stick to the 10-12 oz small rather than the large.
– Skip the whipped cream, extra shots, and toppings – these quickly drive up the total. Stick to the base recipe.
– Ask for light ice – you may get slightly more blended frappe for the same base price.
– Only customize with 1 add-on ingredient you really want like an extra shot. Avoid ordering 2-3 customizations.
– Order the cheapest flavor like Caramel or Mocha then add your own flavored syrup at home.
– Look for weekly McCafe deals in the app – sometimes there are $2 any size frappe promotions.
– Join MyMcDonald’s Rewards – you’ll earn points for free food with purchases.
– Check coupons – RetailMeNot and other sites often have McDonald’s mobile coupons for $1 off or BOGO deals.
With these tips and downsizing your drink size, you can get a McDonald’s frappe for under $3 even after tax in most locations.
Nutrition Information for McDonald’s Frappes
While tasty and customizable, McDonald’s frappes are high in calories and sugar content. Here is the nutrition info for a typical small and large frozen frappe beverage:
| Size | Calories | Total Fat | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (12 oz) | 270 calories | 4.5 grams | 51 grams |
| Large (16 oz) | 340 calories | 6 grams | 66 grams |
As you can see, a small McDonald’s frappe contains 270 calories and a whopping 51 grams of sugar – over 4 days worth for women! The large bumps this up to 340 calories and 66 grams of sugar.
While occasional indulgence in these dessert-like beverages is perfectly fine, most health experts recommend limiting yourself to no more than one sugary frappe per week as the high sugar load can lead to fatigue, weight gain, and other issues when consumed in excess. Those watching their sugar intake for dietary needs like diabetes may want to avoid McDonald’s frappes altogether due to the very high sugar content.
Comparison to Other Coffee Chains
How does McDonald’s frappe pricing compare to other major coffee chains like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts? Here is a general overview:
– Starbucks – Similar pricing from $2.95 for a Tall up to around $5 for a Venti with extras added. Offers more customization options and higher-end ingredients.
– Dunkin – Lower cost than McDonald’s or Starbucks, with most frozen coffee drinks between $2-$4 for a small or medium. Less customization available.
– McDonald’s – The best value and lowest cost option for a quick, tasty frozen blended coffee drink. Prices just under $3 for a small up to around $5 for a customizable large.
So McDonald’s generally offers the most affordable frozen coffee options compared to the competing chains while still allowing for tasty flavors and add-on customization at reasonable upcharge prices. The convenience and widespread availability of McDonald’s restaurants also makes it easy to grab an affordable frappe on the go.
History of the McDonald’s Frappé
The McDonald’s frappe has been on the menu for over 50 years, first debuting back in 1966. The original offering was just a chocolate or strawberry milkshake-style beverage. Later innovations included:
– 1978 – Introduced the Caramel Frappé option
– 1995 – Mocha and Coffee Frappé flavors launched
– 2001 – Fruit flavors like Strawberry Banana added
– 2006 – Vanilla Bean and Java Chip Frappés debuted
– 2009 – Mocha officially became available year-round rather than just seasonally
– 2013 – Oreo McFlurry Cookie treat launched
Today McDonald’s frequently rotates in new limited-time frappe flavors for seasonal menus along with mainstays like Mocha, Caramel, and Vanilla Bean. The frappes remain a popular frozen coffee treat option bringing the taste of an ice cream parlor to the convenient McDonald’s drive thru.
Frappe vs. McCafe vs. McFlurry
What’s the difference between a McDonald’s Frappe, McCafe, and McFlurry Treat? Here’s a quick breakdown:
– Frappé – The original frozen blended coffee drink from the 1960s menu. Made with coffee, milk, and ice.
– McCafé – Broader line of espresso drinks launched in 2009. Includes lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, etc.
– McFlurry – Dessert with ice cream and mix-ins like an Oreo McFlurry. No coffee.
So the frappe is McDonald’s signature frozen coffee beverage, while McCafe refers to their newer espresso bar menu, and McFlurry is an ice cream only treat. You can get a frappe alongside items from the McCafe menu for a complete coffeehouse experience.
Conclusion
A McDonald’s frappe offers an affordable way to enjoy a coffeehouse-style blended frozen coffee drink for just $2.50-$5.00. While prices may vary a bit by region, expect to pay around $2.49-$2.79 for a small, $3.29-$3.59 for a medium, and $3.99-$4.29 for a large. Customizations like extra espresso shots and whipped cream will increase the total. Compare McDonald’s frappe prices and options to chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ on your search for the perfect frozen coffee beverage. Enjoy McDonald’s famous frappe flavors at the speed and convenience of the drive thru on your next coffee break!