When someone mentions Starbucks, frappuccino is most likely the first beverage that comes to mind. This delicious, blended goodness comes in so many flavors that it’s hard not to find a favorite. Some go for a frappuccino to keep the daily caffeine intake in order, thinking the drink doesn’t contain any. But do Starbucks frappuccinos have caffeine and just how much? Let’s find out.
Topics Explored
- What is a Frappuccino?
- Do Starbucks Frappuccinos Have Caffeine?
- Is There a Caffeine-Free Version?
- How Much Caffeine is in a Frappuccino?
- Caffeine-Free Frappuccinos
- More Questions
What is a Frappuccino?
Trademarked by Starbucks, the Frappuccino is an iced blended coffee drink you can only find there.
It’s topped with whipped cream and some flavoring syrup. It uses a unique blend of coffee and comes in over a dozen varieties.
Frappuccino originated over the summer of 1994 when an employee noticed other coffee shops selling blended coffees(1).
Starbucks decided to test the idea in their Los Angeles shops. The new product was a great success, so Starbucks offered frappuccinos in all their US and Canadian locations the following summer.
Today you can get a frappuccino at every Starbucks shop.
Do Starbucks Frappuccinos Have Caffeine?
Starbucks introduced a line of creme frappuccinos that are caffeine-free, so no, not all frapps have caffeine.
Frappuccinos with coffee frapp roast, on the other hand, have a varying amount of caffeine. And not to forget the tea-based frappuccinos. They aren’t made with coffee, but the caffeine from the tea is still present.
Can You Get a Caffeine-Free Frapp?
There isn’t a decaf frappuccino. The frappuccino roast, which is the base of this drink, contains caffeine.
To avoid caffeine entirely, go for a creme frappuccino. If you want a coffee-based frappuccino, ask the barista to hold the frappuccino roast and add a decaf espresso.
But beware, decaf espresso still contains trace amounts of caffeine.
How Much Caffeine is in a Frappuccino?
So do Starbucks frapps have caffeine? Most of them do. If you’re wondering how much caffeine is in a it(2), we made a list ordered from highest to lowest caffeine content.
Important Note: The amounts provided are for a grande size of each flavor.
Espresso Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Espresso frappuccino is made with 3 pumps of frapp roast and a shot of espresso. The combination is then blended with milk and ice.
It’s at the top of our list for the highest caffeine content, but espresso frappuccino has the lowest calorie count.
Espresso Frappuccino Caffeine:
- Grande: 155 mg
Mocha Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Mocha frappuccino is made with 3 pumps of frapp roast and 3 pumps of mocha sauce.
This flavor comes in an affogato style where you can have a hot espresso shot poured over the blended drink. The caffeine content above is without an espresso shot.
Mocha Frappuccino Caffeine:
- Grande: 100 mg
Coffee Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Contrary to the name, the coffee frappuccino is not packed with caffeine – it has a moderate amount compared to other flavors. It’s also low in calories.
It includes only 3 pumps of frapp roast, blended with milk and ice.
Coffee Frappuccino Caffeine:
- Grande: 95 mg
Caramel Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Caramel frappuccino has the same amount of caffeine as a regular brewed coffee.
It has 3 pumps of frapp roast and 3 pumps of caramel sauce. It’s also available in an affogato style, but it will raise the caffeine content.
Caramel Frappuccino Caffeine:
- Grande: 90 mg
Java Chip Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Java Chip Frappuccino might sound like a caffeine-packed cup, but it holds a moderate amount.
It’s made with 2 pumps of frapp roast and 2 pumps of mocha sauce. It also has Frappuccino chips which are similar to cookie crumble.
Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino has the lowest caffeine content of all the coffee-based frappuccinos. This is because it has only 2 pumps of frapp roast and vanilla bean powder.
It’s a good choice if you want some coffee flavor but less caffeinated.
Caffè Vanilla Caffeine:
- Grande: 65 mg
Chai Crème Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Creme frapps are usually caffeine-free, but few are the exception. This one is made with chai tea – which includes a few spices and black tea.
Black tea has a substantial amount of caffeine but still less than coffee which pushes it down on our list.
Caffeine Content:
- Grande: 40 mg
Double Chocolaty Chip Crème Frappuccino
What Drives Up Caffeine Levels:
Our last entry is another creme-based frapp with caffeine. Where does caffeine come from when it doesn’t include coffee or tea?
It contains mocha sauce which contains a small amount of caffeine. This delicious frappuccino is very high in calories.
Double Chocolaty Chip Frapp Caffeine:
- Grande: 15 mg
Full List of Caffeinated Frappuccinos
| Type | Tall | Grande | Venti |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso Frappuccino | 125 mg | 155 mg | 185 mg |
| Java Chip | 75 mg | 105 mg | 145 mg |
| Pumpkin Spice | 70 mg | 100 mg | 135 mg |
| Mocha | 70 mg | 100 mg | 130 mg |
| Mocha Cookie Crumble | 65 mg | 95 mg | 130 mg |
| Caffè Vanilla | 65 mg | 95 mg | 125 mg |
| Coffee Frappuccino | 65 mg | 95 mg | 125 mg |
| White Chocolate Mocha | 65 mg | 95 mg | 125 mg |
| Apple Crisp | 60 mg | 85 mg | 115 mg |
| Caramel Ribbon Crunch | 60 mg | 85 mg | 115 mg |
| Caramel Frappuccino | 60 mg | 90 mg | 120 mg |
| Strawberry Funnel Cake | 55 mg | 85 mg | 115 mg |
| Chai Crème | 20 mg | 40 mg | 40 mg |
| Double Chocolaty Chip Crème | 10 mg | 15 mg | 20 mg |
| Chocolate Cookie Crumble Crème | 10 mg | 15 mg | 20 mg |
These values are accurate at the time of publishing. Always obtain updated nutritional values from the Starbucks website or ask your barista at the time of order if you’re unsure.
Caffeine-Free Frappuccinos
You can have a frappuccino even if you’re trying to watch your caffeine intake. If you’re looking to switch your regular frapp for a caffeine-free one, we have a few suggestions. They’re still delicious and refreshing even if they aren’t made with tea or coffee.
Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino: 0 mg
If you’re a fan of the caramel frappuccino but don’t need that extra caffeine, this is its dupe.
With zero caffeine and made only with caramel syrup and milk, this drink is a caloric bomb.
The grande size contains around 420 calories.
Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino: 0 mg
Pumpkin Spice is a crowd favorite come fall, but the original frappuccino has 100 mg of caffeine.
Welcome fall with the Pumpkin Spice Creme frappuccino, which is caffeine-free and slightly less caloric than the caffeinated version.
Strawberry Funnel Cake Crème Frappuccino: 0 mg
Strawberry Funnel Cake Creme Frappuccino is made with funnel cake syrup, strawberry puree, and milk. It’s a refreshing dessert drink for those not looking for a caffeine pick-me-up.
The sweet fruity drink has no caffeine as it doesn’t include any type of coffee.
Full List of Non-Caffeinated Frappuccinos
| Type | Tall | Grande | Venti |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Spice | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Apple Crisp | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Strawberry Funnel Cake | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Caramel Ribbon Crunch | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Strawberry Crème | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Vanilla Bean Crème | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| White Chocolate | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
These values are accurate at the time of publishing. Always obtain updated nutritional values from the Starbucks website or ask your barista at the time of order if you’re unsure.
Wrapping It Up
Excessive amounts of caffeine can’t be good for you in the long run. Even some unsuspected drinks can drive you over the daily limit. If you’re a frequent frappuccino drinker, you probably wonder, do Starbucks frappuccinos have caffeine?
Most of them do, and much more than the average cup of brewed coffee. However, there are fewer caffeinated and even caffeine-free frapps you can get.
More Questions
Does the vanilla bean frappuccino have caffeine?
Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino doesn’t have any caffeine. It’s a creme-based drink with no coffee or additives that include some caffeine in them.
You can also get it affogato style, which consists of a hot espresso shot on top, but this is optional, not the norm.
What is the most caffeinated frappuccino?
Espresso frappuccino is the most caffeinated frappuccino you can get at Starbucks. A grande size has 155 mg, and a venti has 185 mg of caffeine.
For reference, the daily limit for adults is up to 400 mg. So if you’re indulging in an espresso frappuccino, you have to pay attention to other caffeinated drinks you might consume during the day.
Will a Frappuccino keep me awake?
Coffee-based frappuccinos can help you stay awake with the help of caffeine. Frapps, in general, contain lots of sugar that can give you a surge of energy and make you feel awake.
But this energy comes from processed sugars which means it’s short-lived. So you might feel alert for a while, but then comes the crash.
Wondering where your info comes from? We totally understand. Hey Joe only obtains our information from reputable sources. Contents from this article are sourced from the following publications:
- Starbucks Stories: https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/frappuccino-turns-20/
- Starbucks Menu: https://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/frappuccino-blended-beverages
