Chef notes

A caramel frappe is truly the perfect drink. Want to feel festive for the holidays? The creamy caramel notes will get you in the spirit. Need something to help you stay cool in the summer? This blended icy drink is just the thing.

While we love our coffee runs as much as the next person, sometimes it’s nice to get your caffeine kick without having to leave the house. The good news is you can make a copycat version at home in just five minutes. All you need are a handful of ingredients and a blender and you’re on your way to sweet salvation.

Start by adding instant coffee to hot water to give that subtle coffee flavor to your drink. You can also use two tablespoons of strongly brewed coffee but it might not have the same concentrated flavor. Next, add ice, milk, dissolved coffee, caramel syrup and xanthan gum to the blender and pulse until smooth. The key to a good caramel frappe is using a high-powered blender to ensure your drink is well blended. Whole milk is typically used, but you can use any milk of choice including oat, soy or almond. Top it off with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for a drink that’s impossible not to love. If you want to be extra fancy, make your own sweetened whipped cream. Simply whip heavy cream with a pinch of powdered sugar until soft peaks form. The canned stuff we all know and love is perfect here, though.

Get Ingredients: If you don’t have everything you need on hand, you can easily purchase all of the ingredients (just click the orange button below that says ‘Get Ingredients’). You can pick and choose exactly what ingredients you need based on what’s in your pantry and they’ll be on your doorstep before you know it.

Technique Tip: This recipe can be easily doubled, or even tripled, if you want to make enough drinks to serve friends.

Swap Option: Use any of your favorite flavored syrups such as vanilla, hazelnut or any seasonal flavors. Adjust the amount of syrup based on the amount of syrup you prefer. Feel free to substitute dairy-free milk such as almond, oat or soy.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons instant coffee
3/4 cup ice
1 cup whole milk
3-4 tablespoons caramel syrup

1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional)
whipped cream, for topping (optional)
caramel sauce, for topping (optional)

Fulfilled by

Preparation

In a small bowl, combine instant coffee with 1 tablespoon of very hot water. Allow to dissolve and mix to combine.

Using a high-speed blender, add ice, milk, dissolved coffee, caramel syrup and xanthan gum. If you want to make this into a salted caramel frappé, add a pinch of flaky sea salt to the blender before blending.

Blend on low speed, slowly increasing the speed to high. Allow to blend on high speed for at least 30 seconds until creamy, well-blended and voluminous. Scrape down the sides of the blender and re-blend if it still has chunks of ice in it.

Transfer to a drinking glass and top with whipped cream and caramel syrup, if using. Feel free to get fancy with garnishes, such as sprinkles, chocolate bits, flaky salt or crumbled cookies.