If you’re like me and enjoy a fancy drink now and then but don’t want to risk going to Starbucks for an overpriced (but still delicious) frappuccino, I’ve got you. I’ve spent way too much time on TikTok and YouTube looking at Starbucks secret recipes, hacks, and DIYs. I have also slowly been making my way through my constantly growing list of things to try, and can confirm that these work. Therefore I am obligated to share this DIY goodness with you.
Disclaimer: first, please don’t expect this to taste exactly like Starbucks. Second, if you don’t have the materials needed for a recipe, please stay safe and don’t make any extra trips to buy these ingredients.
You will need a blender to make these recipes. If your blender isn’t very powerful, I’d recommend putting the ice in a plastic bag and crushing it that way so as to not cause the blender to crash and burn.
First up is a Nutella Frappuccino. Here’s what else you should gather:
1 cup ice
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon Nutella
Blend the ice and milk for about 20 seconds before adding the sugar and Nutella. Pop it into a glass and garnish — if you want — with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Notes: the recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of Nutella, but I tested it after blending and it wasn’t really Nutella-y enough for me (I have a major sweet tooth). I ended up putting in 3 tablespoons and that was good for me, but be sure to start by following the recipe because you can always add more later.
Next is a Strawberry Cream Frappuccino. Here’s the recipe:
1 cup ice
1 cup milk
1 cup vanilla ice cream
1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
Give the ice and milk a few pulses and then add in the ice cream and strawberries. Blend until smooth. Swirl whipped cream on the inside of a glass and pour in the frapp. If you feel like it, top with more whipped cream, some strawberry slices, and strawberry syrup.
Notes: I didn’t have whipped cream in a squirt bottle, nor did I have strawberry syrup. This still tasted so good. It’s basically a strawberry shake.
Our third recipe is an Oreo — yes, Oreo — Frappuccino. It tastes as good as it sounds.
10 ice cubes
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons confectioner’s (powdered) sugar
6-8 oreos
Pulse crush the ice a couple times, then add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Blend, then add the Oreos a few at a time. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and another crumbled Oreo.
Notes: I didn’t have enough Oreos for this, so I had to add a little more vanilla and quite a bit more sugar to make up for the missing Oreos, but it was still pretty darn good. Next time I make this, I definitely need to add more Oreos.
Fourth on the list is a copycat frappuccino for the vanilla lovers out there. This is where I found the recipe. It’s super simple:
1 cup ice
1 ¼ cups milk
¾ cup vanilla or vanilla bean ice cream
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream if you feel like it.
Notes: I had to add a little more vanilla because, once again, I couldn’t really taste it. Be sure to taste after following the recipe and add based on what you think. :)
Last but not least, we have a bonus — a copycat Starbucks hot chocolate. Like...yes, it’s almost summer, but I find it difficult to believe that people don’t crave hot chocolate year round.
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
¼ cup water
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Add cocoa, sugar, and water to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until warm, around 40 seconds. Mix well to form a chocolate syrup. Add milk and vanilla and give it a good stir. Put back in the microwave until hot, about 60 seconds. Top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup or chocolate chips.
Notes: I don't use the microwave that much, so I made this in a double boiler and it worked just as well. This is SO GOOD. Seriously, I could have this every day and not get tired of it. Y’all need to make this.
That concludes our at-home barista guide, thank you for joining! Remember to play around with these recipes; they’re guidelines, not rules. Half them, quadruple them, substitute milk and sugar for ice cream and vice versa. They are in your capable hands.
If you are interested in more copycat Starbucks recipes to try from the comfort of your own kitchen, I found a couple websites: here, here, here, and here. TikTok and YouTube are also good resources to find such things, as there are people on camera who can give genuine reactions. I found these first three recipes from @Makeupbypita — part 1 and part 2.