Kat's Kitchen

If there’s one Dutch Bros drink that feels extra over-the-top in the BEST way possible, it’s the Picture Perfect Freeze. Between the caramel drizzle, dark chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and creamy blended coffee base, this drink basically tastes like dessert in a cup.

And honestly? It’s shockingly easy to make at home.

This homemade Dutch Bros Picture Perfect Freeze recipe has all the chocolatey caramel goodness of the original, but costs a fraction of the price and can be made right in your own kitchen with just a blender and a few simple ingredients.

If you’ve ever wanted to recreate your favorite Dutch Bros drinks at home without needing a fancy slushie machine or complicated ingredients, this recipe is for you.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tastes just like the Dutch Bros original
• Easy to make with a regular blender
• No specialty equipment required
• Rich, creamy, and perfectly blended
• Saves SO much money compared to daily coffee runs
• Easily customizable for different sizes and sweetness levels

What Is A Dutch Bros Freeze?

A Dutch Bros Freeze is essentially a blended coffee drink made with espresso, milk, sugar, and ice. In-store, Dutch Bros uses a frozen coffee slush base made ahead of time, then customizes each drink with syrups, sauces, and toppings.

At home, we can recreate that same creamy texture by blending everything together fresh in a blender.

The “Picture Perfect” version is topped and lined with caramel sauce and dark chocolate sauce for the ultimate sweet treat.

Equipment Needed

• Blender
• 24-ounce cup or glass
• Espresso machine or espresso maker (not needed if using instant espresso powder)

Ingredients

Makes a MEDIUM size (24 ounce) freeze

• 1 tablespoon granulated cane sugar
• 2 shots espresso, to brew (see all the ways to make espresso at home)
• 8 ounces whole milk (or your milk of choice)
• 1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional, for improved texture)
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Whipped cream
• Torani Caramel Sauce
• Torani Dark Chocolate Sauce

Instructions

Blend The Freeze

Brew the espresso shots using your preferred espresso making method (see this post for all the espresso making options).

In a blender combine the sugar, espresso, whole milk, xanthan gum (if using), and ice cubes.

Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy.

Prepare The Cup

To a 24-ounce glass, drizzle the caramel sauce and dark chocolate sauce all around the inside of the cup.

Assemble The Drink

Pour the blended freeze into the prepared glass.

Top with whipped cream and more caramel and chocolate sauce drizzle and enjoy!

Dutch Bros Freeze Size Chart

Size	Sugar	Espresso	Milk	Xanthan Gum	Ice
Small	1 tbsp	2 shots	6 oz	⅛ tsp	½ cup
Medium	1 tbsp	2 shots	8 oz	⅛ tsp	1 cup
Large	2 tbsp	4 shots	12 oz	⅛ tsp	1 ½ cups

What Does Xanthan Gum Do?

Xanthan gum helps create that thick, creamy, coffee shop-style blended texture that Dutch Bros freezes are known for.

It helps prevent the drink from separating too quickly and gives the freeze a smoother consistency.

You can absolutely leave it out if you don’t have any, but I personally love the texture it adds.

How To Make Espresso For This Recipe

You can use any espresso-making method you like for this recipe:

• Espresso machine
• Nespresso
• Moka pot
• AeroPress
• Instant espresso powder

If you don’t own an espresso machine, don’t worry! I have a full blog post breaking down several easy ways to make espresso at home using affordable beginner-friendly methods.

See this post for in-depth details on each method: 5 Ways to Make Espresso at Home

Tips For The BEST Homemade Freeze

• Use whole milk for the creamiest texture
• Blend long enough for the ice to fully break down
• Add extra ice for a thicker consistency and less ice for a thinner texture
• Drizzle the sauces generously — this is what makes it “Picture Perfect”
• Freeze your serving cup beforehand for an extra frosty drink

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make This Dairy Free?

Yes! Simply swap the whole milk for oat milk or your favorite dairy-free milk alternative.

Can I Use Instant Espresso?

Absolutely. Instant espresso is one of my favorite beginner-friendly ways to make coffee drinks at home. Use 2 teaspoons for this recipe (or use 1 teaspoon per shot of espresso)

Is Xanthan Gum Required?

Nope! It simply helps improve the blended texture and thickness. If you don’t have it, simply skip it and blend!

Can I Make This Less Sweet?

Yes. Reduce or eliminate the sugar OR use sugar-free caramel/chocolate sauces if preferred. Torani has sugar free sauce options:

• Torani Sugar Free Caramel Sauce
• Torani Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Sauce

More Dutch Bros Copycat Recipes

If you love making Dutch Bros drinks at home, be sure to check out these recipes too:

• Dutch Bros Kicker
• Dutch Bros Golden Eagle
• Dutch Bros Cocomo
• Dutch Bros Annihilator
• Dutch Bros Caramelizer

Final Thoughts

One of my favorite things about recreating Dutch Bros drinks at home is realizing how EASY they actually are to make yourself.

You don’t need a fancy coffee shop setup or expensive equipment to make delicious blended coffee drinks at home. And once you realize how much money you save by skipping the drive-thru? It’s honestly hard to go back!