Ingredients You’ll Need:
Peppermint Syrup: I love the Torani Peppermint Syrup or the Peppermint Bark Sauce for an easy store-bought version! You could also make your own Homemade Peppermint Syrup with peppermint extract, sugar, and water. Making it at home is super easy and you can have a big batch ready to go for the week in about 10 minutes! Feel free to use a sugar substitue like monk fruit or stevia in your homemade syrup, or use the Torani Sugar Free Peppermint Syrup for a sugar free store bought option.
Chocolate Sauce: My favorite store bought option is the Torani Dark Chocolate Sauce. It has a delicious rich dark chocolate flavor that compliments the peppermint syrup flavor perfectly in this recipe. If you prefer making the sauce from scratch, make this Homemade Chocolate Sauce with only 5 ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry!
Milk: Starbucks uses whole milk in this recipe, but feel free to use any milk your heart desires!
Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is a powder that gives a Frappuccino a creamy and fluffy texture. If you don’t use xanthan gum, the ice in your Frappuccino will separate from the liquid, then you’ll slurp up all the flavored milk and coffee first, and be left with a cup of flavorless ice. I very much recommend using xanthan gum in your at home Frappuccinos and blended beverages for a smooth, creamy, fluffy texture. Note, you only need about 1/4 TEASPOON of xanthan gum. Any more than that, and you’ll be left with a weird, gummy Frappuccino.
Instant Coffee: I’ve found that using instant coffee powder gives the Frappuccino the best coffee flavor without watering down the drink too much. Starbucks has a Frappuccino Roast Syrup that has coffee flavoring inside, so to get a similar taste at home, I use instant coffee powder. It blends into the Frappuccino really well, and tastes just like Starbucks. If you prefer to use a liquid coffee like brewed coffee, cold brew, or espresso, just add less milk or add more ice to make sure the texture isn’t too runny or liquidy.
Ice: Since this is a blended coffee beverage, you’ll need ice. Any ice cubes will work, and if you want a more intense coffee flavor, feel free to use coffee ice cubes!
Whipped cream: Whipped cream is an essential ingredient in a Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino. It’s a perfect creamy topping that adds an extra layer of texture and sweetness to the drink. You can opt for a sugar free whipped topping to lower the sugar, or use a dairy free whipped topping if you are dairy free.
Optional Toppings: My favorite Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino toppings include: Crushed Candy Cane, Chocolate Shavings, Holiday Sprinkles, Chocolate Sauce Drizzle, or Cocoa Powder. Starbucks uses chocolate shavings, but feel free to top your drink with whatever toppings you prefer!
Which Instant Coffee is Best?
You can use any instant coffee powder you enjoy most! Personally, I prefer the flavor of a medium roast coffee in a Frappuccino, but feel free to use your favorite. Just know, some instant coffees may be lighter or darker roast than others, so that will affect the overall flavor of the Frappuccino.
Some of my favorite instant coffees include:
- Nescafe Ice Roast
- Waka Coffee Medium Roast Instant Coffee
- Press Coffee Instant Specialty Coffee
- Nescafe Gold Instant Espresso
- Cafe Bustelo Instant Espresso
- Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee Medium Roast Packets Pike Place Roast Packets
Can I Use Liquid Coffee Instead of Instant Coffee?
Yes you can! I prefer instant coffee since it’ll give you coffee flavor without watering down the Frappuccino, but you can absolutely use regular brewed coffee like from a Keurig, coffee pot, Nespresso, or even a bottled coffee option.
If you do decide to use a liquid form of coffee, I recommend just using less milk or adding extra ice to maintain that classic Starbucks Frappuccino texture.
What If My Frappuccino is Too Thick or Too Runny?
If your Frappuccino is too thick, just add a few tablespoons more of milk and blend the mixture again. If it’s too watery, add a little bit more ice and blend again.
How Can I Make This Dairy Free?
To make a dairy free Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino:
- Use the Torani Dark Chocolate Sauce – YES this product is dairy-free, and use either the Torani Peppermint Syrup or my Homemade Peppermint Syrup recipe!
- Make your own Homemade Chocolate Sauce – this homemade recipe is dairy free!
- Use any dairy free milk instead of whole milk: oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc
- Use a dairy free whipped topping! Most grocery stores sell oat milk or coconut milk whipped topping options! You can also make your own homemade dairy free whipped cream using a whipped cream dispenser, an N20 charger, vanilla syrup, and dairy free heavy whipping cream!
- Use dairy free toppings like sprinkles, crushed candy cane, Chocolate Sauce Drizzle, or cocoa powder.
How Can I Make This Lower Sugar or Lower Calorie?
To make a lower sugar/lower calorie Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino at home, make as many of the modifications below as you would like:
- Use the Torani Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Sauce
- Use the Torani Sugar Free Peppermint Syrup
- Make your own Homemade Peppermint Syrup using a sugar free substitue like monk fruit or stevia
- Make your own Homemade Chocolate Sauce using a sugar free substitue like monk fruit or stevia
- Use unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk or soy milk instead of whole milk
- Use a sugar free whipped topping or skip the whipped cream altogether
How Can I Make This High Protein?
Bump up the protein of this drink by using a high protein milk like this Fairlife Milk or by using a Chocolate Protein Shake instead of the chocolate sauce and the milk in the recipe!
Can I Make This Without The Coffee?
Absolutely! Simply skip the instant coffee to make a caffeine-free Peppermint Mocha Creme Frappuccino!
What Are The Exact Starbucks Ratios?
Follow the ratios below for each size Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino!
| TALL | GRANDE | VENTI | |
| PEPPERMINT SYRUP | 1.5 PUMPS (3/4 TBSP) | 2 PUMPS (1 TBSP) | 3 PUMPS (1.5 TBSP) |
| CHOCOLATE SAUCE | 1.5 PUMPS (3/4 TBSP) | 2 PUMPS (1 TBSP) | 3 PUMPS (1.5 TBSP |
| WHOLE MILK | 4 OUNCES | 6 OUNCES | 8 OUNCES |
| INSTANT COFFEE | 1 TEASPOON | 2 TEASPOONS | 3 TEASPOONS |
| XANTHAN GUM | 1/4 TEASPOON | 1/4 TEASPOON | 1/4 TEASPOON |
| ICE | 1/2 CUP | 2/3 CUP | 1 1/4 CUP |
Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe:
Homemade whipped cream is so simple to make! All you need is Vanilla Syrup, Heavy Whipping Cream, a Whipped Cream Dispenser, and an N20 Charger!
Add 1 cup heavy whipping cream and 2-3 tablespoons Vanilla Syrup to the whipped cream dispenser. Add the N20 charger to the inside of the cap and twist until you hear a hissing noise. Shake to chill the cream and squeeze out your homemade whipped cream!
How To Make A Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino At Home:
To a blender, add Peppermint Syrup, Chocolate Sauce, whole milk, xanthan gum, instant coffee, and ice.
Blend the mixture until smooth (about 30-45 seconds).
Pour the blended Frappuccino mixture into a drinking cup, and top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and crushed peppermint candy (or your choice of toppings), and enjoy!
Similar Recipes You’ll Love:
Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons Peppermint Syrup homemade or store bought
- 1-2 tablespoons Chocolate Sauce homemade or store bought
- 1 cup whole milk or your choice of milk
- 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1/2 tablespoon instant coffee or instant espresso
- 1 1/4 cup ice
- Whipped cream
- Optional toppings: crushed peppermint, chocolate shavings, holiday sprinkles, cocoa powder, etc
Instructions
- To a blender, add Peppermint Syrup, Chocolate Sauce, whole milk, xanthan gum, instant coffee, and ice.
- Blend the mixture until smooth (about 30-45 seconds).
- Pour the blended Frappuccino mixture into a drinking cup, and top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and crushed peppermint candy (or your choice of toppings), and enjoy!
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