Salted Caramel & Choco Frappuccino – A Café-Style Treat You Can Make at Home

Does the Salted Caramel Frappe Have Coffee in It?

The short answer: yes. In fact, that’s one of its defining features. A good frappuccino starts with a strong coffee base, often made with fresh-brewed coffee or even espresso for a richer taste. If you own an espresso coffee maker or have access to a quality coffee grinder, you can elevate the flavor dramatically by using freshly ground beans and brewing just before blending.

Using espresso gives the drink a more intense coffee aroma, while regular brewed coffee delivers a smoother, more mellow flavor.

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What Is a Caramel Frappe Made Of?

A classic caramel frappe is made from blended ice, coffee, milk or half & half, and caramel syrup. But by adding salted caramel syrup instead of regular caramel, you introduce a subtle savory note that balances the sweetness beautifully. In this chocolate variation, we add rich chocolate sauce for a mocha-like depth.

Ingredients for Salted Caramel & Choco Frappuccino:

• 2 cups ice
• ½ cup coffee (cooled)
• ½ cup half & half
• 1–2 tbsp chocolate sauce (plus extra for topping)
• 3 tbsp salted caramel syrup

Blend everything until smooth, pour into a tall glass, and top with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, or even a small sprinkle of sea salt for dramatic effect.

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Do Caramel Frappuccinos Taste Like Coffee?

Yes — but the coffee flavor is often more subtle compared to hot coffee or espresso. The sweetness from the caramel and chocolate makes this drink appealing even to people who aren’t strong coffee drinkers. If you prefer a more pronounced coffee flavor, simply increase the coffee-to-ice ratio or use two shots of espresso.

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Tips for the Best Homemade Frappuccino

1. Use fresh coffee – Grinding beans right before brewing brings out the best aroma.
2. Chill your coffee before blending – Prevents your ice from melting too fast.
3. Layer flavors – Drizzle chocolate sauce inside the glass before adding the drink for a café-style presentation.
4. Experiment with toppings – Whipped cream, caramel drizzle, or even crushed cookies can add texture and flavor.

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A Bit of Coffee History

While frappuccino-style drinks became globally popular in the 1990s, the idea of blending coffee with ice dates back much further. Coffee-based iced blends were enjoyed in Greece as frappés, and sweetened iced coffee drinks have centuries of tradition in different cultures around the world. The salted caramel flavor combination, however, is a more recent culinary trend, emerging in the early 2000s from French pastry influences.

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Perfect Pairings

If you’re serving your Salted Caramel & Choco Frappuccino as an afternoon treat, consider pairing it with:

• Shortbread cookies
• Almond biscotti
• A slice of chocolate cake
• Salted caramel brownies

This drink is also a perfect stand-alone indulgence — you can even serve it as a coffee-based dessert after dinner.