The Home Barista Makes a Frappuccino – Recipe
I happen to like my coffee hot, piping actually… especially in the dead of winter. However, I’ve noticed that the younger generation doesn’t much care what the temperature is outside – frappuccinos seem to be always in season, an evergreen drink if you will. But let’s be honest, this drink can be a little tough on the wallet and the waistline. So, I set about to create a frappuccino recipe that millennial coffee enthusiasts can enjoy without breaking the bank OR their New Year’s diet resolutions.
Now, although I’m not a frappuccino-lover myself, I do have one very close, very large personality in my life (who I may have given birth to 13 years ago) who does drink frappuccinos. A. LOT. OF. FRAPPUCCINOS – from the mermaid goddess chain. She dabbles with things like caramel walls (what even is that?). She educates me. Frankly, I’m gonna call her an expert.
The following recipe was actually approved by this expert. I brought her in to taste test, offer criticism (no problem there) and drink as much frappuccino as she wanted (hence her inspiration to be of service). The final product on this drink received the following comment, which is how I knew I had gotten it right: “It’s not as sweet as Starbucks, it actually tastes, (pause to think), healthy…BUT, I still really like it.”
….Ok, maybe you didn’t understand how earth-shattering this statement was. A teenager just used the word “healthy” in a sentence about something she was approving. Jaw dropping. Since I have no aspirations to make something as sweet as Starbucks, and since the other kids were sucking down this frothy drink (that actually has nutritional value also), I knew I had arrived at the ideal frappuccino for someone who wants a clean, cold, and affordable coffee treat…even in January.
Simple Vanilla Frappuccino Recipe: (Serves 2)
You know we love helping you to ditch the lines and be your own barista. The cold creaminess of the famous frappuccino is an elusive capture, for sure… perhaps as elusive as the legendary mermaid. But we’ve put together a recipe that even our 13-year-old approves of. Plus, coffee enthusiasts can enjoy this treat without breaking the bank OR New Year’s diet resolutions.
- ½ cup strong coffee (room temp or colder * (I brewed it using the pour over method and doubled my usual amount of coffee grounds))
- ¼ cup milk of choice (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
- 3 T Half-and-Half (I highly recommend this but you could probably substitute coconut milk if desired)
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use whey protein sweetened with stevia)
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 T agave nectar or maple syrup
- ⅛ t sea salt
- Throw all ingredients into a high-speed blender (please don’t skip the sea salt!) and blend to desired consistency. We found that pulsing was the best way to keep a few ice cubes intact (this is the way my expert likes it).
- Pour into two tall cups. Straws are an absolute must. And enjoy!
* As much as I hate making you wait, you really do need to let the coffee cool before blending it up if you want to have the right ice consistency.
