Frappuccinos and cappuccinos are two popular coffee drinks. While they sound similar, they are actually very different! Read on to learn more about the main difference between these two iconic coffee drinks.
If you are a coffee beginner, you may not know the different types of coffee. Lattes, espresso, flat whites, macchiatos…the list goes on and on. It can be confusing and intimidating to know what to order in a coffee shop.
Frappuccinos and cappuccinos are two incredibly popular drinks. While they have sound similar-sounding names, they actually have major differences!
In this article, we deep dive into the key differences, flavors, preparations, and more. You will be able to order each drink with confidence.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
Before we dive into each drink, you may want a quick overview. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
A frappuccino is a frozen coffee beverage made from coffee or milk, ice, and syrup. It is always enjoyed cold and is often sweet. Some flavors can be made with ice cream, which makes them a great summer drink! While some frappuccinos contain coffee, not all flavors do. These are called cremè frappuccinos.
A cappuccino is an espresso-based drink with steamed milk and milk foam. It is most traditionally enjoyed hot, but can also be ordered iced. This drink is not as sweet as a frappuccino and has a stronger caffeine kick.
FRAPPUCCINOS
Chances are you have heard of a Frappuccino before. I remember discovering this delicious drink as a teenager and becoming obsessed. I had to try every flavor!
Frappuccinos are blended coffee drinks. They are made from coffee or milk, ice cubes, and syrup. They have a creamy consistency similar to a milkshake.
They are often topped with whipped cream and syrup or spice, depending on the flavor. Chocolate syrup and caramel syrup are two popular add-ons to help sweeten the drink (not that they need it!).
There are two categories of frappuccinos: coffee-based and crème based. Each category has several different flavors, and a few of them are available in both options. If you like, you can customize and make your own flavor combination from scratch!
Coffee-based frappuccinos use coffee as the blending base. These drinks contain caffeine, but it is possible to order them with decaf coffee instead. Popular flavors include espresso, caramel, and coffee frappuccino.
Crème based frappuccinos use milk or fruit as the blending base. They do not include any coffee, but some flavors contain caffeine. Popular cremè flavors include vanilla bean, strawberry, and chai.
Frappuccinos are always enjoyed cold and cannot be ordered as a hot coffee beverage. They are popular year-round but are the most refreshing during hotter summer months. Some flavors taste more like a milkshake than coffee!
Starbucks started selling premade frappuccinos in grocery and convenience stores. They offer a wide variety of flavors, from original to mocha frappuccino.
Unlike a freshly made frappuccino, these ready-made drinks have a thinner consistency. The signature creamy texture is lacking as it is not blended with ice. Regardless, this is a delicious and easy on-the-go drink!
FUN FACT: Starbucks actually trademarked the word Frappuccino! The name comes from the french word frapper, which means to ice or strike. Due to the trademark, in other coffee shops, these drinks are called frozen drinks or frappés.
WHAT IS THE BEST FLAVOR?
The best flavor is 100% up to you! It is a personal preference, and I bet everyone you ask will have a different answer. Here is a quick rundown of some of the most popular flavors.
ESPRESSO: This flavor has a strong coffee taste with the signature creamy texture of a frappuccino. While sweet, it is not as cloying as other flavors.
CARAMEL: Topped with whipped cream and drizzled with caramel syrup, this is dessert in a cup! This is actually my favorite flavor and I love to order it on a hot summer day.
MOCHA: Chocolate lovers, this is for you! This is a classic combination of coffee and chocolate. Compared to other chocolate frappuccino options, this drink is not too sweet or heavy.
STRAWBERRY: Perfect for spring and summer, this drink is creamy and delicious. Sweetened with strawberry puree, it is closer to a refreshing milkshake. This flavor does not contain any coffee.
WHAT IS A FRAPPÉ?
A frappé is the original frappuccino! This refreshing drink originated in Greece. It has become so popular in Greece that you can find it in practically every local coffee shop.
This drink is made with coffee, milk, and ice. While frappés are most commonly coffee-based, they can also be made from tea, juice, or chocolate. In addition, frappés are generally less sweet than the Starbucks version.
To blend this drink, frappés are mixed using a cocktail shaker. This helps create the signature foamy top.
ARE FRAPPUCCINOS AND FRAPPÉS THE SAME?
Essentially, yes- these two drinks are the same. The main difference between the two is how it is made and the consistency.
While very similar, a frappé is traditionally shaken rather than blended together. The consistency is thinner than a frappuccino, as it is not blended with as much ice and milk or cream.
A frappé also has more foam than a frappuccino, which is well blended together. The milk foam is formed through the vigorous shaking process. It is also a lighter, more refreshing topping than whipped cream.
HOW TO MAKE A FRAPPUCCINO AT HOME
Good news! If you want to make a frappuccino at home you can do so in a few simple steps! All you need is a high-power blender to ensure a luscious, delicious texture.
To be honest, there is no perfect recipe to follow. This is great because you can create a drink depending on your cravings and preference.
To begin with, you will first need coffee. You can use cold brew or drip coffee that has cooled. Instant coffee is also a great workaround and still has a great caffeine kick. Do not use hot coffee or your drink will be warm.
Next, add milk or cream. Milk with a higher fat content will help to thicken the beverage. You could also use milk alternatives, such as almond, oat, or coconut milk.
If you want to sweeten the drink, you have plenty of options. To keep it simple, you could sweeten it with sugar. Flavored syrups are the most popular choice. They come in a wide variety of flavors and are relatively inexpensive. Popular syrups include vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut.
Lastly, add in the ice and blend away! To help avoid the drink becoming too watery, you could use frozen coffee or milk cubes instead.
To make this drink extra decadent, top it with whipped cream. You could also drizzle chocolate or caramel syrup. Sprinkling spices is another great way to get in additional flavor. For fall-inspired flavors, you can sprinkle on cinnamon or pumpkin spice.
Viola! How easy was that?!
CAPPUCCINO
Cappuccinos are a classic and delicious type of coffee. This drink is smooth, lightly sweetened, and has a strong coffee flavor.
The key to a smooth cappuccino is equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. This creates a balanced drink, which is smaller in size. A traditional cappuccino is normally 4-6 ounces.
Cappuccinos are made using an espresso machine. A regular cappuccino normally only has one espresso shot. It can also be made with a double shot of espresso for a stronger kick. To make the steamed and frothed milk, you can either use a steam wand or a milk frother.
While cappuccinos are most often enjoyed as a hot drink, they are also a refreshing cold drink. The espresso-based coffee drink will be poured over ice with a small amount of milk and frothed milk.
WET VS DRY CAPPUCCINO
Like all coffee drinks, they can be modified. Two popular ways to customize cappuccinos are to make them wet or dry.
A wet cappuccino has more steamed milk and less foam. A very wet cappuccino has a lot of milk- it’s essentially a latte.
A dry cappuccino is an opposite. It has more foam and less steamed milk. Some people also enjoy bone-dry cappuccinos, which have no milk at all.
ARE CAPPUCCINOS DECAF?
No, they are not decaf. Cappuccinos contain caffeine because they are espresso based. If you do not want any caffeine, you can order a decaf cappuccino.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM A LATTE?
With so many espresso-based drinks on menus, you may be wondering if cappuccinos and lattes are the same.
Simply put, lattes contain a higher amount of milk. They are generally made with a double shot of espresso and topped with steamed milk.
Generally speaking, lattes are more popular than cappuccinos. They come in a wider variety of flavors and are often sweeter than a cappuccino. Coffee stores like Starbucks and Dunkin Doughnuts will also release seasonal flavors. Chances are you may have heard of a Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL).
IS AN ICED CAPPUCCINO A FRAPPÉ?
No, these two drinks are different. While very similar, frappés are traditionally shaken together. An iced cappuccino is made from shots of espresso, cold milk, and ice cubes, and topped with frothed milk. You might shake an iced cappuccino a little to help the ingredients mix together, but not as intensely as a frappé.
MAIN DIFFERENCES
Now that we know more about each coffee beverage, you may still have some extra questions. Here is a more in-depth rundown of some common differences and questions.
BREWING METHOD
Frappuccinos use cold brew or cold coffee. The coffee is not freshly brewed for each order, as it does not require hot coffee.
On the other hand, cappuccinos are made with fresh espresso shots.
APPLIANCES
To make a frappuccino at home, you will need a blender. Because this is an iced-based drink, it is best to use a high-speed blender, such as a Vitamix. This will help create the smooth texture signature of this popular iced coffee drink.
Making a fresh cappuccino at home is a little more complex. Chances are you may need more than one appliance.
Firstly, you will need to have an espresso machine. Some higher-end automatic coffee makers, such as Nespresso, offer cappuccino coffee pods. This is a little easier, as you do not have to pull your own espresso shots.
You will also need a milk frother. This will create the luscious texture and foam signature of this beverage. If you have an espresso machine, you can use the steam wand. Otherwise, you could purchase a jug frother to help heat and foam the cappuccino milk. I have an article that goes in-depth into milk frothers.
SIZE
Traditional cappuccinos are small, about 4-6 ounces. Depending on the number of shots you order, they can be larger. However, if you want a lot of coffee, you may be better off ordering regular coffee or a latte.
Frappuccino drinks come in all sizes, from small to large. It is easier to make this drink in larger sizes because it has so many ingredients.
CAFFEINE
Cappuccinos have a higher caffeine content than frappuccinos. Made with fresh espresso, cappuccinos are only lightly watered down with steamed milk. A Starbucks grande cappuccino has 150 milligrams of caffeine.
Frappuccinos, on the other hand, contain coffee but are diluted with milk and sugar. A grande coffee frappuccino has 95 mg of caffeine. A Starbucks frappuccino that is cremè based normally contains no caffeine at all. Keep in mind some flavors, like matcha, will.
CALORIES
Hands down, a frappuccino has more calories. Overall, cappuccinos are better for your health and are much lower in sugar. A grande cappuccino has 140 calories and only 5 grams of fat.
Some frappuccinos contain less sugar and fats than others. Coffee-based frappuccinos tend to have fewer calories than creme frappuccinos.
For example, a grande Espresso frappuccino has 210 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, and a whopping 42 grams of sugar. A Double Chocolatey Chip creme frappuccino has 410 calories, 20 grams of fat, and 47 grams of sugar.
That is a big difference! If you are trying to watch your calories, research the drinks ahead of time to know which is the healthiest option for you.
WHICH DRINK IS BETTER?
This is totally determined by you and your personal preference! If you like a creamy cold drink, then a frappuccino is the way to go. It is also a great choice because of the huge variety of flavors. This iced drink is especially refreshing on a hot day.
If you prefer strong coffee with less milk, then definitely go with a cappuccino. This drink is lower in milk and sugar, so it is not as sweet. It is also a great option in the winter months since it is traditionally enjoyed hot.
Both drinks are delicious. Try them both and see which you prefer!
FAQ
Most coffee shops today offer a variation of a frappuccino. As Starbucks has trademarked the name, they’re often called frozen drinks, ice blended drinks, or frappes.
The base of the drink, flavors, and ingredients are subject to change from one coffee shop to another. Overall, the drink will still be delicious and refreshing!
No, these two drinks are different. You cannot order a hot frappuccino, as the key to this blended drink is ice. It must be enjoyed cold.
Lattes are traditionally enjoyed hot, but can also be ordered cold and iced.
While some frappuccinos contain coffee, they are not the same. This is because they have a much higher amount of milk, cream, and sugar. Iced coffee normally has a higher ratio of coffee to milk. Additionally, frappuccinos are blended together, whereas iced coffee is not.
Yes, frappuccinos contain coffee. However, not all flavors do. If you want one with coffee, order from the coffee frappuccino list. If you are unsure, you can always ask the barista.
Coffee is normally freshly brewed in a pot and enjoyed black or with milk or heavy cream. A frappuccino is blended coffee with ice, milk, cream, and flavored sugar syrup.
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