Every fall, I find myself looking forward to one Starbucks drink: the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. Blended with real pumpkin, coffee, ice, and warm fall spices, then topped with whipped cream, it’s the frozen coffee I can’t wait to enjoy.
And honestly, this Starbucks copycat couldn’t be much easier to make at home! Just toss everything into a blender, blend until smooth, then finish it with whipped cream and a light dusting of pumpkin pie spice. You’ve got a homemade Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino that tastes very close to the Starbucks version but costs a whole lot less.
I usually keep a bottle of cold brew concentrate in the refrigerator all fall, so this Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino isn’t the only Starbucks drink making regular appearances around here. I use it for my Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Cookie Butter Cold Brew too!
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino
- A Starbucks copycat that actually tastes close to the original. My daughter spent years as a Starbucks barista, so we’ve put a lot of testing into getting both the flavor and texture right.
- Real pumpkin in every sip. Pumpkin puree gives this frappuccino a richer, more authentic pumpkin flavor than syrups alone.
- Thick and creamy from the first sip to the last. A little xanthan gum helps keep everything blended together instead of separating into a watery slush.
- No coffee shop equipment required. If your blender can handle ice, you’ve already got the most important tool.
- Customize the sweetness. Use agave, vanilla syrup, maple syrup, or homemade pumpkin syrup depending on the flavor you’re after.
- Save the Starbucks trip. This homemade version tastes remarkably close to the original and costs a fraction of the price.
Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Ingredients
- Cold brew concentrate
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Pumpkin puree
- Ice cubes
- Liquid sweetener (agave, vanilla syrup, maple syrup, or pumpkin syrup)
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Xanthan gum
- Whipped cream
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Cold Brew Concentrate
For homemade frappuccinos, I like getting as much coffee flavor as possible without adding extra liquid. That’s why cold brew concentrate works so well. It has a rich coffee flavor, it’s already cold, and you only need a small amount.
No cold brew? Substitute 2 ounces of cooled espresso. Just make sure it’s completely chilled before blending so it doesn’t melt the ice.
Heavy Cream & Whole Milk
I use equal parts heavy cream and whole milk to give this frappuccino a rich, creamy texture without making it too heavy.
If you prefer, you can simply use ¼ cup half-and-half instead.
Pumpkin Puree
Use 100% pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling already contains sugar and spices that will change the flavor of the drink.
Ice Cubes
Regular ice cubes work best for a thick frappuccino.
Use a scant 1 cup instead of an overflowing measuring cup. Too much ice waters down the drink, while pebble ice melts too quickly and doesn’t give you the same creamy consistency. The ice your freezer automatically makes is usually perfect.
Liquid Sweetener
I usually use agave because it lets the coffee and pumpkin flavors shine. Vanilla syrup, maple syrup, or homemade pumpkin spice syrup are all great options too.
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Pumpkin pie spice gives this frappuccino its classic fall flavor. You’ll also want a little extra for sprinkling over the whipped cream.
Xanthan Gum
This little ingredient makes a surprisingly big difference.
Xanthan gum acts as an emulsifier, helping the frappuccino stay smooth and creamy instead of separating after a minute or two.
Years ago, when I developed my Starbucks Chai Frappuccino recipe, I started recommending xanthan gum because Starbucks uses an emulsifier in their frappuccino base. Since then, I’ve noticed it becoming much more common in homemade frappuccino recipes. I’d like to think that was my small contribution to the homemade coffee world.
Whipped Cream
Don’t skip it! A generous swirl of whipped cream and a light dusting of pumpkin pie spice are what make this homemade frappuccino look and taste like the Starbucks original.
How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino
Detailed recipe and instructions are in recipe card at bottom of post.
Making this copycat recipe couldn’t be much easier.
- Add everything to the blender. Add the cold brew concentrate, heavy cream, whole milk, pumpkin puree, ice cubes, liquid sweetener, pumpkin pie spice, and xanthan gum to your blender.
- Blend until smooth. Blend on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the mixture is thick, creamy, and you no longer see any large pieces of ice.
- Pour into a glass. Pour the frappuccino into a 16-ounce glass.
- Top and serve. Finish with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a dusting of pumpkin pie spice. Serve immediately while it’s thick, creamy, and frosty.
Recipe Tips
- Measure the ice carefully. Too much ice can make the drink watery once it starts melting.
- Chill your espresso completely before using it as a substitute.
- Xanthan gum only needs a tiny amount. More isn’t better.
- Blend just until smooth. Over-blending can start melting the ice.
- Enjoy the frappuccino right after making it for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino have caffeine? Yes. This version contains caffeine because it’s made with cold brew concentrate. If you’d rather have a caffeine-free version, make my Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino instead.
Can I make it without espresso? Absolutely. Cold brew concentrate is actually my preferred choice because it gives you strong coffee flavor without adding much liquid. Cooled espresso also works well.
Can I make it ahead of time? Not really. Frappuccinos are at their best right after blending. As they sit, the ice melts and the texture changes.
More Starbucks Frappuccino Recipes
If you enjoy making coffee shop favorites at home, here are a few more frozen drinks to try next.
More Pumpkin Spice Recipes
If you’re already in the mood for pumpkin season, these recipes are worth adding to your fall drink list.
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
- Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai
- Pumpkin Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso
- Pumpkin Smoothie
- Pumpkin Crème Steamer
- Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
- Pumpkin Syrup for Drinks
- Starbucks Copycat Pumpkin Spice Sauce
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Copycat
Skip the coffee shop and make this thick, creamy Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino at home. Made with real pumpkin, cold brew concentrate, warm pumpkin pie spice, and topped with whipped cream, this Starbucks copycat is ready in just a few minutes.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cold brew concentrate (or 2 ounces cooled espresso)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons whole milk (or substitute ¼ cup half-and-half for the cream and milk)
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup ice cubes (scant 1 cup)
- 3 tablespoons agave, vanilla syrup, maple syrup, or other liquid sweetener
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for garnish
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
- Whipped cream, for topping
Instructions
- Add the cold brew concentrate, heavy cream, whole milk, pumpkin puree, ice, sweetener, pumpkin pie spice, and xanthan gum to a blender.
- Blend on high for 30–60 seconds, or until smooth and creamy with no large pieces of ice remaining.
- Pour into a 16-ounce glass.
- Top with whipped cream and a light dusting of pumpkin pie spice. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 16 ouncesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 335Total Fat: 20gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 65mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 2gSugar: 33gProtein: 3g
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the brands of ingredients used, the type of sweetener, and the amount of whipped cream added.