Eggnog Frappuccino

Blend up some frosty Christmas cheer with my delicious copycat recipe for Starbucks’ Eggnog Frappuccino! Just 6 ingredients (including ice!) and 5 minutes of effort are all that stand between you and this craveably creamy, sensationally seasonal coffee frappé.

‘Tis the season for celebrating, and what better way to bring on the merry vibes than with a frozen Christmas eggnog drink? Between the custardy richness of the eggnog, boldly dark cold brew coffee, and delicious milkshake-y consistency of this frappuccino recipe, you’re in for a real treat.

Take it from me, a working mom of two tots: this sweet treat is the ideal way to banish even the strongest Grinchy impulses. (Unless you’re feeling too chilly for an icy coffee drink, in which case I strongly recommend a hot eggnog latte. 😉)

So, next time you’re feeling irritable like Jovie making those 6-inch ribbon curls, take a step back from the wrapping table and blend up some joy. Just a few sips of this eggnog frappuccino is all it takes to get into a Buddy the Elf frame of mind!

Jump to:

• What is an eggnog frappuccino?
• What does it taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Eggnog Frappuccino Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make An Eggnog Frappuccino
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• DIY Eggnog Frappuccino Nutrition
• Other Frappuccino Recipes
• Eggnog Frappuccino

What is an eggnog frappuccino?

Starbucks Frappuccinos are essentially the coffee-spiked versions of milkshakes. They’re thick, creamy, and frosty blended beverages that are basically equal parts coffee break and dessert. Generally speaking, these coffee frappés are made with strongly brewed cold coffee, milk, cream, some flavor of coffee syrup, and ice, then blended to creamy perfection.

This eggnog frappuccino recipe follows the same outline, except swaps in everyone’s favorite spiced seasonal drink for the milk and cream portion.

What does it taste like?

Imagine an iced eggnog latte and a milkshake combined forces to create a deliciously slurpable holiday drink. The warmly spiced custard flavor of eggnog takes center stage with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Rich notes of coffee are anchored by a hefty pour of cold brew, while a splash of vanilla syrup and sprinkle of nutmeg add additional sweetness and aromatic goodness. In short, this eggnog frappé tastes like a snowman’s Christmas party drink of choice!

Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Eggnog Frappuccino Recipe

• Sweet & Spicy - The way I see it, eggnog tastes like melted vanilla ice cream with a sprinkle of cozy nutmeg spice. It’s the perfect pairing for coffee in this delightful frappé!
• Quick & Easy - Just measure, pour, blend, and enjoy! All in, you’re looking at just 5 minutes of active kitchen time to make an eggnog frappuccino Starbucks would be proud of.
• Budget Savvy - I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: as much as I love Starbucks drinks, I HATE Starbucks prices. With my DIY recipe for this coffee eggnog milkshake, you’ll get all the yummy flavors you crave for pennies on the dollar of what you’d pay in store.

Ingredients Needed

As promised, you don’t need a bunch of stuff to make these Christmas eggnog drinks. Here’s what to grab:

• Ice - If possible, start with filtered water for the best, cleanest taste. 
• Eggnog - You’re welcome to use either homemade or store-bought. If you opt for homemade, just be aware if there’s booze added to the mix! 
• Cold Brew Coffee - My homemade recipe is a snap to make using just coffee grounds and water, though you can certainly use store-bought if you prefer a shortcut.
• Vanilla Syrup - Again, going full DIY will save a bunch of money (you only need water, sugar, and vanilla extract), but your favorite store-bought syrup will work too. 
• Nutmeg - Want to stretch your spice budget? I recommend buying whole nutmeg, then using a microplane to grate your own. Buying whole spices ensures they don’t lose their potency, so you don’t have to worry about refreshing them every year!
• Xanthan Gum - It might sound scary and chemically, but this naturally derived emulsifier is nothing to fret about and will help keep your homemade frappuccino perfectly frothed until the last sip. You should be able to find it in most grocery stores in the baking aisle or gluten-free baking aisle, and a single bag should last for a very long time.

Substitutions

When you act as your own Starbucks barista, you can make your eggnog frappuccinos however you like! Here are a few easy swaps to try:

• Ice - For added caffeinated oomph, swap in coffee ice cubes. 
• Eggnog - You’re welcome to use any vegan nog you prefer. Mexican horchata would also work well, though you may want to add a splash of cream for richness. Or, for a boozy take, use Puerto Rican coquito!
• Cold Brew Coffee - Strongly brewed conventional coffee or French Press espresso can also be used, but make sure to chill them first. 
• Vanilla Syrup - Plain simple syrup or a warmly spiced flavor like cinnamon dolce syrup would also work!
• Nutmeg - While nutmeg is the primary flavoring spice for traditional eggnog recipes, you’re welcome to use other warming spices like cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice if you prefer.
• Xanthan Gum - Since xanthan is typically derived from corn, it might not be suitable for all diets. Guar gum is a good 1:1 replacement.

How To Make An Eggnog Frappuccino

This eggnog coffee milkshake couldn’t be easier to whip up at home. Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Measure. Add the ice, eggnog, cold brew, vanilla syrup, nutmeg, and xantham gum to a high-speed blender. 

Step 2: Blend until smooth.

Step 3: Pour the frappuccino into a tall glass. 

Step 4: Garnish. Top with whipped cream and/or a sprinkle of ground nutmeg if desired. Drink up!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

Half the fun of bringing the Starbucks magic into your own kitchen is that you get to exert full creative control over your drinks! Here are just a few ways to tweak this recipe to your liking:

• Dairy-Free/Vegan - Use your favorite (preferably full-fat) vegan eggnog to keep this frosty drink deliciously dairy-free.
• Extra Buzzy - Add a float of espresso to the top of your frappuccino before dressing with whipped cream. It’s like an affogato, but you don’t need a spoon!
• Decaf - Use your favorite decaf roast to make decaf cold brew. If you’re extra sensitive to caffeine, you can try using a caffeine-free alternative like Dandy Blend or roasted chicory “coffee” instead.
• Reduced Sugar/Sugar-Free - Swap in sugar-free vanilla syrup to take the sweetness down a notch. Go a step further and use sugar-free eggnog to make this seasonal coffee frappé suitable for diabetics.

Serving Suggestions

Whether you’re cozying up for a movie night or hosting a dazzling holiday party, it’s easy to make this DIY Starbucks eggnog frappuccino the star of your gatherings:

• Batch Bliss: Whip up a large batch and serve it in a frozen drink dispenser or a festive punch bowl with a ladle, so guests can help themselves. Instruct your guests to have fun garnishing them with a squirt of whipped cream, a sprinkle of nutmeg, and cinnamon sticks for a touch of holiday flair.
• Spirited Away: Add a splash of bourbon, rum, or brandy to give your wintry frappuccino an adult twist. This boozy addition will help warm your guests and add a spirited cheer to your gathering.
• Coffee Bar Feature: Set up a mini coffee bar where guests can customize their drink with toppings like whipped cream, eggnog cold foam, crushed cookies, and chocolate shavings. It’s a fun way for everyone to personalize their treat!
• Dessert Duo: Serve your frappuccino alongside small holiday cookies (like those adorable gingerbread men meant to hang on your coffee cup) or your favorite seasonal pie for a delightful way to end any meal.
• Extra Sparkle: To make your holiday drinks shine extra bright, consider sprinkling the whipped cream with gold or silver edible glitter—they’ll look as pretty as an ornament!

Recipe Success Tips

• Start Cold. Make sure all the elements for your eggnog frappé are nice and chilly to ensure the perfect frothy texture. If the coffee is still warm or your eggnog is room temp, you’ll risk it melting and diluting before you get a chance to enjoy. I like to go a step further and freeze the base of my blender and my serving cup about 15 minutes before mixing them up—the extra chill goes a long way!
• Don’t Mix Too Soon. If you want to get a jump on preparations, you’re welcome to add everything except the ice and the xanthan gum to a container and keep it in the fridge. Just don’t add the ice or xanthan powder until right before blending; the ice will melt and dilute the flavor, while the xanthan gum will glom up into a little ball instead of evenly dispersing throughout the mix.
• Use Quality Nog. If you don’t like the flavor of your eggnog straight from the container, it’s unlikely you’ll like it in this frappuccino. Make sure to use a good brand (or good recipe) and opt for full-fat nog for the best results. 

FAQs

DIY Eggnog Frappuccino Nutrition

Despite how rich and creamy this holiday frappuccino tastes, it’s shockingly not too indulgent. Note that the variety of eggnog you use may affect these numbers so choose wisely. Also note that this does not include the optional whipped cream topper.

Per serving, you’re looking at just 188 calories a pop—that’s significantly lower than many other fancy Starbucks drinks, and is relatively easy to fit into any caloric budget. It also boasts just 6 grams of fat and an impressive 6 grams of protein per serving, so it should offer a bit of satiety. You’re also only getting 98 milligrams of sodium per serving, so nothing too crazy there.

The primary thing to keep an eye on here is the carb count—each serving has 29 grams of carbohydrates, 27 of which come from added sugars. While this isn’t enough to completely derail your day, it does eat up a significant chunk of your recommended daily sugar limit at a time of year when sugar is lurking around every corner.

Feel free to adjust the recipe to reduce or eliminate the added sugars (instructions in the Optional Variations section above), or just be mindful with your choices throughout the rest of your day. Otherwise, enjoy every indulgently delicious sip and savor the season!

• Calories: 188 calories
• Total Fat: 6 grams
• Protein: 6 grams
• Sodium: 98 mg
• Carbohydrates: 29 grams
• Sugar: 27 grams

*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.

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xoxo Megan