Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat)

If frosty milkshake-style coffee drinks are your love language, you need to try my copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino recipe! This deliciously creamy n’ caffeinated pumpkin frappé is made with just a handful of simple ingredients, but is overflowing with the fall season's favorite flavor. 

It might be pumpkin spice latte season in my mind, but the weather just won’t cooperate. As such, I’ve been getting my fix by making all my fall-inspired Starbucks favorites iced. It may not be revolutionary, but it’s working for this PSL-obsessed gal.

Heck, I bet even my blood is pumpkin spiced after all the pumpkin cream cold brews topped with pumpkin spice cold foam, iced pumpkin chai lattes, and iced pumpkin spice shaken espressos I’ve downed! Don’t judge—I’ve embraced my inner Basic Girl, and you should too.
So, if you’re ready to jump in on the autumnal trend while it’s still summer, this pumpkin frappuccino is dedicated to you. This refreshing little number is designed to taste cozy while keeping you cool! It’s made with richly flavored cold brew, DIY pumpkin-flavored coffee syrup, creamy milk, an extra dollop of pumpkin, and plenty of ice, all blended to frozen flawlessness.

What is Starbucks pumpkin spice frappuccino?

Frappuccinos are the branded Starbucks name for what might be called a “frappé” elsewhere. Imagine a blend of coffee magic and dessert-like indulgence—perfect for those moments when you crave something sweet with a caffeinated kick. The base ingredients consist of ice, coffee, milk, and flavored syrups or sauces, all blended together to create a frosty refreshment.

The pumpkin spice frappuccino is a seasonal twist that has become an autumnal icon at Starbucks. This festive version layers in the cozy, aromatic flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove—evoking the essence of fall in every sip. It’s like sipping on a slice of pumpkin pie, with the added bonus of a caffeine boost!

What does it taste like?

Each sip of this pumpkin latte frappuccino is a nostalgic trip down memory lane. It has all the yummy coffee and warm PSL goodness you crave, but in a delightfully chilly package. This coffee milkshake is bursting with pumpkin pie vibes—the rich, creamy taste of pumpkin puree, mingled with the sweet, spicy undertones of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a whisper of clove.

But it isn’t just pumpkin and cinnamon—subtle hints of vanilla and a whisper of smoky coffee sweetness linger after each sip, leaving your tastebuds tingling. And, like any good pie (or dessert-meets-drink), the whipped cream topping adds a cloud-like finish, making each sip luxuriously velvety and irresistibly indulgent—a true celebration of fall in a cup!

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Recipe

• All-Natural Yums - The ingredients list for a Starbucks pumpkin frappuccino is dang near a paragraph long and includes some questionable add-ins like mono and diglycerides or potassium sorbate. My homemade version has none of the artificial stuff, but all the pumpkin-spiced goodness! 
• Cozy & Cold - If that line from Feist’s song didn’t make sense before, I promise it will now. You’ve got the blended ice cream temperature and consistency, but the warming flavors of pumpkin pie spice. A beautiful contradiction if ever there was one!
• Budget-Friendly - I know, I know. This line makes it into pretty much every CoffeeCopycat post, but it’s true! Rather than spending $5+ on a single Starbucks frappuccino, you can make your own for pennies on the dollar. And, with Christmas right around the corner, now’s the time to start saving anyway. 😉

Ingredients Needed

• Ice - For adding chilly bulk and turning regular iced coffee into a frozen masterpiece. If possible, start with filtered water for the best results.
• Cold Brew Coffee - Since this is brewed without heat, it’s extra smooth and extra bold—perfect for ensuring the coffee presence is clearly felt.
• Whole Milk - For the creamiest results, fat is your friend. Whole milk adds lovely richness, plus you get a bit of protein!
• Pumpkin Spice Syrup - My homemade pumpkin syrup is made with just a handful of pantry basics and only 10 or so minutes of effort. You’re of course welcome to use store-bought if you prefer.
• Canned Pumpkin Purée - One thing I don’t like about a lot of “pumpkin spice” flavored things is you get mostly spice and almost no pumpkin. A dollop of real pumpkin guarantees you’ll taste the gourd-geously earthy sweetness. Make sure you’re getting 100% pure pumpkin, not canned pumpkin pie filling. 
• Xanthan Gum - This corn-derived emulsifier has become commonplace for home cooks, especially for gluten-free baking. While it sounds weird and artificial, it’s not something my RDN brain opposes. Here it’s used to both thicken our frappuccino and prevent it from separating.
• Whipped Cream & Pumpkin Pie Spice - Totally optional as garnishes, but recommended for the full dessert effect. 😋

Substitutions

• Ice - Double down on the coffee goodness by swapping in coffee ice cubes. 
• Cold Brew Coffee - You can also use French press espresso or any other strong, cold coffee of your choice. You can brew hot coffee and chill it for this one!
• Whole Milk - Feel free to swap in the dairy or plant-based milk of choice.
• Pumpkin Spice Syrup - Since we’re adding a dollop of pumpkin in addition to using this syrup, you could probably get away with using another warmly spiced flavor. Toasted cinnamon syrup, cinnamon dolce syrup, cinnamon syrup, or gingerbread syrup are all good alternatives.
• Canned Pumpkin Purée - Unsweetened sweet potato purée or butternut squash purée will also do the trick!
• Xanthan Gum - You can use an equal amount of guar gum or lecithin (liquid or powdered, soy or sunflower) instead.
• Whipped Cream & Pumpkin Pie Spice - Feel free to omit these, or garnish your pumpkin frappuccino with other tasty toppings like pumpkin cream cold foam and cinnamon sugar. 

How To Make A Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino At Home

It only takes a few minutes to make a pumpkin spice frappuccino Starbucks would be proud of. Here’s how:

Step 1: Ice Coffee. Add the ice to a high-speed blender with the cold brew. 

Step 2: Add the milk, pumpkin spice syrup, pumpkin puree, and xanthan gum. 

Step 3: Blend until smooth and no ice chunks remain.

Step 4: Pour the frappuccino into a tall glass. 

Step 5: Garnish with whipped cream and/or pumpkin pie spice if desired. Drink up!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

I want to spread the gospel of coffee deliciousness far and wide, so if you need to make some tweaks to fit your diet, I’m here for it. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Vegan - Swap in your favorite plant-based milk and top with vegan whipped cream, coconut whipped cream, or frozen vegan whipped topping. For the best mouthfeel, I recommend using creamy, full-fat options like coconut milk, oat milk, or soy milk over low-calorie options like almond milk. 
• Sugar-Free - Make (or buy) sugar-free pumpkin spice syrup and either omit the garnish or use sugar-free whipped cream.
• Corn-Free - You can either find corn-free xanthan gum (e.g. Namaste brand), or swap in an equal amount of guar gum or lecithin.
• Coffee-Free - Make a kid-friendly, caffeine-free pumpkin spice creme frappuccino by swapping out the cold brew in favor of more milk. 
• Decaf or Caffeine-Free - Feel free to use decaf cold brew for a lower-octane drink. You can also swap in a coffee alternative like Dandy Blend or roasted chicory “coffee” if you can’t have any caffeine.

Serving Suggestions

Whether you're cozying up with a good book or hosting a festive fall gathering, here are a few serving suggestions to make every sip feel like a special treat:

• Red-Eye Special: Craving an extra coffee kick? Add a shot of espresso to your frappuccino for extra Go Juice. Take it a step further and swap in coffee ice cubes!
• Affogato-Style: Rather than blending the espresso in with the frap, pour it or an extra drizzle of cold brew on top for a fun twist on the Italian dessert.
• Ultra Decadent: Swap out the ice for a scoop of vanilla, cinnamon, or pumpkin cheesecake ice cream. Now it really IS a milkshake!
• Spiced Whip: Top your frappuccino with homemade cinnamon or pumpkin spice whipped cream for an extra layer of warm, spicy goodness.
• Cookie Crumble: Sprinkle crushed gingersnap cookies or cinnamon graham crackers over the whipped cream for a delightful pie crust-inspired crunch.
• Chocolaty Twist: Drizzle some dark chocolate mocha sauce over the whipped cream for a rich, chocolatey finish. You could also blend in some mini chocolate chips if you’d like!

Recipe Success Tips

• Don’t skip the emulsifier. Xanthan gum is pretty darn affordable and is available at many grocery stores (in the baking aisle!). It’s also essential for keeping the weight of the pumpkin and fall spices from separating and sinking to the bottom. If you can’t do xanthan gum, I’ve included a few alternatives in the substitutions section.
• Start cold. The chillier your ingredients are before adding them to the blender, the chillier they’ll be after blending. For additional chill, freeze your serving glass for 30 minutes.
• Use 100% pure pumpkin or either of the subs listed above. Do NOT try to swap in canned pumpkin pie filling—not only is it filled with all kinds of sweeteners and artificial stuff, it’s also not safe to eat without cooking.
• Blenders can often be replaced by immersion blenders, but not here. We want the full cyclone power of a pitcher-style blender to achieve the perfect frothy consistency.

FAQs

DIY Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Nutrition

If you make this fabulous fall treat at home and omit the optional whipped cream topping, you’re looking at a mere 208 calories per serving—not too shabby for something that tastes like pumpkin ice cream! It's got 4 grams of fat, plus a nice little 4-gram protein bump, thanks to the whole milk. It’s also relatively low in sodium, just 86 mg per serving.

The big thing to keep an eye on here is the carbs—each slurp-tastic serving comes with 40 grams of carbs, 37 of which come from sugar. That’s a bit up there, so you might consider it more of an occasional delight rather than a daily go-to. You could also tamp down the carbs by opting for sugar-free syrup. 

All in all,  it’s a fun seasonal drink and a delicious pick-me-up that brings those cozy autumn vibes right into your cup. Just make sure you limit your other sugary treats throughout the day and you should be golden!

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 208 calories
• Total Fat: 4 grams
• Protein: 4 grams
• Sodium: 86 mg
• Carbohydrates: 40 grams
• Sugar: 37 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.

Other Fall-Inspired Starbucks Copycat Recipes

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5 from 2 votes

Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat)

This deliciously simple 5-ingredient, 5-minute recipe for a DIY Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino is overflowing with fall-flavored goodness.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino

Servings: 1 drink

Calories: 208kcal

Author: Megan Byrd

Equipment

• 1 high-speed blender

Ingredients

• 1 cup ice
• ½ cup cold brew coffee
• ½ cup milk of choice (I used whole milk)
• ¼ cup pumpkin spice syrup
• 1 ½ tablespoon canned pumpkin puree
• ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
• Whipped cream and/or pumpkin pie spice optional for garnish

Instructions

• Add the ice to a high-speed blender, then add in the cold brew, milk, pumpkin spice syrup, pumpkin puree, and xanthan gum. Blend until smooth and no ice chunks remain.
• Pour the frappuccino into a tall glass, then top with whipped cream and/or pumpkin pie spice if desired. Drink up!

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 86mg | Sugar: 37g

xoxo Megan