Lavender Crème Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat)
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 1 drink
Ingredients:
1 cup ice
½ cup half & half
½ cup whole milk
3 tablespoons lavender syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
½ teaspoon Xanthan Gum
2-3 drops purple food coloring (optional for color)
whipped cream (for topping)
Directions:
Add ice, half & half, whole milk, lavender syrup, vanilla syrup, xanthan gum, and food coloring (if using) to a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into a tall glass, then top with whipped cream. Drink up!
Notes:
Recipe Success Tips:
Don’t blend ahead. Frappuccinos are fleeting, so don’t mix them up until you’re ready to sip! If you’re a slow drinker, freeze your glass ahead of time to help keep it cold and blended till the last sip.
Start cold. Make sure your milk, half & half, and simple syrups are chilled before starting so the ice doesn’t melt.
Use a high-powered blender for the best texture. But don’t overprocess it! Eventually, the blades will cause enough friction to warm the mixture, defeating the purpose of making a frozen frappé.
Don’t skimp on fat. I know it can be tempting to “lighten things up” when you’re trying to stick to a particular fat and calorie budget, but you need fat to achieve the dreamy milkshake consistency we’re after.
FAQs
Does Starbucks have a lavender frappé? Is Starbucks bringing back lavender in 2025?
Yes and yes—for a limited time. As of the time of publication, the Starbucks spring lineup is available for purchase, including the lavender crème frappuccino. But now that you know how to make it yourself, you can whip one up no matter when you’re craving it!
Does Starbucks’ lavender creme frappuccino have caffeine?
Nope! It’s the perfect option if you want a relaxing treat with no buzz.
How should I store a leftover lavender frappuccino?
Generally speaking, frozen drinks like frappuccinos aren’t good candidates for leftovers. That said, if you mix up more than you can handle, you have two options: either freeze them into ice cubes so you can add them to your next cold brew, or refrigerate them and then churn them in an ice cream maker until they’re kinda close to the right consistency.
Nutritional Facts:
Serving: 1drink | Calories: 377kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 20g | Sodium: 149mg | Sugar: 41g
Recipe courtesy of Coffee Copycat.com
Easy Lavender Simple Syrup For Coffee
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 7
Ingredients:
½ cup water
½ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons dried lavender buds (food grade only)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 drops purple food color (optional for color)
Directions:
Stir together the water, sugar, and lavender buds in a small saucepan.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, remove from heat and allow the mixture to steep for 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes of steeping, stir in the vanilla extract and food color (if using).
Strain out the lavender buds, squeezing any excess syrup out of the lavender as you strain it. Discard the lavender, and transfer the syrup to a syrup bottle. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Notes:
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments:
I think this recipe for lavender simple syrup is spot-on, but there are plenty of ways for you to make it your own. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
Sugar-Free Lavender Syrup - Keep it diabetic-friendly by using a cup-for-cup sugar alternative to make the simple syrup base.
Honey Lavender Simple Syrup - Take a page from my honey simple syrup for an added layer of flavor. Make the syrup as directed, then follow the steeping instructions over here. If you use honey as your sweetener, the vanilla extract is optional.
Lavender Lemon Syrup - Lemon pairs beautifully with lavender, so if you’d like a bit of citrusy goodness, add a drop or two of food-grade lemon essential oil. You can also take a few wide peels of a fresh lemon and use them to steep with the flower buds. Use this magical concoction to sweeten your lemonade (or green tea Arnold Palmer’s!) for a delightful floral twist.
Recipe Success Tips:
Food-Grade or Bust. Not all lavender is supposed to be used in the kitchen. If it came from a sachet you store in your sock drawer or is part of a bag of potpourri, back away. Any lavender you use should clearly state that it is for eating or drinking; otherwise, you may unwittingly be adding chemicals you don’t want in your body.
Don’t Oversteep. Make sure you strain out the lavender after no more than about 10 minutes of steep time. Leaving it too long can activate some of the more bitter camphor undertones, leaving you with less flavor of the lavender and much more bitterness.
Use Cheesecloth or DIY Tea Bags. You can easily make a little sachet for the lavender before adding it to the syrup to make straining that much easier. Just lift out the bag, squeeze it to get all the goodness out, and you’re good to go!
Store Syrup Properly. A syrup bottle with a pour nozzle makes a world of difference in terms of accuracy of measurement, avoiding spills, and keeping the sticky icks from getting on your countertops or fridge shelves.
FAQs
Which lavender syrup is best?
Why, homemade of course! Otherwise, both Monin and Torani lavender syrups are good.
Is lavender syrup alcoholic?
I can’t speak for all recipes out there, but mine is not. The *only* bit of alcohol comes from the vanilla extract, which is negligible. That said, it is great in cocktails!
Does lavender syrup need to be refrigerated? Can it go bad?
Yes, homemade simple syrup should be refrigerated to prevent spoilage. If stored properly, it should keep well for about 2-3 weeks in the fridge. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months. If it becomes cloudy or starts smelling weird or “off,” it’s time to toss it.
Does lavender syrup make you tired?
Lavender is known to have a calming effect, and for some, it can act as a sedative. If it’s added to something caffeinated like coffee or tea, the caffeine should outweigh the soporific effect, but it’ll depend on the person. Also, you should note that some prescribed medications and herbal supplements interact with lavender, so make sure you do your research before using a whole bunch!
Nutritional Facts:
Serving: 2tablespoon | Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Sodium: 1mg | Sugar: 14g
Recipe courtesy of Coffee Copycat.com
*****
Vanilla Simple Syrup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1.5 cups
Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Directions:
Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Heat on medium and whisk until the sugar is dissolved (about 3-4 minutes).
Remove the saucepan from the heat, and stir in the vanilla extract.
Allow to cool slightly, then pour into a bottle or mason jar and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Notes:
Substitutions:
You can easily customize this vanilla simple syrup recipe to suit what you have on hand. Here are a few substitution ideas:
Sugar - Feel free to swap in light or dark brown sugar for more of a caramelly taste. You can also use organic cane sugar, piloncillo, jaggery, maple syrup, agave, honey, or the sugar substitute of your choice!
Vanilla Extract - If you want to get fancy and make proper vanilla bean syrup, swap out the vanilla extract for a split vanilla pod. Note that you can make your expensive vanilla pod go further by scraping out the beans and using them to make vanilla sugar, vanilla salt, or any other recipe you want to add the warming flavor of vanilla to. You’re also welcome to use an equal amount of vanilla paste or vanilla powder, or use half as much ground vanilla bean instead!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments:
This vanilla coffee syrup recipe can easily be tailored to fit your needs or preferences. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
Create an organic vanilla syrup by using organic sugar and pure organic vanilla extract.
Transform it into your own customized flavored simple syrup by adding other extracts like almond, hazelnut, or peppermint, or by steeping other flavor-makers like citrus rinds, food-grade lavender or rose buds, fresh herbs, or whole spices in it.
Make a sugar-free vanilla syrup by swapping in a cup-for-cup sugar alternative, or using the sweetener of your choice.
Recipe Success Tips:
Here are some tips to ensure your homemade vanilla syrup turns out perfectly every time:
Always use a clean jar for storage to ensure your syrup stays fresh. Better yet, invest in a squeeze bottle with a lid to make it easier to use.
Store your vanilla simple syrup in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life.
Give your syrup a good shake before using it to ensure the vanilla flavor is evenly distributed.
If you prefer a thicker syrup, reduce the water content slightly, or simmer the syrup longer to achieve the desired consistency. You can also make what is known as a “rich syrup” by using a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water. If you do, this has the added benefit of extending the shelf life!
FAQ:
Does vanilla syrup have sugar?
Typically speaking, yes. That said, this is your rodeo, so feel free to use the sweetener of your choice.
Does vanilla syrup have alcohol?
If you are using pure vanilla extract, then yes, it will have a nominal amount of alcohol. To make a completely alcohol-free version, simply swap in a scraped vanilla pod and let it steep for an hour before using. Feel free to leave the pod in there during storage, too!
Is vanilla syrup vegan? Is it gluten-free?
If you are here in the US, make sure you use organic sugar to ensure that it’s vegan-friendly. It should be gluten-free no matter what! (Although if you use flour in your kitchen, there’s a chance your sugar might have some cross-contamination.)
Does vanilla syrup expire? How long does vanilla syrup last?
Yes, all good things must come to an end. If you make regular-strength vanilla syrup using a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water, it should keep well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you make a rich syrup (using a 2:1 ratio), the shelf life should be extended to about 4 weeks. You can also freeze your vanilla syrup (in ice cubes, if you want!) for up to 6 months.
Does vanilla syrup need to be refrigerated?
Yes, it should be refrigerated or frozen when not in use to prevent mold from growing.
Does vanilla syrup make coffee sweet?
It sure does! Sweet and cozy FTW.
When to put vanilla syrup in coffee?
Add the vanilla syrup to your coffee at any point after brewing.
Nutritional Facts:
Serving: 2tablespoon | Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Sugar: 17g
Recipe courtesy of Coffee Copycat.com