Guide Note

Frappuccino is a registered trademark of Starbucks. It is a blend of ice and a mix of coffee, water, milk, and various syrups.

Fast Facts

1. Starbucks began selling Frappuccinos in 1995
2. There are 2 different versions, bottled or frozen
3. 16oz Grandé has an average of 3-5 grams of fat
4. Serving Size: 9.5 fl. oz for the bottled version
5. Espresso-based

The Starbucks website notes that it began serving the Frappuccino in 1995. However, the Frappuccino dates back even further. A Boston-area coffee chain called Coffee Connection debuted a beverage called the Frappuccino several years earlier. The name was taken from a type of milkshake called a "frappe" that was unique to the New England area. (In much of New England, the word "milkshake" means milk with syrup that is shaken until frothy; a "frappe" is similar to what is thought of as a milkshake in the rest of the United States.) In 1994, Starbucks bought Boston's Coffee Connection chain. Some argue it was purchased only for the frappuccino recipe. Starbucks premiered the Frappuccino nationwide in 1995.

Starbucks has kept the recipe of the in-store Frappuccino a closely guarded secret. Consumers who want to learn what specific ingredients are in the beverage - for example, due to food allergy issues - can call to ask if a specific ingredient is in the beverage. However, the ingredient list is not in Starbucks stores or on the Starbuks website. The Frappuccino bottled beverage sold in supermarkets does have an ingredients list; however, this beverage tastes different than the one sold in Starbucks stores, and most assume it is a different formula.