Frappuccinos from Starbucks are customizable cold coffee drinks that can be made with or without whipped cream. The default recipe for most Frappuccinos does include whipped cream on top, but customers have the option to request them without whipped cream.
The Basics of Frappuccinos
Frappuccinos are blended iced coffee drinks made with coffee or espresso, milk, ice, and various flavorings like syrups, sauces, powders, and toppings. They come in many flavors like vanilla, caramel, mocha, strawberry, and more.
Some of the most popular Frappuccino varieties include:
- Caramel Frappuccino – coffee blended with caramel syrup, milk, ice, and whipped cream
- Java Chip Frappuccino – mocha sauce and coffee blended with milk, ice, and whipped cream topped with mocha chips
- Vanilla Bean Frappuccino – vanilla syrup and coffee blended with milk, ice, and whipped cream
- Mocha Frappuccino – chocolate sauce and coffee blended with milk, ice, and whipped cream
- Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino – strawberry sauce and coffee blended with milk, ice, and whipped cream
Frappuccinos can be customized in several ways, including the type of milk (nonfat, soy, almond, etc.), amount of flavor syrups or sauces, extra toppings like caramel drizzle or candy pieces, and whether or not to include whipped cream.
Do Frappuccinos Come with Whipped Cream by Default?
The default or standard recipe for most Frappuccinos does include whipped cream on top. So if you order a Caramel Frappuccino, for example, without requesting any customizations, it will come with coffee, caramel syrup, milk, ice, and whipped cream blended together with whipped cream added on top.
Some exceptions where whipped cream may not come standard include:
- The Coffee Frappuccino and Doubleshot Espresso Frappuccino are not topped with whipped cream unless requested
- Low-calorie “Light” Frappuccinos do not come with whipped cream
- Some seasonal Frappuccinos may not include whipped cream by default depending on the recipe
But for most traditional, non-blended-crème Frappuccinos like java chip, caramel, or strawberry, the whipped cream on top is part of the classic presentation.
Ordering Without Whipped Cream
While whipped cream comes standard on most Frappuccinos, customers have the option to order without it.
When ordering in-person, simply request your Frappuccino without whipped cream. For example, “I’ll have a venti Caramel Frappuccino, without whipped cream please.” The barista will prepare it without whipped cream on top.
If ordering online via the Starbucks app or website, there is typically an option to “Hold Whipped Cream” when customizing your Frappuccino.
The Frappuccino will still taste the same, just without the light, fluffy whipped cream topping. The blended portion of the drink will remain the same.
Nutrition With vs. Without Whipped Cream
Whipped cream does add a bit of extra fat and calories to a Frappuccino. For example, a venti Caramel Frappuccino made with 2% milk has:
- With whipped cream: 640 calories, 18g fat
- Without whipped cream: 510 calories, 8g fat
So ordering without whipped cream removes about 130 calories and 10g of fat. It also reduces the saturated fat and sugar slightly.
However, the base Frappuccino still contains a lot of sugar from the syrups and milk, so removing whipped cream does not make it a low-calorie or very nutritious drink. But it can be a way to shave off some extra calories if desired!
Popular Add-On Toppings Besides Whipped Cream
Instead of whipped cream, some customers like to swap it out and add different toppings to customize their Frappuccinos. Some popular whipped cream alternatives include:
- Caramel drizzle – for extra caramel flavor
- Mocha drizzle – for chocolate/mocha lovers
- Cinnamon – for extra spice and flavor
- Chocolate chips – for some crunch
- Coconut flakes – for tropical flavor
The possibilities are endless for personalizing your Frappuccino to your tastes!
Conclusion
Whipped cream comes standard on most Starbucks Frappuccinos, adding a nice creamy finishing touch. But the blended coffee drink can easily be ordered without whipped cream by customizing the order. Skipping the whipped cream reduces some fat and calories for a lighter drink. But Frappuccinos can also be topped with caramel drizzle, chocolate chips, cinnamon, or other add-ons instead of whipped cream to change up the flavors and textures.