The Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino is a popular blended coffee drink from Starbucks that combines strawberry and cream flavors for a sweet summertime treat. This fruity Frappuccino starts with a creamy base blended with strawberry puree and is finished off with whipped cream to create a dessert-like beverage. But what exactly is in a Starbucks Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino? Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the ingredients that go into making this pink indulgence.
Base and Syrups
The base of the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino consists of the following ingredients:
- Milk: The Frappuccino is blended with whole milk to create a creamy, rich texture.
- Ice: Shaved ice is blended into the drink to give it a frosty, frozen consistency.
- Coffee Frappuccino roast syrup: This syrup adds a light coffee flavor to balance out the sweetness.
- Cream frappuccino syrup: Cream syrup lends a sweet, creamy taste.
- Cane sugar: A small amount of sugar is used to sweeten the blended coffee drink.
These core ingredients create the foundation of the beverage before the strawberry flavor and toppings are added.
Strawberry Flavor
The star ingredient that gives the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino its name and vibrant pink color is the strawberry puree. Sweetened frozen strawberry puree is blended into the Frappuccino to infuse each sip with juicy strawberry flavor.
The strawberry puree contains strawberries, sugar, and fruit pectin. The puree gives the drink an authentic, fresh-picked strawberry taste. Without the addition of the fruity puree, the Frappuccino would simply taste like a vanilla milkshake.
Whipped Cream Topping
What’s a strawberry shortcake without a dollop of whipped cream on top? The finishing touch to the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino is a mountain of fluffy vanilla whipped cream. The cloud-like whipped cream is lightly sweetened and adds a creamy complement to the fresh strawberry flavors.
The whipped cream is made from heavy whipping cream, vanilla syrup, and carrageenan (a stabilizer derived from seaweed). It provides texture contrast to the frozen, blended Frappuccino and makes it feel like you’re enjoying a strawberry milkshake with whip. A proper strawberry shortcake always has whipped cream on top, and Starbucks gets it just right.
Cups, Lids, and Straws
To serve up this pretty in pink Frappuccino, Starbucks uses clear plastic cups to showcase the light rosy hue. The cups are 16-ounce or 24-ounce sizes. Clear plastic dome lids and green Starbucks branded paper straws complete the serving vessels.
Optional Toppings
While whipped cream comes standard, you can add extra toppings at an additional cost to customize your Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino:
- Strawberry topping: Sliced freeze-dried strawberries can be sprinkled on top for extra berry flavor.
- Strawberry drizzle: Circles of strawberry syrup adorn the whipped cream for more sweetness.
- Graham cracker crumbs: These crunchy bits add a graham cracker crust element.
Starbucks baristas can also add a red and white striped straw to complete the strawberry shortcake theme.
Nutrition Information
A 16-ounce Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino made with whole milk and whipped cream contains the following nutrients:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 410 |
| Total Fat | 13g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 45mg |
| Sodium | 180mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 63g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 59g |
| Protein | 9g |
| Vitamin D | 2mcg |
| Calcium | 230mg |
| Iron | 0mg |
| Potassium | 300mg |
As you can see, while tasty, the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino is high in calories, fat, and sugar. The typical Frappuccino contains over 50 grams of sugar – yikes!
Possible Allergens
The Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino contains the following major food allergens:
- Milk – from the milk, whipped cream, and syrups
- Wheat – from the Frappuccino roast coffee base
- Soy – from the chocolate drizzle and whipped cream
People with dairy, gluten, or soy allergies should exercise caution or avoid this blended coffee drink. Inform your barista of any food allergy to prevent cross-contamination.
Vegan and Non-Dairy Options
Vegans and those avoiding dairy can order the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino with the following modifications:
- Non-dairy milk: Soy, almond, oat, or coconut milk
- Whip: Soy or coconut whipped cream
The coffee base contains no animal products and the strawberry puree is vegan. Ask your barista to hold the regular whipped cream and dairy milk to make this a plant-based friendly menu item.
Price
In the United States, a 16-ounce Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino costs between $5.25-$5.75 depending on location. A 24-ounce size costs between $5.95-$6.45. Additional customizations and add-ons cost extra.
Availability
The Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino is a seasonal summer drink at Starbucks. It first appeared on menus in 2010 and usually returns for a limited time each summer. In 2023, it returned on June 21st and was available through September 5th while supplies lasted.
Preparation Method
Starbucks baristas make the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino following these steps:
- Add milk, coffee base, cream base, strawberry puree, and ice to blender
- Blend ingredients on high speed until smooth and thoroughly combined
- Pour Frappuccino into cup
- Top with whipped cream
- Finish with strawberry drizzle or topping if requested
The ingredients are combined in a blender to create the signature thick, frozen blended consistency Starbucks is known for. Blending the ingredients together incorporates air for a lighter, fluffier texture.
Copycat Recipe
Recreate this Starbucks specialty at home with this Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino copycat recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- Whipped cream
- Strawberry sauce
Instructions
- Combine milk, sugar, cream, vanilla, and strawberries in blender
- Blend until smooth and frothy, about 1 minute
- Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream and strawberry sauce
- Add striped paper straw and enjoy!
History
The Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino first debuted on Starbucks menus in summer 2010 along with other fruit flavor creations like the Raspberry Panna Cotta Frappuccino and Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino. It quickly became a fan favorite for its sweet strawberry milkshake-like flavor.
The inspiration for the drink came from the classic American dessert – strawberry shortcake. By blending juicy strawberry puree with creamy ingredients, Starbucks aimed to recreate those flavors in Frappuccino form. The whipped cream on top mirrors the whipped cream dollop on traditional strawberry shortcake.
Over the years, Starbucks has occasionally offered variations on the original Strawberry Shortcake recipe by adding ingredients like strawberry acai syrup or graham cracker crumbs. But the core recipe remains unchanged – an icy, strawberry explosion.
The Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino celebrates the flavors of summer with its bright fruitiness. It continues to draw crowds eager for its return each summer at Starbucks.
Popularity
The Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino is one of the most popular seasonal selections at Starbucks. Fans eagerly await its return to menus each summer. In 2016 Starbucks called it “the drink of the summer” in a promotional email to reward members.
Its widespread popularity is likely due to the combination of strawberry and cream, two beloved flavors that evoke nostalgia for the classic American dessert. The use of real strawberry puree makes it taste like an authentic strawberry milkshake, adding to its appeal.
On social media, fans express excitement and cravings when Starbucks announces the drink’s return. Many even profess their love for it, calling it their “favorite Starbucks drink ever.” Its photogenic pink hue makes it a popular Instagram post subject among influencers.
Thanks to its ardent following, the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino has earned an enduring spot on Starbucks’ seasonal rotation. For many, a trip to Starbucks in the summer months would not be complete without ordering this fruity coffee treat.
Variations
While the core Strawberry Shortcake recipe remains the same each year it’s offered, Starbucks has occasionally added limited edition variations such as:
- Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino with Graham Cracker Crumbles: Graham cracker pieces are blended in and sprinkled on top.
- Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino with Strawberry Acai Syrup: Adds a refreshingly tart strawberry acai flavor.
- Confetti Cake Frappuccino: A cake batter flavored take with rainbow sprinkles inside.
In addition to seasonal variations, customers can customize with different milks, whipped creams, drizzles, and toppings to make it their own unique creation.
Comparison to Other Drinks
The Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino differs from other Starbucks Frappuccinos in the following ways:
| Drink | Differences |
|---|---|
| Coffee Frappuccino |
|
| Caramel Frappuccino |
|
| Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino |
|
While the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino shares the blended crème base used across the Frappuccino line, the addition of strawberry puree and whipped cream gives it a unique fruity and creamy profile.
Conclusion
With its sweet strawberry flavor blended with milky creaminess, the Starbucks Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino is the perfect way to indulge in a dessert-like coffee drink. Real strawberry puree provides each sip with ripe, juicy berry flavor that’s balanced out by the neutral coffee and cream base. A cloud-like crown of whipped cream completes the strawberry shortcake experience.
Next time you visit Starbucks in the summertime, try out this popular pink-hued Frappuccino. Its refreshing and nostalgic flavors will transport you to strawberry fields on a sunny day. A few sips of this sweet treat can brighten up any summer afternoon.
