Frappuccino vs Cappuccino – How Big Is the Difference?

Edited: February, 2023
Undeniably there is a huge variety of caffeinated drinks.

They all compete against each other for your attention and now on the battlefield are the Frappuccino versus the cappuccino.

There are quite a few dissimilarities that these two have, compared to one another.

I’m about to answer the most common questions related to the differences between the cappuccino and the Frappuccino.

Which one of them is stronger?

Are they both espresso-based drinks?

Is there a hot Frappuccino or an iced cappuccino?

Are those popular beverages always made with coffee?

What is so special about them and could you find a true Frappuccino or a cappuccino only at Starbucks?

Let’s stop wasting any more time and get to the point.

Frappuccino Versus Cappuccino – What Keeps Them Apart?

There isn’t just one difference between a cappuccino and a Frappuccino.

There are quite a few, so once you figure them out you will tell those drinks apart with ease.

So here is the Frappuccino vs. cappuccino comparison:

Cappuccino is an espresso-based Italian hot drink that’s usually made with 1 shot of espresso and equal amounts of milk microfoam and steamed milk.

Therefore the difference between Frappuccino and cappuccino lays not only in their temperature but also in their size, ingredients, calories, and caffeine content.

Here is an example of the visual difference:

More often than not, the Frappuccino is topped off with whipped cream and other toppings such as mocha drizzle and chocolate curls.

Here in the following photo, you can see a tall Caramel Frappuccino with some whipped cream and caramel drizzle on top:

Starbucks Frappuccinos are usually very thick, with a nice satisfying texture.

They usually contain a thickening agent, such as xanthan gum, that makes them more viscous, even if made with, say, nonfat milk.

There are a lot of different Frappuccino drinks, made with differently flavored syrups and Starbucks sauces.

You can tweak the original recipe of each beverage on the Starbucks menu.

The number of combinations you can make seems endless.

You can find diversity when it comes to a Frappuccino’s milk component too – usually, it’s whole, but you can have it skimmed, plant-based, or even substitute it with heavy cream.

Generally, when it comes to the cappuccino there isn’t that much that you can alter.

Of course, you can go for a decaf cappuccino, or for one, made with plant-based milk.

Other than that, the variety can only be found in the looks of these espresso-based drinks.

Traditionally, a cappuccino has a brown ring and a white milk stain on its surface.

Nevertheless, at some coffee shops, the cappuccinos are served, topped off with latte art. Furthermore, at some cafes you may even get a colorful cappuccino, such as the one in the photo below:

Author’s Note: To be fair, even if listed as a cappuccino, I would actually call the drink above “a latte”. Nevertheless, different coffee shops and cafes have the freedom to redefine, name, prepare, serve, and name the coffee drinks they ofer however they want. Even though classic espresso-based drinks are pretty much the same in most coffee shops, you may always stumble upon some unexpected variations.

With that being said, if you want to become a pro at recognizing the different coffee drinks, check out this guide. In it, you can find definitions, pictures, and photos of more than 45 popular (and not-so-common) coffee beverages.

Shouldn’t They Both Contain Espresso?

Those two drinks are different in many ways.

A true cappuccino is made with an espresso shot coming out of the machine hot.

If espresso is added to the cold Frappuccino the hot coffee melts the blended ice and changes the drink’s texture and overall mouthfeel.

That’s why Starbucks came up with the Frappuccino roast (also known as Frap Roast), which is basically dissolved instant coffee powder, specially made for this cold drink.

Each Frappuccino contains a certain number of Frap roast pumps.

For example, in a Venti cup, you usually get 4 pumps in the beverage.

You can always ask for fewer or more pumps, or have them substituted with an espresso shot or two, which would alter the Frappuccino viscosity and taste.

When prepared with espresso instead of Frap roast, a Frappuccino will be a bit sweeter and it go through the straw easier.

Some options on the menu contain both espresso and Frap Roast, such as the Espresso Frappuccino. The latter is one of the strongest drinks at Starbucks in terms of caffeine.

Just know that if you want a decaf Frappuccino – it should be made with decaffeinated espresso, as there is no such thing as a decaf Frap Roast.

If you want to avoid caffeine, just order a drink from the Creme Frappuccino, not the Coffee Frappuccino line, as the Frappuccinos from the latter always have coffee in them.

Caffeine Content Comparison

It’s good to know which one – a cappuccino or a Starbucks Frappuccino is stronger.

There are two Frappuccino lines – the Coffee Frappuccino and the Crème Frappuccino.

The latter contains no coffee whatsoever. For example, the Strawberry and the Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccinos have no coffee in them, so you won’t have to worry about jitters if you pick on one of those drinks.

If you go for something from the coffee line, you will more likely end up with a drink with a higher caffeine content than a standard cappuccino.

An espresso shot usually contains around 65 mg to 70 mg of caffeine.

A cappuccino is generally prepared with just one of those.

The caffeine content in a Frappuccino varies between 65 mg and 185 mg.

It depends on the number of Frap roast pumps, espresso shots added, and the serving size that you’ve chosen.

But it’s safe to say that if you usually go for a Grande, and don’t make any adjustments to the original recipe, you will end up with a Coffee Frappuccino that has more caffeine than a standard cappuccino.

What About an Iced Cappuccino?

Starbucks used to offer something called an Iced Cappuccino.

It was made with milk, mixed with 1 to 2 shots of espresso, ice cubes, and topped off with cold milk foam.

Unlike the Frappuccino, the iced cappuccino didn’t go through a blender, it was always made with espresso, not Frap Roast.

The Iced Cappuccino isn’t as sweet and it’s a great alternative for those of you who are looking for a simple cold coffee during the summer.

Same as regular cappuccinos, you could find iced cappuccinos made in other cafès, coffee shops, restaurants, etc.

At some places, they do froth the milk by using a drink mixer and add cold foam on top of the iced espresso. This drink is also known as Freddo Cappuccino.

Frappuccinos, on the other hand, you can only find at Starbucks.

There isn’t such thing as hot Frappuccino, as its name comes from the word frappè, which in French means “chilled” or “iced” (when describing a drink).

If you’re looking for a hot Frappuccino alternative I would say that ordering a mocha or a flavored latte are both safe picks.

Related Comparison Guide: Macchiato vs. Mocha

Which One to Choose?

I guess it won’t be hard for most of you to choose one or the other.

Deciding whether to order a Frappuccino or a cappuccino should be easy knowing how different these drinks are.

To make it even more unchallenging, I would say that if you are looking for a classic espresso drink that will give you the caffeine kick and won’t add much to your daily calorie intake – go for a cappuccino.

The Coffee Frappuccino is a great option when looking for a refreshing and sweet frozen caffeinated beverage.

I have quite a few Copycat Starbucks Frappuccino coffee recipes, published here on the WokeLark and here are a few of them:

• How to make a Black and White Mocha Frappuccino
• Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino
• Copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino at home

The Frappuccino can also serve you as a dessert on the go.

The iced cappuccino (or if not available – the iced latte) is a perfect option when in need for a simple cold espresso drink.

For now, the Frappuccino vs cappuccino battle ends with a tie (even though I’m more of a fan of the latter).

Which one suits your taste better? Let me know in the comments below.