How Much Caffeine Is In A Starbucks Frappuccino?

Sometimes we go to Starbucks for a day's worth of zippy energy in a cup, and sometimes we just want a sweet treat to get us through the day. When it comes to Frappuccinos, are we getting both? Well, yes and no — the sweetness is a given, but the exact caffeine content depends on which Frappuccino you grab. 

For the chain's classic Coffee Frappuccino, for instance, the caffeine varies by size: a tall (12 ounces) has about 65 milligrams, a grande (16 ounces) includes 95 milligrams, and a venti (24 ounces) packs 125 milligrams. To compare, an average cup of brewed coffee has roughly 90 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ounces, meaning that the Coffee Frappuccino is a pretty good halfway point between flavor and fuel. Though this also comes with a hefty amount of sugar, it's not like comparing the caffeine in Coke and coffee. These sweet frozen drinks actually have enough caffeine to substitute for a real coffee.

However, some Starbucks Frappuccinos are completely caffeine-free! Just like Starbucks has different types of iced coffees with varying levels of caffeine, the chain separates their Frappuccinos into two sections on the menu: coffee and crème. Many crème flavors like Vanilla Bean or the ever-popular Strawberry have a dessert vibe without the buzz, making them perfect for caffeine-free cravings. (Note that some options like Matcha or Peppermint Mocha do contain small amounts of caffeine, though.) On the other hand, all coffee-based Frappuccinos have caffeine; some bring a major kick, like the Espresso flavor, which includes both coffee and espresso.

When choosing a Starbucks Frappuccino, the caffeine content depends on the flavor. However, all of the coffee Frappuccinos that are caffeinated get their caffeine straight from actual coffee. While some major competitors like Dunkin' Donuts use a coffee-derived syrup in their frozen coffees, resulting in something more like coffee milk, Starbucks opts for straight-up java. Well, they use coffee and something called "Coffee Frappuccino Syrup," the latter of which doesn't include anything coffee-based at all. 

Flavors like Mocha, Java Chip, and Caramel Frappuccinos all have higher amounts of caffeine due to added coffee, averaging around 100 milligrams in a grande. Seasonal flavors like the Pumpkin Spice and Peppermint Mocha are similarly charged. The most caffeinated option you'll find is in the chain's Espresso Frappuccino, which is the only one made with both espresso and coffee. This buzzy bevvie packs in a whopping 185 milligrams in a 24-ounce venti, which is the same amount of caffeine that a grande iced coffee contains.

Additionally, like both the beverages they're based on, the grande Matcha and Chai Frappuccinos contain 70 and 40 milligrams of caffeine, respectively. You might be wondering if you can add caffeine to any of the uncaffeinated crème frozen drinks. You can always add an espresso shot to a Frappuccino for a boost, but you'll also be adding the taste of it, so choose a compatible flavor wisely!