Matcha Frappuccino Recipe Starbucks Copycat

Learn how to make the Starbucks Matcha Frappuccino with my simple recipe! If you’re a green tea lover, this homemade green tea Frappuccino recipe is perfect for you!

One of my favorite drinks to get at Starbucks is their Matcha Crème Frappuccino® Blended Beverage.

It actually has a lovely matcha flavor, and it doesn’t taste “fake” or like it’s made with a billion chemicals. 

And I figured out how to make a super similar version at home for a fraction of the cost. 

Here’s a video demonstration in case you learn better that way. The written tutorial is below!

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Ingredients:

Here’s what you’ll need to make this matcha Frappuccino at home:

• ¾ cup whole milk: This will work with low-fat milk, but I don’t recommend it. I’m sure this would also work with a non-dairy milk such as coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, etc., but the flavor will be different than the Starbucks version. I have only tested this with regular milk.
• ¼ cup heavy cream: Starbucks doesn’t use cream in their matcha Frappuccino, but I like to add it for some extra creaminess. You can substitute more milk if you prefer.
• 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder: Use the best quality matcha powder you can find. I’ll talk more about that below!
• 1 tablespoon of sugar: This is less sweet than the Starbucks version, which is intentional on my part. If you like a sweeter Frappuccino, feel free to bump up the sugar to match your personal preference, or add some vanilla syrup or simple syrup.
• ¼ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract: Please use the real deal, NOT imitation vanilla flavoring! Unless you prefer that flavor, of course!
• 1 ½ cups of ice: The amount of ice you need will vary based on the size of your ice cubes. You could start with this amount, and add more if your drink isn’t thick enough. BTW, don’t use old ice or it could adversely affect the flavor!
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional): Now if you want your homemade Frappuccino to be super similar to the Starbucks version, you can add ¼ teaspoon of xanthan gum as well. Xanthan gum is an emulsifier and thickening agent, so it will prevent the Frappuccino from separating as it sits. This is the secret ingredient to make luscious frappes. This will still be delicious without it, but it does enhance the texture. 

What is Matcha?

Before we move into the tutorial, let’s chat matcha for a minute.

Matcha is made from ground green tea leaves that have been grown in a special way.

Since you’re consuming the whole leaf instead of steeping it and discarding the leaves, the health benefits and flavors are more intense than regular green tea.

What Are the Different Kinds of Matcha?

In the United States, there are typically 3 different kinds of matcha sold:

• Culinary Grade Matcha: This is the lowest quality matcha powder. It tends to be more bitter and have a more dull flavor. It typically comes from the second, summer harvest. Some culinary matcha is good, such as the Mizuba culinary matcha, but in general it doesn’t have amazing flavor.
• Latte Grade Matcha: This grade is in between culinary and ceremonial. It’s typically used for making a higher quality matcha latte, but it isn’t suitable for a matcha tea ceremony. A good quality latte grade matcha can be quite delicious!
• Ceremonial Grade Matcha: This is the highest quality matcha, so of course it comes at an extra cost. It’s made with the first harvest of the tea leaves that are higher up on the plant. It’s sweeter, less bitter, and has a stronger green tea flavor. Typically it’s reserved for drinking with just hot water, but I use it to make matcha lattes as well. To get that bright green color, you’ll want to opt for a ceremonial grade matcha. 

Some brands can cost a small fortune, so make sure to check out my guide for recommendations! 

So What Matcha Should I Use?

I have a whole post about what is the best matcha powder. But in a nutshell, you want to choose one that’s high-quality, and not bitter.

I personally really like the Encha Matcha latte grade matcha, Mizuba culinary grade matcha, and the Thrive Market ceremonial grade matcha. They’re a great price and good quality. 

These days it’s actually pretty easy to find matcha in grocery stores. But watch out for poor quality matcha! It will taste bitter and dull. 

How to Make a Matcha Frappuccino:

Okay, place all of the ingredients in a blender, and blender until everything is smooth and the frappuccino has thickened.

If there are some bits of matcha on the sides and lid of the blender pitcher, you can scrapes those back into the drink with a spatula and blend again until incorporated.

Pour the blended Frappuccino into a 16 ounce glass (also say 20 ounce glass).

How to Make a Small Amount of Whipped Cream:

Now I always get whipped cream on my frappuccinos, so I’ll show you a really easy way to make a small amount of whipped cream at home.

Place 4 tablespoons of whipping cream into a small glass or measuring cup. Add 2-3 teaspoons of sugar or maple syrup, and ⅛ teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Whip that with a handheld milk frother (this is the one I use) until nice and thick.

You could also just use canned whipped cream, buy why not make it when it’s so easy?

Now scoop or pipe that over your Frappuccino.

And there you have a delicious green tea frappe! 

This one is so so good. I’d say it’s really similar to the real thing (AKA the Starbucks version), just with less sugar.

It’s the perfect summer drink, but of course you can enjoy it any time of the year!

Variations:

• Chocolate lovers could add 1/4 cup of chocolate chips to the blender for a matcha chocolate chip Frappuccino. 
• You could add 1-2 tablespoons of strawberry puree to the whipped cream to make a strawberry matcha frappuccino.
• For extreme matcha lovers, you could add a bit of matcha powder to the whipped cream. Or you could sprinkle some on top of the whipped cream.

What’s in the Starbucks Green Tea Frappuccino?

Here is the full ingredient list for the Starbucks version:

Ice, Milk, Creme Frappuccino Syrup [Sugar, Water, Natural Flavor, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid], Whipped Cream [Cream (Cream, Mono and Diglycerides, Carrageenan), Vanilla Syrup (Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid)], Classic Syrup [Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid], Matcha Tea Blend [Sugar, Ground Japanese Green Tea]

What Does a Green Tea Frappuccino Taste Like?

It definitely has that signature matcha flavor. It’s a bit grassy, a tiny bit savory, and definitely delicious. 

How Much Sugar is in the Starbucks Version?

A Grande (16 fl oz) Starbucks matcha green tea Frappuccino contains 61 grams of sugar. A Tall (12 0z) contains 43 grams of sugar, and Venti (24 ounce) contains 79 grams of sugar.

My homemade version (daily values calculated using my recipe plugin). 

How Much Caffeine is in the Starbucks Matcha Frappuccino?

A Tall Starbucks Matcha Creme Frappuccino contains 50 mg of caffeine. A Grande contains 70 mg of caffeine, and a Venti contains 95 mg of caffeine. 

In comparison, a Grande Caffé Latte contains 150 mg of caffeine. 

How Much Money Will I Save by Making it at Home?

Depending on where you live, a Grande Starbucks Matcha Frappuccino costs around $5.45.

My homemade version, made with Thrive market ceremonial grade matcha, will cost you around $4.16. If you use Mizuba culinary grade matcha, it will cost you around $3.00 to make at home.

If you drink this on a regular basis, you’ll definitely save some money by making it at home!

More Matcha Recipes:

• Starbucks Hot Matcha Latte Recipe
• Matcha Brownies
• How to Make Matcha Milk Tea
• Iced Matcha Latte Recipe
• Matcha Cocoa
• Sugar Free Green Tea Latte Recipe
• Matcha Ice Cream Recipe
• Matcha Panna Cotta

More Starbucks Copycat Recipes:

• Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino Recipe
• Homemade Bottled Starbucks Frappuccino Recipe
• Starbucks Chai Tea Latte Recipe
• Starbucks Peach Green Tea Lemonade Recipe
• Sweet Cream Cold Foam Recipe
• Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso
• Honey Oat Milk Latte