This healthier copycat of the Starbucks Green Tea Frappuccino is the perfect blend of green tea, creaminess, and sweetness… for a fraction of the price.
how to make a Starbucks green tea frappuccino
This Starbucks green tea frappuccino is divine. I admit, I love my Starbucks runs. Yet, I’m mostly about the plain, boring coffee and the food (case in point, cream cheese-stuffed bagel bites).
The plain, boring coffee part is primarily about the pricey, sugar-filled drinks disguised as happiness in a plastic cup. The green tea frappuccino alone is filled with vanilla syrup, classic syrup, and the signature Starbucks frappuccino syrup. Egads! So much syrup on top of syrup on top of syrup for all your dollars, you might forget green tea is actually really, really good for you.
This homemade Starbucks green tea frappuccino is not sugar-free, but you can control the sugar you add. Or, replace the sugar with any of your preferred sweeteners, such as honey or agave syrup. And the whipped cream on top? That’s mostly decorative, right? You can omit that, too, of course.
All my Starbucks copycat recipes:
- Starbucks green tea frappuccino
- Starbucks sandwich: Roasted tomato, mozzarella, and pesto panini
- Four-ingredient lemon blueberry scones
- copycat Bantam bagels stuffed with cream cheese
Let’s get back to the green tea thing and why this is the best concoction ever. The caffeine in green tea serves as a morning pick-me-up, but it also has anti-oxidants and nutrients. Matcha green tea powder, which I found in the tea aisle of the supermarket, can be expensive. But there are a range of options, and one tin can make many Frappuccinos.
I tried a few different combinations to come up with the perfect ratio of green tea flavor, creaminess, and a hint of vanilla and sweetness. And this is it.
No one flavor overpowers the others. They complement each other beautifully. Ohmygoodness, so good.
You can add more or less sugar depending on your taste. And, use any kind of milk you like: Soy, almond, cow’s milk, skim, full fat.
If you omit the whipped cream on top, your Frappuccino is vegan.
You can use a blender for your smoothie, but nothing compares to making smoothies in my Ninja. (Seriously. While that is an affiliate link, they didn’t pay me to say that. I really do love the Ninja way better than any blender.)
This Frappuccino is so delicious, I think it just surpassed my unicorn smoothie as my favorite new drink.
green tea frappuccio recipe:
This recipe for homemade Starbucks Green Tea Frappuccino also appears on Food Fanatic.
Jenny says
How many cups does this make?
meaghanmountford says
Hi Jenny,
Apologies! I just checked the post and it looks like the recipe card I had there has disappeared! You can find the written recipe here at Food Fanatic (and soon in my post when I update the recipe card.) It makes one smoothie, about 1 1/4 cup. https://www.foodfanatic.com/recipes/homemade-starbucks-green-tea-frappuccino-recipe/
Yvonne Thomas says
To avoid foam and separation of liquid , add 1/8 tsp of xanthan gum.
meaghanmountford says
Aaaah, just got a book with keto recipes, and they mentioned xanthan gum. Wondering what that was for! Thank you!!
Lori Hitchcock says
This was so good!!! I love macha but it never usually comes out ‘right’ when I try at home. I made a slight modification and used Starbucks Vanilla Syrup instead of the granulated sugar and vanilla extract. #sogood #iloveninjatoo
meaghanmountford says
Oh yay, I’m so glad Lori!! Thank you!! I agree… It took a few tries to rid of that slightly bitter-ish macha taste and get the right balance. Love the idea of the syrup. More Starbucksy, too!
Schevonn Hanks says
I used everything but sugar and i used starbucks vannila syrup instead. Came our great..yummy thx girl!!
meaghanmountford says
Yay, I’m so glad!! I really need some of that vanilla syrup!
david says
If you really want to make it healthier, leave out the sugar and add a banana ( the riper the better). And protein power add a nice flavor and makes it creamy.
meaghanmountford says
That’s brilliant! Love the idea of omitting sugar and adding a banana. I’m going to try it!
Anabelle says
I agree! I tried doing that the first time around and it made a sweet addition to this matcha drink!
Rachel Gutierrez says
This was so good!!
meaghanmountford says
Yay! Thank you Rachel! I’m so glad it worked out! I love it.
Darth Keto says
Healthier would use half heavy cream/half water and a sweetener like Truvia or Stevia instead of sugar.
Esther says
This is incredible! I was craving a matcha frap, but the weather is awful, so I didn’t want to leave the house. I used extra matcha, and it tastes exactly like what I get at Starbucks!
meaghanmountford says
Phew, I’m so glad Esther, thank you!!!
Donna says
Where do you get the matcha powder? Does it taste the same?
meaghanmountford says
Hi Donna, I found mine at Whole Foods, but some supermarkets also sell it in the tea/coffee aisle or in the natural foods area. I thought it did! I love this frappuccino.
Angie says
Can anyone let me know what kinda of Matcha brand they purchased there are so many out there?
meaghanmountford says
Hi Angie, Sure! It’s Mighty Leaf from Whole Foods.