Cool down with this creamy, spiced chai creme frappuccino, a Starbucks copycat recipe made in minutes with bold chai, vanilla, and whipped topping.
After years of buying expensive chai tea drinks and developing an almost daily chai habit, I decided to master the art of recreating them in my own kitchen.
There is nothing as satisfying as the first sip of your homemade copycat Frappuccino and finding it tastes exactly like the original!
It was a success with my Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino, my Starbucks Double Chocolate Chip Frappuchino, and it was a success with this chai version!
This chai frappuccino recipe turns my Starbucks favorite into something I can make at home with better ingredients and complete control over sweetness levels. Also, it's the perfect cooler alternative for the usual chai lattes.
When I realized that using quality chai concentrate as the foundation, rather than trying to brew and cool tea, creates the intense spice flavor that makes this drink special.
This caffeine-free option takes just 10 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for guests who want something that tastes something that'll make them feel like they’re sipping something from a café.
The first time I served these was when we were celebrating galentine's and half the group had given up coffee. The rich spice notes paired with the creamy texture had everyone asking for seconds. Now it's one of my signature non-coffee beverage options.
Ingredient Highlights for Chai Creme Frap
- Chai concentrate – This is the base of the drink, giving rich, spiced flavor. I prefer using a good quality concentrate for a deeper, authentic taste, but you can also make your own by simmering spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom with tea.
- Vanilla simple syrup – This balances the spiced chai with a touch of sweetness. If you prefer less sweetness, you can adjust the amount or substitute with honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
See recipe card for entire ingredient list.
This chai crème frappuccino is a Starbucks copycat recipe that brings the comforting, spiced flavors of chai to a chilled, creamy drink. With the right balance of chai concentrate, rich cream, and a touch of sweetness, it's just as good as the one from your favorite coffee shop, but made at home.
Top Tips
Use strong chai concentrate: For the best flavor, make sure you're using a good quality chai concentrate. If you prefer a spicier drink, you can even add a little extra concentrate or a pinch of ground cinnamon to amp up the chai flavor.
Adjust sweetness: If you want it sweeter, you can increase the amount of simple syrup or even add honey for a different flavor profile. Taste as you go to find the perfect balance for your preference.
Blend until smooth: Make sure to blend the mixture until it's thick and smooth, with no ice chunks. This will give you that creamy, café-style texture that makes the frappuccino so enjoyable.
Chai Crème Frappuccino
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup chai concentrate
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons vanilla simple syrup
- 3 cups ice or fill a Venti cup with ice
- Whipped topping for garnish
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Add ¾ cup chai concentrate, ½ cup heavy whipping cream, 2 tablespoons simple syrup, and 3 cups ice to a blender.
- Blend until thick and smooth.
- Pour into a large cup (Venti size).
- Top with whipped topping.
- Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon cinnamon on top.
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