Discover 10 Delicious Starbucks Copycat Coffee Recipes

10 Copycat Coffee Recipes You Can Make at Home

These 10 copycat coffee recipes bring your favorite coffeehouse drinks home with easy ingredients, simple instructions, and no drive-thru required. The collection includes creamy blended Frappuccino-style drinks, hot mochas, an iced white chocolate mocha, a caramel macchiato, a pumpkin spice latte, and a cozy Caramel Apple Spice.

Eight of the drinks are inspired by familiar Starbucks favorites. You will also find a copycat Dunn Brothers Vanilla Iced Nirvana and an adults-only boozy mocha inspired by the sweet coffee cocktails served in coffeehouses and cafés.

Most of these homemade coffee drinks take only 5 to 10 minutes to prepare. You can use espresso when you have it, but strongly brewed coffee or cold brew also works in nearly every recipe. Dairy-free milk, decaf coffee, homemade syrups, and frozen coffee cubes make the recipes easy to adjust for your kitchen and your coffee order.

Start with the classic Copycat Starbucks Frappuccino when you want something icy, the Salted Caramel Mocha when chocolate and caramel are calling your name, or the Pumpkin Spice Latte when you are ready to declare it fall whether the weather agrees or not.

What Copycat Coffee Recipes Are Included?

1. Copycat Starbucks Frappuccino
2. Copycat Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha
3. Copycat Dunn Brothers Vanilla Iced Nirvana
4. Coffeehouse Boozy Mocha
5. Starbucks-Inspired Salted Caramel Frozen Coffee
6. Copycat Starbucks Birthday Cake Frappuccino
7. Copycat Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice
8. Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
9. Copycat Starbucks Caramel Macchiato
10. Copycat Starbucks Iced White Chocolate Mocha

How to Make Coffeehouse Drinks Taste Better at Home

Brew the coffee stronger than usual. Ice, milk, syrup, and whipped cream dilute the coffee flavor. Double-strength coffee or cold brew concentrate helps the finished drink taste more like a café beverage.

Let hot coffee cool before blending it with ice. Warm coffee melts the ice quickly and can leave a Frappuccino thin and watery.

Use coffee ice cubes. Freeze leftover coffee in an ice cube tray and use the cubes in blended or iced drinks. They add body without watering down the coffee.

Add sweeteners gradually. Syrup brands vary in sweetness. Start with the smaller amount, blend or stir, and taste before adding more.

Do not skip the topping. Whipped cream, caramel sauce, cinnamon, or a small pinch of sea salt makes a homemade drink feel much more like your favorite coffeehouse order.

1. Copycat Starbucks Frappuccino

This homemade Frappuccino is cold, creamy, sweet, and easy to customize. Xanthan gum is optional, but a tiny amount helps keep the coffee, milk, and ice blended together. Coffee ice cubes are an easy alternative when you do not keep xanthan gum in the pantry.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup cold espresso or 1 cup cold double-strength coffee
• 2 cups ice or frozen coffee cubes
• ¾ cup whole or low-fat milk
• 2 to 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum, optional
• Whipped cream, for topping
• Caramel sauce, for topping

Directions

1. Add the cold coffee, ice, milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, and xanthan gum to a high-powered blender.
2. Blend for 30 to 45 seconds, or until the ice is completely crushed and the drink is thick and smooth.
3. Taste and blend in the remaining tablespoon of sugar when you prefer a sweeter drink.
4. Pour into a tall glass and finish with whipped cream and caramel sauce.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 large drink

Expert tip: Chill the coffee completely before blending. Even slightly warm coffee can melt enough ice to make the drink thin.

Watch How Easy It Is to Make a Copycat Starbucks Frappuccino

2. Copycat Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha

This hot salted caramel mocha combines strong coffee, chocolate, caramel, warm milk, and just enough sea salt to balance the sweetness. It is rich enough to feel like dessert but easy enough to make before the rest of the house wakes up.

Ingredients

• 1 shot espresso or ¾ cup strong hot coffee
• 1½ to 2 tablespoons caramel sauce
• 1 to 2 tablespoons instant hot cocoa mix, not unsweetened baking cocoa
• Small pinch of fine sea salt
• ½ cup milk
• Whipped cream, optional
• Additional caramel sauce and sea salt, for topping

Directions

1. Place the caramel sauce, hot cocoa mix, and a small pinch of sea salt in a large mug.
2. Pour in the hot espresso or coffee and stir until the caramel and cocoa mixture is smooth.
3. Heat the milk on the stovetop or in the microwave until steaming but not boiling.
4. Froth the warm milk when desired, then pour it into the coffee mixture.
5. Stir, taste, and add a little more caramel or cocoa mix when needed.
6. Top with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and the tiniest pinch of sea salt.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 drink

Expert tip: Salt should sharpen the caramel flavor, not make the coffee taste salty. Begin with only a few grains and add more after tasting.

For the complete dedicated version, visit my Copycat Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Recipe.

Watch the Copycat Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Video

3. Copycat Dunn Brothers Vanilla Iced Nirvana

The Vanilla Iced Nirvana is a Dunn Brothers-inspired drink rather than a Starbucks copycat. It earns its place in this collection with a frothy blend of chilled coffee, milk, vanilla syrup, and ice.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chilled strong coffee or cold espresso
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons vanilla syrup, plus more to taste
• 2 to 3 cups ice
• Whipped cream, for topping
• Caramel sauce, for topping

Directions

1. Add the chilled coffee, water, milk, vanilla syrup, and 2 cups ice to a blender.
2. Blend until the ice is finely crushed and the drink is frothy.
3. Add more ice for a thicker drink or another splash of vanilla syrup for additional sweetness.
4. Divide between two glasses and top with whipped cream and caramel sauce.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 drinks

Expert tip: The water keeps the strong coffee from overwhelming the vanilla. When using regular-strength coffee instead of espresso or concentrate, reduce the water to taste.

4. Coffeehouse Boozy Mocha

This adults-only coffee drink combines hot coffee with coffee liqueur and chocolate liqueur. It is a simple after-dinner coffee for chilly evenings, holiday gatherings, or those moments when regular mocha feels slightly underdressed.

Ingredients

• 4 to 6 ounces hot strong coffee
• ½ ounce coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa
• ½ ounce chocolate liqueur
• Whipped cream, for topping

Directions

1. Pour the hot coffee into a heat-safe mug.
2. Add the coffee liqueur and chocolate liqueur.
3. Stir gently until combined.
4. Top with whipped cream and serve immediately.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 adult drink

Expert tip: A dark or French roast stands up well to both liqueurs and keeps the finished drink from tasting overly sweet.

Alcohol-free variation: Replace the liqueurs with 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup and 1 tablespoon coffee-flavored syrup or additional strong coffee.

5. Starbucks-Inspired Salted Caramel Frozen Coffee

This salted caramel frozen coffee is smooth, cold, and made for anyone who believes caramel should be considered a coffee group. Cold coffee, milk, caramel, ice, and a tiny pinch of sea salt create the sweet-and-salty flavor.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup cold strong coffee
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups ice
• ¼ cup caramel syrup or caramel sauce
• ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt, plus a tiny pinch for topping
• Whipped cream, optional

Directions

1. Add the cold coffee, milk, ice, caramel syrup, and sea salt to a blender.
2. Blend for 30 to 45 seconds, or until thick and completely smooth.
3. Taste and add another small drizzle of caramel when you prefer a sweeter drink.
4. Pour into a tall glass and top with whipped cream, caramel, and a tiny pinch of sea salt.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 large drink

Expert tip: Freeze the coffee in an ice cube tray the night before. Coffee cubes make the drink thicker without diluting its flavor.

6. Copycat Starbucks Birthday Cake Frappuccino

You do not need an actual birthday to make this creamy vanilla and hazelnut Frappuccino. Vanilla ice cream gives the drink its dessert-like body, while vanilla and hazelnut syrups supply the birthday-cake flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chilled milk or cold coffee
• 1 cup ice
• 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
• 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 1 to 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, optional
• 2 tablespoons hazelnut syrup
• Whipped cream, optional

Directions

1. Add the milk or cold coffee, ice, vanilla syrup, ice cream, 1 tablespoon sugar, and hazelnut syrup to a blender.
2. Blend until thick and smooth, stopping to scrape down the blender when necessary.
3. Taste and add the remaining tablespoon of sugar only when needed.
4. Pour into a tall glass and top with whipped cream.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 large drink

Expert tip: Use milk for a caffeine-free cream-based drink or cold coffee when you want your birthday cake with a little more get-up-and-go.

7. Copycat Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice

Not every coffeehouse favorite needs coffee. This cozy Caramel Apple Spice combines warm apple juice with homemade cinnamon syrup, whipped cream, and caramel sauce. The syrup recipe makes more than you need for one drink, so refrigerate the extra for future apple drinks, coffee, or hot chocolate.

Ingredients for the Cinnamon Syrup

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Ingredients for the Caramel Apple Spice

• 2 cups apple juice or apple cider
• 2 tablespoons prepared cinnamon syrup, plus more to taste
• Whipped cream, for topping
• Caramel sauce, for topping

Directions

1. Combine the water, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat and set it aside.
4. Heat the apple juice in a separate saucepan or microwave-safe measuring cup until steaming.
5. Stir 2 tablespoons cinnamon syrup into the warm apple juice.
6. Taste and add more syrup when desired.
7. Pour into one large mug or two smaller mugs. Top with whipped cream and caramel sauce.
8. Cool the remaining cinnamon syrup and refrigerate it in a covered container.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Yield: 1 large or 2 small drinks, plus extra cinnamon syrup

Expert tip: Apple cider provides a deeper spiced-apple flavor, while regular apple juice creates a drink closer to the familiar coffeehouse version.

8. Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

This homemade pumpkin spice latte uses real pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vanilla, warm milk, and strong coffee. It is cozy, customizable, and available whenever you decide pumpkin season has officially begun.

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for topping
• ½ tablespoon pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• ¾ cup hot espresso or strong coffee
• 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
• ¾ cup milk
• Whipped cream, optional
• Caramel sauce, optional

Directions

1. Add the pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, and vanilla syrup to a small saucepan.
2. Cook over medium-low heat for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant and smooth.
3. Add the milk and heat until steaming but not boiling.
4. Whisk or froth the milk mixture until foamy.
5. Pour the hot coffee or espresso into a large mug.
6. Add the pumpkin milk mixture and stir gently.
7. Top with whipped cream, a light sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, and caramel sauce when desired.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 large drink

Expert tip: Briefly heating the pumpkin and spices before adding the milk removes the raw pumpkin taste and helps the spices bloom.

9. Copycat Starbucks Caramel Macchiato

A caramel macchiato is all about the layers: vanilla-sweetened milk, bold espresso, and caramel sauce. You can stir everything together immediately, but letting the espresso sit over the milk creates that familiar coffeehouse presentation.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups milk
• 2 tablespoons vanilla syrup
• ¼ cup freshly brewed espresso or very strong coffee
• Caramel sauce, for topping

Directions

1. Heat the milk until steaming but not boiling.
2. Froth the warm milk until foamy.
3. Add the vanilla syrup to a large mug.
4. Pour in the warm milk, holding back some of the foam with a spoon.
5. Spoon the remaining foam over the milk.
6. Slowly pour the espresso through the center of the foam.
7. Drizzle caramel sauce over the top and serve immediately.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 large drink

Expert tip: Warm the caramel sauce for a few seconds so it drizzles in thin ribbons instead of landing on the foam in one determined blob.

10. Copycat Starbucks Iced White Chocolate Mocha

This iced white chocolate mocha is creamy, sweet, and blended until frosty. White chocolate sauce gives the drink its signature flavor, while strong coffee keeps all that sweetness grounded.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons white chocolate sauce
• ½ cup cold espresso or strong coffee
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups ice
• Up to ½ cup cold water, only as needed for blending
• Whipped cream, for topping

Directions

1. Add the white chocolate sauce, cold coffee, milk, and ice to a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and frosty.
3. When the mixture is too thick for the blender, add cold water 1 tablespoon at a time until it moves freely.
4. Pour into a tall glass and top with whipped cream.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 large drink

Expert tip: Stir the white chocolate sauce into the coffee before adding the remaining ingredients when your sauce is especially thick.

Copycat Coffee Recipe FAQs

Can I make Starbucks copycat coffee recipes without an espresso machine?

Yes. Replace espresso with strongly brewed coffee, cold brew concentrate, or instant espresso prepared according to the package directions. Brewing the coffee at double strength helps its flavor remain noticeable after you add milk, ice, and syrup.

Which copycat coffee recipe is easiest for beginners?

The Salted Caramel Mocha and Caramel Macchiato are easy places to begin because they do not require a blender. The Frappuccino recipes are also simple when you have a blender powerful enough to crush ice.

Can I make these coffee drinks dairy-free?

Yes. Oat milk creates one of the creamiest substitutes, while almond, soy, and coconut milk also work. Use dairy-free whipped topping, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, and ice cream when the recipe includes them.

How do I make a homemade Frappuccino thicker?

Use frozen coffee cubes, reduce the milk slightly, add more ice, or include ⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum. Always begin with completely chilled coffee so it does not melt the ice.

Why does my blended coffee separate?

Separation usually happens when the drink contains too much liquid, the coffee is still warm, or the ice has not been blended finely enough. Blend a little longer or add several more ice cubes. A small amount of xanthan gum can also help stabilize the mixture.

Is the Vanilla Iced Nirvana a Starbucks drink?

No. Vanilla Iced Nirvana is associated with Dunn Brothers Coffee. It is included because this is a broader collection of copycat coffeehouse recipes featuring Starbucks favorites and a couple of additional café-inspired drinks.

Can I prepare these drinks ahead of time?

You can brew and chill the coffee, prepare the syrups, and measure the ingredients ahead of time. Blend frozen drinks immediately before serving. Hot lattes and mochas also taste best when assembled just before serving.

Can I use decaf coffee?

Yes. Decaf espresso or strongly brewed decaf coffee can replace regular coffee in any of these recipes without changing the other ingredients.

Bring the Coffeehouse Menu Home

These copycat coffee recipes make it easy to recreate a favorite drink, adjust the sweetness, choose your own milk, and skip the line. Keep strong coffee chilled in the refrigerator, freeze leftover coffee into cubes, and make a batch of vanilla syrup or caramel sauce so your next coffeehouse order is never more than a few minutes away.

Whether you begin with a creamy Frappuccino, a warm pumpkin spice latte, or a caramel macchiato, there is no name to spell, no car ahead ordering drinks for the entire office, and no need to change out of your comfortable pants.

Next Recipe to Try

Make the full Copycat Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Recipe when you are craving hot coffee, chocolate, caramel, and that tiny salty finish.