Frappuccino

**Frappuccino** is a trademarked brand of the Starbucks Corporation for a line of iced, blended coffee drinks. It consists of coffee or crème base, blended with ice and other various ingredients like flavored syrups, usually topped with whipped cream and or spices. Frappuccinos are also sold as bottled coffee beverages in grocery stores, convenience stores and from vending machines.

# History

Frappuccino is a portmanteau of "frappe", the New England name from the french "lait frappé" a milkshake with ice cream, and *cappuccino*, an espresso coffee with frothed milk. The word was coined and trademarked in Boston, Massachusetts. In the Boston area, a "frappe" (pronounced "frap" and spelled without the accent) is a thick milkshake with ice cream, derived from the French word *frappé*.

The original *Frappuccino* drink was developed, named, trademarked and sold by George Howell's Eastern Massachusetts coffee shop chain, The Coffee Connection, and created by then-employee Andrew Frank. When Starbucks purchased The Coffee Connection in 1994, they also gained the rights to use, make, market, and sell the Frappuccino drink. The drink, with a different recipe, was introduced under the Starbucks name in 1995 and as of 2012, Starbucks had annual Frappuccino sales of over $2 billion.

The recipe is derived from a fusion of various cold drinks, including the **coffee frap** (similar to iced coffee)[*dubious – discuss*] and the **frappe** (blended ice cream, syrup, and milk), with the Italian cappuccino. The recipe today consists of brewed coffee, ice, and other additives such as milk, sugar, flavored syrups, and whipped cream.

# Versions

### Currently available

The following is a list of the typical versions available of each type of Frappuccino.

### Decaffeinated

Upon consumer request, Starbucks baristas can create Frappuccinos with decaffeinated shots of espresso, rather than using caffeinated Frappuccino Roast instant coffee.

### Crème

A coffee-free base was created to make a drink called a Frappuccino Blended Crème. Menu examples include the Mocha Crème, Caramel Crème, Vanilla Bean Crème, and Serious Strawberry Frappuccino. There is also a Chocolate Frappucchino. Any syrup or sauce can be used to make a custom Frappuccino Blended Crème. Crème Frappuccinos contain very little or no caffeine.

### Non-dairy alternatives

Frappuccinos made with soy milk became available in stores in the United States and Canada in 2010. In January 2011 Starbucks introduced this option to Australian stores, and the option has since been made available in other countries. Starbucks has also introduced coconut and almond milk options.

### Modifications

Frappuccinos may include additional ingredients, which can include espresso shots, flavored syrups, chocolate chips, and flavored powders. Consumers may also customize the consistency of Frappuccinos by ordering light or extra ice. Any Frappuccino can have additional syrups, shots of espresso, or various other modifications at a possible surcharge.

### Juice blends

In the summer of 2006, Starbucks introduced the *Frappuccino Juice Blend*, which were described as being "real fruit juices combined with Tazo Tea, blended with ice". Juice Blends were gradually discontinued throughout 2007 and 2008 and are no longer offered by Starbucks.

* + Unicorn Frappuccino

# Bottled Frappuccino

A bottled Frappuccino is sold in retail stores and vending machines. The U.S. 9.5-oz. bottled version was originally manufactured in 1996.

# North American Coffee Partnership

In 1994, PepsiCo and Starbucks formed an entity called the North American Coffee Partnership. The joint venture was created so that ready-to-drink products using the Starbucks name could be distributed using Pepsi's global network. The Frappuccino was the joint venture's first product. Since 1996, the NACP has expanded to include a diverse portfolio of Starbucks branded coffee and energy drinks. The NACP has approximately 97% market share in RTD (ready-to-drink) coffee and has grown to more than a $1.5 billion retail business.

# See also

* + The Coffee Connection
	+ Starbucks
	+ Coffee milk