Horchata Frappuccino {Starbucks Copycat}

This copycat Starbucks Horchata Frappuccino is cold, creamy, and packed with cinnamon flavor from a homemade horchata syrup. It comes together in about 60 seconds once your syrup is ready to go.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why this recipe works
• 🗒 Ingredients
• 🥤 Recipe tips
• 🎉 Recipe variations
• ☕️ More Frappuccino recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

It feels like the Butterfly Refreshers are getting all the attention on the Starbucks 2026 summer menu.

So, you may have missed that they've also launched a new Horchata Frappuccino, along with bringing back the Horchata Shaken Espresso. And trust me, you'll want to pay some attention to this new Frappuccino, too!

It's an absolutely delicious blended Frappuccino packed with sweet cinnamon and vanilla flavors and it's made with a very unique simple syrup.

❤️ Why this recipe works

It's made with real horchata flavor: you can certainly purchase horchata syrup if you want, but I highly recommend making your own with my recipe. Steeping white rice with a cinnamon stick gives the syrup that signature horchata taste.

Cinnamon and espresso are the perfect pair: there's a reason Starbucks keeps launching cinnamon-heavy drinks (their cinnamon dolce syrup is a huge favorite!) and this frozen cinnamon coffee drink is heavenly.

It's easy to control the sweetness: Starbucks Frappuccinos are notoriously sweet. Making this at home means you can add as much (or as little) sweetness as you want.

Xanthan powder makes this more Frappuccino-y than other copycats: I highly recommend buying some xanthan gum if you want to make Frappuccinos regularly. It helps keep the drink from separating and thickens it without changing the taste at all. Without it, your drink will likely be more icy than frothy. You can use cornstarch as a substitute if you want.

🗒 Ingredients

Here's everything you need to make your own Horchata Frappuccino at home (be sure to view the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions):

• Whole milk
• Espresso: or strongly brewed coffee, cooled
• Horchata syrup: I highly recommend making your own, but you can also purchase a bottle of it. You can even find the actual Starbucks horchata syrup.
• Xanthan gum: this is an optional ingredient for thickening the Frappuccino, but I highly recommend it. You can substitute with cornstarch, but you'll need to use a little bit more of it.
• Ice
• Whipped cream: for topping
• Ground cinnamon: for topping

For homemade horchata syrup, you'll need:

• Water
• Long-grain white rice
• Granulated sugar
• Cinnamon stick
• Vanilla extract

🥤 Recipe tips

• The horchata syrup does take a little time to make (you need to infuse the rice into the water), but you can make it well in advance as it keeps fresh for about a month in an airtight container in your fridge.

• The rice needs about 4 hours to steep before you start the easy syrup making process.

• After cooking the syrup, I recommend leaving that cinnamon stick in the jar or container while it cools. The flavor keeps building, and the longer it sits, the better it gets. You want a lot of cinnamon flavor here!

• Your Frappuccino will be best if all your ingredients are very cold. That means letting your syrup and espresso chill and using milk right out of the fridge.

• Blend your Frappuccino longer than you think you need to; for a good 30 to 45 seconds so the xanthan gum can do its thing and you get that signature thick texture.

• If you want even more cinnamon flavor, you can blend in some extra ground cinnamon.

• Be sure to top the drink with whipped cream and ground cinnamon for the full Starbucks experience!

And enjoy your delicious icy summer treat. The Horchata Frappuccino is creamy, sweet, and perfectly spiced.

The Tropical Butterfly Refresher and Butterfly Drink may be a bit more Instagram-friendly, but the flavor of this Horchata Frappuccino blows them out of the water.

Plus, it contains that double shot of espresso!

🎉 Recipe variations

I love this Frappuccino as is, but as with all Starbucks drinks, there are a million ways you can order it and a million ways you can make it at home.

Here are some ideas for what you can do with this drink:

• Swap the whole milk out for the dairy or non-dairy alternative you like best. Almond milk will work especially well for Horchata flavor. Coconut milk would be delicious, too. Just note that swapping milks may result in a Frappuccino that's not quite as thick and frothy as one made with whole milk.
• Line your cup with mocha sauce before pouring in the Frappuccino (for Mexican chocolate vibes!).
• Line your cup with caramel before pouring in the Frappuccino (for dulce de leche vibes!).
• In addition to the horchata syrup, add vanilla syrup, cinnamon dolce syrup, or the syrup flavor of your choice.
• Instead of whipped cream, top the drink with vanilla sweet cream cold foam.
• Of course, you can use decaf espresso if you prefer.
• Or you can make it without any coffee at all. Just add a bit more milk and bump up the amount horchata syrup used. A little vanilla extract will also help make up for the flavor you're missing without the espresso.

I can't wait to hear what changes you make to this Frappuccino recipe!

☕️ More Frappuccino recipes

If you're a fan of Starbucks' frozen drinks, you'll want to check out my other copycat recipes! Here are some favorites:

And be sure to check out all my Starbucks copycat drinks, including the Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso.

What is your favorite drink on the summer 2026 menu?

And what drink or food would you like to see me recreate next?

📖 Recipe