Can You Get Decaf Frappes? The Guide to Caffeine-Free Blended Drinks

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 54% of American adults consume coffee daily, but for those sensitive to caffeine, a traditional frappe can be off-limits. The good news is that you can absolutely enjoy a decaf frappe, with options ranging from simple modifications at your favorite coffee shop to easy-to-follow homemade recipes.

Quick Summary

Decaf frappes are widely available, either through custom orders at major coffee chains or by making them at home using decaf instant coffee or espresso. This guide explains how to get them from popular cafes and provides simple recipes for a delicious, caffeine-free blended drink.

Key Points

Availability: Decaf frappes are widely available through customization at coffee shops or by making them at home.
Starbucks Customization: At Starbucks, order a coffee-based Frappuccino and request decaf espresso shots instead of the standard Frappuccino Roast.
Creme Frappuccinos: For a completely caffeine-free option, choose a crème-based blended drink, such as Vanilla Bean or Strawberry Crème.
Homemade with Instant Coffee: A traditional Greek-style decaf frappe can be made at home with decaf instant coffee, sugar, water, and milk.
Homemade with Espresso: For a richer flavor, blend chilled decaf espresso shots with milk, ice, and flavored syrup.
DIY Versatility: Homemade recipes offer full control over ingredients, flavor, sweetness, and thickness.

Decaf Frappes at Coffee Chains

For those who prefer the convenience of ordering out, many coffee shops offer ways to get a delicious decaf blended drink. While the term "decaf frappe" may not be on the menu, knowing how to ask for a modification can make all the difference.

How to Order a Decaf Frappe at Starbucks

Starbucks is a popular destination for blended beverages, and with a few simple requests, you can enjoy a coffee-flavored Frappuccino without the jitters.

Customizing a coffee-based Frappuccino: For a mocha, caramel, or espresso Frappuccino, you can ask your barista to substitute the standard Frappuccino Roast with decaf espresso shots. The standard substitution is one shot for a Tall, two for a Grande, and three for a Venti. This ensures you get the coffee flavor without the high caffeine content.
Choosing a Crème Frappuccino: For a completely caffeine-free option, any of the Crème Frappuccinos are a safe bet. Popular choices include the Vanilla Bean Crème, Strawberry Crème, or Double Chocolatey Chip Crème Frappuccinos. You can also order a coffee flavor, like caramel or mocha, with a crème base instead of the coffee base.

Ordering Decaf from Other Cafes

Many independent coffee shops or smaller chains can accommodate requests for decaf frappes, too. The key is to communicate clearly with the barista.

Ask if they have decaf espresso or decaf instant coffee available for blended drinks. Most cafes carry decaf espresso for lattes and iced beverages.
If they only have a coffee base, inquire about a non-coffee alternative, such as a smoothie or a creme-based blended drink.

Making Decaf Frappes at Home

For the ultimate control over ingredients and caffeine level, making your own decaf frappe at home is the best solution. There are two main methods, depending on your equipment.

Decaf Frappe Recipe Using Instant Coffee

This method is perfect for anyone with a standard blender and requires minimal preparation.

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons decaf instant coffee granules, such as Nescafe Decaf
2-3 teaspoons sugar or other sweetener
3 tablespoons hot water
1 cup milk of your choice (whole, almond, oat, etc.)
1-2 cups ice cubes

Instructions:

Create the foam: In a small cup, combine the instant coffee, sugar, and hot water. Use a frother or a whisk to create a rich, creamy foam.
Blend the base: In a blender, combine the milk and ice. Blend until smooth and slushy.
Assemble: Pour the blended milk and ice into a glass. Top with the coffee foam. Stir gently to combine before drinking.

Decaf Frappe Recipe Using Espresso

If you have an espresso machine, you can create a more robust-flavored decaf frappe with chilled decaf espresso shots.

Ingredients:

1-2 shots chilled decaf espresso
1 cup milk of your choice
2 tbsp chocolate or caramel syrup
1 cup ice
1/4 tsp xanthan gum (optional, for thickness)

Instructions:

Brew espresso: Pull your decaf espresso shots and let them cool completely.
Combine ingredients: Add the chilled espresso, milk, syrup, ice, and optional xanthan gum to a blender.
Blend until smooth: Blend until the mixture is creamy, thick, and well-combined.
Garnish and serve: Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and an extra drizzle of syrup, if desired.

Comparison of Decaf Frappe Options


Feature	Coffee Shop Custom Order	Homemade Instant Frappe	Homemade Espresso Frappe
Convenience	High	Medium	Low
Customization	Low (dependent on barista)	High	High
Flavor Profile	Depends on chain's decaf; can be watery if not made with espresso	Traditional Greek frappe flavor with distinct foam	Robust, full-bodied coffee taste
Cost	Highest	Lowest	Moderate (initial equipment cost)
Caffeine Level	Minimal (contains trace caffeine)	Minimal (trace caffeine from decaf)	Minimal (trace caffeine from decaf)
Control	Low	High	Highest

The Greek Frappe vs. The Americanized Frappe

The term "frappe" can refer to different drinks. The classic Greek frappe is traditionally made with instant coffee, water, sugar, and milk, shaken or mixed vigorously to create a thick foam. In contrast, the Americanized version, popularized by coffee chains like Starbucks, is a blended, dessert-like beverage made with coffee, milk, ice, and flavored syrups. Both can be made decaf.

For the Greek version, simply use a high-quality decaf instant coffee like Nescafe Classic Frappe Decaf. For the Americanized version, follow the homemade blended recipes using decaf espresso or instant coffee.

Conclusion

Yes, decaf frappes are a reality and can be enjoyed by anyone looking to limit their caffeine intake. Whether you're customizing an order at a major coffee chain like Starbucks or experimenting with recipes in your own kitchen, a delicious blended drink is within reach. From crème-based Frappuccinos for zero caffeine to decaf espresso substitutions for that familiar coffee flavor, the options are plentiful. Homemade versions using decaf instant coffee or pre-brewed decaf espresso also offer fantastic and customizable results at a lower cost. So go ahead—blend, sip, and enjoy your perfect caffeine-free treat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can get a decaf Frappuccino at Starbucks by either requesting decaf espresso shots to replace the Frappuccino Roast in a coffee-based drink or by ordering one of their Crème Frappuccinos, which contain no coffee.

Decaf frappes are not 100% caffeine-free but contain only a minimal amount, typically less than 15 mg, from the decaffeinated coffee or espresso used. Crème-based frappes contain no coffee and are virtually caffeine-free.

A blended drink from Starbucks with a coffee flavor but no actual coffee is called a "crème Frappuccino." You can request a "caramel crème Frappuccino" or similar to get the flavor without the coffee base.

The best method depends on your desired flavor profile. For a Greek-style frappe with a thick foam, use decaf instant coffee and froth it with water and sugar. For an American-style blended version, use chilled decaf espresso or strong brewed decaf coffee, milk, ice, and syrup in a blender.

Charging extra for a decaf frappe can vary by location and barista. At Starbucks, replacing the Frappuccino Roast with decaf espresso is not supposed to incur an extra charge, but inconsistencies in how it's rung up have been reported.

Most coffee-based frappes can be made decaf by replacing the standard coffee with decaf espresso or decaf instant coffee. However, some special flavorings, like chai or matcha, may still contain some caffeine.

For a classic Greek-style frappe, use a decaf instant coffee like Nescafe Classic Frappe Decaf. For a blended American-style frappe, any chilled strong-brewed or espresso-based decaf coffee will work well.