This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This post is sponsored by International Delight.
Do you remember the first time you set foot in a Starbucks?
I do!
Believe it or not, the infamous coffee chain didn’t come to Kansas until I was a freshman in college. But when the first tiny coffee shop arrived in Wichita, my friends and I of course had to go! So we piled in my VW bug and took a late night road trip so that we could wait in a super-long line to proudly place an 8-word order for coffee.
I was a new coffee drinker back then, so my drink of choice was the deathly-sweet caramel frappuccino. It was rich, it was pretty, and it was loaded with a zillion calories. But in college that was “NBD”, so the caramel frap instantly became my go-to drink as Starbucks began to move in on every corner.
Today, my coffee tastes and preferences have changed significantly. I go for black pour-over iced coffee at home and at my neighborhood coffee shop, and there’s not a Starbucks anywhere nearby. I drink coffee pretty much daily, and rarely hot or frozen. However, on occasion, I still get a craving for my nostalgic old college drink in the summertime. So I’ve learned to make my own healthier “skinny” caramel frappe at home with some homemade caramel syrup. Or even quicker, with the help of some a handy store-bought caramel creamer, like this one.
It’s definitely not the uber-sugary drink I loved in college, but the skinner, homemade, and coffee-centered version is much more my speed today anyhow. Here it is!
Combine coffee, creamer and ice cubes together in a blender, and pulse until blended.
Serve cold topped with desired toppings.
What’s Your ID? International Delight is looking for their most passionate flavor fans. Put your ID on the map to enter to win a Magical Trip, play games and discover more unexpected delight. Share your ID flavor at https://whatsyourid.com.
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by International Delight. All opinions are 100% mine, as always.
Your post is cracking me up – I was obsessed with caramel macchiatos in college as well. I actually haven’t had one since I began my weight loss journey after I graduated. It is a reminder of my past and the one drink I can’t get myself to order anymore. Love this lightened up version!!
The first Starbucks I ever set foot in was in San Francisco by my office building. The most appealing drinks for me were the lattes and cappuccinos. I was hooked on the caramel macchiato for a while! Now I’m quite boring drinking unsweetened coffees with just cinnamon powder and lots of foam! I’ve had my fair share of fraps, but have steered clear because of calories. Your skinny frap fixes that! Sounds delicious.
This looks SO delicious! One of my co-workers sent me your blog yesterday and it’s literally up on my favorites bar now, because your recipes (and photography!) are amazing! I can’t wait to try this one out!
I’m not a coffee drinker, so I’ve never actually had a Starbucks coffee, but I have to admit that a homemade caramel-infused and whipped cream topped version just might make me a convert!
I can’t remember the first time I had starbucks but it was definitely sometime in high school. I wasn’t much of a coffee person then so I would ALWAYS get the caramel frappe. It’s been a while since I ordered it though, mainly because it’s such a heavy drink with so many calories but I’d really love to try this version!
I love Starbucks caramel frappe, but now thy have a new one called caramel ribbon crunch, this is even better then the original one. I am going to try making this recipe, as soon as I go shopping for creamer. Thank you for sharing.
Your post is cracking me up – I was obsessed with caramel macchiatos in college as well. I actually haven’t had one since I began my weight loss journey after I graduated. It is a reminder of my past and the one drink I can’t get myself to order anymore. Love this lightened up version!!
I do not drink coffee, but this still sounds awesome! YUM!
I love this.
I love that this is skinny but I bet it tastes full of flavor!
Your photos are seriously always so daggum GORGEOUS!!!!!! And this skinny-fied version of a frapp is a MUST TRY! See you next week!!! (SQUEEL!!!)
Totally gushing over this! Yum!
The first Starbucks I ever set foot in was in San Francisco by my office building. The most appealing drinks for me were the lattes and cappuccinos. I was hooked on the caramel macchiato for a while! Now I’m quite boring drinking unsweetened coffees with just cinnamon powder and lots of foam! I’ve had my fair share of fraps, but have steered clear because of calories. Your skinny frap fixes that! Sounds delicious.
I always love finding recipes for homemade coffee drinks.
Wish I had one of these to sip on by the pool!
This looks SO delicious! One of my co-workers sent me your blog yesterday and it’s literally up on my favorites bar now, because your recipes (and photography!) are amazing! I can’t wait to try this one out!
i love any frappppee this looks soooooooooo goood
Good ides, but International Delight contains GMO ingredients.
I’m not a coffee drinker, so I’ve never actually had a Starbucks coffee, but I have to admit that a homemade caramel-infused and whipped cream topped version just might make me a convert!
I can’t remember the first time I had starbucks but it was definitely sometime in high school. I wasn’t much of a coffee person then so I would ALWAYS get the caramel frappe. It’s been a while since I ordered it though, mainly because it’s such a heavy drink with so many calories but I’d really love to try this version!
I love Starbucks caramel frappe, but now thy have a new one called caramel ribbon crunch, this is even better then the original one. I am going to try making this recipe, as soon as I go shopping for creamer. Thank you for sharing.
I can’t do the deathly sweet concoctions anymore – OR the calories that go with them – but THIS I can totally get behind. Love it Ali :)
I love the caramel frappes, i have to try this!