Blended & Iced

Frappuccino vs Latte vs Cappuccino

A frappuccino (or the generic frappé it is based on) is a different category of drink altogether. Rather than hot espresso and steamed milk, it is a blended, iced, usually sweetened coffee drink — closer to a milkshake than a traditional café coffee.

So while a latte and cappuccino are hot, milk-based espresso drinks, the frappuccino is cold, blended and dessert-like, typically loaded with sugar and often topped with whipped cream.

A blended frappe-style iced coffee beside a latte and a cappuccino

A different kind of drink

Feature	Frappuccino / Frappé	Cappuccino	Latte
Temperature	Cold, blended with ice	Hot	Hot (or iced)
Sweetness	Very high (syrups, sugar)	Low	Low-medium
Calories	Often 250–400+ kcal	~120 kcal	~190 kcal
Coffee	Optional / variable	Espresso	Espresso
Texture	Thick, slushy, creamy	Airy	Creamy

Does a frappuccino even have coffee?

Sometimes. Coffee-based frappuccinos contain coffee or espresso, but many crème versions have no coffee at all. This is a big contrast with a latte or cappuccino, which are defined by their espresso. If caffeine matters to you, check whether the frappé is a coffee or crème version.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a cappuccino and a frappuccino?

A cappuccino is a hot espresso drink with steamed milk and foam. A frappuccino is a cold, blended, sweetened iced drink that may or may not contain coffee. They are very different in temperature, sweetness and calories.

Is a frappuccino just an iced latte?

No. An iced latte is simply espresso and cold milk over ice. A frappuccino is blended with ice and sweeteners into a thick, slushy, dessert-style drink.