Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino Recipe – Iconic Flavor, Easy at Home

If you’re a fan of Starbucks Salted Caramel Frappuccino, then you’ll love this special twist — the Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino Recipe. 

It’s not just your regular frappuccino; it actually comes layered like a strato-style drink, and gives you café vibes right at home.

This drink is made with rich mocha, buttery caramel, and a salty finish that balances everything. 

It’s creamy, icy, and indulgent, but still customizable so you can make it vegan, low-sugar, or even festive.

I tried this at Starbucks a while back when it was trending, and after that, I recreated it at home.

 

How to Make Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino

The Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino is like a Starbucks-style layered drink. Or we can say it’s a mix of mocha, caramel, coffee, and whipped.

Ingredients:

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Starbucks-style Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino at home.

With these ingredients, you will get around 2 tall servings (around Starbucks’ “grande” size).

Base Ingredients

• 2 cups whole milk: This will give you a creamy texture. Besides this, you can also use oat milk or almond milk if you want to keep your drink light (fewer calories).
• 1 cup strong brewed coffee or 2 espresso shots: This will give that Starbucks kick. If you don’t want caffeine, you can use decaf or even skip.
• 1/4 cup mocha sauce (or chocolate syrup): This is gonna be the mocha base. Now, here you can use homemade or store-bought. If you want a richer flavor, you can try Ghirardelli Chocolate Sauce.
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce: At the store, Starbucks uses its own signature caramel drizzle. However, you can also use Smucker’s or my Torani caramel sauce recipe.
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar (optional): Now that’s your choice, you use it or not. But if you use it, you can also adjust the sweetness as you like. If you’re using caramel, it would already be sweet, so taste before adding sugar.
• 2 cups ice cubes: It is very important for that frappuccino texture.

For Topping & Layers

• Whipped cream: This is also very important. And you can use Store-bought or a homemade heavy cream whipped, both will work fine. For convenience, I used store-bought. In that, you can also add a little sugar. 
• Sea salt flakes: This is what will make it a Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino. You can use Maldon sea salt flakes, it’s great, or any other that you like; brand isn’t really important here.
• Extra mocha sauce & caramel drizzle: This is for an extra layer and garnishing.

Instructions

Here’s the full process. Follow it step by step to get the exact café-style layered frappuccino.

Step 1: Brew Your Coffee Base

First of all, you will need to brew a strong cup of coffee, or you can also pull two espresso shots. 

This will give your frappuccino that Starbucks intensity.

After that, you want to cook it for 5–l to 10 minutes, otherwise your ice will melt too fast. 

Besides this, you can also make coffee ahead and store it in the fridge. That’s good when you want a quick drink.

Step 2: Prepare the Blender Mix

Now you wanna take the blender and add the following ingredients:

• 2 cups of your chosen milk (Whole/Oat, etc.)
• 1 cup coffee (or espresso shots)
• 1/4 cup mocha sauce
• 2 tbsp sugar (it’s optional)
• 2 cups ice cubes

After that, blend them all and make them smooth and creamy. 

It should start looking like a thick milkshake, but still pourable.

Pro tip: If you want a more icy frappuccino, you can add extra ice. If you want more creamier and smooth, you can reduce the ice a little and add more milk.

Step 3: Layer Like Strato

This step is what makes it a Strato Frappuccino recipe.

• In your serving glass, first drizzle caramel sauce around the sides.
• Pour half of your mocha frappuccino base.
• Add a spoonful of whipped cream layer in the middle layer.
• Drizzle mocha sauce on top of the cream.
• Pour the remaining frappuccino mixture.

This way, your drink will look layered, not just blended.

Step 4: Toppings

You want to top your drink beautifully, like you can swirl some whipped cream on the top, though it will increase calories, but also taste and appearance.

After that, drizzle mocha sauce and caramel sauce on top of the cream.

And on top of the sauce, you will have to sprinkle sea salt flakes. This is what will give a salted caramel finish.

Finally, you will have your own Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino Recipe Starbucks style.

 

Ingredient Substitutes & Variations

One of the best things about this Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino is, it’s highly customizable. 

You can try these ingredient substitutes, in case any ingredients I mentioned above aren’t available.

Milk Alternatives

• Almond milk: It will give you a light texture and make your drink a nutty flavor.
• Oat milk: You can use it if you want a creamy and thick drink; it’s very similar to Starbucks-style.
• Coconut milk: This will give a tropical sweetness to your drink. However, it will also change the flavor.

Chocolate & Caramel Options

• If you don’t have mocha sauce, you can melt chocolate chips with a little cream.
• Instead of caramel drizzle, you can try dulce de leche for a richer, thicker layer.

Sugar-Free Version

• You can use sugar-free caramel syrup and sugar-free chocolate syrup.
• Skip granulated sugar entirely.

Caffeine-Free

• Replace espresso with decaf or just use more milk and chocolate. It will taste more like a chocolate-caramel milkshake.

 

Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino Customization Ideas

Here’s how you can change up this frappuccino every time so it never gets boring.

Festive Version

Add a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin spice blend to your coffee base. Perfect for fall.

Extra Chocolate Lover

Double the mocha sauce and top with chocolate shavings. You can even add cocoa powder to the blend.

For more chocolate inspiration, try this 3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse Without Eggs — it pairs so well with this frappuccino.

Salted Pretzel Crunch

Sprinkle crushed pretzels on top with whipped cream. This gives a sweet, salty, and crunchy taste at the same time.

If you like pretzel pairings, you should also check the Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods Recipe.

Iced Coffee Twist

Instead of blending everything with ice, just pour your mocha base over ice cubes. 

Then top with caramel drizzle and whipped cream. This will be more like a Salted Caramel Mocha Latte than a frappuccino, but still delicious.

 

What to Serve with Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino

This frappuccino is a dessert on its own, but pairing it makes the whole experience better.

Sweet Pairings

• Chocolate chip cookies – classic combo. I recommend trying Crumbl Semi Sweet Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
• Brownies – especially fudgy ones, like these Rice Flour Brownies with Cocoa Powder.
• Chocolate fudge – creamy, rich, and melts alongside your frappuccino. Try this Chocolate Fudge Recipe with Marshmallow Fluff.

Savory Pairings

If you want balance:

• Cheese croissant or buttery pastry – salty and cheesy flavors cut the sweetness.
• Spinach & feta puff – savory, creamy, and balances caramel mocha well.

Fruity Options

• Fresh strawberries or raspberries on the side.
• Or try White Chocolate Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries for a gourmet pairing.

 

Pro Tips for Making the Best Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino

Here are a few things that you want to follow for the best drink:

• You always want to chill coffee before blending, otherwise the ice will melt very quickly.
• Use crushed ice, and not the big cubes; crushed ice blends very easily and smoothly.
• Layer sauces inside the glass before pouring the frappuccino — this will give it that Starbucks look.
• Don’t skip sea salt flakes: it’s the star ingredient. Without it, it’s just a caramel mocha.
• Serve immediately: frappuccinos melt quickly, so prepare right before drinking.

Btw, you can also try my white Mocha double chocolate chip frappuccino starbucks recipe.

 

Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino Calories & Nutrition

A grande size (around 16 oz) of the Starbucks version usually has:

• Calories: 350–400
• Sugar: 40–50g
• Caffeine: 90–100 mg (depends on espresso/coffee amount)
• Fat: 15–18g

At home, you can reduce sugar and fat by using light milk, skipping whipped cream, and reducing caramel drizzle.

If you’re asking, is Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino gluten free? — Yes, as long as your mocha and caramel syrups are gluten-free (most brands are, but check labels).

 

Storage Instructions

This drink is best enjoyed fresh. But if you want to prepare ahead:

• You can store the mocha-coffee base (without ice) in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
• Blend with ice and layer when ready to serve.
• Don’t store a pre-blended frappuccino in the fridge — the ice melts and ruins the texture.

By mistake, if you make more, you can freeze leftovers in popsicle molds. You’ll end up with Salted Caramel Mocha Popsicles — a cool twist.

 

Conclusion

This was my Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino Recipe, and trust me, once you try it, you’ll see why it’s such a café-style favorite.

You don’t need to wait in a Starbucks line, you don’t need barista training — just a few simple ingredients, some caramel, mocha, and a sprinkle of sea salt. That’s it.

It will give you a creamy, chocolatey, caramel-swirled frappuccino that looks layered, feels luxurious, and tastes indulgent.

And the best part is that you can easily make it your way — lighter, vegan, extra mocha, or even festive.

So now, grab your blender, drizzle that caramel, and make your own Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino at home today.

 

FAQs About Salted Caramel Mocha Strato Frappuccino Recipe

Here are some important questions about this recipe:

What are the ingredients in salted caramel mocha strato Frappuccino?

You will need milk, brewed coffee or espresso, mocha sauce (or chocolate syrup), caramel drizzle, sugar (optional), ice cubes, whipped cream, and a sprinkle of sea salt flakes for topping.

That’s the basic Starbucks-style recipe.

How do you make a salted caramel frappe?

To make it at home, you’ll blend milk, coffee, ice, caramel sauce, and mocha sauce until smooth. 

Then layer it with whipped cream, more caramel drizzle, and a pinch of salt on top. It will give you the same café-style salted caramel frappe experience.

What are the ingredients in Starbucks salted caramel coffee?

Starbucks usually makes its salted caramel coffee with espresso, steamed milk, mocha sauce, toffee nut syrup, caramel drizzle, and a topping of sweetened whipped cream with sea salt sugar mix.

Does Starbucks have a salted caramel Frappuccino?

Yes, Starbucks has offered the Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino seasonally, especially during fall. 

It may not always be on the permanent menu, but you can still customize a mocha or caramel frappuccino to make your own salted caramel version at Starbucks.