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Do McDonald’s Frappes Have Caffeine?

Will Beck
Last Updated: February 28th, 2023

Summer is right around the corner, which means that it’s almost frappe season!

Frappes can be prepared at home, sure, but you can also just head down to the Golden Arches for a delicious frappe. But the million-dollar question is, do Mcdonald’s frappes have caffeine?

If they do, this could be a summer game-changer in terms of getting your morning (or afternoon) caffeine kick! The short answer is yes, the long answer is a bit longer, stick around to find out.

What to Know About Frappes Before You Order

know about frappes

Before you race out to order a frappe of your own, let’s talk about what these drinks actually are.

Frappés were originally created in Greece. They’re drinks that are iced and are made from instant coffee by mixing, shaking, or churning the coffee.

The drink is mixed with milk and served cold. It’s usually accompanied by sugary toppings and syrup with a hefty dollop of whipped cream on the top.

Mcdonald’s drinks are a tasty and inexpensive alternative to similar cold coffee drinks at Starbucks and Biggby’s.

They’re much more affordable and they taste just as great, which is probably why they’ve quickly become one of the most popular items on the McCafé menu!

Nutritional Information & What’s in a Frappe

flavors frappe

According to McDonald’s, the company uses 100% Arabica coffee beans to make their frappes. It’s not just coffee that goes into these drinks, however. They also contain milk and quite a bit of sugar.

Now, although the sugar content is also high in these, the frappes still have a distinctly coffee flavor. Speaking of flavor, there are a few different flavors of frappe that you can have include a caramel and a mocha frappe.

There are about 370 calories in one 325ml frappe, regardless of which type of frappe you choose.

The Flavors

I already touched on the fact that McDonalds has a caramel and mocha frappe. Now, let’s break down what those are actually like.

The caramel frappe features caramel syrup in the beverage base as well as thick, caramel sauce drizzled in the cup and on top of the whipped cream.

The mocha, on the other hand, includes chocolate sauce in the coffee base, cup, and topping the whipped cream.

Now, while these are the two standard drinks, McDonald’s does come out with seasonal beverages. For instance, around St. Patrick’s Day or Christmas, you may find special holiday editions.

Some countries also have different frappes available. In other words, depending on where you live, you might have even more flavors available!

The Caffeine Content of McDonald’s Frappes

caffeine content frappes

Alright, let’s get down to business. Just how much caffeine does a Mcdonald’s Frappe contain?

Well, the drink contains about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of the regular brewed coffee that the company sells. That’s because the frappe, despite feeling more like an indulgent milkshake, is still a coffee-based beverage.

The amount of caffeine in McDonald’s drinks varies a lot based on the size and flavor. For instance, in your standard coffee frappe, the drink contains 75 mg in a small beverage, 90 mg in the medium drink, and 130 mg in the large size.

That’s quite a big difference from the mocha frappe, which contains 100 mg of caffeine in a small drink and 125 mg of caffeine in a large drink.

If you’re really looking to get your caffeine kick, you should be ordering a large mocha frappe. That’s the way to kickstart your day!

Frequently Ask Questions

Have you still got a few questions about McDonald’s frappes and what they’re all about? Check out this quick FAQ to get a few more answers.

Is There Coffee in the McDonald’s Frappe?

Yes, there’s coffee in the McDonald’s frappe. Even though there’s plenty of milk, sugar, and ice blended in there, the base of the drink is still coffee.

Does McDonald’s Have Other Cold Coffee Drinks?

They sure do! McDonald’s also has iced coffee and iced espresso drinks for you to choose from. These drinks are typically not as sweet as the frappe, so they can be a good option if you don’t like things that are so sweet.

What Coffee Is Used in McDonald’s?

The coffee that McDonald’s uses for its beverages is McCafe premium roasted coffee, which is made from 100% Arabica beans. This coffee is a medium-dark roast with a balanced and smooth flavor that tastes good in just about anything.

Do McDonald’s Frappes Have Caffeine – Final Verdict

Although a McDonald’s Frappe might not be the best way to wake yourself up in the morning, these drinks definitely contain caffeine.

Depending on the size you choose, you could be downing somewhere between 100mg and 180mg of caffeine in your drink!

So, what will it be? Will you jump on the McDonald’s Frappe train this summer? Let us know in the comments!

About The Author

Will Beck

Will is a true digital nomad, taking his work on the road at every opportunity. His first love is coffee, with whiskey a close 2nd. He loves nothing more than enjoying a perfectly brewed coffee with spectacular scenery whilst he coordinates behind the scenes of the Drink Stack blog!

Just so you know, if you click on a product on DrinkStack.com and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.


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