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Enjoy this 3-ingredient coconut vanilla bean creme frappuccino in just minutes – combining coconut milk, vanilla, a sweetener, and ice cubes for a simple and delicious naturally dairy-free vanilla frappuccino! This recipe takes just minutes to prepare and is perfect for coconut lovers out there; vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and can be made paleo!
When the warm weather appears, I love to whip up large batches of homemade lemonade (and recently, cucumber lemonade!) and flavored waters to keep me hydrated. However, sometimes I crave something rich and creamy – which is where this coconut vanilla bean creme frappuccino comes in.
Using just 3 ingredients, this homemade vanilla bean frappuccino recipe (without ice cream!) is 100% dairy-free and combines the creamy flavor of coconut milk with fresh vanilla and ice cubes blended into a refreshing coconut milk drink. Even better, it tastes super decadent while remaining quite light and refreshing!
If you’ve spent any time at all on my blog, then you’ll know that I’m pretty much coconut obsessed. If there’s a coconut DIY out there, then I’ve either done it, or it’s on my list. Coconut milk, coconut cream, shredded coconut, coconut bowls, and even coconut oil are all posts I’ve shared so far.
This coconut milk drink is one of the simplest of all the coconut recipes to date; just combine and blend – voila! Best of all this coconut frappe is neutral enough to pair with tons of ingredients; whether you want a mocha coconut frappuccino, fruity, boozy, chocolatey, etc. Keep reading for tons of ideas!
Enjoy this drink alone or alongside quick ‘coffee-time snacks’ like a piece of homemade pistachio baklava, a lemon buttercream cupcake, or perhaps a slice of vegan no-bake blueberry earl grey tart… honestly, this coconut frappe pairs with everything.
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The Ingredients
- Coconut milk: I used homemade coconut milk though storebought will also work.
- Sweetener: I used simple syrup. However, you can use the sweetener of your choice – maple, honey, agave, date syrup, etc.
- Vanilla: use natural vanilla for the best flavor. I used a combination of vanilla seeds from a pod and some vanilla powder. Or use some vanilla simple syrup.
- Ice
To Top: I used a combination of coconut whipped cream, homemade shredded coconut, and coconut flakes to top the vanilla cream frappuccino. Feel free to toast the coconut for extra flavor and crunch.
Other Optional Add-ins:
This coconut milk drink is neutral enough in flavor that it pairs well with lots of other ingredients. Here are some of my top options:
- Fruit: mango or pineapple will pair wonderfully with the coconut vanilla frappe flavors.
- Chocolate: like this chocolate syrup or some shaved chocolate to garnish. You could also add chocolate to the coconut vanilla frappuccino before blending for a coconut chocolate chip frappe.
- Alcohol: a cream, coffee, or coconut liqueur would all work well. Rum is another excellent option.
- Tea/Coffee: matcha or coffee (espresso) could be added for a mocha coconut frappuccino.
- Spices: cinnamon, chai masala, nutmeg, a pinch of salt, etc.
- Ice cream: you could add either coconut ice cream or vanilla ice cream for extra flavor and thickness. Optionally reduce or omit the ice cubes.
- Syrups/drizzles: you could drizzle a little condensed milk (or coconut condensed milk), coconut milk caramel/caramel, or other flavored syrups.
- Lime juice: be careful as lime can cause curdling. However, lime and coconut taste lovely together!
How to Make a Coconut Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino
Step 1: Blend the vanilla and coconut milk drink base
Add the coconut milk, sweetener, vanilla, and ice-cubes to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy like a slushy consistency.
Give it a taste and adjust the sweetness or vanilla if needed.
Step 2: Serve and garnish
Transfer the coconut vanilla bean cream frap to a tall glass (or your favorite coconut cup) and enjoy as-is. Alternatively, top with some coconut whipped cream, shredded coconut, and coconut flakes. Optionally add a drizzle of syrup like chocolate syrup.
Once prepared, enjoy the drink immediately as the ice will melt and water down the coconut cream vanilla frappe.
Recipe Notes and FAQs
- For a Starbucks vanilla bean frappuccino copycat: swap out the coconut milk for any milk of your choice. I like to use almond milk and oat milk for a delicious vanilla frappuccino. A pinch of salt can also help balance the sweetness of the sweetener.
- Can I make the vanilla frappuccino in advance? You can mix all of the ingredients (without ice) and store it in the fridge for several days. Then, when you’re ready to serve, just add a portion and the ice cubes to a food processor and blend into a smooth frappe.
- To avoid a watered-down drink: mix all of the ingredients. Then freeze ½ in an ice-cube tray and keep the remainder chilled in the fridge. When you’re ready to enjoy the vanilla bean frappuccino, combine 1:1 ice cubes to chilled drink in your blender/food processor! Alternatively, freeze the coconut milk and use 1:1 coconut cubes and liquid when preparing the drink.
- For a coconut mocha frappuccino: Simply add a shot of espresso or around ½ cup of strongly brewed coffee.
Other Creamy Refreshing Drink Recipes
- Mango Lassi
- Vietnamese Avocado Shake
- Strawberries & Cream Frappuccino
- Healthy Blueberry Milkshake (Ube Blueberry Frappuccino)
- Ayran (Salty Yogurt Drink)
- Mocha Frappuccino
- Golden Frappuccino
- Iced Latte
- Iced matcha green tea
- Mexican Horchata (Agua de Horchata)
- Hot and Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte (+ Frappuccino)
If you try this coconut vanilla bean crème frappuccino recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts/questions below. Also, I’d really appreciate a recipe card rating below, and feel free to tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
Coconut Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla vanilla pod is best; use vanilla powder or paste as an alternative.
- 2 cups ice
- 1 Tbsp simple syrup or sweetener of choice; maple, agave, honey, date syrup, etc.
Toppings (optional)
- shredded coconut or coconut flakes
- coconut whipped cream
Instructions
Step 1: Blend the vanilla and coconut milk drink base
- Add the coconut milk, sweetener, vanilla, and ice-cubes to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy like a slushy consistency.
- Give it a taste and adjust the sweetness or vanilla if needed.
Step 2: Serve and garnish
- Transfer the coconut vanilla bean cream frap to a tall glass and either enjoy as-is or top with some coconut whipped cream, shredded coconut, and coconut flakes and optionally add a drizzle of syrup like chocolate syrup.
- Once prepared, enjoy the drink immediately as the ice will melt and water down the coconut cream vanilla frappe.
Notes
- Fruit: Mango or pineapple will pair wonderfully with the coconut vanilla frappe flavors.
- Chocolate: Like this chocolate syrup or some shaved chocolate to garnish. You could also add chocolate to the coconut vanilla frappuccino before blending for a coconut chocolate chip frappe.
- Alcohol: A cream, coffee, or coconut liqueur would all work well. Rum is another excellent option.
- Tea/Coffee: Matcha or coffee (espresso) could be added for a mocha coconut frappuccino.
- Spices: Cinnamon, chai masala, nutmeg, a pinch of salt, etc.
- Ice cream: You could add either coconut ice cream or vanilla ice cream for extra flavor and thickness (optionally reduce or omit the ice cubes).
- Syrups/drizzles: You could drizzle a little condensed milk (or coconut condensed milk), coconut milk caramel/ caramel, or other flavored syrups and drizzles.
- Lime juice: Be careful as lime can cause curdling. However, lime and coconut taste lovely together.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
i stumbled on your post checking out Hibiscus Tea and saw this coconut frappe I too love anything coconut For the coconut milk (I don’t think I want to make my own) what would be second best? Canned coconut milk or coconut milk in the dairy section?
Hi Maurita,
Any coconut milk with the least amount of ingredients/additives should work just fine. The canned one will make it nice and creamy, and if wanted, you can add a bit of water or more ice to “water it down”. On the other hand, I feel the coconut milk from the dairy section might make the drink too watery (though it would depend on the brand). Either way, I hope you give it a try!