You’re craving a thick, creamy milkshake, and there’s a Starbucks right around the corner. So you pull up, scan the menu, and wonder — does Starbucks have milkshakes? The short answer is no. Starbucks doesn’t sell traditional milkshakes. There’s no ice cream in those stores, no malt powder, and no milkshake machine humming behind the counter.
But here’s the thing — Starbucks has drinks that feel like milkshakes. Some of them are so thick, sweet, and indulgent that you’d swear there was ice cream in the cup. If you know what to order (and how to customize it), you can walk out with something that satisfies that exact milkshake craving. Let’s break down what Starbucks actually offers, why it’s not technically a milkshake, and which drinks come closest to the real deal.
Why Starbucks Doesn’t Sell Traditional Milkshakes
A classic milkshake has three core ingredients: ice cream, milk, and flavoring. That’s it. The ice cream gives it that thick, creamy body. The milk loosens it up just enough to sip through a straw. And the flavoring — chocolate, vanilla, strawberry — makes it taste like dessert in a cup.
Starbucks doesn’t stock ice cream. They never have, and their current business model doesn’t really support it. Their stores are built around espresso machines, blenders, cold brew taps, and tea brewers. Adding ice cream would mean installing freezers, changing supply chains, and training baristas on a completely different type of product. For a company that’s already managing hundreds of drink combinations, that’s a lot of complexity for one menu item.
So no, you won’t find a “milkshake” button on the Starbucks register. But what they do have is a lineup of Starbucks dessert drinks that hit many of the same notes — sweet, cold, creamy, and satisfying.
The Frappuccino: Starbucks’ Closest Thing to a Milkshake
If you’ve ever had a Frappuccino, you already know it tastes suspiciously close to a milkshake. That’s by design. The Frappuccino is Starbucks’ signature blended drink, and it’s been on the menu since the mid-1990s. It uses ice, milk, a special Frappuccino base syrup (which gives it that smooth, slightly thick texture), and flavoring. Most versions come topped with whipped cream.
The result? A cold, sweet, blended drink that goes down like a dessert. It’s not a milkshake — there’s no ice cream — but your taste buds might not care about the technicality.
Some of the most popular Frappuccino flavors include Java Chip, Mocha, Caramel, Vanilla Bean, and Strawberry Crème. The “Crème” versions don’t contain any coffee at all, which makes them even closer to a milkshake experience. If you’re not a coffee person, that’s your lane.
Quick fact: The Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino is one of the most popular non-coffee drinks at Starbucks, and it tastes almost identical to a vanilla milkshake.
Starbucks Frappuccino vs Milkshake: What’s the Real Difference?
People ask this all the time, and it’s a fair question. If they taste similar, what actually separates a Starbucks Frappuccino from a milkshake? More than you’d think.
The base ingredient is different. A milkshake starts with ice cream. A Frappuccino starts with ice and milk. That’s the biggest distinction. Ice cream gives milkshakes their density and richness. Frappuccinos rely on a proprietary base syrup to mimic some of that thickness, but the mouthfeel isn’t identical. A milkshake coats your tongue differently. It’s heavier, richer, and usually doesn’t have that icy, slushy texture you get with a Frappuccino.
Calorie and sugar content can be surprisingly close. A grande Java Chip Frappuccino packs around 440 calories and 59 grams of sugar. A medium chocolate milkshake from a fast-food chain can run anywhere from 500 to 700 calories. So while Frappuccinos are slightly lighter, they’re still firmly in dessert territory. If you’re watching your intake, you might want to check out some low calorie Starbucks drinks that won’t wreck your daily goals.
Caffeine is another separator. Most milkshakes have zero caffeine unless someone adds chocolate or coffee flavoring. Many Frappuccinos, especially the coffee-based ones, contain a solid dose of caffeine. A grande Vanilla Frappuccino has a noticeable caffeine kick that no traditional milkshake would give you.
Texture tells the story. Blend a Frappuccino and a milkshake side by side, and you’ll feel the difference immediately. The milkshake is smooth and dense. The Frappuccino has tiny ice chips and a lighter body. Both are enjoyable, but they’re distinct experiences.
Does Starbucks Sell Ice Cream Drinks?
No — and this surprises a lot of people. Starbucks doesn’t use ice cream in any of its standard menu drinks. There was a brief experiment back in 2016–2017 when Starbucks tested “Affogato-style” Frappuccinos in certain markets, which involved adding a scoop of something closer to ice cream on top. But that didn’t become a permanent nationwide offering.
Right now, in 2025, the Starbucks menu doesn’t include any ice cream-based beverages. Everything blended uses ice, milk (dairy or plant-based), syrups, and sauces. The whipped cream on top might trick your brain into thinking there’s ice cream involved, but it’s just standard whipped cream dispensed from a canister.
That said, Starbucks does use whole milk, heavy cream, and sweet cream as customization options. If you ask for a Frappuccino made with heavy cream instead of regular milk, you’ll get something noticeably thicker and richer. It’s still not ice cream, but it closes the gap a little.
Pro Tip: Order a Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino with heavy cream and an extra pump of vanilla syrup. It’s the closest you’ll get to a vanilla milkshake at Starbucks without any actual ice cream.
Best Starbucks Drinks That Taste Like Milkshakes
So you can’t order a milkshake at Starbucks. That doesn’t mean you can’t get something that tastes like one. Here are the drinks that come closest, and a few customizations that push them even further into milkshake territory.
Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino
This is the obvious choice. It’s made with vanilla bean powder, milk, ice, and the Frappuccino crème base. No coffee. It’s sweet, creamy, and tastes like someone melted vanilla ice cream into a blender. Add whipped cream on top and you’ve got yourself a treat that could pass for a vanilla shake at a casual taste test.
Java Chip Frappuccino
Think cookies-and-cream milkshake meets coffee. The chocolate chips get blended into the drink, creating little crunchy bits throughout. It’s got mocha sauce, Frappuccino roast (coffee), milk, and ice. Topped with whipped cream and a mocha drizzle. If you love chocolate milkshakes and don’t mind caffeine, this one’s your match. Want to know how this compares to other caffeinated options? Here’s a full breakdown of Starbucks drinks ranked by caffeine.
Strawberry Crème Frappuccino
Strawberry milkshake lovers, this is your order. It blends strawberry puree with milk, ice, and the crème base. No coffee. The fruit gives it a slightly different vibe than a classic strawberry milkshake (which usually uses artificial strawberry flavor and ice cream), but it’s refreshing and sweet in all the right ways.
Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
This one is extra. Mocha sauce, Frappuccino roast, cookie crumble pieces blended in, whipped cream on top and bottom, with a mocha drizzle. It’s one of the most indulgent Starbucks dessert drinks on the menu, and it drinks more like a dessert than a coffee. If you’re looking for something that feels like a treat, this is it.
White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino
Underrated pick. White chocolate mocha sauce blended with milk and ice gives you a sweet, smooth drink that’s reminiscent of a white chocolate milkshake. It’s quite sweet on its own, so you might not need any extra syrup. No coffee in the crème version.
Secret Menu Hacks to Make Your Frappuccino Taste More Like a Milkshake
The Starbucks secret menu isn’t an official thing — baristas don’t have a hidden list behind the counter. But you can customize any drink by asking for specific modifications. Here are some tricks that push a regular Frappuccino closer to milkshake territory.
Swap regular milk for heavy cream. This is the single biggest upgrade if you want a thicker, richer drink. Heavy cream adds fat and body that regular 2% milk can’t match. Your Frappuccino will taste denser, creamier, and more milkshake-like.
Ask for less ice. More ice means a thinner, slushier drink. Less ice means the milk and syrups dominate, giving you a thicker consistency. You’ll lose some volume, but you’ll gain texture.
Add extra pumps of syrup or sauce. Starbucks uses both sauces and syrups to flavor drinks, and they work differently. Sauces (like mocha and white chocolate mocha) are thicker and add more body. An extra pump of sauce can make your drink feel richer. Syrups add sweetness and flavor without much texture.
Request “extra thick” or “double blended.” Some baristas will blend your drink a second time if you ask nicely, which can change the texture slightly. Asking for it “extra thick” sometimes results in less milk and a denser pour.
Did you know? If you order a Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino with heavy cream, extra vanilla, and less ice, the barista might quietly think you just reinvented the milkshake. And honestly? They wouldn’t be wrong.
What About Kids? Can They Get Something Like a Milkshake?
Absolutely. Starbucks is actually a pretty solid option for kids who want a fun, sweet, cold drink. The Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino is the most kid-friendly option — no coffee, no caffeine, and it tastes like a vanilla milkshake. You can order it in a Tall (12 oz) size to keep the sugar reasonable.
The Strawberry Crème Frappuccino is another winner with younger crowds. It’s fruity, pink, and sweet — basically everything a kid wants in a drink.
And if you’re bringing your pup along for the ride, Starbucks also has the famous Puppuccino — a small cup of whipped cream for your dog. It’s free and not on the official menu, but every barista knows about it.
Warning: Even “kid-friendly” Frappuccinos can pack a lot of sugar. A tall Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino has around 35 grams of sugar. That’s more than a typical candy bar. If you’re ordering for little ones, consider asking for fewer pumps of syrup.
Why Not Just Go Somewhere Else for a Milkshake?
Fair point. If you really want a true milkshake — thick, ice cream-based, classic diner-style — Starbucks isn’t the place. You’d be better off at Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Five Guys, Shake Shack, or a local ice cream shop.
But here’s why people still end up asking about milkshakes at Starbucks: convenience and customization. There’s a Starbucks on practically every major street in America. The app lets you customize drinks down to the exact number of syrup pumps. And Starbucks offers plant-based milk options (oat, almond, soy, coconut) that most milkshake-focused restaurants don’t.
If you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or just prefer oat milk, you can get a Frappuccino made with your preferred milk. Try getting that kind of flexibility at a shake shop. It’s not happening.
So the answer isn’t really “Starbucks vs a milkshake spot.” It’s more about what’s available to you, what your dietary needs are, and whether you need that drink in the next five minutes through a drive-thru window.
How to Order Your “Milkshake” at Starbucks Without Confusing the Barista
Don’t walk up to the counter and ask for a milkshake. The barista will either politely tell you they don’t have milkshakes, or they’ll look at you like you just ordered a steak. Instead, know exactly what to say.
Here’s a simple ordering script for the closest vanilla milkshake experience: “Can I get a grande Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino with heavy cream, an extra pump of vanilla, and light ice?”
That’s it. No confusion, no weird looks, and you’ll get a drink that tastes remarkably close to a thick vanilla shake.
For a chocolate milkshake vibe, try: “Grande Mocha Frappuccino, no coffee, heavy cream, extra mocha sauce, light ice.” Removing the coffee and adding heavy cream shifts it firmly into dessert territory.
For a strawberry milkshake substitute: “Grande Strawberry Crème Frappuccino, heavy cream, extra strawberry puree, light ice.”
You can also use the Starbucks app to customize all of this before you even walk in. That way there’s zero back-and-forth at the register.
What About Starbucks Bottled Frappuccinos?
If you’re not near a Starbucks store, you’ve probably seen the bottled Frappuccinos at gas stations, grocery stores, and convenience shops. These are pre-made, shelf-stable drinks that come in flavors like Mocha, Vanilla, Caramel, and Coffee. They’re cold and sweet, but they don’t taste like milkshakes at all.
Bottled Frappuccinos are thinner and more liquid than the blended version. They’re closer to chocolate milk or flavored coffee than anything resembling a shake. If you want that thick, blended milkshake-like experience, you need the in-store Frappuccino that’s made fresh in a blender. The bottled version won’t scratch that itch.
FAQ
Does Starbucks have milkshakes on their menu?
No. Starbucks doesn’t sell traditional milkshakes. They don’t use ice cream in any of their drinks. The closest alternative is the Frappuccino line — blended drinks made with ice, milk, syrups, and flavoring. The Crème Frappuccinos (no coffee) are the most milkshake-like options available.
What’s the difference between a Starbucks Frappuccino and a milkshake?
The main difference is the base. Milkshakes use ice cream, which gives them a thick, dense texture. Frappuccinos use ice, milk, and a base syrup to create a blended drink that’s lighter and slightly icy. Both are sweet and cold, but a milkshake is richer and creamier because of the ice cream.
Can you make a Frappuccino taste more like a milkshake?
Yes. Ask for heavy cream instead of regular milk, request less ice, and add an extra pump of sauce or syrup. These modifications make your Frappuccino thicker, sweeter, and closer to a traditional milkshake consistency. The Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino is the best starting point for this kind of customization.
Does Starbucks sell ice cream drinks?
No. As of 2025, Starbucks doesn’t offer any ice cream-based beverages on its standard menu. All blended drinks are made with ice and milk. Starbucks briefly tested affogato-style offerings in limited markets a few years ago, but those didn’t become permanent menu items.
What’s the most indulgent dessert drink at Starbucks?
The Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino is one of the richest options. It includes mocha sauce, cookie pieces blended in, whipped cream on top and bottom, and a mocha drizzle. A grande has over 480 calories — firmly in milkshake territory when it comes to indulgence.
Your Next Move
Starbucks doesn’t have milkshakes, and they probably never will. Their business is built around coffee, tea, and custom beverages — not ice cream. But the Frappuccino line does a surprisingly good job filling that milkshake-shaped hole in your day, especially once you learn how to customize it.
Next time you’re at the counter, skip the menu board entirely. Tell the barista exactly what you want — heavy cream, light ice, extra flavor — and let them build you something that’s your version of a milkshake. It won’t be the real thing, but after the first sip, you probably won’t mind.