Pistachio Frappé
Uses Pistachio Syrup — make a batch ahead of time; it keeps in the fridge for a week or two, so you won't need to make it again for every drink.
Ingredients & steps
StandardIngredients
- 2oz espresso, freshly pulled (or 1/3 cup strong coffee/cold brew)
- 2 tbsp Pistachio Syrup (make a batch ahead of time -- it keeps about 2 weeks in the fridge)
- 1.5 cups ice (about 10-12 standard cubes)
- 4oz cold milk
- Optional: whipped cream and crushed pistachios for topping
Steps
- 1.Make a batch of Pistachio Syrup ahead of time if you haven't already -- it keeps about 2 weeks in the fridge.
- 2.Pull a double shot of espresso (or brew strong coffee/cold brew) -- no need to cool it first.
- 3.Add the espresso, pistachio syrup, ice, and cold milk to a blender.
- 4.Blend on high for 30-45 seconds until smooth and slushy with no ice chunks left.
- 5.Pour into a 16oz glass, top with whipped cream and crushed pistachios if using, and serve immediately with a straw.
Swap the milk
This recipe is written with Kirkland Signature Organic A2 Whole Milk (4oz). Pick a different milk to see the cost and calories update below.
Milk: Kirkland Signature Organic A2 Whole Milk
Cost per drink
$0.61
Calories per drink
145
Not medical or nutrition advice. Calorie figures on this page are estimates based on typical ingredient values, not a lab analysis of your exact batch — they'll shift with the brand of milk, syrup, or protein powder you actually use. "Ingredient-Honest" and "sugar-free" describe what's in the recipe, not a health claim. If you're managing diabetes, a caffeine sensitivity, pregnancy, or another condition, check with a doctor or dietitian before making a recipe part of your routine. Read the full disclaimer.
Pistachio has taken over nearly every chain’s seasonal menu the last few years; this blends the same syrup behind our Pistachio Latte with espresso, milk, and ice into a proper frappé, without the app-order markup.
Make the Syrup First (Just Once)
This recipe assumes you already have a jar of Pistachio Syrup in the fridge — it keeps about 2 weeks and makes roughly 12 drinks’ worth. If you haven’t made a batch yet, go do that first, then come back here.
Building the Frappé
- Pull a double shot of espresso (about 2oz), or brew strong coffee/cold brew instead.
- Add the espresso, 2 tbsp of the pistachio syrup, 1.5 cups of ice, and 4oz cold milk to a blender.
- Blend on high for 30-45 seconds until smooth and slushy.
- Pour into a 16oz glass, top with whipped cream and crushed pistachios if using, and serve immediately with a straw.
The syrup batch itself is a one-time ~$1.05 and makes about 12 drinks — see the full syrup recipe for the batch method. Same batch also covers the hot/iced latte version.
Assumptions: grande-size blended drink, national-average chain pricing, dairy milk, $16/lb specialty beans or equivalent grocery beans. No seasonal ceiling — at 5 a week over the site’s standard 48-week year, that’s roughly $1,402/year back in your pocket versus the café version.
Swaps & Notes
- No espresso machine? Strong cold brew or a moka pot shot both work fine.
- Want it paired with white chocolate? See our Pistachio White Mocha Latte in latte form — we haven’t built the frappé version of the combo yet.
- Watching sugar? This is Standard-tier only for now. Blend the Sugar-Free Pistachio Latte iced with ice yourself for a lower-sugar version today.
Recipe Card Summary
Pistachio Frappé
- 2oz espresso + 4oz milk + 2 tbsp Pistachio Syrup (made ahead) + 1.5 cups ice, blended
- Prep time: 5 minutes (after the syrup is made) · Total: 5 minutes
- Cost: ~$0.61/drink vs. $6.45 café equivalent
FAQ
Can I make this without a blender?
The iced Pistachio Latte uses the same ingredients poured over ice instead of blended.
Does the syrup use real pistachios?
No — it uses pistachio extract in a cane-sugar base, the same approach cafés use for their own pistachio flavor pumps. It’s far cheaper than working with whole pistachios and gives a consistent flavor batch to batch.
Can I add crushed pistachios on top?
Yes — it’s a nice textural contrast against the smooth frappé and looks great, but it’s a true optional garnish and isn’t counted in the cost/calorie math above.
Browse by ingredient tier
Or skip this drink and explore every recipe in the Ingredient-Honest, Standard, or Sugar-Free lineup.
- Ingredient-Honest99
Ingredient-Honest
Rebuilt from whole ingredients only — real fruit, maple, dates, cacao — no syrups, gums, or mystery additives. Our top recommendation.
- Standard420
Standard
Classic home versions of café drinks, plus copycats of chains' seasonal and viral menu items.
- Sugar-Free98
Sugar-Free
The same drinks, lower-sugar or fully sugar-free, named against the specific chain drink they replace.