Iced Mocha Latte (Starbucks Copycat)

Chocoholics and coffee lovers, unite! My Iced Mocha Latte is the frosty, chocolatey, caffeinated drink of your dreams. Forget shelling out $5+ at your local Starbucks and make this café classic right at home using just a handful of basic ingredients!

Picture a concoction that's as rich as a luscious chocolate truffle, as bold as your deepest coffee cravings, frosty as a snowman, yet astonishingly smooth. Welcome to a world of pure indulgence in a glass — my easy iced mocha recipe. 

With just about 3 minutes of prep time (assuming you've got your mocha syrup ready, or a mere 10 extra minutes if you don't), this delectable elixir is your ticket to near-instant caffeination. That's right, friends — in less time than it takes to scroll through your social media feed, you can have a tall, frosty glass of my cocoa mocha latte ready to put some pep in your step.

This delightful concoction combines the allure of espresso with the lusciousness of chocolate, all seamlessly enveloped in the silken embrace of milk. Whether you're looking to give yourself a little incentive to hop out of bed, ward off the 3 o'clock slump, or simply luxuriate in a decadent moment of me time, this homemade iced mocha latte recipe is your answer. 

Jump to:

• What is an Iced Mocha Latte?
• What does it taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Iced Mocha Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make An Iced Mocha Latte
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• Homemade Iced Mocha Nutrition
• Other Iced Coffee Drinks
• Iced Mocha Latte (Starbucks Copycat)

What is an Iced Mocha Latte?

Imagine a glass filled with ice cubes, ready to chill you out or give you that invigorating kick when you need it most. Now, picture rich cold brew coffee – that bold, caffeinated goodness – poured lovingly into that glass. 

But here's where the magic happens – we add a generous splash of rich, velvety homemade mocha syrup. Then, to make it wonderfully creamy and smooth, we pour in some silky, frothy milk. And voila, you've got yourself an iced mocha coffee drink!

It's basically heaven in a glass – the perfect blend of bold coffee, rich chocolate, and creamy yumminess all chilled to perfection. Sip it slowly, gulp it down, or enjoy it however you like – it's a perfect indulgence for when you need a moment of sweet bliss in the midst of a crazy day.

What does it taste like?

First, you'll get hit with that zingy, wake-me-up cold brew coffee goodness. It's a high-five for your tastebuds, all bold and confident. But wait, here comes the fun part – the chocolatey surprise from the mocha sauce! It's like the espresso and chocolate are having a dance-off in your mouth, and everyone's invited to the party.

Next up, the creamy milk swoops in like a whimsical cloud, adding a dreamy texture to the mix. It's like a soft, comforting hug from your favorite teddy bear. The coffee, the chocolate, and the milk combine to create a lusciously sweet and slightly nutty symphony.

And then, there's that icy chill – a refreshing breeze that chills you out while it peps you up. In short, this copycat Starbucks iced mocha latte is a winter wonderland for your tastebuds, like a chocolatey snowglobe in your mouth. 

Why You’ll Love This Iced Mocha Recipe

If the promise of a dreamy chocolatey libation spiked with the revivifying powers of cold brew isn’t enough to convince you to try this homemade mocha latte, you should also know that it’s:

• Budget-Friendly - Last time I ordered a Starbucks iced mocha latte with almond milk, I was taken aback at the nearly $7 pricetag (before tip!). Luckily, when you make your own fancy coffee drinks at home, you can make a whole week’s worth of chocolatey goodness for what you’d spend on just one in the drive-thru lane!
• Quick & Easy - This iced caffe mocha is a speedy treat to whip up, demanding only a mere 3 minutes of prep time. If don't have your chocolate sauce ready, fear not — it'll only add an extra 10 or so minutes to your wait for this liquid masterpiece.
• Customizable - Hot or iced, decaf or dirty, plain chocolate or peppermint mocha — this is a choose your own adventure coffee story! Feel free to make any swaps or tweaks to make this recipe for iced mocha latte fit your every craving.

Ingredients Needed

You only need a handful of ingredients to make an iced mocha latte Starbucks would be proud of. Here’s what to grab:

• Cold Brew Coffee - If possible, opt for a dark roast to mimic the bold flavor of espresso.
• Milk - I personally used almond milk, but feel free to use any plant-based or dairy milk of your choice. Just note that the nutritional facts will vary depending on your choices.
• Mocha Sauce - I’m partial to my homemade recipe because it’s inexpensive to make and free from any weird artificial ingredients. That said, feel free to use store-bought mocha syrup instead!
• Whipped Cream - Optional as a garnish, but a very worthwhile indulgence.

Substitutions

When you act as your own barista, you call the shots. Here are a few easy ingredient swaps to try:

• Cold Brew Coffee - You’re welcome to use espresso, chilled conventional coffee, or even instant coffee if you prefer.
• Milk - You can up the indulgence ante by making a breve mocha. All you have to do is swap in half-and-half for the milk.
• Mocha Sauce - You’re welcome to use my white chocolate mocha syrup instead. Regular store-bought chocolate sauce will also work!
• Whipped Cream - Feel free to omit it for a lighter drink, or swap in another indulgent topping like a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

How To Make An Iced Mocha Latte

This mocha iced latte comes together in just a few easy steps:

Step 1: Add milk and mocha sauce to a jar.

Step 2: Whisk or Froth the milk until the mocha sauce is totally incorporated. 

Step 3: Add ice to a tall glass, then pour your coffee over the ice.

Step 4: Pour the chocolate milk into the coffee, then stir to combine.

Step 5: Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of mocha sauce (if desired), then drink up!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

There’s way more than one way how to make a mocha latte. Here are a few of my favorite variations:

• Hot - Start with freshly brewed espresso and warmed milk to make a hot mocha latte that’s perfect for chilly mornings.
• Decaf - Get your chocolate and coffee fix late in the day without throwing your sleep schedule off track.
• Skinny - Opt for low-fat and low-calorie milk (e.g. unsweetened almond milk or nonfat dairy milk) and omit the whipped cream topping.
• Vegan - Use your favorite plant-based milk, double check that your mocha syrup is vegan-friendly (my homemade version is!), and use coconut whipped cream.
• Iced White Mocha Latte - Simply swap the dark cocoa syrup for a white chocolate syrup instead. Or, swirl them both together for a creation I call the Tuxedo Mocha. 😋
• Extra Flavors - Add a pump of vanilla to make an iced vanilla mocha. Since chocolate plays nicely with most sweet flavors you can also use caramel syrup, peppermint syrup, cinnamon dolce syrup, or whatever else tickles your fancy!

Serving Suggestions

This crave-worthy mocha iced coffee drink is delightful on its own, but there are plenty of ways to add some pizzazz to your presentation:

• Sip and Dip: Pair your iced mocha with some biscotti, chocolate-covered pretzels, or chocolate-dipped strawberries for an elegant coffee break.
• Whipped Cream Wonderland: Top your iced coffee mocha with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream. Sprinkle cocoa powder or chocolate shavings over the cream for an extra touch of decadence.
• Mocha Drizzle Drama: Drizzle some extra mocha syrup over the top of your latte for an artistic and delicious touch. 
• Cookie Crumble Crunch: Crush some chocolate cookies or biscotti and sprinkle the crumbs over your latte. The combination of creamy chocolate-infused coffee and crunchy cookies is divine.
• Ice Cream Extravaganza: Turn your iced mocha into a dessert by adding a scoop of your favorite ice cream flavor. Coffee float FTW!
• Flavored Syrup Surprise: Experiment with flavored syrups like raspberry, vanilla, or hazelnut for a unique twist on your mocha. 
• Cinnamon Spice Delight: Dust the top of your mocha with a pinch of ground cinnamon or cinnamon sugar for a warm and comforting flavor.
• Frozen Coffee Popsicles: Pour your chilled mocha into popsicle molds and freeze for a caffeinated summer treat.
• Mocha Martini: Turn your latte into an adult libation by adding a shot of coffee liqueur like Kahlúa or Baileys. Serve it in a martini glass for a classy touch.

Recipe Success Tips

• Consider using coffee ice cubes to prevent flavor dilution. Remember, you can always flavor the coffee ice with chocolate and milk so the flavor stays consistent till the very last sip!
• Invest in a wand-style frother for easy mixing. It’s the best $10 you’ll spend on your at-home coffeeshop.
• Start with chilled ingredients. There’s nothing quite as disappointing as ordering an iced coffee drink and having it arrive tepid. Make sure your coffee and mocha sauce are cooled to room temperature or colder before building your frosty masterpiece!

FAQs

Homemade Iced Mocha Nutrition

These mocha drinks can give you a nice little energy kick, thanks to the caffeine from the coffee. So, if you need a pick-me-up, they've got your back! They also bring a bit of protein to the table (about 6 grams), which is cool because protein helps keep you full and satisfied.

But iced mochas can be a bit calorie-heavy. A typical serving rings in at around 200 calories. They also tend to be quite sugary, with about 31 grams of added sugar in a serving. Remember: a mocha is like a dessert in a cup! But, so long as you treat it as such, you can definitely squeeze these chocolatey masterpieces into a healthy diet.

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 200 calories
• Total Fat: 4 grams
• Protein: 6 grams
• Sodium: 71 mg
• Carbohydrates: 40 grams
• Sugar: 31 grams

*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.

Other Iced Coffee Drinks

xoxo Megan