This copycat Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino Recipe combines coffee and chocolate to create the best, super easy and delicious creamy frappe to make at home. And it takes just five minutes!
A frappe is an iced and blended drink recipe. At Starbucks, this creamy mocha frappuccino (frappe) has coffee in it! My version of this recipe has coffee in it too (or espresso). But there are good reasons to make it at home instead. I have a friend in my neighborhood who works at Starbucks. She came over while I was testing out this recipe, and she helped me come up with a recipe that tastes just like the real deal!
There’s nothing better than grabbing a cool and icy Mocha Frappuccino from Starbucks on a hot and sweltering summer day! But buying this frozen drink often can become quite expensive. It’s easy enough to keep ingredients at home so you can whip up your own Mocha Frappuccino Starbucks Copycat whenever the mood strikes!
How to make Vanilla Syrup for coffee:
You’ll need some vanilla syrup for making a Mocha Frappuccino. Begin by making a thick simple syrup. Add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water to a saucepan. Heat to boiling, stir until sugar dissolves. Let the sugar syrup cool completely. Then add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract to the cooled sugar syrup to create vanilla syrup. This can be used to make your Mocha Frappuccino, and you can use it to make a vanilla latte. Try adding it to your iced coffee or cold brew coffee too! This recipe for vanilla syrup will allow you to make about 10 beverages. Just make it ahead and store it in the refrigerator, and it will keep for up to one month.
How to make a Mocha Frappuccino Starbucks Copycat:
The Ingredients:
- Espresso: I’ve included instructions below on how to brew espresso (or strong coffee).
- Ice Cubes: If you have somewhat smaller ice cubes to use, that’s great. Otherwise, hopefully you have a strong blender that will grind up regular-sized ice cubes.
- Chocolate Syrup: Chocolate syrup is sold in the ice cream section of your grocery store. Look for it next to the hot fudge.
- Half & Half: This is what is going to make your mocha frappuccino creamy. Alternately, you can try using almond milk or whole milk. Half and half will deliver the best consistency.
- Vanilla Syrup: I’ve included instructions above and also in the recipe card below on how to make vanilla syrup. It’s very easy to make, and there are so many other things you can use it for. Alternately, you can buy vanilla syrup in the coffee section of your market.
- Whipped Cream: Just look for the whipped cream that comes compressed in a can (near the milk in your market). Alternately, it’s okay to use something like Cool Whip. And you can also make homemade whipped cream (instructions below!)
To make a mocha frappuccino at home, add cooled espresso to your blender jar. Then add ice cubes, chocolate syrup, half and half and vanilla syrup. Process until blended and smooth. Pour into a glass. Top with whipped cream. That’s it. It’s so incredibly easy to make!
How to brew espresso when you don’t have an espresso machine:
You don’t have to have an espresso maker to brew espresso. If you have a coffee maker that uses K-cups or pods (like a Keurig), you can use espresso pods instead of coffee pods. We happen to have the Keurig Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker at my house, and we love it. It has a built-in milk frother! In a pinch, you can just make a strong cup of coffee and use that instead.
Drizzle additional syrup on top.
To make Homemade Whipped Cream:
Add 1/4 cp heavy whipping cream to a bowl and use a hand mixer to beat it until it begins to thicken (about 1 minute). Add in 1/2 tablespoon of powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat again, just until thick.
Add a straw, and enjoy!
Can you reduce the fat and calories of a Mocha Frappuccino?
Yes! The original Starbucks Copycat Mocha Frappuccino is pretty rich and decadent (just as it is in the actual coffee shops). But you can lighten things up to make it not quite as indulgent. Use whole milk or fat free half and half in place of the regular half and half. Yes, you can use nonfat milk, but it won’t turn out as creamy. Leave off the whipped cream too. That will take away quite a few calories and fat grams.
Mocha Frappuccino
Ingredients
- 2 shots espresso, cooled (about 1/3 cup)
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 2½ tablespoons chocolate syrup, divided
- ¼ cup half and half
- 2 tablespoons vanilla syrup (see recipe notes below)
- 3 tablespoons whipped cream
Instructions
- Add the espresso, ice, 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, half and half and vanilla syrup to a blender. Pulse a few times to break up the ice, and then process until smooth.
- Pour into a glass and top with the whipped cream and remaining ½ tablespoon chocolate syrup.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- How to make Vanilla Syrup: Begin by making a thick simple syrup. Add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water to a saucepan. Heat to boiling, stir until sugar dissolves. Let the sugar syrup cool completely. Then add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract to the cooled sugar syrup to create vanilla syrup. This can be used to make your Mocha Frappuccino, and other coffee drinks. This recipe for vanilla syrup will allow you to make about 10 beverages. Just store it in the refrigerator, and it will keep for up to one month.
- ALTERNATELY, you can buy vanilla syrup in your market’s coffee section.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thanks, must try. sounds great.
I love these so much. Didn’t have ice aren’t enough sugar to make vanilla syrup so I substituted those two things for vanilla ice cream, expresso chocolate syrup made it in my nutri blender and it just turned out so silky and smooth! Next time I am going to add chocolate liqueur to enjoy it out by the fire pit! Thank you so much#rispygirl
Love this!! Turned out EXACTLY like Starbucks!! So easy too