Easy Mocha Iced Coffee Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)

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Mocha Iced Coffee Recipe

Making a mocha iced coffee using our recipe is a very easy drink to make at home. Out of all of the coffee drinks out there, this one specifically only needs a few ingredients to make the tasty beverage. 

iced mocha coffee

Easy Iced Mocha 

This easy iced mocha recipe will allow you to skip the line at your local coffee shop, and enjoy a delicious creamy drink, just the way you like it. Plus, you get to save a lot of money and still satisfy your caffeine cravings all at the same time. 

This delicious drink is perfect for hot summer days, or any time you have a craving for cold drinks. When making this simple recipe at home, you can use any type of coffee that is your favorite and adapt it to be just the way you like it. 

Let’s explore some kitchen equipment you might want to have on hand, as well as the basic ingredients, and substitutes you will need for this recipe. Then we will walk through the step-by-step process for making this drink recipe. 

Iced Mocha Coffee

Espresso Machine. An espresso machine is completely optional. You can use an espresso machine to brew the coffee or make strong brewed coffee. Other options also include cold brewed coffee and even instant coffee. You can use a French press or a basic coffee maker to brew the grounds. 

Ice Cube Tray. When making an iced coffee it is important that you have an ice tray for ice cubes. You can use one that comes in your fridge, or a separate ice cube tray, whatever your preferred method for making ice cubes.      

Handheld Milk Frother. A handheld milk frother is completely optional if you want to include frothed milk. Having frothed milk is entirely optional and can also be made in a mason jar with a lid, or even using a French press plunger. 

Serving Size

You can adjust the serving size of this recipe for as many drinks as you wish to make. This recipe makes one glass, but you can easily make more if you want! 

mocha iced coffee

Simple Ingredients and Substitutes:

Coffee or Espresso

There are a lot of different options when it comes to the type of coffee you can use when making an iced mocha. The first option is to use espresso grounds mixed with hot water. 

Another great option is to make hot coffee. You can do this by making a pot of coffee, using regular coffee beans preferably. Although you can use leftover coffee, the best result of using regular brewed coffee is to make strong coffee by adding extra coffee grounds. This way when the milk is added, it will still have a nice flavor. For best results add cooled coffee, or even cold coffee to this drink. 

Another great coffee option is to make a cold brew coffee. This is done by adding coffee grounds to a filter and then soaking them in water in the fridge overnight. Our favorite method is to use a filter inserted into a large mason jar, which allows you to make a half gallon of cold brew concentrate at a time. 

Another option is to brew instant coffee in water. No matter what your preference on the type of coffee to add, there are several different options to choose from when preparing this main ingredient.             

Milk

Our favorite kind of milk to use is whole milk, followed by half and half. However, you can use your favorite milk of choice. Some great options for non-dairy milks include oat milk and coconut milk. Simply select your favorite type, then add a cup of milk to the iced coffee.             

Chocolate Sauce

The chocolate sauce helps to add the delicious chocolate flavor to the drink making it the mocha flavor. You can use your basic chocolate syrup or swirl fudge sauce. 

You could also use a combination of chocolate by adding chocolate chips, chocolate sauce, or make your own homemade chocolate syrup by mixing together equal parts cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and enough water to make it into a syrup.  

When these ingredients are simmered together, they make an easy, yet tasty homemade chocolate syrup. Don’t forget you can always take the easy way out and use chocolate syrup, such as Hershey’s too.             

iced mocha with chocolate drizzle

Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is completely optional but can be used as a sweetener in this coffee recipe if you would like the drink to be sweeter than the chocolate sauce makes it. Simple syrup can be purchased, or easily made by combining water and sugar together to make a liquid sweetener. 

Ice Cubes

A cup of ice cubes added to your coffee turns a regular mocha into a fabulous iced mocha. You can use regular water ice cubes or even freeze coffee ice cubes in an ice cube tray. Coffee cubes especially help keep your drink from turning out diluted. Whichever type of ice cubes you decide to use, feel free to add as many cups of ice to the drink as you prefer.   

Whipped Cream

Whipped cream is a delicious way you can top your iced mocha coffee if desired. This is completely optional. 

Toppings:

A delicious way to finish out your iced coffee is to top it with whipped cream then sprinkle chocolate chipschocolate shavings, and a chocolate drizzle on top before serving. Then enjoy! 

How to Make a Mocha Iced Coffee

Step 1: Brew Coffee or Espresso

Start off by brewing the strong coffee or espresso using whatever method you prefer. The easiest way is to brew strong coffee in a regular coffee maker by adding additional coffee grounds. You can also brew espresso in a French press if you don’t have an espresso machine. 

Step 2: Mix in Chocolate Syrup

Once the coffee or espresso is brewed, pour coffee into a glass and add the chocolate syrup. Give it a good stir so that the chocolate dissolves in the hot coffee or espresso. Let the hot coffee cool, or even chill in the fridge if time allows. 

Please Note: if you are using cold coffee or espresso, you can simply be sure to stir the chocolate syrup into the coffee or espresso very well so that it doesn’t just clump at the bottom. 

Step 3: Assemble the Drink

Into the glass with your coffee or espresso and chocolate syrup, add ice cubes, milk, and simple syrup if you would like it to be sweeter. How sweet the drink is, is entirely up to your personal preference. Top the drink with whipped cream, chocolate chips, chocolate shavings, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup if desired. Then serve right away and enjoy! 

iced mocha with whipped cream

Storage for Leftover Coffee

Room Temperature. Our mocha iced coffee recipe can be kept at room temperature for up to two hours. After that it should be stored in the fridge. We recommend that the iced coffee be enjoyed quickly after it is prepared since it is best before all of the ice melts. 

In the Fridge. If there are any leftovers, the iced mocha coffee can be stored in the fridge for up to three to four days. To store, we recommend that you remove any ice cubes so that they don’t dilute the drink. Then seal the coffee and place it in the fridge. 

Tips & Tricks

Mix Chocolate with Hot Coffee. Although not required, it is our recommendation that the chocolate syrup is added to your strong brewed coffee or espresso while it’s still hot. This will help the chocolate syrup dissolve into the drink and give you the best. 

Variations 

Iced Mocha Latte

Although an iced mocha iced coffee and an iced latte are similar, there are a few differences. You can adapt this recipe easily into making homemade mocha lattes by using a shot of strong brewed espresso, rather than using cooled coffee, and adding foamy milk rather than regular milk to the top of the delicious drink.             

Vanilla Latte

You can easily adapt this recipe into making a latte recipe by adding some vanilla extract or vanilla-flavored syrup, to replace the chocolate syrup. Then froth the milk before pouring the espresso, vanilla syrup, foamy milk, and your desired sweetener over ice.             

White Chocolate Mochas

Another variation of this mocha iced coffee recipe is to make it into a white chocolate iced mocha. To do this, all you have to do is replace the chocolate syrup with white chocolate sauce. You can easily make your own sauce, by following this simple recipe for our Easy White Chocolate Sauce

Hot Mocha

You can also use this recipe to make a hot mocha, using hot espresso or hot drip coffee. Simply prepare as instructed above only skip the ice, and fully prepare the drink while your coffee is warm.             

Iced Peppermint Mocha

You can easily enjoy making this iced mocha coffee recipe into an iced peppermint mocha, simply by adding a few drops of peppermint extract, to taste, into the coffee mixture. Stir it thoroughly then enjoy an easy homemade iced peppermint mocha. 

mocha iced coffee with chocolate shavings

FAQs

How to make iced mocha coffee recipe with cocoa powder?

You can make an iced mocha coffee recipe by making a chocolate sauce out of equal parts cocoa powder and granulated sugar. Add the ingredients to a small saucepan, then add enough water to make it moist. Heat these ingredients over medium-low heat until they just start to bubble. Remove it from the burner, and then add this chocolate sauce into the iced mocha. 

How to make a pitcher of mocha iced coffee recipe?

To make a pitcher of our iced mocha coffee recipe, you can follow the above recipe, then multiply each ingredient times eight to make approximately a half gallon. Please note that this recipe may vary slightly depending on the size of your specific pitcher. 

How to make iced mocha with instant coffee?

You can also make this recipe using instant coffee rather than strong brewed regular coffee or espresso. Add 1 tablespoon of instant coffee to ½ cup of hot water. Stir until the instant coffee dissolves. Then follow the recipe above to make an iced mocha coffee using instant coffee. 

Iced Mocha Coffee

Making your own homemade iced mocha coffee is easy, and it tastes amazing. There is no need to wait in long lines or pay a lot of money to enjoy a delicious, flavored beverage. We hope that you will give this recipe a try, and we hope you enjoy it! 

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Faith
Faith is the resident baking expert of this sister duo, and first started baking at age ten when she learned to make chocolate chip cookies on her own. From there she went on to have her own night of the week to make dinner for the whole family. She is excited to share amazing recipes and a love of food, and help you become kitchen smart!

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