Make your own McDonaldโs Mocha Frappe at home with this easy copycat recipe! It’s the perfect cold coffee drink for Spring and Summer, and many readers have reported they like it better than the original drive-thru version!
Thisย Mocha Frappe copycat recipe is great for an afternoon pick-me-up, and SO delicious!ย We love love making our own versions of restaurant favorites at homeโฆ like this Copycat Wendyโs Frosty, andย Classic Shamrock Shake.ย This is one of myย Copycat Recipesย youโll definitely want to keep on hand!
MOCHA FRAPPE RECIPE
Overpaying for a coffee drink is SO a thing of the past. ย This incredibly easy to make copycat mocha frappe tastes better than the original!!
I have a slight, okay, fairly decently sized addiction to McDonald’s Mocha Frappe’s. ย They. Are. SO. Good!! ย There’s one thing I don’t like though… they can be pricey!
A cheapskate at heart, I just can’t justify spending $4 each time I get a craving… so I went on a mission to find out how to make them at home.
They’re so frothy, so icy, so creamy, and SOOOO full of chocolate and coffee flavor!
HOW TO MAKE
- Brew coffee and let cool.ย Alternatively you could use cold leftover coffee!
- Pour into clean ice cube trays and freeze.ย ย This is great to do ahead of time, so you don’t have to wait when you want a frappe!
- Add frozen coffee cubes, milk, syrup and sugar to blender.ย ย Blend until the coffee ice cubes are broken down and the mixture is the texture you’re looking for.
- Pour into glasses and garnish.ย ย Garnishing is optional, but if you want that classic McDonald’s look, you’ll want to add whipped cream, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
- I usually get a little “extra” and add some chocolate shavings and sometimes garnish with a sprig of fresh mint if I have some.ย You totally don’t have to do this lol.
ADDITIONAL COOKING TIPS
There’s a secret to getting that perfect flavor/frozen texture… and I’ll share it with you.
Frozen. Coffee.
Oh yes, that’s right. ย Just brew up some of your favorite coffee (or even decaf if you prefer), and let it cool to room temperature. ย Pour the cooled coffee into ice cube trays and pop them in the freezer until frozen.
So you might be wondering, “why can’t I just use regular coffee and add ice cubes??“. ย Well, in short, you can lol. ย But as the ice melts, it will water down your drink ๐ ย Boo!! ย So by freezing the coffee into ice cubes, you get the frozen component to make it nice and icy, but without diluting your drink!
VARIATIONS OF THIS RECIPE
- DAIRY – I created this recipe using almond milk, since that’s what I had on hand at the time.ย However, I’ve since tested this recipe using soy milk, regular dairy milk, and half and half (a US dairy product of half milk and half cream).
- REDUCED SUGAR – Several readers have asked if this recipe could be made using sugar-free or reduced sugar products.ย And yes, it certainly can!ย Sugar-free chocolate syrup is a great alternative for regular syrup.ย And sugar alternatives can be used in place of the granulated sugar.ย Alternately, the granulated sugar can be omitted… it’s really a matter of taste and how sweet you like things.
- OTHER FLAVORS – If you’d like, other flavors of syrups can be used in place of the plain chocolate.ย Torani makes some great syrups, as does Ghirardelli.ย My favorites are caramel, and a salted chocolate caramel syrup!
- The mint is really nice as a garnish, but you could add some peppermint extract to make this a festive holiday peppermint mocha drink!
MAKING MOCHA FRAPPES AHEAD OF TIME
Since this is a frozen drink, this is a recipe that’s truly best made right before serving.
However you can do the first part of this recipe ahead of time.ย Brew the coffee and let cool (or use leftover cooled coffee).ย Pour into ice cube trays and freeze until frozen solid.ย Add the cubes to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
STORAGE
Leftovers can be placed in to a freezer-safe container and frozen for up to a month.ย Thaw before drinking.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR THIS RECIPE
- Blender – This is the blender I usually use when I make this recipe… it’s got great power and doesn’t break the bank.
- Torani Syrups – you may be able to find these in your grocery store, I just wanted to show you all the options.
- Ghirardelli Syrups – not as many varieties as Torani, but great flavor.
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT OTHER READERSโ COMMENTS FOR TIPS AND REVIEWS.
AND DONโT FORGET, IF YOUโVE MADE THIS RECIPE, LEAVE A COMMENT AND PLEASE GIVE IT A STAR RATING LETTING ME KNOW HOW YOU ENJOYED IT!
Recipe originally published in 2016, and has been updated in 2020 with additional information
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cold coffee
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or regular dairy milk)
- 3 1/2 Tbsp chocolate syrup
- 3 1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- Whipped cream for garnish
- Extra chocolate syrup for garnish
- Chocolate bar shaved, for garnish
Instructions
- Brew coffee and let cool to almost room temperature.
- Carefully pour coffee into ice cube trays and freeze.
- Add frozen coffee cubes, almond milk, chocolate syrup and sugar to blender.
- Blend until desired texture is reached.
- Top with whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup and shaved chocolate if you'd like.
Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!
Chef Tips
Video
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Aryn says
Holy crap, it tastes just like the real thing, only better!!! I used soy milk instead of almond but it doesn’t seem to have affected the flavour – it hasn’t affected the enjoyment atleast! Trying hard to hold myself back from drinking too much, I’m not normally a coffee drinker, but this is soo good!
Carrie says
I tried your recipe for the first time tonight and it’s amazing!! Everybody in my house loves it! I altered the recipe just a bit by adding a little extra ice because using just the frozen coffee cubes, the texture for me wasn’t icy enough. But it’s awesome and I’ll definitely be telling all my mocha frappe loving friends all about this recipe!! Thank you!! โค๏ธ
Scarlett Jackson says
Instead of almond milk and chocolate I used chocolate almond milk
Tabetha says
And it turned out well?
Vivian Phelps says
If I want to make just one glass how many ice cubes will it take
The Chunky Chef says
Hi Vivian, that would depend entirely on the size glass you have. For a 16oz glass, I would halve the entire recipe, and it should do alright.
Frank J Smith says
Good news ..good news…I do not have to buy my frappe anymore.
Plus, the leftover coffee in my coffeepot is not going down the drain anymore (which used to happen to me quite often:-()
The combination of Chocolate syrup and coffee is very much tempting and I have already brewed full pot coffee to start with. Can not wait any longer.
Thanks in advance.
Diane says
Made this for my husband who is a MacDonald frappe mocha addict. He said it is spot on. No more trips to the golden arches.
K Smith says
What is a “cup scant”?
The Chunky Chef says
Hi there ๐ My apologies, the coding was inverting the words… it’s supposed to be a scant cup (which is slightly less than the full amount). I’ve updated the recipe so it shows it correctly ๐
David says
It looks so delicious. I’m definitely going to try this. Wish me best of luck ๐
laura tyler says
I just love like idea. It looks very delicious. The recipe is very easy so i will definitely try it.
The Chunky Chef says
Hi Laura ๐ I hope you love it!
Michelle @ Taste As You Go says
Just popping in to let you know I’ve included your copycat mocha frappe recipe in my round-up of iced coffee recipes on Taste As You Go. Thanks for contributing!
The Chunky Chef says
Hi Michelle ๐ Thanks so much for including my recipe!! Hopping over to check out the round-up ๐
Willie Murphy says
Wonderful recipes…. I used to buy frappe and frozen coffees but after reading these recipes, I will obviously try these making at home instead of heading to a coffee shop…… Thank you for sharing….
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
I love freezing any leftover coffee from the morning’s coffee pot and then using them to make easy iced coffees or smoothies! ๐ And I love a good Starbucks copycat recipe! Looks delicious!
Krista says
Oh my goodness! I cannot wait to try this!
Megan {Country Cleaver} says
I have to give up my frappe-habit – I will definitely try this instead!!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I don’t buy frappe anymore! It’s the best made at home! Love it!
Meg @ With Salt and Wit says
OMG! This looks so good!
Annie says
This Frappe is calling my name!! It looks amazing!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
SO EXCITED! I am with you. I cannot believe the cost of these drinks. Yours looks way better and I know what is going into it ๐
LaTrice says
I LOVE frappes!!
The Chunky Chef says
Me too!!!
yuriy says
me too
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I am loving the idea of making coffee flavoured ice cubes, I never have tried that before!
Sherrie Kenney says
I made a frappe tonight. I used frozen coffee cubes – made from strong instant. I put about 4-5 cubes, 2-3 regular cubes, 2 scoops of Sweet n’Low, squirt of chocolate syrup, 1/2 cup skim milk. I left off the extra whipped cream – but did hit it again with a drop of chocolate syrup and dusted that with crushed instant coffee. DELICIOUS. And, only 110 calories! (1/2 c skim = 45; chocolate syrup 1 Tbls = 50) <~need to find a sugar free syrup . . . add calories if you add the whipped cream. It hit the spot and leaves you satisfied. (one serving) ๐
DB says
Hershey’s has a sugar-free chocolate syrup now. I saw it today while I was at the store buying syrup to make this recipe with.
Joydene Wilson says
I LOVE Hershey’s chocolate, but I bought a bottle of their sugar free chocolate syrup and it was DISGUSTING!!! I honestly don’t see how they can even put their name on it! Did I get a bad bottle? It was awful! Tasted like some kind of weird chemical!…not that I make a habit of eating/drinking weird chemicals.๐
Gena says
Omg I used ur version of this recipe and it was perfect. I used whole milk and real sugar but it finally turned out perfect! THANK YOU SO MUCH!