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.
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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.
Allyson Zea says
Oh my husband is going to LOVE this!
Vikki says
Tastes even better than the original! I love that I can make this at home
Kimberly says
That looks so good and your pictures are absolutely stunning!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This Mocha Frappe copycat is seriously making me hungry!
Dorothy Reinhold says
I will be my daughter’s favorite person when I make these. I want to try the salted chocolate caramel syrup!
Suzy says
The was the perfect way to get my frappe fix at home! Loved it!
C says
Hello, thank you for this recipe ๐ It’s a lifesaver as I live in a country that’s hot all year round. Assuming I don’t wanna turn on the blender every morning, do you think I could freeze the coffee into ice cubes, make the ice blended drink and then freeze that? Maybe add a bit of hot water etc in the morning. Or would that be disgusting lol
The Chunky Chef says
I’ve not tried it, but I think you could freeze the whole drink, and just let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight?
Pancho says
What can you use besides almond milk, if you dont have any
The Chunky Chef says
Any milk, half and half, soy milk, cashew milk etc will work ๐
Janet College says
Wow. I Never thought I would find a recipe for these that is so wonderfully good and so easy. ย Thank you!
Judith Johnson says
What are the ingredients for the freezed coffee and is tsp tablespoon or teaspoon?
The Chunky Chef says
It’s literally just brewed coffee that I put in an ice cube tray and froze. tsp is the standard abbreviation for teaspoon. Tbsp is tablespoon, which is what’s listed in this particular recipe.
Bella Gielniak says
So quick and easy I love it. It tastes just like Starbucks. Instead of coffee cubes I just did 2 T of instant coffee with 2 cups of ice and it worked fine
Christa Trimble says
I am wondering if this recipe can be made keto by substituting sugar with splenda or swerve and using sugar free chocolate syrup. Has anyone tried this? It looks absolutely delicious
The Chunky Chef says
I’ve not tested this recipe with sugar-free ingredients, but I’m pretty sure it would turn out well!
Anna The Banana from Montana says
I make these but mix all the ingredients together and then freeze the cubes. I pop them out and throw in the Ninja in the mornings and sometimes drop some more chocolate syrup and whipped cream in. Mmmm!! Mmm!
Jeff Patton says
Its cheaper at McDonald’s at $4….than to make it
The Chunky Chef says
But at McDonald’s you’re only getting one for $4. You get multiples here, plus no extra added junk.
Anne says
Just made this recipe yesterday with my Blendtec. I subbed milk and fat free half/half and it was delicious!
Zachary Palmer says
Great recipe.. I used to have a lot of trouble making frappes at home, until I found the best blender for the job. With my Ninja Mega Kitchen System, I can make recipes like this without a problem!
Pamela says
Is that sweetened or unsweetened almond milk? ย This sounds great!
The Chunky Chef says
I use unsweetened, but you can use either.
Cutie lilly says
Is tsp tablespoon or teaspoon
The Chunky Chef says
teaspoon ๐
Brianna says
I added salted caramel baileys Irish cream
Alma says
Why add sugar? Think its a great recipe, not counting the sugar eliment. Great idea to freeze the coffee. The syrop and the almond milk is sweet enough – think I’ll try this one without the sugar.
The Chunky Chef says
Because I was copying the classic McDonalds version, as mentioned in the post. Feel free to try it your way if you like.
Jancie says
I canโt wait to try. Question: would it be okay to sweeten the coffee before freezing and then leave out the sugar? ย
The Chunky Chef says
I haven’t tested it, but I think that would be okay ๐
Leah says
I’m new to coffee but discovered I love frapps! What kind of coffee can I buy from the store that will taste good? Thank you ๐
The Chunky Chef says
We love using original Dunkin Donuts coffee ๐