Make your own McDonald’s 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!
This Mocha Frappe copycat recipe is great for an afternoon pick-me-up, and SO delicious! We love love making our own versions of restaurant favorites at home… like this Copycat Wendy’s Frosty, and Classic Shamrock Shake. This is one of my Copycat Recipes you’ll definitely want to keep on hand!
MOCHA FRAPPE RECIPE
Overpaying for a coffee drink is SO a thing of the past. 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. They. Are. SO. Good!! 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. Alternatively you could use cold leftover coffee!
- Pour into clean ice cube trays and freeze. 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. Blend until the coffee ice cubes are broken down and the mixture is the texture you’re looking for.
- Pour into glasses and garnish. 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. 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. Just brew up some of your favorite coffee (or even decaf if you prefer), and let it cool to room temperature. 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??“. Well, in short, you can lol. But as the ice melts, it will water down your drink 🙁 Boo!! 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. 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. And yes, it certainly can! Sugar-free chocolate syrup is a great alternative for regular syrup. And sugar alternatives can be used in place of the granulated sugar. 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. Torani makes some great syrups, as does Ghirardelli. 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. Brew the coffee and let cool (or use leftover cooled coffee). Pour into ice cube trays and freeze until frozen solid. 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. 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 READERS’ COMMENTS FOR TIPS AND REVIEWS.
AND DON’T FORGET, IF YOU’VE 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.
Michelle Carvajal says
If you’re not a coffee drinker, may I suggest you try Autocrat coffee syrup…
Here in New England there’s a drink called “Coffee Milk”, which is the base for McD’s Mocha Frappes… yup!!!
It has sugar already added so if you choose to try this option then I suggest a practice run.
Add 2-3 Tbsps to a glass of milk, a squeeze of chocolate syrup, stir then taste.
You like it…. freeze it in the ice cube tray.
Then… put the cubes in the blender and buzz, pour & be happy you saved your $.
Everyone’s different so you can add/substitute whole milk, sugar or chocolate to your liking.
DJ says
Is it ok to substitute the whipped cream for the non dairy Birdseye cool whip?
Amanda says
Yes, that should be just fine 🙂
Mady says
Tbh Starbucks is better than this one but it’s still really good!!
Yuliana Johnson says
10 out of 10. It was great. I added extra ice and a little bit more of the chocolate syrup and it was spot on. One of the best drinks I’ve done.
Elise John says
Amazing Recipe… Thanks For Sharing.
Denise Lyke says
I’ve made this many times after my neighbor gave me the recipie. I used almond milk, dark chocolate, and I still drink these often. I also drink iced mochas, same recipe, but I dont blend it. Both are fabulous!!!
Yvette says
I love McDonald’s mocha frappes. Would love to try this recipe but don’t have a blender. Could I use a good processor maybe?
The Chunky Chef says
I’ve not tested it, but I think that should work 🙂
Lacey says
I’m not a coffee person, but I love the mocha frappe from McD’s. I’ve never made coffee at home….
So my question is: What kind of coffee should I use? I looked up coffe to buy some for this and there’s different kinds of brews and my brain wants to explode. Dark roast, light roast, medium roast? *sigh* I don’t even own a coffee pot. Could someone shed some light on my dilemma?
The Chunky Chef says
I would use a medium roast, and if you don’t own a coffee pot, I guess you’d have to use instant coffee (which should have directions on the package on how much to use, etc).
cheryl says
do a search for cold brew coffee. Pioneer woman makes this for her iced coffees. You do not need a coffee pot.
Shannon says
I’ve never seen so many people say, why did you at this or that…. You can use whatever you want basically. I’m following the recipe but I’m gonna mix it up. I prefer my sugar melted in hot coffee this way it’s not gritty in ice coffee or a frappe. When I make coffee, I add my sugar to the hot coffee, mix it up (I also use powdered creamer as well both regular and flavored). I add everything I want to the hot coffee, let it dissolve and then freeze the cubes.
I’m so glad I found this recipe and can’t wait to try it!!! My husband loves the caramel frappes from McDonald’s, I like the mocha, and I’m gonna surprise him with this later. Thank you for posting the recipe!!! I can’t wait to try it; I’m sure it tastes fantastic!! I also love that you can alter the milk and sugar for cream or half and half or even 1%, which is what I generally use. Thank you again!!
Sharon says
I love your idea of dissolving the sugar in the coffee while hot! Good thinking! My question is: Do you add the flavoring before freezing?
Thanks a bunch! I’m excited to mix this up for my 18 year old daughter and me.
Adam says
I’ve made this recipe several times for about a month and it couldn’t get any better. It’s definitely worth the work to make it. 11/10!
Patricia says
This copycat frappe tastes amazing, and I love how easy it is to cut the calories by using skim milk (or a milk alternative), lite chocolate syrup and stevia. I celebrate all that calorie cutting by adding an ounce of chocolate chips in the blender. 🙂
Heart says
1 tbsp of instant coffee powder to 2 tbsp of cocoa powder into 2 cups of ice works then add milk works exactly the same
Jamie says
Would that be hot cocoa powder mix or ate you talking about baking cocoa powder that has no sugar???
Stephanie says
I really want to make this but we don’t have a coffee brewer , is there an alternative, like boil water then add instant coffee , but I am not sure how much I need to use . if there is any possible way I can get advice I would appreciate it !
The Chunky Chef says
You can totally use instant coffee… you’ll just need 2 cups of coffee, doesn’t matter how you make it 🙂
Susan Ferguson says
Just use concentrated cold brew coffee (in the coffee aisle in any grocery store) As this is very strong, dilute it 1:1 with cold water. Then just follow the recipe for filling and freezing the ice cubes.😀
Susan says
Can I use cacao powder in this recipe? How much sweetener (Splenda) would work? Thanks!
The Chunky Chef says
Honestly I’ve only made this recipe as written so I can’t say for certain.
Amanda says
I tried this today and it was delicious ! I used honey instead of sugar. Definitely much better than McDonald’s when you know it has much less calories .
Stephanie says
I really want to make this but we don’t have a coffee brewer , is there an alternative, like boil water then add instant coffee , but I am not sure how much I need to use . if there is any possible way I can get advice I would appreciate it !
The Chunky Chef says
You can totally use instant coffee… you’ll just need 2 cups of coffee, doesn’t matter how you make it 🙂
Charlene Pina says
Dunkin Donuts makes cold brew coffee packs. You make it in a pitcher and let it steep in the fridge. I just found this product in Walmart. I bought to make make recipes such as this with the ice cubes. Can’t wait to try it!
Laci says
McDonalds doesn’t use real coffee in their frappe’s, that’s why I like them. I can’t drink coffee. I love their mocha frappe’s for this reason, they use flavoring (not caffeinated coffee). Canada McD’s use real coffee tho, it made me so sick. I was hoping to find a copy cat recipe that had a good mocha flavoring, no coffee.
The Chunky Chef says
Sorry Laci, I prefer the taste of real coffee and to skip the flavoring, as many people have issues with those.
Laura Fox says
hi there is a product called Roma you can get it in health food stores or probably online
its roasted chicory and barley, no coffee no caffeine (which doesn’t agree w me)
its instant so you don’t have to brew it
I have used it in shakes tastes better than coffee – not bitter
hope this helps
Mary says
McDonalds mocha frappes have caffeine in them. Look up their caffeine content per drink
Kylyn says
Has anyone used sweetened almond milk? And what kind of coffee was used?
The Chunky Chef says
I can’t speak to what anyone else has done in regards to sweetened almond milk, but I use Dunkin Donuts regular coffee (just what we drink at home).
she kitchen says
the recipe is worth following … i could not have found better one
Gail says
I just use ice and INSTANT Coffee powder/crystals. Easy Peasy!
Essie Davis says
I would just like to say thank you for this amazing recipe. I tried it completely sugar-free(because I ran out of sugar lol) and it was still delicious. All I did was add 2 extra tbsp of chocolate syrup into the mix. I’ve been craving a frappe but can’t go to buy one because I’m 16 so this recipe will be going into my makeshift cookbook right now and I will be visiting your website more often. Thank you!!
Jacque Hastert says
This tasted better than the original! I love that I can save money and skip the drive thru
Becky says
Can I use creamer instead of milk?