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Save some cash and skip the Starbucks run! A simple blended coffee drink with all the chocolate and budget friendly--this Homemade Mocha Frappuccino with is the perfect pick me up for any day!
This recipe was originally published June 2015 and updated January 2021.
Save some cash--make your own Starbucks at home! You will be amazed by how simple and delicious this homemade Mocha Frappuccino is and at a fraction of the cost.
Plus, you can add all the extra whipped cream you want!
Why I love this recipe:
- The perfect sweet treat to sip on during the midday slump. Or the morning slump. Or in the evening while watching Netflix.
- Cost effective. Can't beat saving some cash!
- Easily modified to make it all your own. Need it decaf? Yes! Light on the coffee? Can do. Half white chocolate and half dark chocolate--let's do this. Make it yours.
Pull out the blender and let's get our barista on. Time for some sweet, icy, frothy coffee deliciousness!
What you will need:
- I typically use all half n' half or a combo of whole milk and heavy cream in this Mocha Frappuccino. At least a little bit of rich cream is necessary for the best possible drink. The milk or cream you use will have a big impact on how good yours is. Skim milk will definitely not have quite the same richness by any means.
- A high quality chocolate sauce is best versus Hershey's syrup for a "tastes like Starbucks" drink. I love Ghirardelli or Torani the best right now.
- The stronger the coffee, the better. The strength will be diluted by the ice and cream, so you don't want to start off with a weak coffee. Cold brews are great as well because they are typically much stronger.
- Sweetener--ok, when I originally developed this recipe, I often used maple syrup to sweeten everything. Sweeten to your own taste and with your favorite sweetener. This is the biggest feedback I have gotten on this frappuccino recipe over the years--too sweet or not sweet enough. So seriously, YOU DO YOU! You know what you love.
How to make this:
- Combine the milk/cream, sweetener, vanilla, sea salt, and chocolate in a blender and stir to combine.
- Add in the ice.
- Blend until smooth. Add more sweetener if desired or more ice if too thin.
You are all set to serve it up as desired! And if you are like I am, you will have your whipped cream with a side of Mocha Frappuccino, am I right?!
Notes and Tips:
- I highly recommend skipping the Hershey's syrup and going for something a bit richer and higher quality for the best Mocha Frappuccino you can make. Ghirardelli and Torani are two of my favorites. And you can even play around with white or dark chocolate!
- This makes a solid large serving or two small servings--so plan accordingly!
- Please sweeten this to your taste. Use the sweetener of choice as well. Sugar, maple, honey, none, powdered sugar--whatever you prefer!
- For a stronger drink, you could freeze coffee as the ice cubes and then blend with milk or cream.
Coffee fans, try these other recipes:
- Maple Vanilla Cashew Coffee
- Kahlua Cream Cheese Brownies
- Easy Mocha Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream
- Peanut Butter Mocha Smoothie (one of my absolute favorites!)
- Vanilla Cold Brew Overnight Oats
DID YOU MAKE ONE OF MY RECIPES? LEAVE A COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW! I ALSO LOVE TO SEE YOUR LEMONS + ZEST RECIPES ON SOCIAL MEDIAโTAG ME @LEMONSANDZEST ON INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK!
Homemade Mocha Frappuccino with Sea Salt
Ingredients
- ยพ cup strong brewed coffee, chilled or room temp.
- ยฝ cup milk or cream (or a combo of the two)
- 2 cups ice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 - 2 T maple syrup or favorite sweetener depending on desired sweetness
- 2 - 3 T chocolate sauce (more for drizzle!)
- 2 cranks sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients but the ice and stir/whisk well until combined. This works best especially if using hot coffee so it can cool down before putting over ice.
- Add mixture and ice to high powered blender or smoothie maker and blend until smooth. Add in more ice if too thin for your liking. Also adjust sweetener as desired.
- Serve immediately with whipped cream and an extra drizzle of chocolate!
Notes
- I typically use all half n' half or a combo of whole milk and heavy cream in this Mocha Frappuccino. At least a little bit of rich cream is necessary for the best possible drink. The milk or cream you use will have a big impact on how good yours is. Skim milk will definitely not have quite the same richness by any means.
- A high quality chocolate sauce is best versus Hershey's syrup for a "tastes like Starbucks" drink. I love Ghirardelli or Torani the best right now.
- The stronger the coffee, the better. The strength will be diluted by the ice and cream, so you don't want to start off with a weak coffee. Cold brews are great as well because they are typically much stronger.
- Sweetener--ok, when I originally developed this recipe, I often used maple syrup to sweeten everything. Sweeten to your own taste and with your favorite sweetener. This is the biggest feedback I have gotten on this frappuccino recipe over the years--too sweet or not sweet enough. So seriously, YOU DO YOU! You know what you love.
This is so good! Will definitely be making this regularly rather than going to Starbucks ๐
Yay!!! This makes me so happy to hear. Hereโs to saving lots of cash right?!