As a dedicated home barista who’s spent years perfecting coffee shop favorites in my kitchen, this white chocolate iced mocha has become a go-to summer drink. After extensive testing, this recipe tastes just like the famous Starbucks version but at a fraction of the cost!
When it gets hot outside, I often lean towards coffee that is cold and slightly sweet… are you the same way? This iced white chocolate mocha hits the spot perfectly, mixing rich espresso with smooth white chocolate flavor. Through lots of practice and testing, I’ve found that using freshly brewed espresso (or strong coffee) with the right ratio or milk and a high quality white chocolate sauce (store bought or homemade) makes the perfect drink.
My love for recreating coffee shop drinks has led me to develop several Starbucks-inspired recipes you might also enjoy. Our iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso, vanilla sweet cream cold brew, and honey almond milk cold brew recipes are all great at-home versions of these coffeeshop favorites. And if you’re a chocolate lover, you’ve got to try our iced chocolate almond milk shaken espresso and our raspberry mocha on ice too!
Jump to:
- What is a Mocha?
- Why You’ll Love this Iced White Chocolate Mocha Recipe
- Iced White Mocha Ingredients
- How to Make Homemade White Chocolate Sauce
- How to Make an Iced White Chocolate Mocha
- Iced White Chocolate Mocha Recipe Variations
- White Chocolate Sauce Tips
- Ice White Mocha Recipe Tips
- Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
- Iced White Mocha Recipe
What is a Mocha?
Mocha is short for ‘mocha latte’ or ‘caffe mocha’. A mocha is a latte with chocolate syrup added to it. A traditional mocha is made with espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup.
Why You’ll Love this Iced White Chocolate Mocha Recipe
Quick and easy to make! Measure, stir, and ready to enjoy in 5 minutes!
Cost effect and no lines to wait in. No need to spend $$$ or wait in long lines, make this simple recipe at home
Short ingredient list. All you need is 5 simple ingredients to make this cold coffee drink.
Iced White Mocha Ingredients
Ice Cubes. A must for this copycat Starbucks ice white chocolate mocha recipe!
White Chocolate Syrup. A must for a white chocolate mocha! See below for more information on store bought vs. homemade.
Hot Strongly Brewed Coffee or Hot Espresso. Whether you’d prefer to brew strong coffee or use shots of espresso, you can make this coffee drink at home!
Milk of Choice. 2% dairy milk is what Starbucks uses or this drink. However, you can use whatever regular milk or non-dairy milk you’d like! I personally like using 2% or whole dairy milk, or oatmilk.
Whipped Cream for Topping. While you don’t need this, I highly recommend adding whipped cream on top of your drink! Use homemade whipped cream or use canned, both work great.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
White Chocolate Sauce Options – Store Bought vs. Homemade
You can use store bought white chocolate sauce or make your own for this easy Starbucks white chocolate mocha copycat. If you prefer store bought white chocolate sauce, I like this white chocolate sauce by Torani.
Helpful Equipment
You’ll need a way to brew coffee or espresso at home. Whether you just do strong brewed coffee in your regular Coffee Maker, or want to brew espresso in a Moka Pot (the way I do) or with a nicer Espresso Machine.
I also like to use Reusable Straws in my iced coffees as it’s a simple way to reduce waste in your day-to-day life.
How to Make Homemade White Chocolate Sauce
If you’d like to make your own white chocolate sauce, follow this process:
- Warm 1 cup of dairy milk (2% or whole milk) in a small saucepan over medium heat until it is steaming.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add 2 ounces of white chocolate, broken into pieces. Stir until the chocolate has melted.
- If the chocolate is not melting, place the saucepan back on the stove on low heat if needed. Stir constantly until the chocolate is melted.
- Let the sauce cool to room temperature to thicken.
- Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
This will make enough white chocolate sauce for 12-16 iced white chocolate mochas!
How to Make an Iced White Chocolate Mocha
Add white chocolate sauce and hot strongly brewed coffee (or espresso) to a tall glass. Stir to combine.
Fill the glass with ice.
Pour milk over the ice and stir to combine.
Top with whipped cream and additional white chocolate sauce.
Sip and enjoy!
Iced White Chocolate Mocha Recipe Variations
Add peppermint for a festive twist! Peppermint and white chocolate pair really nicely together (hence this DIY hot white chocolate peppermint mocha recipe!). If you’d like to make this into a peppermint iced white chocolate mocha, simply add ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract to your glass. You can also sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of the whipped cream in this version if desired.
Possible Dietary Restrictions?
This Starbucks iced white mocha copycat recipe is vegetarian as written, and can easily be made vegan, gluten free, and dairy free!
- Make this into a vegan coffee recipe by using a plant-based milk and vegan whipped topping. You will also need to ensure your white chocolate sauce is vegan-friendly.
- To make this into a dairy free coffee recipe you will need to select a dairy free or plant based milk and a dairy free whipped topping. You will also need to ensure your white chocolate sauce is dairy-free.
- For a gluten free coffee, verify that products chosen are certified to be gluten free (you may have to Google your specific chocolate sauce if you don’t know). This is especially important if you’re serving this white chocolate iced coffee to someone with a gluten intolerance.
White Chocolate Sauce Tips
For best results, use good-quality white chocolate! It will result in creamy white chocolate sauce perfect for your DIY coffee. Skip the cheap white chocolate chips for this one (they just don’t melt as well).
Ice White Mocha Recipe Tips
Tip 1. Be sure to mix the white chocolate syrup with the coffee (or espresso) while it’s still hot. This will allow the white chocolate sauce to completely mix into the coffee before adding the ice and milk.
Tip 2: To brew extra-strong coffee using your standard brewing method, simply add one or two more scoops of coffee grounds when brewing.
Tip 3: Use coffee ice cubes to avoid watering down your drink if you’d like! This is especially great for extra hot summer days!
Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
Iced White Mocha Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon white chocolate sauce*
- 2 oz strong brewed coffee (or espresso)
- ice
- 1 C milk of choice (2% dairy milk recommended)
- whipped cream for topping
- additional white chocolate sauce for topping
Instructions
- Add white chocolate sauce and hot strongly brewed coffee (or espresso) to a tall glass. Stir to combine.
- Fill the glass with ice
- Pour milk over the ice and stir to combine
- Top with whipped cream and additional white chocolate sauce
- Sip and enjoy!
Julia says
Loved the flavor, and definetly better than Starbucks!!!
ourlovelanguageisfood says
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this homemade version!! Thank you for making my recipe 🙂
Fareeda Arjoon says
I love it I will try it next time I go star bucks
ourlovelanguageisfood says
I hope you’ll try to make one at home too! 😊
David says
Decadent AF. It’s def on the sweet side though, so pair it with something savory!
ourlovelanguageisfood says
I’m glad you enjoyed it, and good suggestion on pairing it with something savory!
M. says
OMG these are SO GOOD. Super easy to make and decadent. A great summer treat.
ourlovelanguageisfood says
Yes!! So glad to hear you enjoyed this iced mocha recipe!