✔ Updated · fixed amounts, servings + calories; no-blender method
This McDonald's mocha frappe is a copycat-style version of the drive-thru frozen coffee: thick, icy and creamy, with chocolate and coffee in every sip and a cap of whipped cream on top.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Freeze the coffee into ice cubes the night before. Coffee cubes make the frappe thick and strong; plain ice melts and waters it down.
The trick is freezing the coffee into ice cubes first, so the drink blends thick without being watered down by plain ice. After that it's 5 minutes and a blender: coffee cubes, cold milk, chocolate syrup and a little sugar. A no-blender method, lighter swaps and a quick version for when you forgot to freeze the coffee are all below.
Why You'll Love This Mocha Frappe
- Thick and creamy, never watery, thanks to frozen coffee cubes.
- Ready in 5 minutes once the coffee cubes are in the freezer.
- Easy to customize: any milk, less sugar, or caramel in place of chocolate.
The Secret to a Thick, Creamy Mocha Frappe: Coffee Ice Cubes
Most homemade frappes turn out thin because the coffee is blended with plain ice, which waters it down as it melts. Freezing the coffee itself into cubes fixes that: the cubes chill and thicken the drink while keeping the coffee flavor strong.
Brew a batch, freeze it in trays, then store the cubes in a freezer bag. From there, each frappe takes about 5 minutes. For more drive-thru drinks, browse our McDonald's copycat recipes.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Cool the coffee before freezing. Hot coffee can warp or crack plastic trays and frosts up the freezer. Let it reach room temperature first.
- Brew it strong. Milk and chocolate soften the coffee a lot, so brew it about 1 1/2 times your usual strength, or use instant coffee at 1 tablespoon per cup.
- Add the milk last, right before blending. Milk sitting on the cubes starts melting them, and the frappe won't be as thick.
- Adjust the texture as you blend. Too thick to move? Add milk a splash at a time. Too thin? Add a few more coffee cubes.
- Keep a bag of coffee cubes ready. Once frozen, pop the cubes into a freezer bag. They keep for up to a month, so a frappe is always 5 minutes away.
McDonald’s Mocha Frappe (Copycat)
2
large drinks10
minutes350
kcal3
hours10
minutesCopycat-style McDonald’s mocha frappe: strong coffee frozen into ice cubes, blended with cold milk, chocolate syrup and a little sugar until thick and smooth, then topped with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle. Frozen coffee cubes keep it creamy instead of watery.
Ingredients
- For the Coffee Cubes
2 cups strong brewed coffee, cooled (or 1 tablespoon instant coffee per cup of water)
- For the Frappe
1 1/2 cups cold whole milk (or any milk)
1/4 cup chocolate syrup, plus extra for drizzling
2 tablespoons granulated sugar, to taste
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- To Top
1/2 cup whipped cream
1 tablespoon chocolate syrup, for drizzling
1 tablespoon grated dark chocolate (optional)
Directions
- Freeze the Coffee
- Brew the coffee strong and let it cool to room temperature. Pour it into ice cube trays and freeze for at least 3 hours, or overnight, until solid.
- Blend
- Put the coffee cubes in a blender. Add the cold milk, 1/4 cup chocolate syrup, sugar and vanilla (if using).
- Blend on high for 45 to 60 seconds, until thick, smooth and slushy with no ice chunks. Add a splash more milk if it’s too thick to blend, or a few more coffee cubes if it’s too thin.
- Serve
- Drizzle a little chocolate syrup around the inside of two tall glasses, then pour in the frappe.
- Top each with whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup and grated chocolate if you like. Serve right away with a wide straw.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Freeze the coffee. The absolute key to making this McDonald’s Mocha Frappe recipe authentic is to freeze the coffee. Without this step, you are basically just going to have cold coffee. By making the coffee into cubes, you kill two birds with one stone. You get that wonderful coffee taste and a really lovely texture to your drink
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Lighter Swaps and Variations
- Lighter: use skim or unsweetened almond milk, a sugar-free chocolate syrup or sweetener, and skip the whipped cream.
- Dairy-free: use oat or almond milk and a dairy-free whipped topping.
- Caramel frappe: swap the chocolate syrup for caramel sauce and drizzle caramel on top.
- Extra chocolatey: add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder with the chocolate syrup.
- Decaf: brew decaf coffee for the cubes for an afternoon or kid-friendly treat.
- Quick version: no coffee cubes? Blend cold coffee and milk with 2 cups of ice. It's a little thinner but still good.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in a McDonald's mocha frappe?
The drive-thru drink is a blended iced coffee with chocolate, topped with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle. This copycat-style version uses frozen coffee cubes, milk, chocolate syrup and sugar to get a similar thick, creamy, chocolatey result at home.
Can I make it without frozen coffee cubes?
Yes. Blend 1 cup of cold strong coffee with 1 cup of milk, the chocolate syrup, sugar and 2 cups of ice. It is quicker but slightly less creamy and a little more diluted than the coffee-cube version.
How do I make a mocha frappe without a blender?
Put the coffee cubes in a sturdy zip-top bag, wrap it in a towel and crush them finely with a rolling pin. Shake the crushed coffee ice with the milk, chocolate syrup and sugar in a large jar with a tight lid for about 1 minute, then pour and top as usual.
How many calories are in this homemade mocha frappe?
About 350 calories per large drink with whole milk and whipped cream. Use skim or unsweetened almond milk, a sugar-free chocolate syrup and skip the whipped cream to bring it closer to 120 to 150 calories.
Does a mocha frappe have caffeine?
Yes, it is made with coffee. Each drink here contains roughly the caffeine of one cup of brewed coffee. Use decaf coffee for the cubes for a caffeine-free version.
Can I make a caramel frappe instead?
Yes. Swap the chocolate syrup for caramel sauce in the blender and drizzle caramel on top of the whipped cream for a caramel frappe.
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I had to quit drinking McDonald’s Moch Frappe because of the caffeine. I wish they had a decaf version! Will use this recipe to make my own with decaf coffee.
I’m ssssooooo super excited about not only this McDonald’s copycat recipe, as it is my fiancés favorite,
but also my favorite, the McDonalds Carmel frappé recipe too!!!! 🙂 I can’t wait to get home and actually make them for us… So excited!!☆☆☆