Chocolate and coffee comes together in this ice-cold homemade Mocha Frappuccino made the way Starbucks does with a Frappuccino base to give it a super smooth texture.

Recipe Highlights
- Mocha Frappuccino is a Starbucks frozen drink that’s made in a blender. Ice, whole milk, coffee Frappuccino base syrup, instant coffee, and mocha sauce are blended together then the drink is topped with whipped cream.
- Mocha is a chocolate flavored coffee drink. A Mocha Frappuccino takes the same chocolate and coffee flavors and blends it with ice to create a sweet frozen drink.
- What makes Frappuccinos so special is the smooth texture that makes the drink like a melted milkshake. All Starbucks Frappuccinos are made with a Frappuccino base syrup and my version uses a homemade Frappuccino base syrup to give it that same texture.
- This copycat Frappuccino recreates the Starbucks recipe (including the quick and easy homemade whipped cream) so it’s as close to their version as possible. This recipe makes a grande (16 ounces) Mocha Frappuccino.
- There’s no need for espresso or brewed coffee for this drink. All you need is instant coffee.
RELATED: 10+ Frappuccino Recipes
Ingredient Notes

- Homemade Frappuccino base syrup
You’ll need this base syrup to get that signature Frappuccino texture. Make a batch or two and use it to make Frappuccinos all week! - Chocolate syrup
Store-bought or homemade chocolate syrup can be used but I recommend taking the 5 minutes to make it at home, from scratch since it’s easy and really delicious. - Instant coffee
Mocha Frappuccino is made with Frappuccino Roast coffee, which is an instant coffee blend of Italian Roast and Signature Espresso. Use VIA Instant Italian Roast to get the closest flavor or use whatever instant coffee you have. - Milk
Starbucks uses whole milk for their Frappuccinos but you can use any kind of milk you like. - Heavy cream
This is to make the whipped cream topping. - Vanilla syrup
The whipped cream is sweetened and flavored with vanilla syrup. Store-bought or homemade vanilla syrup can be used. - Ice
Use ice made with filtered water for a better tasting Frappuccino.
RELATED: Whipped Mocha
Step-by-Step Instructions

For full ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.
- Whisk heavy cream and vanilla syrup to make whipped cream. Set aside.
A handheld milk frother whisks up whipped cream in seconds. - Blend chocolate sauce, instant coffee, milk, ice, and homemade Frappuccino base syrup until smooth.
Start the blender on low, then turn it up to high. Use a tamper tool to make sure the ice gets blended evenly. - Pour Frappuccino into a cup.
- Top drink with whipped cream.
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Expert Tips
- Don’t put ice in first into the blender. Put ingredients into the blender as it’s in the recipe. You won’t get an efficient blend if you put the ice in first.
- Homemade Frappuccino base syrup is simple syrup and xanthan gum. If you don’t want to use the base syrup, you can add simple syrup instead to match the sweetness, but the texture won’t be the same.
- The longer you whisk the heavy cream, the stiffer it’ll get. It should take less than a minute, using a handheld milk frother, to get medium peaks. Spoon the whipped cream on top of your drink.
- The Frappuccino base syrup can be made ahead of time along with the homemade chocolate syrup and the homemade vanilla syrup.
RELATED: Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino
Questions You May Have
The Frappuccino base syrup isn’t sold by Starbucks but you can find it on Amazon and Ebay.
Ice, whole milk, coffee Frappuccino syrup, coffee, mocha sauce, whipped cream, and vanilla syrup makes up the Mocha Frappuccino.
Once you take the coffee out of this drink, it’s no longer a mocha since mocha is the combination of both coffee and chocolate. Take out the coffee and it’s a Chocolate Frappuccino.

Related
- Starbucks Mocha Copycat
- Best Starbucks Frappuccinos
- Best Starbucks Syrups
- 52 Popular Starbucks Secret Menu Drinks
- Best Starbucks Iced Coffees
Did you make this? Did you love it? Please leave a star rating below or a review in the comments section.
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Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino Copycat Recipe
INGREDIENTS
Mocha Frappuccino
- 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoons instant coffee (or 1 packet Starbucks VIA Italian Roast Instant Coffee)
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 cup ice
- 3 tablespoons homemade Frappuccino base syrup
Vanilla Whipped Cream
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
INSTRUCTIONS
- Whisk heavy cream and vanilla syrup to make whipped cream. Set aside.A handheld milk frother whisks up whipped cream in seconds.
- Blend chocolate sauce, instant coffee, milk, ice, and homemade Frappuccino base syrup until smooth.Start the blender on low, then turn it up to high. Use a tamper tool to make sure the ice gets blended evenly. It should take about 15 – 30 seconds depending on the blender.
- Pour Frappuccino into a cup.The drink makes 16 ounces (grande size) of Frappuccino.
- Top drink with whipped cream.
EQUIPMENT
NOTES
- The homemade Frappuccino base syrup recipe is the star of this recipe since it’s what creates that smooth texture. Make this first and use it to make all kinds of Frappuccinos.
- Don’t put ice in first into the blender. Put ingredients into the blender as it’s in the recipe. You won’t get an efficient blend if you put the ice in first.
- Homemade Frappuccino base syrup is simple syrup and xanthan gum. If you don’t want to use the base syrup, you can add simple syrup instead to match the sweetness, but the texture won’t be the same.
- There’s no brewed coffee in the Starbucks Frappuccino either. They use a Frappuccino Roast, which is made with instant coffee. Use VIA Instant Italian Roast, or any instant coffee you have.
- Frappuccinos are made with whole milk but you can use any milk you like.
- Don’t put ice in first into the blender. Put ingredients into the blender as it’s in the recipe. You won’t get an efficient blend if you put the ice in first.
- The longer you whisk the heavy cream, the stiffer it’ll get. It should take less than a minute, using a handheld milk frother, to get medium peaks. Spoon the whipped cream on top of your drink.
- The Frappuccino base syrup can be made ahead of time along with the homemade chocolate syrup and the homemade vanilla syrup.
This recipe is incredible and so delicious and creamy. I never thought I would be able to duplicate my favorite drinks at home. your instructions are spot on. Your recipe and comments have brought joy and happiness to my family. Thanks .
Made it for three! Your recipe is spot on and delicious!
I absolutely love it! Definitely tastes like the real deal!
I made this today. It’s so very good!!