Copycat Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha

In the mood for one of Starbucks' oldest and most desired beverages? This Copycat Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha tastes just like the original-if not better-and you can make it right from home!

In this Article:

• How to Make Copycat Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha
• Tips & Tricks for Copycat Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha
• Easy Variations
• FAQs
• More Coffeehouse and Copycat Favorites
• Recipe

Our copycat recipe requires less than six ingredients and tastes like heaven in a cup! This white chocolate mocha is thick, creamy, and has a great taste too.

This copycat Starbucks mocha recipe is the perfect beverage. It's smooth, thick, luscious, and packed with delicious flavors. It can be enjoyed both iced or hot, so you can make it your favorite way. Our copycat recipe will save you time and money and deliver the delicious result you crave.

If you are anything like us, then you love a good copycat recipe. It means you can enjoy the goodness of your favorite restaurants while being in your pajamas! (We're not judging!) Here are a few other fantastic copycat recipes we adore:

• Copycat Big Mac
• Copycat Panera Tomato Soup
• Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Browns

This Copycat Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha recipe is...

• Identical in taste to the real deal
• Easy to make
• Made with only a handful of ingredients
• Thick and delicious

How to Make Copycat Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha

Iced Version

1. Add white chocolate and heavy cream to a cup.
2. Top with espresso.
3. Pour in milk.
4. Serve with whipped cream.

Hot Version

1. Add white chocolate and heavy cream to a cup.
2. Add espresso.
3. Put milk in the microwave to warm up.
4. Stir and pour-over coffee.
5. Serve and top the coffee with whipped cream.

Full directions for how to make Copycat Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Tips & Tricks for Copycat Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha

Use Starbucks coffee.

You can use any coffee to prepare this tasty beverage, but I recommend using Starbucks brand coffee for the most consistent flavor. The company has its own delicious espresso variety, which can be found here-Starbucks Espresso Roast. The beans are very fresh, and Starbucks sources everything ethically and sustainably.

No espresso machine? No problem.

You don't need a fancy machine to make this drink. Two shots of espresso is only about two ounces of very strong coffee, so a stovetop moka pot or a small batch of extra-strong brewed coffee works well. The easiest shortcut is instant espresso powder. Medaglia D'Oro Instant Espresso dissolves in seconds: stir about 2 teaspoons into 2 tablespoons of hot water for a strong double-shot substitute, then taste it before you add the milk and adjust from there.

Stir the sauce into the espresso first.

White chocolate sauce is thick, and it clings to the bottom of the cup if you pour cold milk right over it. Add the sauce and heavy cream to your cup first, pour the espresso on top, and stir until the mixture is completely smooth before the milk goes in. The heat of the espresso loosens the sauce so it blends evenly through the whole drink instead of settling into a sweet layer at the bottom. If you prefer a less sweet drink, start with 1 ½ tablespoons of sauce, taste, and add more only if you want it.

Warm the milk gently.

For the hot version, microwave the milk for about 90 seconds, stirring halfway if your microwave heats unevenly. You want it steaming hot but not boiling, because scalded milk tastes flat and can form a skin. For a coffeehouse-style foam, whisk the warm milk with a handheld milk frother for 20 to 30 seconds before pouring it into the cup. Whole milk froths up and tastes the richest, though Starbucks typically steams 2% milk, so use that if you'd like a lighter drink.

Keep the iced version from watering down.

Ice melts quickly in a drink this small, so add it last, right before serving, and fill the cup to the top so the drink stays cold without diluting too fast. If you make iced white mochas often, freeze leftover brewed coffee or milk in an ice cube tray and use those cubes instead. They chill the drink just as well without thinning out the flavor.

Make your own whipped cream.

Our copycat white chocolate mocha is topped with whipped cream. For an extra tasty drink, consider making your own! Our vegan whipped cream is thick, creamy, and heavenly. It's made with coconut milk and has a soft vanilla flavor.

(And if creamy coffees are your thing, you should try the famous Dalgona Whipped Coffee too!)

Easy Variations

• Frozen White Mocha. Let the espresso cool for a few minutes, then blend the sauce, cream, espresso, and milk with 1 to 1 ½ cups of ice until smooth. Top with whipped cream for a Frappuccino-style treat.
• Peppermint White Mocha. Stir ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract into the espresso, then finish with whipped cream and crushed candy canes or a few shavings of our Copycat Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark. It's a holiday favorite.
• Pumpkin White Mocha. Whisk 1 tablespoon of canned pumpkin puree and ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice into the warm milk before pouring it over the espresso mixture. Add a dusting of cinnamon on top for a cozy fall drink.
• Oat Milk Version. Swap the whole milk for oat milk, which warms and froths well. Keep in mind that most white chocolate sauces and heavy cream contain dairy, so this cuts back on dairy but isn't dairy-free unless you also use a dairy-free sauce and coconut cream.
• Sugar-Free White Mocha. Use a sugar-free white chocolate syrup in place of the sauce. Sweetness varies a lot from brand to brand, so add it a little at a time and taste as you go.

FAQs

What syrup does Starbucks use for their white chocolate mocha?

Starbucks allegedly uses this Fontana White Chocolate Mocha Syrup for their white chocolate mochas. We typically use Ghirardelli White Chocolate syrup instead. The Ghirardelli syrup is made with cocoa butter and tastes fantastic in a white chocolate mocha (and it's easier to find)! Another widely available option that tastes great is Torani White Chocolate Flavoring Syrup.

What does it mean to order a Starbucks drink "upside-down"?

Ordering a Starbucks drink upside-down basically means that the barista will make the drink backward. It has become increasingly popular with certain beverages like caramel macchiatos. Some folks prefer this style, as the drink comes out more blended rather than layered.

More Coffeehouse and Copycat Favorites

If you love this Copycat Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha, be sure to check out these other delicious ideas:

• Salted Caramel Latte From Scratch
• Spiced Hot Chocolate with Nutmeg and Cinnamon
• Hot Chocolate (or coffee!) Charcuterie Board
• Perfect Copycat Wendy's Frosty
• Best Copycat Restaurant Recipes

Recipe