Once you see how easy it is to make a rich and creamy Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino at home you’ll never miss the fat and calories you’re saving.
Coffee and chocolate are a flavor match made in heaven which is why it is no surprise that the Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino is so popular. Cool, creamy, rich and chocolately – what’s not to love?
Confession: I’ve never actually ordered a Frappuccino at Starbucks before. While there are many unhealthy foods I can’t resist, Frappuccinos fall into my “off limits” category which means I never order them.
The same can be said for a McDonald’s Big Mac, General Tso’s Chicken at a mall food court or a donuts from Dunkin’ Donuts.
It all goes back to my 80’s childhood during the fat-free craze followed by my overweight adolescence in the 90’s/00’s. I didn’t grow up eating these heavy foods so to eat them now would pretty much be a guaranteed stomach ache.
Psychologically, consuming them would immediately bring me to a dark place so for these reasons, I avoid them.
The fact is, I’ve worked too hard to achieve weight loss success and I’ve also learned a lot about making smarter food choices over the years. By using ingredients I can pronounce such as cocoa powder, half and half, and strong coffee plus a few drops of my favorite chocolate stevia, I end up with a frothy, decadent frozen drink that is sheer perfection.
Frequently asked questions:
What if I don’t have liquid stevia?
If you don’t have liquid stevia, honey or pure maple syrup work just as well.
Can you make these drinks ahead of time?
Yes, they last up to 1 month in the freezer. Put into individual freezer-safe cups with lids before freezing for convenience.
What other flavors can I make?
Substitute chocolate stevia for regular, and omit the cocoa powder and you have a vanilla frap. Add crushed peppermints for a peppermint mocha, swap for white chocolate, or toasted coconut shavings.
Your straw is waiting.
Healthy Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino
Ingredients
- 2 cups strong brewed coffee (chilled)
- ¼ cup half and half (or almond milk)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch sea salt
- ice
- whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Combine coffee, half and half, cocoa powder, vanilla, maple syrup and salt in a blender. Puree until smooth about 30-60 seconds. Add a scoop or two of ice and puree for additional 45-60 seconds on high.
- Pour into a glass and garnish with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings.
Notes
Nutrition
Want more delicious drink recipes? Check out my Pinterest board!
Hello!
Is it possible to make this without milk and just use water and get it to the same thickness?
Thank you!
Sophia
Yes absolutely!
Hello!
Is it possible to make this without milk and just use water and get it to the same thickness?
Thank you!
Sophia
I made this a few times with splenda and it’s awesome but I was concerned about having that much cocoa powder and vanilla extract everyday. I changed it to 1 tbsp of cocoa and 1 tsp of vanilla and it tastes almost exactly the same. Thanks for such a tasty coffee alternative!
So glad you enjoyed it Skye!
This sounds great but I don’t care for Almond Milk, and any other kind of milk makes me ill with one exception. Can Coconut Milk be substituted?
Yes that would be a great alternative!
Do we use original almond milk or unsweetened? Sorry for the dumb question :-)
I like unsweetened. :) ENJOY!
Hi! Im curious about the chocolate stevia, ive never heard of it before, this looks so good and I will try it tomorrow with another sweetener for now but im debating buying the stevia you suggested. My only worry is that I bought some powered stevia a while back to try and it had a really strong licorice after taste that I did not care for at all! I was wondering if the chocolate flavor has any of this taste since it is still stevia? I swore I wouldn’t buy stevia again but this chocolate flavor is really tempting!!! thanks!!
I really enjoy it – you should try it!
Love this recipe! I used to drink Starbucks Frappuccino’s, but my grown-up taste buds can’t take that amount of sweetness anymore. I didn’t have any stevia, so I just made the recipe with no sweetener at all, and it was still delicious!
I’m so happy Meredith!
My goodness, nothing so simple and so satisfying as this healthy frappuccino esp. from Starbucks. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad you like!
This is great! Thank you, thank you!
Enjoy!!
For someone who’s never had one…unbelievable! This is EXACTLY like Starbucks! Gotta get crushed ice, cubes in a blender worked but I can only imagine and look forward to using the right ice! You are a MOCHA FRAPPICINO genius! (I added 3 tbsp sugar free Torani hazelnut just like I used to order. Only Starbucks coffee I ever liked/loved.) THANK YOU!
Oh my gosh I’m so happy to hear this!!!!!! Enjoy!
Now I’ll have to get a second small freezer…for bags of crushed ice! Again, brilliant! Thanks!
Enjoy!! :)
Such an easy & tasty recipe! Thank you for sharing this.
I hope you love it!
Is there a way to make this a cherry mocha frapp? Maybe just add some kind of sugar free cherry flavor?
How about you add frozen pitted cherries?
I know this is an older question but cherry flavor extract would work!
Ohhhh great idea!!!
Hi! Great recipe. Any idea on how many shots of espresso to use in place of the cooled coffee?
I would do one shot per serving!
I am always looking for new ways to make this, love the stevia idea, too bad it makes me sick…I’ve been making these for 10+ years and one thing I do differently is instead of ice cubes, I make coffee ice cubes, just pour coffee in a cube tray (that you might get a the $ store because sometimes they do stain the plastic). It makes the drink last longer, no watered down last few sips. Also recently, and rarely because of the calories, I’ve used a little sweetened condensed milk, it makes the drink a little more creamier, and is also the sweetener. Great job with this. Now I wanna look into the chocolate stevia for friends…lol
The coffee ice cubes idea is brilliant!! I want to try that!
Best ever!!
YAY!!
What does Stevia taste like?? Is it bitter?
It depends on the brand but the one I link to (that I use and love) is NOT bitter at all!
Hi Liz!
This looks yummy!! I notice that on the recipe that the whipped cream and chocolate shavings are optional. Are the whipped cream and chocolate shavings included in the 72 calories, or should I add the calories for the whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top of the 72 calories? I’d love it if you would answer my question.
Thanks :)
Hi Shannon – No it does not include the optional whipped cream and chocolate shavings! To be fair, I didn’t include whipped cream in the Starbucks calorie count either. :)
This looks fabby! If I use honey-how much would you reccommend? Thanks, p
Hi Patti – I would start out with one or two tablespoons then add more to taste. I don’t like my drinks overly sweet so it certainly varies to taste. :) Let me know what you think!!
Oh yes! I definitely needed this recipe :) coffee addict over here!
Same here sista!! And chocolate… :)
Liz I love this a million times over. I always get light frapps at Starbucks, but I still feel guilty – I have to give yours a try!
Yes!! You will love this and you will also love not feeling guilty for spending $5 on a drink – lol. xoxo