Coffee and cocoa beans are not related in any biological way, but they go together like a hipster and a flat white. These semi-sweet, roasted tastes complement each other in the best ways. Also, chocolate can add an extra oomph of caffeine to pick you up on a day that drags.
The Starbucks mocha is one of the most popular chocolate drinks on Starbucks’ regular menu. While other favorite drinks may come and go seasonally, the mocha has your back all year round. You can get it hot or iced. (The whipped cream and chocolate drizzle on top are not bad, either!) Still, there are many more drinks besides this one for chocolate lovers at Starbucks.
We’ll walk you through all the mocha and chocolate drink options we found on the regular menu. (Did we miss any? Let us know!) Also, we’ll show you some of our favorite chocolate drinks from Starbucks’ seasonal menu, Reserve menu, and secret menu.
Let’s take a walk through mochaccino land and load you up with coffee and chocolate!
What’s in Starbucks’ Mocha Sauce?
We’ll drink the mocha sauce willingly in any coffee drink, but what is this sauce actually made from? Here are some interesting facts about this bittersweet sauce:
- There are no coffee products in Starbucks’ mocha sauce. However, there is caffeine in this sauce from the cocoa powder.
- Unlike other sauces that contain butter and milk products, the mocha sauce is lactose-free and vegan-friendly.
- You can find Starbucks Fontana mocha sauce on Amazon to make your own chocolate-coffee drinks at home.
- A dark chocolate mocha sauce is also available (but only at Starbucks Reserve locations).
- Starbucks lists just four simple ingredients for their famous sauce: water, sugar, cocoa processed with alkali, and natural flavor.
Mocha sauce is a great way to add chocolate flavor to a Starbucks drink. But did you know that there are other ways to make your coffee drink chocolaty?
More Ways to Add Chocolate to your Starbucks Drink
While mocha sauce is the most common way to add chocolate to your drink, chocolate add-ins at Starbucks also come in other forms. You can never have too much chocolate! Here are all the chocolate options you should know about.
Cocoa powder: Cocoa powder is a free way to add chocolate to your drink. Head to the coffee bar, and add as much of this topping as your tastebuds crave!
Frappuccino chips (java chips): Frappuccino chips (also known as java chips) are Starbucks’ version of chocolate chips. They contain sugar, cocoa, cookie crumbles, and other ingredients (including milk) to help them stick together.
Chocolate cookie crumble: Chocolate cookie crumble is added to drink recipes (mainly frappuccinos) and is also used as a drink topping.
Chocolate malt powder: This sweetened add-in contains cocoa and malt flavoring as well as other simple ingredients. Currently, Starbucks’ Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso is the only drink to use chocolate malt powder.
Dark cocoa almond milk foam: This yummy cold foam includes almond milk, cocoa powder topping, and mocha sauce. So far, it is the only type of chocolate foam to make it to the menu.
White chocolate mocha sauce: This caffeine-free sauce contains cocoa butter and condensed skim milk among other ingredients. Whereas mocha sauce is bittersweet, white chocolate mocha is one of the sweetest add-ins on the menu. If you want to make a chocolate drink sweeter, you can ask for half mocha and half white chocolate mocha in your drink.
Pro Starbucks ordering hacks for chocolate drinks
If your drink order already contains mocha sauce, most Starbucks stores allow you to add extra pumps to your drink for no extra charge.
You can also substitute syrup for a sauce or vice versa.
For a price, you can add in any extras you want to make your drinks as chocolatey as you want. Send in your recipe to the Starbucks Secret Menu site, and your drink might just start the newest TikTok craze.
Also, keep in mind that almost any drink (except for frappuccinos) can be hot or iced. So, on days you just can’t take the heat, order an iced coffee drink, instead. This doubles your chocolate drink options.
The Best Starbucks Chocolate Drinks on (and off) the Menu
Hungry for chocolate? We’ve got a list of Starbucks chocolate drinks that you will want to try.
| Chocolate Starbucks Drinks | Caffeine (Grande Size) | Milk Type | Topping |
| Caffé Mocha | 175 mg | 2% | Whipped cream, Mocha drizzle |
| Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso | 255 mg | Almond milk | No topping |
| Cold Brew with Dark Cocoa Almondmilk Foam | 210 mg | Almond milk | Dark Cocoa Almond Milk Foam |
| Hot Chocolate | 25 mg | 2% | Whipped cream, mocha drizzle |
| Horizon® Chocolate Organic Milk | 0 mg | Organic low-fat | No topping |
| Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino | 95 mg | Whole milk | Whipped cream, Cookie crumble, Mocha drizzle |
| Java Chip Frappuccino | 105 mg | Whole milk | Whipped cream, Mocha drizzle |
| Chocolate Cookie Crumble Crème Frappuccino | 15 mg | Whole milk | Whipped cream, Cookie crumble, Mocha drizzle |
| Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino | 15 mg | Whole milk | Whipped cream, mocha drizzle |
| Peppermint Mocha | 175 mg | 2% | Whipped cream, Dark chocolate curls |
| Peppermint Hot Chocolate | 25 mg | 2% | Whipped cream, Dark chocolate curls |
| Cold Foam Dark Cocoa Nitro Brew | 290 mg | Nonfat milk | Bittersweet Cocoa Cold Foam |
| Chocolate Mousse Macchiato | <150 mg | 2% | Cookie crumble |
| (Dirty) Valentine Frappuccino | <95 mg | Whole milk | Whipped cream, Mocha drizzle |
| Chai Cookie Latte | <95 mg | 2% | Hazelnut Syrup and Cinnamon Dolce sprinkles |
| Marocchino | <150 mg | 2% milk | Milk foam, Dark chocolate shavings |
| Starbucks Reserve Dark Chocolate Mocha | 135 mg | Whole milk | Milk foam |
| Nitro Chocolate Cream | <280 mg | Non-fat milk | None |
| White Chocolate Mocha | 150 mg | 2% milk | Whipped cream |
| White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino | 95 mg | Whole milk | Whipped cream |
| White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino | 0mg | Whole milk | Whipped cream |
| Caramel Coconut Creme Pie Frappuccino | 0mg | Coconut milk | Whipped cream, Dark caramel drizzle |
| Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha | 150 mg | 2% milk | Whipped cream, Dark chocolate curls |
| Toasted White Chocolate Mocha | 150 mg | 2% milk | Holiday sugar sparkles, Whipped cream |
1. Caffe Mocha
Caffe mocha is the classic, go-to coffee drink that satisfies our chocolate cravings while it gives us our coffee fix. You’ll get Starbucks’ classic mocha sauce and whipped cream whether you order this drink hot or iced. This delicious beverage is the perfect companion in any weather.
2. Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso
This iced coffee drink is chocolatey without being heavy-handed about it. It’s also vegan! Unlike the Iced Caffe Mocha, this drink contains no mocha sauce. Instead, it uses chocolate malt powder for a light cocoa flavor. If you are looking for a refreshing cold beverage that contains both coffee and chocolate, this can be a great choice!
3. Cold Brew with Dark Cocoa Almondmilk Foam
Cold brews are richer in flavor than iced coffee drinks. They also have a smooth flavor and are low on acid. You’ll also get some extra caffeine when you choose a cold brew over an iced coffee drink.
This drink is yummy on its own, but you can’t beat a chocolate-flavored cold foam on top! The Dark Cocoa Almondmilk Foam is lactose-free and is a delicious way to finish off the rich, smooth cold brew flavor. For extra caffeine, try a nitro brew!
If you’re not a fan of almond milk, ask the barista to add either mocha sauce or chocolate malt powder to Starbucks’ Vanilla Sweet Cream cold foam. This Secret Menu Chocolate Cold Foam makes a yummy, chocolatey topping for your favorite cold brew.
4. Hot chocolate
Hot chocolate at Starbucks is made from their signature mocha sauce and 2% milk. This drink is simply a Caffe Mocha without the espresso. You’ll still get a bit of caffeine though (25 mg to be exact). Topped off with whipped cream and mocha drizzle, this drink is irresistible to kids and adults alike!
5. Horizon® Chocolate Organic Milk
If your kid prefers chocolate milk to hot chocolate, you can pick up a Horizon Chocolate Organic Milk in the refrigerated section in front of the counter. This low-fat choice also advertises no caffeine. The to-go packaging makes this an easy drink for kids to take on the road.
Chocolate Starbucks Frappuccinos
The Starbucks Frappuccinos are drinks that are blended with ice and milk. Many contain coffee (but not all). They are usually topped with whipped cream, a flavored syrup, and often another topping (like java chips, toasted coconut, or other).
These drinks are a sort of hybrid between ice cream and coffee. If you are looking for something cold, sweet, and rich, a chocolate frappuccino is waiting for you!
6. Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
The Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino is definitely extra (and frankly we’re afraid to count the calories). This drink has whipped cream and cookie crumble both at the bottom of the glass and on top. In the middle, you’ll taste Frappuccino® Roast coffee, mocha sauce, and Frappuccino® chips. These ingredients are blended with milk and ice. On top of everything, is some mocha drizzle. Our mouths start watering just looking at this one.
7. Java Chip Frappuccino
This drink is basically an iced coffee blended with mocha sauce and Frappuccino® chips. You’ll also get whipped cream and mocha drizzle on top. If you are in the mood for drinkable coffee ice cream with chocolate chips, the Java Chip Frappuccino will meet you where you are.
To scratch the coffee and go straight for the chocolate, order the Double Chocolaty Chip Crème Frappuccino.
8. Chocolate Cookie Crumble Crème Frappuccino
This drink contains no coffee, but the chocolate flavors are certainly strong with this one! The Chocolate Cookie Crumble Crème Frappuccino is a twin of the mocha cookie crumble frappuccino, but it skips out on the coffee. It packs in plenty of cookie crumbs, mocha sauce, chocolate drizzle, and whipped cream to leave your sweet tooth feeling satisfied, though.
9. Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino
You’ll get mocha, frappuccino chips, and whole milk blended with ice with this chocolaty drink. Whipped cream and mocha drizzle top it off until you feel you are drinking a frozen hot chocolate with chocolate chips! You know what would make this drink even better, though? A shot of espresso poured over the top affogato-style.
The Best Seasonal Chocolate Starbucks Drinks
Starbucks has some drinks that they rotate in and out every year. Fans get excited when a new season means that their favorite Starbucks drinks are back in stock. Here are some chocolate seasonal drinks for you to catch in season.
10. Peppermint Mocha
This drink is only partially seasonal. The peppermint syrup is all-year-round, but the chocolate curl topping is seasonal. We say, instead of waiting until wintertime to get the whole package, ask the barista to sprinkle a few frappuccino chips on top. This will give you a similar topping that you can drink any time of the year. For Christmas in July, try this drink over ice!
11. Peppermint Hot Chocolate
For a less-caffeinated, more kid-friendly version of the Peppermint Mocha, order a Peppermint Hot Chocolate. The chocolate and mint make a dynamic duo. And the mint lightens up the chocolate with fresh tastes. A little whipped cream on top (and chocolate curls if they are in season!) and you may fight your kid for this drink.
12. Cold Foam Dark Cocoa Nitro Brew
This Starbucks® Draft beverage got its inspiration from the chocolate stout. A sweet and stout nitro brew gets topped off with bittersweet cocoa cold foam. This cold foam is flavored with natural cane syrup and Bitter Chocolate Flavor Mist (a seasonal syrup). This makes a delicious combination where each ingredient only brings out the best in the other.
The Best Chocolate Starbucks Secret Menu Drinks
The Starbucks Secret Menu isn’t affiliated officially with Starbucks. However, most of the drinks are created by Starbucks baristas and they use Starbucks ingredients. The Secret Menu is constantly adding new drinks to their list so you never get bored at Starbucks.
If you want to order a Starbucks Secret Drink, you need to tell the barista the recipe as none of these drinks are on the regular menu. Here are some yummy chocolate Secret Drinks that are worth a try.
13. Chocolate Mousse Macchiato
For this Secret drink, choose the Iced Caramel Macchiato Breve as a base drink. Exchange the vanilla syrup for white mocha sauce, and the caramel drizzle for mocha drizzle. Then top off your new Chocolate Mousse Macchiato with cookie crumble. Ummm, now that sounds delish!
14. The (Dirty) Valentine Frappuccino
Even if it’s not Valentine’s day, you will feel the love when you order this drink. For the base, choose the Cafe Vanilla Frappuccino. Then ask for Strawberry sauce and java chips. Blended with ice and topped with whipped cream and mocha drizzle, this dirty valentine Frappuccino becomes irresistible.
For a non-coffee frappuccino use a Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino as the base drink.
15. Chai Cookie Latte
To order a Chai Cookie Latte, ask for 1.5 pumps extra of chai syrup, 1.5 pumps of hazelnut syrup, and then java chips mixed in. With Hazelnut Syrup and Cinnamon Dolce sprinkles on top, you’ve just given the classic chai latte a new lease on life.
The Best Starbucks Reserve Chocolate Drinks
Starbucks Reserves look at coffee as an art. So, you are sure to get a classy cup of coffee at one of these locations. Reserve roasteries and bars can be found in big cities around the world. Also, over 1,500 Starbucks locations serve some Reserve coffees in-store. If you are lucky enough to live near a Reserve store (or don’t mind traveling) here are some chocolate Reserve drinks you should try:
16. Marocchino
This espresso drink is whisked together with steamed milk and mocha powder for a frothy drink. A bit of foam is poured over this concoction and dark chocolate shavings are sprinkled on the top. This fluffy drink is a delight!
17. Starbucks Reserve Iced Dark Chocolate Mocha
The espresso in this drink is made from small-lot Starbucks Reserve® coffee. Cocoa and ground chocolate are mixed into the espresso base, then cold whole milk is poured over the top. It is served over ice and tastes sublime on a sweltering day!
18. Nitro Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
This drink packs in a good amount of caffeine with the Nitro Cold Brew. Nonfat milk, chocolate cream, and chocolate bitters are whisked together to add some chocolaty, creamy tastes to this drink. That sounds like a pretty sweet deal!
White Chocolate Mocha Starbucks Drinks
White chocolate mocha sauce at Starbucks does have some cocoa butter in the ingredients. However, this sauce is caffeine-free. It is a very creamy sauce with milk and even butter listed in the ingredients. If you want a drink that is smooth and sweet, you can try one of these white chocolate mocha drinks.
19. White Chocolate Mocha
A White Chocolate Mocha is forever a favorite among Starbucks fans. This drink contains fewer chocolaty flavors and more gentle creamy flavors than its Caffe Mocha counterpart. It also has a surprising amount of sugar and calories, giving even some of the frappuccinos a run for their money.
To tone down the sugar and calories, you can ask for half white mocha pumps and half mocha pumps. This combo can give you a creamy, chocolate flavor that is not too sweet. Sounds like the best of both worlds!
20. White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino
White chocolate mocha until it tastes like ice cream? We’re here for it. This creamy drink blends Frappuccino® Roast coffee with white mocha sauce, milk, and ice to give you rich, creamy goodness. You’ll also get whipped cream on top. The overall calorie count of this frappuccino drink is less than your regular white chocolate mocha. So, why not go for it?
21. White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino
This drink contains no caffeine. It is just mocha sauce, milk, ice, and whipped cream. If you took a steamer and turned that into ice cream, you’d be pretty close to this drink. For those times you need to watch your caffeine intake, this drink can be a sweet treat.
22. Caramel Coconut Creme Pie Frappuccino
The Caramel Coconut Creme Pie Frappuccino is made with coconut milk, white chocolate mocha sauce, honey malt, and caramel. Then these ingredients are then blended with ice. You’ll get layers of whipped cream and dark caramel in the bottom of your glass and on the top! The drink is finished off with graham cracker crumbles. You might just need to eat this one with a spoon!
23. Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha (Seasonal)
The peppermint syrup is now available all year round. However, you won’t get the dark chocolate curl topping until it is the holiday season.
In this espresso-based drink, the white mocha sauce mixes with peppermint syrup and steamed milk. When you feel like a cold drink, ask for the frappuccino version. This creamy, minty drink can make any day jolly and bright!
24. Toasted White Chocolate Mocha
In the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, white chocolate is caramelized into steamed milk. On top, you’ll get whipped cream, holiday sugar sparkles, and white edible pearls. This drink shimmers and shines and is as good as it looks. If you want it cold, order the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino.
Copycat Java Chip Frappuccino Recipe
Frappuccinos may look complicated with all those layers and fluff. But, if you have chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and ice, most fraps are pretty simple to make at home. Then, you can whip up your favorite drink whenever you want it. You’ll also be saving a few bucks!
Here is how to make the Java Chip Frappuccino using ingredients you already have at home.
What you’ll need:
- 5 cups cold brew (or leftover coffee)
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 4 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- 4 Tablespoons chocolate syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring
- Ice
- Whipped Cream
How to make it:
Blend your coffee, milk, chocolate syrup, chocolate chips, and ice until your drink is smooth in texture. (You can add the chocolate chips closer to the end if you like them crunchy.)
Adjust your drink to taste. If you are using leftover coffee, add 2 teaspoons of instant coffee so your drink doesn’t become watery.
Line your glasses with chocolate syrup, then pour your drink. Add whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and a few chocolate chips to the top of each glass.
Voila! You have just mastered the art of making a Java Chip Frappuccino.
Wrap Up
That’s a wrap on Starbucks chocolate drinks on (and off) the menu. That was a lot of chocolate! As a cherry on top, we even included a Java Chip Frappuccino recipe for you to try.
So, which chocolate Starbucks drink will you try next? Let us know in the comments!
FAQs
Does a flat white contain coffee?
A flat white is an espresso-based drink with steamed milk and a layer of microfoam on top. It is shorter than a latte and doesn’t have as much foam as a cappuccino. The flat white is currently winning the hearts of coffee lovers around the world. Will it beat out the cappuccino and latte in popularity? Time will only tell.
Can I get a Piccolo Coffee at Starbucks?
Some Starbucks locations in Asia are onto the piccolo coffee trend. But, piccolo lattes haven’t made it to the U.S. stores—yet. The closest you will get to a piccolo coffee in U.S. locations is by ordering a Flat White. Or, if you have an espresso machine with a steam wand, you can make this new trendy coffee at home.
What are the best drinks for kids at Starbucks?
A large portion of the Starbucks menu is dedicated to coffee. However, there are more caffeine-free drinks on it than you might think. Caffeine-free and low-caffeine drinks can be great Starbucks options for children. You’ll find lemonades, herbal teas, milk steamers, frappuccinos, and more. These can put a smile on your child’s face (and won’t leave them too wired).
