Tasty Mocha Iced Coffee

Growing up, coffee was always just… coffee. Hot, black, and straightforward – that’s how my parents drank it every morning. The first time I tried making iced coffee at home, it was a watery mess that tasted nothing like the ones from coffee shops.

Turns out, I was doing it all wrong – just dumping hot coffee over ice and hoping for the best. But making a proper mocha iced coffee isn’t complicated at all. With a few simple steps and the right ingredients, you can skip the coffee shop lines and make this chocolatey, caffeinated treat right in your kitchen.

What Kind of Coffee Should I Use?

For a great mocha iced coffee, you’ve got several coffee options that’ll work well. The easiest approach is to use leftover coffee from your morning pot – just let it cool down and pop it in the fridge. If you’re planning ahead, cold brew coffee makes an excellent base since it’s naturally less acidic and has a smoother taste. Regular drip coffee, French press, or even espresso (diluted with a bit of water) will all do the job nicely. Just remember to make your coffee a bit stronger than usual since the ice will dilute it as it melts – try using 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per cup of water instead of the standard 1 tablespoon.

Options for Substitutions

This mocha iced coffee recipe is super adaptable – here’s how you can switch things up:

• Milk: Any milk works great here! Use whole milk, 2%, almond milk, oat milk, or even coconut milk. Each will give a slightly different taste and creaminess level.
• Sugar: Feel free to swap regular sugar with honey, maple syrup, or any sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Just start with less and adjust to taste since their sweetness levels vary.
• Cocoa powder: Dutch-process or regular cocoa powder both work well. In a pinch, you could use chocolate syrup, but reduce the sugar since it’s already sweetened.
• Chilled coffee: Cold brew, regular coffee that’s been cooled, or even instant coffee mixed with cold water all work here. If using instant, make it a bit stronger than usual since ice will dilute it.
• Cream: Half-and-half, heavy cream, or coffee creamer can all be used. For a dairy-free option, coconut cream makes a nice substitute.
• Whipped cream: Skip it entirely or try coconut whipped cream for a dairy-free version. You could also top with a dollop of cold foam made from your favorite milk.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making mocha iced coffee is using hot coffee and immediately adding ice, which results in a watered-down drink – instead, brew your coffee ahead of time and let it chill completely in the fridge, or make coffee ice cubes to keep your drink strong and flavorful.

Another common error is adding cocoa powder directly to cold liquid, where it tends to clump and float rather than blend smoothly – try mixing the cocoa powder with a small amount of hot water first to create a smooth paste, then blend it with your cold coffee.

To prevent a grainy texture, make sure your sugar is fully dissolved by stirring it into a small amount of warm milk before adding it to your iced coffee, and if you’re using cream, add it last so it creates those beautiful swirls in your drink.

For an extra smooth drink, consider straining the final mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to catch any remaining cocoa powder clumps that might have escaped mixing.

What to Serve With Mocha Iced Coffee?

This rich and refreshing mocha iced coffee pairs perfectly with breakfast pastries or afternoon snacks. A warm, buttery croissant or chocolate chip muffin makes the coffee feel extra special, while biscotti is perfect for dunking into the whipped cream topping. If you’re serving this as an afternoon pick-me-up, try it with a slice of coffee cake or some shortbread cookies – the not-too-sweet cookies balance out the chocolate and coffee flavors really nicely. For a lighter option, fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries can add a bright contrast to the creamy drink.

Storage Instructions

Keep Cold: Your mocha iced coffee is best enjoyed right away while the coffee is perfectly chilled and the ice hasn’t melted. If you need to save it for later, keep it in a sealed container or mason jar in the fridge without ice for up to 24 hours. The flavors will stay nice and fresh!

Prep Ahead: Want to save time in the morning? Mix up a bigger batch of the coffee-cocoa-sugar base and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready for your drink, just add fresh ice, milk, and any toppings you like. It’s such a time-saver for busy mornings!

Serving Tips: If you’re serving this later, give it a good stir before drinking as the cocoa might settle at the bottom. Add fresh ice and any garnishes like whipped cream or chocolate syrup just before serving – they taste best when they’re freshly added!

Preparation Time	5-10 minutes
Cooking Time	5-10 minutes
Total Time	10-20 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 200-250
• Protein: 4-6 g
• Fat: 5-8 g
• Carbohydrates: 30-35 g

Ingredients

For the coffee base:

• 1/4 cup milk (whole milk for a creamier texture)
• 1 cup chilled coffee
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa)
• 1 tbsp cream
• 1 to 2 tbsp sugar

For the garnish:

• whipped cream
• chocolate syrup (such as Ghirardelli)

Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Base

In a small pot, combine 2 tablespoons of milk, sugar, and cocoa powder.

Place the pot over medium heat and whisk constantly until the mixture begins to simmer.

Continue whisking until it’s well-combined and smooth, ensuring there are no lumps of cocoa powder remaining.

Step 2: Add Coffee and More Milk

Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the cold coffee and the remaining 2 tablespoons of milk.

For extra creaminess, you can add some optional heavy cream at this stage.

Stir until everything is fully combined and smooth.

Step 3: Assemble the Iced Chocolate Coffee

Take a 16-ounce cup or mason jar and fill it with ice.

Pour the chocolate coffee mixture over the ice, allowing it to chill nicely.

For a delightful finish, top your drink with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup if desired.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Enjoy your refreshing and delicious iced chocolate coffee right away.

It’s perfect for whenever you crave a sweet, coffee-infused treat!