If you’re a lover of all things chocolate, you’ve come to the right place.
Here we break down all of the best beverages at Starbucks for die-hard chocolate lovers.
Table of Contents
- 1. Iced Mocha
- 2. Classic Hot Chocolate
- 3. White Chocolate Mocha
- 4. Mocha Frappuccino
- 5. Java Chip Frappuccino
- 6. Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso
- 7. White Hot Chocolate
- 8. Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
- 9. Zebra Mocha
- 10. Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
- 11. Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Frappuccino
- 12. Raspberry Mocha
- 13. Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
- 15. Double Chocolaty Chip Creme Frappuccino
- 16. Tik Tok White Chocolate Mocha
- 17. Horizon Chocolate Organic Milk
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
1. Iced Mocha
Iced Mochas are a classic in the coffee world. Different cultures have different ways of making this decadent treat, but all of them are fantastic.
The Starbucks Mocha is made by combining Starbucks' signature chocolate sauce with espresso shots and milk and topping it with whipped cream.
2. Classic Hot Chocolate
Did you know that the only difference between a Mocha and Hot Chocolate is the presence of espresso shots? Well, that and the fact that a Hot Chocolate is much less expensive than a Mocha.
The chocolate sauce is mixed with steamed milk and topped with Starbucks' handmade whipped cream. Also, if this is being made for a child, you can always ask for it to be made at the kids’ temperature. Kids' temperature is 130 degrees—this is 30 degrees cooler than they traditionally make their beverages.
3. White Chocolate Mocha
Did you know that white sauce isn’t made from cocoa beans at all? Instead, it is made from a mixture of sugar, milk, and cocoa butter.
The White Chocolate Mocha is made the same way as Starbucks’ other mochas. The white chocolate sauce is mixed with espresso and steamed milk and topped with Starbucks' handcrafted vanilla whipped cream.
If you’re not in the mood for a hot drink, you can also try the Iced White Chocolate Mocha. It is just as incredible and perfect for a hot day.
4. Mocha Frappuccino
The Mocha Frappuccino at Starbucks tastes similar to a chocolate milkshake—if chocolate milkshakes had an espresso.
A Mocha Frappuccino is made by combining espresso base, frappuccino base, and chocolate sauce in a blender with ice. It is blended at high speed and served with whipped cream on top.
5. Java Chip Frappuccino
A Java Chip Frappuccino is incredibly similar to a Mocha Frappuccino. However, if you are in the mood for extra chocolate, you’ll love the Java Chip Frappuccino.
In addition to the espresso base, frappuccino base, and mocha sauce, the Java Chip Frappuccino gets some java chips or chocolate chip scoops. This is all blended together to create a frappuccino with an exploding chocolate flavor and some fun texture from the java chips.
Also, in addition to the whipped cream, the Java Chip Frappuccino is also topped with a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
6. Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso
Shaken Espressos are a newer addition to the Starbucks menu and a unique chocolate drink. Drinks like the Starbucks Double Shot on Ice have been around for many years. This was crafted by shaking espresso shots over ice and adding flavors and two-percent milk.
This is very similar to some of the other shaken espresso drinks on the menu, but the Starbucks Doubleshot on Ice never exploded in popularity like these new shaken espresso drinks have.
The Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso is crafted by combining chocolate malt powder, almond milk, and espresso in a cocktail shaker with ice and vigorously shaken. This ensures that all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and that the whole beverage is at a consistent temperature.
7. White Hot Chocolate
The Starbucks White Hot Chocolate is crafted pretty much the same way as the Classic Hot Chocolate. The barista makes this beverage by combining white chocolate sauce with steamed milk and topping it with vanilla whipped cream.
Once again, if this drink is for a kid, it can be ordered at the kid's temperature. The kid's temperature is 130 degrees, unlike the traditional 160 degrees.
8. Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
There is something magical that happens when you put peppermint and chocolate together. The white chocolate syrup creates a rich creaminess in your beverage, while the peppermint adds some brightness. Together, they work harmoniously to bring you a refreshing and bold beverage. If you’re not a fan of white chocolate, the regular Peppermint Hot Chocolate is fantastic as well.
One thing to note is that in a grande White Hot Chocolate, you’ll receive four pumps of white chocolate sauce, but when you order a Peppermint White Hot Chocolate, you receive an additional four pumps of peppermint on top of the white chocolate sauce.
This makes for a delicious drink, but if you’re watching your sugar or calorie intake, you may want to ask your barista to cut the pumps in half.
9. Zebra Mocha
There are several names for a Zebra Mocha—Black and Tan Mocha, Tuxedo Mocha, Penguin Mocha, etc. They all mean the same thing. To make this drink, the barista should mix regular and white chocolate sauces.
Again, unless you specify otherwise, your drink will probably come with full pumps of regular chocolate sauce and white chocolate sauce. We aren’t here to chocolate-shame you— but if you’re watching your sugar intake or calories, you may want to ask your barista to cut your sauce pumps in half.
10. Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
If you are a huge fan of cold foam and chocolate, you’ll love the Chocolate Cream Cold Brew.
What is nice about this drink is that Starbucks uses vanilla syrup in the body of the cold brew and just tops it with a rich chocolate cold foam. This creates a beverage that feels well-rounded and full of layers and intricacy.
Of course, you could change the vanilla syrup to anything you wanted. It would be fantastic with hazelnut, toffee nut, or even raspberry.
11. Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Frappuccino
The Chocolate Covered Strawberry Frappuccino is a secret menu item that is ideal for those who love the taste of fresh fruit and chocolate.
As with all secret menu items, your barista may know how to make it, but if the drink isn't part of the official menu, there is no guarantee. So if you want to try this drink, grab a pen and paper.
First, you’ll ask your barista for a Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino with java chips added to the drink before blending. Then ask for some mocha drizzle on top of your whipped cream, and enjoy! This super simple secret menu item is an absolute showstopper because it is made from real strawberry puree. So it tastes like a real chocolate-covered strawberry.
12. Raspberry Mocha
Again, if you’re a fan of fruity chocolate, you’ll probably love the Raspberry Mocha. This beverage is crafted by combining mocha, raspberry sauce, espresso, and steamed milk. This drink is then topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.
One thing to note is that Starbucks removed all artificial colorings and dyes from their syrups a few years ago, so your Raspberry Mocha will look just like a regular mocha. Also, unless you specify that you want this drink with half the pumps of syrup, you’ll most likely receive it with double the standard number of pumps!
13. Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
The Mocha Cookie Crumble is a seasonal drink at Starbucks, so if you see this beverage pop up on your Starbucks app or the in-store menu, you have to try it!
To make this drink, the barista combines mocha sauce, java chips, espresso, and cookie crumbs in a blender. This drink is then topped with whipped cream and more cookie crumbs.
The use of different textures and flavors makes this drink stand out. Every sip will have elements of both the melt-in-your-mouth java chips and the crunchy bits of cookie crumbs.
15. Double Chocolaty Chip Creme Frappuccino
The Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino is the coffee-free cousin to the Java Chip Frappuccino. To make this drink, the barista combines chocolate sauce, java chips, milk, and frappuccino base in a blender. This drink is topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.
This is a very chocolaty Starbucks drink and is perfect for those craving chocolate ice cream or a thick milkshake.
16. Tik Tok White Chocolate Mocha
The Tik Tok White Chocolate Mocha is another secret menu item that has popped up on the Tik Tok app in recent months. As with all secret menu items, you’ll want to be sure you bring the ingredients because your barista may not know how to make this drink.
All you need to do to order this drink is ask your barista for a regular Iced White Mocha with caramel drizzle on the sides of the cup. Then, instead of whipped cream, you’ll ask for Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam.
This drink looks stunning and tastes even better. White mocha and caramel play so wonderfully together, and the vanilla sweet cream cold foam has similar flavors to the whipped cream but adds a fun textural twist!
17. Horizon Chocolate Organic Milk
Lastly, we have to end this list with one of the most underrated drinks at Starbucks: The Horizon Chocolate Milk. All of the Horizon Milk variants are organic and free from GMOs, artificial colorings, and flavors, and they’re full of Omega-3s.
If you want a perfect treat for your kiddo, or just want to grab a delicious chocolaty beverage without waiting for a barista to make your drink, you won’t regret snagging a Horizon Chocolate Organic Milk.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Starbucks Chocolate Sauces and chocolate beverages.
There is no difference between mocha sauce and chocolate sauce. They are interchangeable terms. However, if you are ordering a beverage that says “mocha” anywhere in the title, you are going to be getting a drink that has espresso or coffee in it.
Starbucks always carries Chocolate Sauce and White Chocolate Sauce, but they have also seasonally carried different kinds of chocolate.
Most recently, we have seen the Chocolate Malt Powder used in the Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso. Starbucks also carries a Toasted White Chocolate Mocha Sauce during the holiday season.
The Toasted White Chocolate Mocha Sauce is very similar to the regular White Chocolate Mocha Sauce, except it has deeper notes of caramel and some nuttiness.
Starbucks Chocolate Sauce is made from a blend of 70 percent cocoa. This means it is right in the middle of milk chocolate and dark chocolate. This makes for an ultra-decadent sauce that both milk chocolate and dark chocolate lovers can agree on.
Yes. Mocha Sauce (or Chocolate Sauce) does contain trace amounts of caffeine. The amount is small—about a milligram per tablespoon. This could explain why your kids refuse to head to bed after their Starbucks Hot Chocolate. Unfortunately, there is no way to order a regular Hot Chocolate without caffeine, but you can always cut down on the number of sauce pumps.
Alternatively, you can order a drink with White Chocolate Sauce instead, as this contains no caffeine at all.
Yes! Most mocha drinks on the menu will have a coffee- or espresso-free counterpart. Of course, any beverage made from iced coffee or cold brew can’t be made without coffee. However, as a general rule of thumb, if your drink name has the word mocha, it’ll have caffeine.
When in doubt, ask your barista for a coffee-free alternative, and they should be more than happy to help.
Final Thoughts
Starbucks is bursting with so many incredible chocolatey beverages. From frappuccinos to lattes to shaken espressos, there is truly a chocolate drink for everyone.
Hopefully, you have found a plethora of amazing new drinks to try. These are truly the best Starbucks chocolate drinks on the menu, and there's a little bit of everything for all chocolate lovers with any potential dietary restrictions.
Just be mindful of your sugar and calorie intake if you’re cutting back, and always be sure to check to see if your particular order contains caffeine if you’re watching your caffeine intake as well.
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