Espresso is beautifully complemented by creamy, smooth white chocolate to create an indulgent white chocolate mocha that’s perfect for a cold winter’s day – and it’s ready in 5 minutes! This Starbucks copycat white chocolate mocha recipe will save you money and let you stay inside in your pajamas. Serve it alongside my copycat Starbucks cranberry bliss bars, and try my copycat Starbucks iced white chocolate mocha next time.
I’m always looking for ways to save money. And in saving money, that means saying bye-bye to morning Starbucks runs. But also, those morning trips aren’t really suitable to my lifestyle anymore since I’d have to drive out of my way to get to one.
However, to be fair to myself, the money I’ve spent on Starbucks for the last few years have been on my gold card was almost entirely from gift cards given to me for holidays and birthdays.
But alas, that money has run out. Sniff sniff. Instead of being sad about that, I’ve decided to look at the upsides and make the effort to try making my own Starbucks drinks and treats at home.
Why making your own coffee is better than going to Starbucks
- You save money on your morning coffee
- You know exactly what’s going into your drink
- If you have to walk/drive/commute to a Starbucks, you’re saving yourself time not making that trip
- You don’t have anyone handing you a cup that has your name wildly and hilariously wrong written on it
- And it gives you an opportunity to try your hand at another coffee recipes!
My standard Starbucks coffee drink order used to be a Venti Skinny Vanilla Latte, but on occasion I get a killer white chocolate craving and I splurge on the extra calories found in their White Chocolate Mocha.
It’s so creamy, and white chocolate-y, and just plain delicious. It’s a treat, and definitely not something I would get every day.
Honestly, I almost treat it like it’s my dessert for the day over being my coffee. I think the whipped cream is really what does it for me.
How to make white chocolate mocha
You’ll need:
- A mug (duh)
- 8 ounces of your milk of choice (can substitute for a non dairy milk of choice – cashew milk works great!)
- 2 shots of espresso
- 2 tablespoons of Torani White Chocolate Sauce (aff link)
- Whipped cream (optional, but encouraged for true indulgence)
You’ll also need a way to froth the milk and white chocolate sauce together. We have an espresso machine that I can use the steam wand for, but you can also use a little milk frothing wand (aff link), or an electric milk frother (aff link) – whatever works for you. You’ll pick one of the methods below to start:
Making it in a small saucepan
Combine milk and white chocolate sauce and heat over low heat, whisking occasionally, until bubbles start to form along the top sides of the mixture.
Making it with a milk frother
Combine milk and white chocolate sauce and heat according the frother’s instructions.
Make it using an espresso machine steam wand
In the milk pitcher that came with your espresso machine, heat milk with the steam wand until the mug is hot to the touch (test with the palm of your hand). Add white chocolate sauce and whisk to combine.
Brew your espresso
From here, you’ll brew your espresso in your preferred manner, pour the milk mixture into your mug, then pour in your brewed espresso.
Top with whipped cream and drizzle with more white chocolate sauce, if desired.
If you’re in the market for an espresso maker, we’ve had a Breville Barista Pro for years and we LOVE it.
What kind of milk should I use in a white chocolate mocha?
Personally, I love the flavor that cashew milk brings and the way the taste complements the white chocolate. But really, you can use whatever dairy or non-dairy milk you prefer.
Other options include whole milk, 2% milk, almond milk, oat milk, macadamia milk and hemp milk. FWIW, I like pretty much anything made by Elmhurst 1925.
Like I said – I don’t treat myself to this often, but when I do I adore using the Torani White Chocolate Sauce (aff link) – it’s thick and so flavorful!
Because it’s so concentrated, you don’t need to use a lot which is always a good thing because the bottle will last you quite a while.
I will warn you though – it’s extremely tempting to just squeeze the bottle directly into your mouth. Try really, really hard not to do it.
How to make the white chocolate mocha sauce
If you don’t have any Torani white chocolate syrup, you can make your own! Give this homemade white chocolate sauce recipe a try. You’ll need chopped white chocolate (I don’t recommend using white chocolate chips), cream and unsalted butter.
It takes me all of 5 minutes to throw this together, and I feel pretty good about the time and money I’m saving making my own.
Give it a shot (pun intended) and then check out their other flavors to mix it up and make it your own!
About those calories…
The recipe I came up with ends up having less calories – not by a lot, but I’ll take it! Obviously it can vary based on the kind of milk you use, the amount of whipped cream you use, and if you use more white chocolate sauce as a topping.
Either way, it’s still going to be less than the Starbucks version – in calories, and cash!
And if you choose to leave off the whipped cream and white chocolate drizzle… I forgive you.
How to make your own whipped cream
We don’t always have whipped cream in the house since I greatly prefer making my own. My go-to is my mascarpone whipped cream, but you can also make you own using this simple recipe:
- ½ cup cold heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
- 1 Tablespoons confectioners’ sugar or granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Using a hand mixer (aff link), whip the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until medium peaks form.
- Transfer to a piping bag for topping your drinks, or spoon it on top. Cover the rest in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
How do I make an iced white mocha?
Lucky for you, I have a recipe post dedicated to exactly that!
Check out my recipe for a copycat Starbucks iced white chocolate mocha.
After you’ve made this recipe, please consider coming back to share your experience with others by leaving a comment below with a star rating!
Copycat Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (1 cup) milk or non-dairy milk of choice
- 2 Tablespoons Torani White Chocolate Sauce*, plus more for topping, optional
- 2 ounces espresso, a “double shot”
- Whipped cream, optional (try my mascarpone whipped cream)
Instructions
Start with one of these options:
- Small saucepan:Combine milk and white chocolate sauce and heat over low heat, whisking occasionally, until bubbles start to form along the top sides of the mixture.
- Milk frother: Combine milk and white chocolate sauce and heat according the frother’s instructions.
- Espresso machine steam wand:In the milk pitcher that came with your espresso machine, heat milk with the steam wand until the mug is hot to the touch (test with the palm of your hand). Add white chocolate sauce and whisk to combine.
- Brew your espresso in your preferred manner.
- Pour milk mixture into mug, then pour in your brewed espresso.
- Top with whipped cream and drizzle with more white chocolate sauce, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- To heat your milk, you can use the steam wand of an espresso machine, use a milk frothing wand, or an electric milk frother.
- For the espresso, start with whole beans and freshly grind them for the best flavor. Pre-ground espresso can also be used if necessary, but may not have the same bold flavor.
- To make your own white chocolate sauce, give this recipe a try!
- To make your own whipped cream:
- ½ cup cold heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
- 1 Tablespoons confectioners’ sugar or granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
-
- Using a hand mixer, whip the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until medium peaks form.
- Transfer to a piping bag for topping your drinks, or spoon it on top. Cover the rest in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- Want an iced white chocolate mocha? Check out my recipe for a copycat Starbucks iced white chocolate mocha.
Jennifer
I didn’t even try this recipe cuz I have a much better one of my own that taste just like Starbucks. Fontana white chocolate sauce, espresso, & steamed milk in my espresso machine! 4 pumps chocolate 2 shots espresso for a grande
Leslie Kiszka
I’m glad you have a recipe you already like, but I’d like to encourage you not to put down recipes that you’ve never tried. There’s no rule that one recipe being delicious doesn’t mean another can’t be as well <3
Mina
Girl, Nobody asked
Shron
Will the white chocolate syrup harden ??
Leslie Kiszka
No, it melds in with the rest of the ingredients for a warm, delicious mocha!
สัญลักษณ์ avenger
Coffee is life. I cannot start my day in the morning without a cup of coffee.
Stephanie Simmons
First try using the Starbucks expresso store bought, the Starbucks white chocolate mocha creamer, whole milk, & a tiny bit of sugar.( used the ingredients I already had, minus the store bought expresso) just to give it a try. Turned out tasting great! Used your measurements with the ingredients & it turned out tasting exactly like the Starbucks drink without spending the money. Thank you for the recipe!
Leslie Kiszka
Glad you liked it – thanks for coming back to leave a comment and rating!
Rebecca
It took me a while to find the syrup but I did and I made this over the weekend. Such a nice treat on a cold Sunday morning!
Leslie Kiszka
Glad you liked it!
Beth
Thank you SO much for this recipe! White chocolate mocha is my favorite. Since I live in the sticks, the nearest Starbucks is 30 miles away. Ugh. I have played with this recipe a bit & actually prefer this version to the actual Starbucks recipe.
*No espresso machine or milk frother? No problem, neither do I (and I have zero room for anymore kitchen gadgets). Just warm (microwave) the milk in a large mug. It semi-froths up on its own, although it doesn’t keep the froth, I use really strong coffee in place of the espresso. Perfect. Thanks again!
Christie Salem
I use the sugar free white chocolate syrup (2tbs) 1 cup half and half and 1/2 cup very strong coffee to make it low carb and its AMAZING ?
Leslie Haasch
That SOUNDS amazing!
Jamie Scarbrough
Awesomeness in a cup! I can now make this anytime I want! I have been so disappointed that this is the one flavor that nobody sold. Now I don’t have to spend $5 a pop to get my white chocolate mocha latte! Thanks four the recipe guide. I modified to fit my taste and it’s perfect.
Claudia
Just thought I would point this out. Walmart Marketplace is now selling the Torani white chocolate sauce. You can find it in their coffee aisle. Was surprised to see it there and is planning to get one to make my own white chocolate mocha frappuccino!
Leslie Haasch
That’s so good to know – thank you for sharing, Claudia! <3
Rachel G
I’ve been trying to make these at home and have been using dark chocolate torani, because I can’t find the white chocolate at the grocery store I go to. I’ve resorted to melting white chocolate every morning. where do you get this white chocolate sauce?!
lesliehaasch
Oh my goodness – that’s dedication! I found it last year at my local grocery store as part of a Torani holiday set (white chocolate, caramel and peppermint). I’m not sure where you live, but if you have a World Market nearby I usually see it there. Good luck!