Chocolate Iced Coffee Recipe – Easy to Make at Home

If you’re anything like me, the morning cup of coffee is more than just a caffeine fix. It’s a little moment of calm before the chaos of the day begins. And when that morning coffee gets a little twist of sweetness, it turns into something truly special. Meet the chocolate iced coffee recipe – your new favorite way to enjoy your coffee, especially when those warmer months roll around. 

Iced coffee is a perfect way to keep things cool when the heat is on, but what happens when you add a little chocolate magic? Well, you get a dreamy combination of two classic flavors—coffee and chocolate—that will make your taste buds do a happy dance. Whether you’re a busy mum juggling a million things or just someone who loves a delicious treat, this chocolate iced coffee recipe will be your new go-to drink for mornings, afternoons, or any time you need a pick-me-up.

But, you may be wondering, what exactly is a mixture of coffee and chocolate called?

Is it just a mocha? Does adding a scoop of chocolate syrup really make it an iced mocha? The world of coffee lingo can be confusing, so let’s break it down a bit. A mocha typically refers to coffee drinks made with espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate, usually in syrup form. But in this chocolate iced coffee recipe, we’re keeping it simple—no need for fancy machines or tons of ingredients. You just need a few basics, and you’ll have yourself a deliciously sweet, cold coffee treat!

So, what chocolate goes best with coffee? Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and even white chocolate can all work, but dark chocolate tends to complement coffee the best. It brings out the rich, bitter notes of coffee while adding just the right amount of sweetness. That said, feel free to experiment with milk chocolate if you like your cold drink a little sweeter, or even a drizzle of hazelnut or caramel sauce if you’re feeling adventurous. 

Let’s dive in, shall we? Here’s everything you need to know to make your very own chocolate iced coffee recipe!

What is the Difference Between Iced Mocha and Iced Latte?

Before we jump into the details of our chocolate iced coffee recipe, let’s quickly talk about the difference between an iced mocha and an iced latte. Both are made with regular coffee, but the main difference is the chocolate. An iced mocha typically has chocolate sauce or melted chocolate added to the coffee, along with whole milk (usually steamed, but in this case, chilled) and ice. An iced latte, on the other hand, is simply espresso (or strong coffee) mixed with cold milk and served over cups of ice—no chocolate involved. So, while both are cold and caffeinated, the addition of chocolate is what makes your chocolate iced coffee recipe closer to an iced mocha. 

Ingredients

For this chocolate iced coffee recipe, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make your own at home:

Coffee. Obviously our main ingredient. My usual coffee is made in the morning hours with my espresso machine, and I simply add hot milk to it. You can bet your coffee fresh or use any leftover coffee you may have from breakfast. 

Chocolate syrup. What I’m calling syrup is really just melted chocolate. Where chocolate lovers might go gourmet, practical mums might just grab one of their kids’ leftover Christmas, Easter or party bag treats. That’s what I’ll be doing anyway 🙂 

Milk. Use your milk of choice, regardless of dairy or plant based. 

Ice cubes. As with any iced drink, standard ice cubes do the job. Bonus points for freezing a little coffee into coffee ice cubes. Not only do they keep your drink cold, but also won’t dilute it once they start to melt. 

Optional: Ice cream, whipped cream or chocolate shavings. Top this simple chocolate iced coffee with any of your favorite toppings. 

How to Make this Chocolate Iced Coffee Recipe

Making this chocolate iced coffee recipe is super easy and takes just a few minutes. Here’s how to do it:

Brew your coffee. Start by brewing a strong, cup of hot coffee. If you want it extra bold, cold brew coffee is the way to go—it has a smooth, less acidic coffee flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate. Let it cool for a bit if you’ve just brewed it hot.

Mix the chocolate. In a small bowl or cup, mix together the chocolate syrup with a little bit of the warm coffee. Stir it until the chocolate dissolves completely. This ensures that you get an even chocolate flavor throughout the drink. If you have a barista style coffee machine you can also let the fresh espresso shot run directly over your chocolate. 

Assemble the drink. Fill a tall glass with a cup of ice. Pour the chocolate-coffee mixture over the ice, then top with the rest of your brewed coffee.

Add the milk. Pour in the milk of your choice—whole, almond, oat, or anything else. Stir everything together until it’s well mixed. If you own a handheld milk frother, now is its time to shine. 

Optional toppings. For a little extra indulgence, top your chocolate iced coffee with vanilla ice cream and garnish with chocolate shavings or a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

Enjoy! Sip and enjoy this creamy, chocolatey, homemade iced chocolate coffee!

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Iced Coffee Recipe

This chocolate iced coffee recipe is a game-changer for your mornings. It’s sweet, rich, and super refreshing, making it the perfect treat for anyone who loves both coffee and chocolate. The best part? It’s a simple recipe to make at home, so you won’t have to splurge at the coffee shop every time you need your fix. Plus, you can adjust the sweetness and chocolate intensity to your taste, so it’s completely customizable!

Whether you’re chilling on a hot afternoon, treating yourself during a hectic day, or looking for something special to serve at brunch, this chocolate iced coffee recipe has you covered. And let’s be real—it’s the kind of drink that feels like a treat, but it’s easy enough to whip up any day of the week.

Tips and Tricks

Make Ahead: Brew a big batch of coffee and store it in a mason jar the fridge so you always have chilled coffee ready for your chocolate iced coffee recipe.

Sweetness Level: If you like your iced coffee on the sweeter side, you can always add a little extra chocolate simple syrup or sweetened condensed milk to the mix. For a little less sugar, leave out any sweeteners and use a low sugar chocolate.

Dairy-Free? No problem! This recipe works perfectly with plant-based milks like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.

Chill Your Glass: For an extra cool touch, pop your glass in the freezer for a few minutes before filling it with ice and coffee.

Easy Substitutes

If you’re in a pinch or want to experiment with different flavors, here are a few easy substitutes you can try in your chocolate iced coffee recipe:

Chocolate chips: If you don’t have syrup on hand, melt down some chocolate chips for a richer, smoother flavor.

Caramel syrup: For a twist, you can mix in some caramel syrup along with the chocolate for a mocha-caramel fusion. Try my Starbucks copycat recipe for a delicious homemade option. 

Flavored syrups: Hazelnut or vanilla syrups can add a lovely layer of flavor if you’re feeling adventurous.

Who says iced coffee recipes have to be difficult? This could become your go-to chocolate iced coffee recipe for those mornings when you need something sweet, refreshing, and oh-so-delicious. You can make it as chocolatey as you like and adjust it to your taste, making it the perfect drink for a busy mum, a coffee enthusiast, or anyone looking for a little indulgence in their day. Try this recipe out and let me know how it turns out—you won’t regret it!