Iced Mocha Macchiato Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)

There’s nothing more refreshing and energizing than iced coffee. This Iced Mocha Macchiato recipe brings all the zing of an iced macchiato plus the indulgence of chocolate.

You can make this  Starbucks favorite at home at a fraction of the coffee shop price, and you won’t even need a fancy espresso machine! 

The coffee lover in you will love this homemade version of the Starbucks classic drink. But it’s the chocolate lover in you that will be totally hooked!

Whether it’s part of your morning ritual or an afternoon pick-me-up, this iced mocha macchiato really delivers that cool, creamy, chocolatey fix. Let’s get brewing! 

What is an Iced Mocha Macchiato?

The term “macchiato” translates to “stained” or “marked” in Italian, which hints at the artful presentation of this drink – a dark pool of espresso lightly “staining” the creamy coconut milk.

The original Starbucks menu item was called an Iced Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato, but sadly, it’s no longer on the menu. 

So we’re keeping the dream alive by making this delicious drink at home, with or without an espresso machine. 

What’s in this Iced Mocha Macchiato Recipe

Only a few simple ingredients go into the creation of this coffee-shop quality bev. Here’s what you’ll need: 

• Brewed espresso
• Coconut milk
• Chocolate syrup
• Whipped cream

How to Make an Iced Mocha Macchiato

Start by brewing your espresso. If you have an espresso machine, you know what to do. If not, there are several good options that will yield a couple of powerful shots of espresso – just keep reading below. 

Once you’ve got your espresso, place it into the refrigerator for a few minutes. Cold coffee won’t melt the ice as quickly. 

​Grab a large 16 ounce pint glass. Drizzle chocolate syrup along the rim and insides of the glass. Then fill the glass with ice. 

Pour in the coconut milk, followed by the “stain” of the cooled espresso. The whipped cream adds the final touch. I like to drizzle more chocolate syrup on top and sometimes some caramel syrup too. 

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What if you don’t have an espresso machine?

Making specialty coffee drinks at home can be intimidating if you don’t have a fancy machine. I actually do have an espresso machine but was afraid to use it for a long time because I didn’t know how!

Fear not, friends. We can do this with or without an espresso maker. Here are alternative ways to get it done: 

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1. Instant Espresso: Dissolve instant espresso powder in hot water to create a concentrated coffee. I keep espresso powder on hand to use in many cookie and baking recipes, and it makes a great base for macchiatos.
2. Stovetop Moka Pot: A stovetop moka pot is a classic Italian coffee maker that can produce a strong, espresso-like coffee. It might not be true espresso, but it’s a great option for home brewing.
3. French Press: While traditionally used for making coffee, a French press can be used to brew a strong coffee concentrate that can serve as the base for your macchiato.
4. Aeropress: The Aeropress is a versatile coffee maker that can produce a concentrated coffee shot akin to espresso. It’s a popular choice among home baristas.

Variations on this Iced Mocha Macchiato Recipe

Now that you know the basics of the iced macchiato, you can get creative with the flavors to suit your mood. Create a new drink for every day with some of these ideas: 

1. White Chocolate Mocha Macchiato: Swap out the traditional dark chocolate syrup for white chocolate sauce, resulting in a sweeter and creamier version of the drink. The white mocha sauce complements the coffee’s bitterness with its velvety smoothness.
2. Iced Caramel Macchiato: Incorporate the rich notes of caramel to your macchiato by replacing the chocolate syrup with caramel sauce. This variation adds an extra layer of complexity and sweetness to the drink.
3. Plant-Based Iced Mocha Macchiato: If coconut isn’t your thing, try a variety of milk alternatives like almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk or oat milk instead.
4. Dairy-Based Iced Mocha Macchiato: Although the original Starbucks drink used coconut milk, go for the dairy if it doesn’t bother you! Cold milk, from whole milk all the way to skim milk, will be a smooth and creamy alternative to coconut milk.
5. Hot Mocha Macchiato: Make the warm and cozy version of this iced beverage! Instead of cold milk, use steamed milk and top it off with a little milk foam. 

What is considered a “shot” of espresso? 

​In the bartending world, one shot is equal to 1.5 ounces. But in the barista world, one shot is equal to just one ounce. So how many espresso shots should you use for this iced mocha macchiato? 

In testing this recipe, we found that 2 shots, or 2 ounces, of espresso tasted weak for a 16 ounce beverage. We tasted too much milk and not enough strong coffee flavor. 

Four shots, or four ounces, turned out to be the perfect choice for us. This amount provides a delicious balance of deep espresso and rich chocolate flavors. 

Have fun experimenting with the right ratio of coffee-to-milk that’s right for you! 

And when you make this Iced Mocha Macchiato recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy! 

For more fun drink recipes, try these:

• Easy Mango Smoothie Recipe (No Yogurt or Dairy)
• Apple Cider Ice Cream Floats
• White Russian Hot Chocolate