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This white chocolate mocha latte recipe shows you exactly how to make the hot Starbucks white mocha and the iced white mocha latte at home, any season, any time.
Since you are here I know you love copycat Starbucks recipes so you have to check out this mocha sauce recipe, Starbucks white chocolate mocha sauce, mocha cold brew coffee, as well as this salted caramel cold brew recipe.
Let’s chit chat
I will fully admit that before I started making this at home, I was spending way too much money on white chocolate mocha lattes. It was my “I need something comforting but also caffeinated” order, that sweet, creamy, espresso-forward combo that somehow makes any day feel a little more manageable.
The iced version is what I make during the Las Vegas summers (so basically eight months of the year). The hot version shows up the second it drops below 70 degrees and I dramatically declare it “cozy season.”
Once I figured out that the Fontana sauce is literally what Starbucks uses, I bought a bottle and never looked back. The homemade version with Ghirardelli sauce is also incredible if you want to go that route. Either way, five minutes, three ingredients, no drive-through line.
Table of Contents
- What makes this white chocolate mocha latte recipe so good
- What does the Starbucks white mocha taste like?
- Why you’ll love this recipe
- Ingredients for this white chocolate mocha latte
- Best white chocolate mocha sauces to use
- Is a white chocolate mocha a latte?
- How to make this iced white mocha?
- Make the Starbucks hot white chocolate mocha
- Make the Starbucks iced white chocolate mocha
- Frequently asked questions – FAQ
- What are some ways to take this drink to the next level?
- White Chocolate Mocha Latte (Hot or Iced) Recipe
What makes this white chocolate mocha latte recipe so good
White chocolate anything is the way to my heart and this white mocha latte is one of my all-time favorite drinks to make at home. It’s sweeter and creamier than a regular mocha, ridiculously easy, and honestly better than the Starbucks version because you control the sauce. I’ll show you how to make it hot and iced so you’re covered year-round.
What does the Starbucks white mocha taste like?
The Starbucks white mocha tastes sweet, creamy, and lightly vanilla-forward, it’s not as chocolatey as a traditional mocha. The white chocolate sauce brings a rich sweetness, while the espresso cuts through just enough to remind you it’s still a coffee drink. The hot version is velvety and cozy. The iced white mocha latte is refreshing and a little indulgent, especially in summer. If you like sweet coffee drinks that don’t taste too bitter, you’ll love it.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Ready in 5 minutes with only 3 ingredients.
- Works hot or iced, same recipe, two drinks.
- Tastes as good (honestly better) than the Starbucks white mocha latte.
- Easy to customize the sweetness level or switch up the milk.
- No espresso machine required, see the FAQ for alternatives.
Ingredients for this white chocolate mocha latte
Here’s what you need to make this white chocolate mocha latte recipe hot or iced. Exact measurements are in the recipe card below.
- White chocolate mocha sauce- You can make this using a storebought white chocolate sauce like the Ghirardelli white chocolate syrup of using your own homemade white chocolate sauce which I have a recipe on the blog for.
- Espresso
- Milk: Any milk works here. Starbucks uses 2% milk so I go with that for the most authentic iced white mocha latte, but whole milk makes it richer and any non-dairy milk works great too.
Best white chocolate mocha sauces to use
- Monin white chocolate sauce
- Fontana white chocolate mocha sauce– This one is the one that Starbucks uses making it perfect for Starbucks copycat recipes.
- Ghirardelli white chocolate sauce
- Torani white chocolate sauce
Is a white chocolate mocha a latte?
Technically yes, the Starbucks white chocolate mocha is made with espresso shots, steamed milk, and white chocolate sauce, which is the same build as a latte. The difference is the flavor: a latte uses plain steamed milk while the white mocha uses white chocolate sauce as its sweetener. So calling it a white chocolate mocha latte is completely accurate, and that’s exactly what this recipe makes.
How to make this iced white mocha?
This is how you can make the homemade version of your favorite Starbucks white mocha. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full directions!
Make the Starbucks hot white chocolate mocha
- Add the white chocolate sauce to your serving mug.
- Brew the espresso shots directly over that.
- Stir, then top with the steamed or frothed milk.
- Top with whipped cream if desired, extra white chocolate mocha sauce drizzles and enjoy.
Make the Starbucks iced white chocolate mocha
- Add the creamy white chocolate sauce to a serving glass and top it with the hot espresso shot. Stir to combine.
- Top with ice cubes and your choice of milk.
- Give it a good stir then top with whipped cream if you’d like and extra white chocolate sauce drizzle.
- Enjoy with a straw!
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
Mocha is a flavor, not a temperature. You can make it hot as a steamed latte or iced over ice, this recipe covers both so you can make whichever version you’re craving.
Yes, both versions use espresso shots. That’s what makes it a latte rather than just flavored milk. The recipe calls for 1 to 2 shots depending on how strong you like your coffee.
Fontana is what Starbucks actually uses, so it’s the closest copycat. Ghirardelli is slightly richer and sweeter. Monin and Torani are both great everyday options.
Use strong brewed coffee, or dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder in a few tablespoons of hot water. A stovetop Moka pot also works and costs about $10.
Add more white chocolate sauce, or add a small splash of vanilla syrup. The vanilla rounds out the sweetness without changing the flavor of the drink.
Yes. Swap the milk for oat, almond, or soy milk. For a dairy-free sauce, combine coconut cream, dairy-free white chocolate, and coconut condensed milk. My homemade white chocolate sauce post is a good starting point for substitutions.
Store in a mason jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Remove the ice from the iced version before storing so it doesn’t water down. To serve again, reheat the hot version in a frother or microwave, or pour the iced version over fresh ice.
What are some ways to take this drink to the next level?
- Top it with vanilla sweet cream cold foam instead of plain whipped cream.
- Add a caramel drizzle over the top.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract for a holiday peppermint white chocolate mocha.
- Top with whipped cream and white chocolate shavings.
White Chocolate Mocha Latte (Hot or Iced)
Ingredients
- 1-2 espresso shots Use however many you'd like depending on how strong you like your coffee.
- 3/4 cup 2% milk use whichever milk you prefer. Starbucks uses 2% milk.
- 2-4 tbsp white chocolate sauce (Fontana is what Starbucks uses; Ghirardelli is also great, taste and add more if you like your drink sweeter)
- whipped cream optional
Instructions
Make the Starbucks hot white chocolate mocha
- Add the white chocolate sauce to your serving mug.2-4 tbsp white chocolate sauce
- Brew the espresso shots directly over that.1-2 espresso shots
- Stir, then top with the steamed or frothed milk.3/4 cup 2% milk
- Top with whipped cream if desired, extra white chocolate mocha sauce drizzles and enjoy.whipped cream
Make the Starbucks iced white chocolate mocha
- Add the creamy white chocolate sauce to a serving glass and top it with the hot espresso shot. Stir to combine.
- Fill the glass with ice, then pour in the milk.
- Give it a good stir then top with whipped cream if you'd like and extra white chocolate sauce drizzle.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
