Toasted White Chocolate Mocha (Starbucks Copycat)

Skip the long line and make this delicious Starbucks Copycat Toasted White Chocolate Mocha at home. Combine rich espresso with caramelized white chocolate and steamed milk, then top it off with whipped cream and festive holiday sugar sparkles. It tastes just as good, if not better, than the original!

Toasted white chocolate mocha with caramel drizzle and sugar sprinkles, with two candy canes beside it.

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If you have read my blog before, you know my favorite coffee shop is Starbucks. Since I don't live near a Starbucks, I love making copycat recipes at home; plus you can save up to $5 a drink!

This recipe was a bit tricky to get just right. After four days and countless recipes, I'm happy to say I nailed it! It's so good! I love the toasted flavor of the white chocolate! I might be overloaded with caffeine, though 😉.

Related Recipes: Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte and Starbucks Peppermint Mocha.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This toasted white chocolate mocha is so delicious.
It can be served hot or cold.
You can make this holiday drink at home for a fraction of the cost at your local Starbucks.
I checked out the full nutrition facts for the toasted white chocolate mocha at Starbucks, which is a whopping 420 calories! My version, made at home, is just 310 calories with the whipped cream and 268 calories without.

Ingredients You'll Need

The toasted white chocolate mocha ingredients are simple and easy to find at your local grocery store:

Ingredients for Starbucks toasted mocha measured out and placed on a gray table in measuring cups and bowls

Espresso. I use Starbucks brand coffee beans and grind them at home.
White chocolate. Use high-quality white chocolate squares or white chocolate chips. I recommend white chocolate from Ghirardelli Chocolate Company if you can find it.
Milk. You can use 1%, 2%, whole milk, or your favorite non-dairy milk.
Optional toppings: Cranberry sugar, white chocolate shavings, dark chocolate shavings, toasted coconut flakes, sugar sprinkles, extra white chocolate sauce drizzle, and whipped cream made from heavy cream.

See the printable recipe card for quantities and a full list of ingredients.

How To Make A Toasted White Chocolate Mocha

This recipe will make a short drink (236 mL). Double or triple the ingredients to make it larger.

Brew espresso. There are different ways to do this. The easiest way is to use an espresso machine. Other options include a stovetop Moka pot or strong-brewed coffee. Use whatever method you have available.
Froth milk. Pour the milk into a measuring cup and heat it using the milk frother on your espresso machine or a steam wand. If you don't have a milk frother, heat milk on the stove in a saucepan over low heat until warm, but do not boil it. You can also froth the milk in a blender, with electric beaters, or a whisk.
Make white chocolate sauce. Heat white chocolate in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or in an air fryer for 2 minutes at 200 degrees F. Stir the chocolate, then repeat until it is melted. Add caramel sauce and one tablespoon of steamed milk to the melted white chocolate. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
Assemble. Pour the white chocolate sauce into a mug or glass, followed by the espresso, sea salt, and heated frothed milk.
Add optional toppings. Top with whipped cream, a garnish of white chocolate sauce (or extra caramel drizzle), red sugar sprinkles, and shaved white chocolate if you like. Enjoy your holiday drink!

Six photos showing how to make and assemble a toasted white chocolate mocha holiday drink.

Substitutions

Espresso - use strong-brewed coffee instead of espresso; even instant coffee.
Milk - use nonfat milk, regular milk, or plant-based milk like soy milk, oat milk, or almond milk.
Caramel sauce. You can also use dulce de leche.
Whipped cream - I used real whipped cream, but you could also use coconut cream to make it vegan.
Kid-friendly - leave out the coffee; kids love the toasted white chocolate flavor!

Variations

Use cold coffee or cold espresso for an iced version.
Make a white chocolate mocha frappuccino by blending all ingredients with 1 cup of ice until smooth. Pour in a tall glass and top with whipped cream.
Vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg can be added to the drink to flavor it.
Make a skinny white chocolate mocha using nonfat milk and omitting the whipped cream, white chocolate sauce, and sugar sprinkles on top.
Make a white chocolate mocha by leaving out the caramel sauce.
Use crushed toffee bits or a crushed candy bar for a crunchy topping.

Expert Tips

If you don't have an espresso machine, use dark roast coffee to make strong coffee.
Make the steamed milk first before the white chocolate sauce so you can thin the sauce as soon as the chocolate is melted with the hot milk.
Adjust the sweetness of the drink by using more or less toasted white chocolate sauce.
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in a jar or airtight container for up to 2 days. Shake well before serving.

Equipment

To make this Starbucks copycat recipe, you will need an espresso machine, stovetop Moka pot, French press, or coffee maker. Alternatively, you could also use instant coffee, and then you wouldn't need any equipment. 😉

Recipe FAQS

Can this be made into a frappuccino?

Yes! Let the espresso cool down, and blend all the ingredients with ice.

How do I store leftover white chocolate syrup?

Store any remaining sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s perfect for round two or drizzling over pancakes or desserts. Just reheat it again until melted.

Do I need an espresso machine?

While an espresso maker gives you that coffee-shop flavor, a strong brewed coffee will work just as well.

What is in the Starbucks version?

According to Starbucks online, they use two shots of espresso, a steamed milk mixture with four pumps of toasted white chocolate mocha sauce, and they top the drink off with holiday sugar sparkles, crispy white pearls, and whipped cream.