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Simple Starbucks Chile Mocha Copycat Recipe

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Starbucks Chile Mocha Copycat Recipe – make it at home- the sibling to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, only spicier.

Starbucks Chile Mocha copycat recipe by Beauty and the Beets

This summer we were introduced to an entire rainbow of colored Starbucks drinks- from the Pink Drink to the Green Drink and all the colors in between (see below this post for all the links and recipes). The ever evolving world of Starbucks is always trying a new thing. However, the one standby we can all count on and count down to is when the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) shows up on the menu again. Every Fall our Instagram and Facebook feeds are flooded with pictures of our first PSL of the season. The PSL is the most popular drink on the Starbucks menu ever.

Chile Mocha Spices Starbucks Copycat recipe Beauty and the Beets

But…has anyone even noticed that this year there is a new sibling to the PSL? The Starbucks Chile Mocha. And I have to admit I have only had it in  Frappuccino. I would describe it as the distant cousin of a Mexican Hot Chocolate, just add espresso.

Beauty and the Beets copycat recipe Starbucks Chile Mocha

The Chile Mocha is very different from the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Where the PSL is sweet, the Chile Mocha is spicy. Of the four of five times I have ordered the Chile Mocha, only once has it not been overly-spicy. It is certainly not for the faint of heart. I can tolerate spice, but I think this Starbucks version may be just a tad heavy on the heat.

So, what’s a girl/food blogger to do? Well, make it home of course. So I wrote up the Starbucks Chile Mocha copycat recipe. After researching the spice mix online, I was able to find all the ingredients fairly easily- even the Ancho Chile Powder, which is really the star of the show.

Spices Chile Mocha Beauty and the Beets

I made a nice big jar of the spice mix so I could add it to hot chocolate in the future.  However, my recipe below is a smaller batch so double or triple accordingly, depending on how much you want.

spice mixture Starbucks Chile Mocha copycat recipe Beauty and the Beets

Next, I added espresso to a packet of hot chocolate mix. And to froth the milk at home, I added milk to a jar, shook it for about 30 seconds until it doubled in size, then zapped it in the microwave for another 30 seconds. You have move quick once the milk froths because it falls flat fairly fast (within about 5 minutes).

ingredients copycat recipe Starbucks Chile Mocha Beauty and the Beets

What other Starbucks drinks do you want to see copycat recipes for? Tell me in the comments below. Happy Fall everybody!! And now, here is the Starbucks Chile Mocha copycat recipe….. (and to make the Frappuccino version, simply add ice and the hot version to a blender.)

copycat recipe Starbucks Chile Mocha Beauty and the Beets homemade
Starbucks Chile Mocha Copycat Recipe

Starbucks Chile Mocha Copycat Recipe

Yield: 1 serving
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 3 minutes

I love the new Chile Mocha at Starbucks but it is a little too spicy for me. Here is a recipe to make it at home so you are in control of the heat factor.

To make the Frappuccino version, simply add the finished recipe into a blender with ice and blend. Top it with whipped cream and sprinkle some of the spice on top.

Ingredients

For the spice mix:

  • 1/2 tsp ancho chile powder
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne powder
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp cocoa powder
  • 1/8 tsp salt

For the Chile Mocha:

  • 1 1/2 cups brewed coffee
  • 1 packet hot chocolate mix
  • 1/2 cup milk**

Instructions

For the spice mix:

  1. In a small bowl add all the spices and mix together with a spoon. I usually double the recipe and store in an airtight jar for later uses.

For the chile mocha:

  1. Add the hot chocolate mix to the brewed coffee and mix well until the chocolate powder dissolves. Add 1-2 tsp of spice mix to the coffee (depending on how spicy you want it)
  2. In a jar with a tight fitting lid, shake the milk for about 30 seconds, until the milk doubles in volume. Remove the lid and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds.
  3. Carefully remove the jar from the microwave. Spoon the frothy milk over the coffee mixture.
  4. Sprinkle the spice mix over the milk froth and serve immediately.

Notes

**While 2% or full fat milk works best for frothing, you can use non-dairy milk. It will just lose it's froth a little faster than its dairy counterpart.

Did you make this recipe?

Share it on Instagram and mention @beautyandthebeets or tag #beautyandthebeets. I would love to see what you made!

**This post contains affiliate links. I only link to products that I use myself and believe in. Your support is greatly appreciated.**

Roberta Burns

Monday 8th of May 2023

Made this Chili mocha recipe yesterday. Didn’t have any cayenne in the cabinet so I just added a couple drops of Cholula hot sauce to the finished product. Went out and bought cayenne and added it to the spice mix this morning. This stuff is wonderful! Starbucks around here hasn’t offered it in a couple years and I had tried making my own but it hadn’t really worked. This is it! It will go in my morning coffee/mocha regularly! Thanks!

Anna-Marie

Monday 8th of May 2023

Awesome!! It's one of my favorites too. Glad you enjoyed it!

JODY SHEETZ

Monday 29th of August 2022

Hi Anna-Marie! I can't wait to try this recipe because it was so good whenI tried it at Starbucks a few years ago. But my question is this - what size of packet did you use for the hot chocolate mix? I looked online and found packets ranging from .71 oz, to .85 oz and up to 1.38 oz. Thanks for your help!! Jody

Danielle

Saturday 28th of May 2022

I know this is an old post, but how would you turn this into the frappuccino version?

Revan

Monday 5th of September 2022

@Danielle, the recipe card has a note at the top for that. Just make the coffee mix and blend it with some ice, then top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of the spice powder!

russ

Friday 10th of February 2017

It was awesome super close to the real deal. I made it with my Nespresso and milk frother. I didn't use the Hot Chocolate Mix but everything else and it was great.

Kate

Friday 16th of December 2016

Question Your picture shows salt but the recipe does not include salt. Did you add salt ?

Anna-Marie

Sunday 18th of December 2016

Thank you Kate for pointing that out- yes I did add salt. I fixed the recipe to include 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Thank you so much!!

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