McDonalds Caramel Mocha Copycat

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If you love the rich, creamy chocolate and caramel flavors of the famous McDonald's caramel mocha, then this recipe was made for you! This copycat McDonald's caramel mocha has everything we love about the original but it's even better and you can make it at home.

Closeup shot mug full of McDonalds caramel mocha copycat topped with whipped cream.

I absolutely love the caramel mocha from McDonald's. I get one every time I hit the drive-through. Rather than wait until I'm out and about, I decided to put my cooking skills to use and make my own delicious version at home.

This was inspired by my copycat Starbucks Mexican hot chocolate recipe! I knew if I could pull that off I could certainly make this caramel mocha. This rich, chocolate and caramel treat pairs well with my tasty Oreo biscotti, so give it a try! Or for more Caramel recipes, check out our Caramel Desserts.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Simple Recipe! You won't believe how easy it is. It only takes a handful of ingredients to make and it's perfect for beginners!
Budget-Friendly Alternative. Making it at home will save you money on both the drink and gas to drive your car since you don't need to leave the house to get one.
Amazing Flavor. It's even better than the original!

Ingredients

This delicious recipe only takes a handful of ingredients and you probably already have almost all of them in your kitchen right now. Anything you don't have can be found easily at your local grocery store.

The ingredients you need to make this recipe are listed here but you can find the exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Overhead shot of individual caramel mocha ingredients in containers on table.

Whole Milk: For richer flavor use whole milk but for a lower fat version you can use 1 or 2 percent milk instead.
Cream: I used a light cream which is about 18% fat. You can also use heavy whipping cream (35%) or half and half (10%) instead.
Cocoa Powder: For the chocolate flavor. You can also use chocolate sauce, dark hot chocolate mix, or chocolate syrup instead but these may add additional sweetness.
Hot Strong Coffee: Or espresso works perfectly too!
Caramel Syrup: An easy way to add caramel flavor. Toffee nut syrup is another option.
Sea Salt: Enhances the chocolate flavor. Use sea salt for topping to make a salted caramel mocha.
Whipped Cream: For extra creaminess on top!

Substitutions and Variations

Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this copycat McDonalds caramel mocha.

Caramel Mocha Frappe: Enjoy it chilled and blend it with ice!
Salted Caramel Mocha: Use your favorite salted caramel syrup in place of the regular caramel sauce.
Iced Caramel Mocha: Enjoy it chilled over ice!
Swap the Drizzle: Serve with a drizzle of chocolate syrup in place of the caramel.
Add a Hint of Spice. Add a touch of cayenne to make a Mexican hot chocolate version of this drink.

How to Make a McDonald's Caramel Mocha

It only takes a few simple steps and a few minutes to make this incredibly easy recipe. You'll have a delicious drink to enjoy in no time!

The recipe highlights are right here, but you can find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Combine the milk, cream, and cocoa powder in a saucepan.
Bring it to a slow boil over medium heat.

Overhead shot of cocoa mixture in a pot to make Mcdonald's mocha coffee.

Overhead shot of heated cocoa mixture in pot.

Add the coffee, caramel syrup, and sea salt to the pot and mix well.
Serve it up in a cup and top with whipped cream and enjoy!

Mug full of McDonalds caramel mocha copycat topped with whipped cream.

⭐️ Hint: It's important to bring the milk mixture to a low boil. A hard boil will ruin it as well as make a mess!

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this spiked dalgona coffee or this delicious Coffee Milkshake.

Mug of McDonalds caramel mocha copycat with another mug of caramel mocha in background.

What to Serve with Caramel Mocha

Your favorite biscotti, rhubarb muffin, or a piece of sweet onion sage bread.
Enjoy one with a hearty breakfast with a Sour Dough Breakfast Sandwich or a Breakfast Croissant Sandwich.
An afternoon drink with your favorite cookies such as Cinnamon Roll Cookies, Oreo Cheesecake Cookies, or Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Tips

Store any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the coffee in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
Heat milk slowly and do not boil over high heat. This will ruin the milk and may boil over making a big mess.
Be sure your coffee is nice and strong so it cuts through the sweetness of the mocha.
Add the whipped cream just before serving so it doesn't melt too much.

FAQ

Do you have questions about this delicious caramel mocha? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this copycat McDonalds caramel mocha.

What is a mocha?

A mocha is a variation of a latte made with espresso or strong coffee, chocolate powder or syrup, and milk or cream.

Why did my cocoa and milk curdle?

If you bring your mixture to a hard boil, it can curdle.

What foods pair well with mocha?

Savory items like your favorite breakfast foods are nice with a mocha to start the day. You can also serve your mocha with fresh fruit, chocolate-based desserts, and your favorite cookies.

Closeup shot of mug of McDonalds caramel mocha copycat topped with whipped cream.

More Drink Recipes

Do you like making homemade drinks at home? Here are some recipes you may also like to try

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.