Our Iced Drunken Mocha Cocktail Creates Serious Buzz

It’s time to wake up, my friends. Wake up with a serious buzz that offers both a dose of caffeine, and a little boozy kick.

Vertical image of a glass with a brown liquid topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder garnishes, with text on the top and bottom of the image.

Do you have a favorite coffee drink?

For me, it’s always been a grande mocha. I have this thing for chocolate, and when it’s combined with coffee… oh my. It’s like a dreamy cup of goodness that makes me feel all warm and mushy inside.

I am not one to drink coffee straight up, so the addition of chocolate provides that added sweetness that it needs to balance the bitterness, bringing out the deeper notes of the chocolate flavor as well.

Coffee and chocolate are natural partners in the flavor world. Both are independently complex in their gorgeous flavors, but they also offer a unique deliciousness when they are combined, with an aroma and flavor that nearly overwhelms my senses.

Vertical close-up image of whipped cream and cocoa powder on top of a glass drink, next to bowls of more whipped cream and cocoa powder.

This is probably why I became so obsessed with mocha in the first place.

When you add some boozy elements to the mix, it’s like a dream come true in my book.

I mean, who doesn’t love coffee cocktails?

I grew up with grandparents who always finished every meal with an Irish coffee, so maybe my worldview is a little skewed here… But we should all take the time to treat ourselves these days.

With all the daily stress of work, taking care of family and friends, cleaning the kitchen, and figuring out how to get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes, it’s a miracle we get through the week at all – let alone without one of these gems to sip on at the end of a long day, remote at the ready, binge watching schedule in hand.

Vertical image of a glass of a coffee drink topped with whipped cream.

This cocktail is incredibly simple to master. Most likely, you already have all the ingredients you need sitting in your pantry, refrigerator, and liquor cabinet.

You start by making a simple chocolate milk combination. Just think back to your younger years, when you’d make that glass of chocolate milk after school. It’s as easy as that was.

Then you shake it up with espresso and coffee liqueur until it’s well-combined and chilled. After that, you strain it all into your favorite mug that’s been filled with ice.

Finally, the garnish. I love to put a heaping dollop of freshly whipped cream on top. The creaminess makes a lovely pairing with the chilled drink, especially if it’s freshly made.

Vertical image of a hand holding a glass of coffee beverage with whipped cream topped with cocoa powder.

I prefer to whip up my cream without any sugar, because this cocktail already has all the sweetness you’ll need.

The dusting of cocoa powder on top just before serving makes it complete.

When you drink your first sip of this cocktail, it’ll hit you like a blissful wave of richness. You get the coffee and chocolate notes throughout, in such perfect balance and without too much sweetness.

It’s the ideal nightcap to any evening, no matter what you are chowing down on for dinner. Or it’s a nice way to start the night off at happy hour, if you aren’t a fan of late-night caffeine.

Print
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Horizontal image of a glass mocha drink topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder, next to a metal shaker, cocoa powder, and whipped cream.

Iced Drunken Mocha Cocktail


  • Author: Meghan Yager
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x

Description

If you want a double dose of buzz, this iced drunken mocha cocktail is the recipe to try. It’s your favorite mocha coffee beverage with a boozy punch.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 fl oz whole milk (or non-dairy substitute )
  • 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
  • 2 fl oz chilled espresso
  • 2 fl oz Kahlua or coffee liqueur of choice
  • 1/2 cup whipped cream (or non-dairy substitute)
  • 1 Tbsp cocoa powder

Instructions

  1. Stir the milk and syrup together in a shaker. Fill shaker three-quarters full with ice (about 1 3/4 cups, depending on the size of your shaker).
  2. Add espresso and Kahlua. Shake well to combine.
  3. Strain into a cocktail glass filled halfway with ice.
  4. Garnish with whipped cream and dust with cocoa powder.
  5. Sip and enjoy.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Coffee Cocktails
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Adult Beverages

Keywords: coffee cocktail, iced mocha cocktail, Kahlua

Cooking By the Numbers…

Step 1 – Measure All Ingredients

Measure out all of the ingredients as listed on the ingredients list.

Horizontal image of glass bowls with ingredients to make a mocha beverage.

Be sure to make sure none of the ingredients are hot. They should all be room temperature or colder.

Step 2 – Make Cocktail

Add the milk and chocolate syrup to an empty cocktail shaker, an essential tool to own for your home bar!

Horizontal image of a metal shaker with milk and a spoon on a light gray surface.

Stir to combine.

Horizontal image of a metal shaker filled with a brown, bubbly mixture and ice cubes.

Fill your shaker three-quarters of the way full with ice. Add the espresso and Kahlua, then cover and shake to combine and chill.

Horizontal image of a metal shaker with a bubbling light brown mixture on a gray surface.

Strain into a cocktail glass filled halfway with ice.

Step 3 – Garnish

Garnish with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.

Horizontal image of a glass with a mocha beverage garnished with whipped cream and cocoa powder, next to a bowl with more whipped cream.

Serve immediately.

Experiment to Make This Drink Your Own

When it comes to making this cocktail, it’s really fun to experiment.

One option is to try out different types of espresso for different flavor notes in the drink.

Whether you love the strength of the espresso flavor, like something more bitter, or you’re craving something a little more fruity, you can find that with different types of coffee beans.

Alternatively, think about trying different varieties of chocolate sauces. There are tons out on the market now from dark to salted caramel chocolate. Any of those would be fun to try to make this cocktail your own.

Horizontal image of a glass mocha drink topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder, next to a metal shaker, cocoa powder, and whipped cream.

Do you love cold coffee cocktails? We have a few more that you should definitely try out to recharge:

What do you like more, coffee or chocolate? Tell us in the comments below and be sure to come back to rate the recipe after you’ve tried it.

Photos by Meghan Yager, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. From a recipe originally published by Mike Quinn on July 3, 2015. Last updated: February 29, 2024 at 18:50 pm. With additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu.

Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.

About Meghan Yager

Meghan Yager is a food addict turned food and travel writer with a love for creating uncomplicated, gourmet recipes and devouring anything the world serves up. As the author of the food and travel blog Cake 'n Knife, Meghan focuses on unique foodie experiences from around the world to right at home in your own kitchen.

2 thoughts on “Our Iced Drunken Mocha Cocktail Creates Serious Buzz”

  1. Drinking this on a Sunday morning can be so soothing and relaxing. Amazing read and really well described steps.

    Reply

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