Starbucks Copycat: Chocolate Almond Shaken Espresso
Starbucks Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso Recipe: The Ultimate Copycat Version
If you love Starbucks Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso, you’re in for a treat! This Starbucks copycat recipe is easy to make at home with simple ingredients and delivers the same rich, chocolaty flavor with a perfect balance of espresso and almond milk.
You’ll save money and enjoy a refreshingly cold treat anytime!
What is the Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso?
The Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso is one of Starbucks’ delicious plant-based coffee drinks.
It’s made with shots of blonde espresso, cocoa powder, almond milk, and ice, all shaken together to create a smooth, slightly frothy texture. The result is a tasty plant-based coffee that’s bold yet refreshing.
Shaking the espresso with ice helps aerate the drink, giving it a delicate flavor of almond combined with the sweetness of smooth chocolate syrup.
This is why the drink is so popular—it’s light, slightly creamy, and packed with coffee flavor without being too heavy.
How to Make Espresso for This Recipe
For the most authentic Starbucks copycat recipe, you’ll need strong espresso as the base. Starbucks uses shots of blonde espresso, but you can achieve a similar result at home.
You can make espresso using a moka pot, nespresso machine, or a French press. If you don’t have an espresso machine, instant coffee or cold brew concentrate can work as substitutes.
For the best results, pull two shots of espresso using your preferred method. If using a French press, use a medium grind coffee and brew it with hot water for a strong, espresso-like flavor.
Why Blonde Espresso Works Best
Blonde espresso is lighter than traditional espresso but has a strong caffeine kick. It complements the chocolate flavors without overpowering them.
If you prefer darker roasts, you can use a stove-top moka pot to make a strong coffee similar to espresso. A French press can also be used for an espresso-like coffee if you let it steep for a longer time.
The Key to Achieving the Chocolate Flavor
Starbucks uses chocolate malt powder, but you can easily recreate the flavor using cocoa powder and malted milk powder. These ingredients add a rich, deep chocolate taste without being overly sweet.
To enhance the chocolate, add a touch of maple syrup or brown sugar syrup for extra sweetness. If you love extra chocolate, consider mixing in a little chocolate sauce along with the cocoa powder.
The Role of Malted Milk Powder
The malted milk powder in this recipe helps create a creamy, balanced flavor. If you don’t have malted milk powder, you can use regular almond milk with a bit of vanilla syrup or store-bought syrup to bring out a similar taste.
If you’re looking for a cold plant-based recipe, this one is completely dairy-free if you use cocoa powder instead of malted milk.
How to Shake the Espresso for the Perfect Consistency
The shaking process is what gives this drink its refreshingly cold texture and smooth consistency. To get the best results, use a cocktail shaker or a large mason jar with a tight lid.
Add your shots of espresso, cocoa powder, brown sugar syrup, and a handful of fresh ice into the shaker. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to chill and aerate the mixture.
Pour the shaken espresso into your final drinking glass and top it off with sweetened almond milk or your milk of choice.
Why Shaking Matters
Shaking helps blend the espresso, chocolate, and syrup while also adding a light froth. The result is a smooth, slightly creamy iced chocolate almond milk shaken espresso with a balanced taste.
If you prefer a thicker texture, try adding a splash of oat milk or coconut milk before shaking.
Serving the Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso
Once your drink is poured into a glass, you can garnish it with coffee ice cubes or a light sprinkle of cocoa powder. If you want to take it to the next level, whipped cream is a great optional topping.
For an extra refreshing treat, enjoy this drink on a hot summer day as an energizing pick-me-up.
Pairing Suggestions
This drink pairs well with homemade coffee drinks, light pastries, or a cold brew if you’re looking for more caffeine. It’s also a great idea to serve with fresh fruit or granola bars for a balanced breakfast.
If you love Starbucks drinks, this is one of the easiest Starbucks copycat recipes you can make in the comfort of your kitchen.
Recipe: Starbucks Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso Copycat
Ingredients
- 2 shots of espresso (or strong coffee)
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp malted milk powder (optional)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar syrup or maple syrup
- 3/4 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
- Handful of fresh ice
- Pinch of chocolate powder (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brew 2 shots of espresso using a moka pot, nespresso machine, or French press.
- In a cocktail shaker or large mason jar, combine espresso, cocoa powder, brown sugar syrup, and ice.
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until the mixture is chilled and slightly frothy.
- Pour into a final drinking glass and top with almond milk.
- Stir gently and garnish with chocolate powder or coffee ice cubes.
- Enjoy your Starbucks Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso at home!
Final Thoughts
Making this Starbucks copycat recipe at home is a great way to enjoy a refreshing plant-based drink while saving money.
With simple ingredients like espresso, cocoa powder, and almond milk, you can create a near-perfect copycat of the beloved Starbucks drink.
If you love cold coffees, this is the best Starbucks drink to recreate. Try this recipe next time you’re craving a delicious Starbucks treat! Up Next: What Does Starbucks Matcha Latte Taste Like? A Complete Guide.
Would you like more Starbucks copycat recipes? Let me know in the comments! 😊
