Nothing beats a chocolate drink, and no café chain provides more options than Starbucks.
However, when you're faced with such a wide choice of chocolate drinks, it can be challenging to know which to choose.
In this guide, we'll introduce some of the best chocolate drinks at Starbucks, some of which you may have never even heard of.
Introducing The Starbucks Chocolate Drink Range
Chocolate and coffee go hand in hand, so it's natural that Starbucks has a wide range of chocolate flavored drinks.
Starbucks chocolate drinks include coffee-based beverages, cold drinks, and hot chocolate variations.
The basis for most Starbucks chocolate drinks is their mocha syrup or mocha sauce and chocolate malt powder.
The mocha sauce and chocolate malt powder are blended into the drinks to give the rich flavor of chocolate in every sip.
They usually add an extra mocha drizzle on top to complete the chocolatey flavor.
Their chocolate drinks have proved popular with drinkers, and they regularly bring out new, seasonal additions for customers.
The good news is that there are lots of Starbucks chocolate drink options available, but the great news is that you can buy the mocha sauce to have at home.
This means you can great your own chocolate drinks with a Starbucks mocha sauce base, and put a mocha drizzle on top of your own home made coffees.
The mocha sauce and chocolate malt powder user in their chocolate drinks is what sets Starbucks apart from the competition.
They have something for everyone, so whether you have a very sweet tooth, or prefer something a bit tarter, then there is something for you to try.
Let's take a look at the best chocolate drinks in 2023.
18 Best Starbucks Chocolate Drinks To Try In 2023
1. Iced Dark Chocolate Mocha
If, like me, you love the slightly bittersweet flavor of dark chocolate, then this mocha is right up your street.
It's made by mixing a Starbucks espresso with cocoa, ground chocolate, mocha sauce, and then topped with cold milk over ice.
The Starbucks reserve iced dark chocolate mocha available right off the menu, so no need to customize your order, and served year-round in most Starbucks.[1]
The Starbucks reserve iced dark chocolate mocha has a double shot of espresso, but the rich flavor of the chocolate from the mocha sauce helps to keep it smooth.
It has 260 calories and 33 grams of carbs (with 28 grams of that being sugar), so it's not the healthiest drink around, but it's a twist on a classic iced mocha.
2. Iced Hot Chocolate Frappuccino
There's nothing better than hot chocolate on a cold day, but you need something cooler in the summer months.
Starbucks iced hot chocolate is a great way to get your chocolate hit and stay refreshed throughout the day; plus, it's caffeine-free, so it’s suitable for kids.
You can order an iced hot chocolate straight from the menu, but we’d recommend asking for some cream to be whipped into it for even more flavor.
You can then get some extra mocha drizzle on top of the sweetened whipped cream.
There are 370 calories in an iced hot chocolate and 43grams of carbs (38 grams of these being sugar), so it's not a diet drink, but it's a popular treat for people of all ages.
3. Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso
An iced chocolate almondmilk shaken espresso has a blonde espresso base, malt chocolate, mocha sauce, almond milk, and ice.
It’s all shaken together to give you a chocolatey, malty treat perfect for any weather. You can then add whipped cream and a mocha drizzle if you want to make it even richer.
The iced chocolate almondmilk espresso has proven to be a popular choice in the summer months and great for those who like a strong caffeine kick in a Starbucks drink.
This Starbucks chocolate drink has 260mg of caffeine, 110 calories, and 20 grams of carbs (16 grams of sugar included within that), so it's noticeably less caloric than some other chocolate options with an even bigger caffeine boost.
4. Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
You won't find a drink that sounds, looks, and tastes more like a dessert than the Starbucks Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino.
It's available straight off the menu and made by blending coffee, mocha sauce, frappuccino chips, milk, and ice.
This is layered on whipped cream and topped with two layers of chocolate cookie crumble topping (made from Frappuccino chips) and vanilla cream, finished with extra mocha sauce.
It also works really well with a bit of extra vanilla syrup.
This mocha chocolate cookie Frappuccino tastes as good as it sounds, but it's not a diet option. It's 480 calories from one serving with 62 grams of carbs and 55 grams of sugar.
There's less caffeine in the mocha chocolate cookie Frappuccino than some other Starbucks chocolate drinks (only 95mg), but it's definitely one of the most indulgent chocolate drinks.
5. Mocha Frappuccino
The Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino is the original cold chocolate beverage popular throughout the world.[2]
Roasted coffee, milk, ice, and mocha sauce are all mixed to give a rich, smooth chocolate mocha Frappuccino drink that's perfect in hot weather.
The Starbucks mocha Frappuccino has 370 calories, 54 grams of carbs, and 51 grams of sugar. It’s got a small caffeine hit with 100mg, so it’s definitely more of a dessert than a coffee!
6. Java Chip Frappuccino
Starbucks uses java chips in their coffees, and they are at the heart of this java chip Frappuccino.
Mocha sauce and java chips are blended with coffee, milk, and ice to create the drink. This is then topped with whipped cream and mocha sauce.
This java chip Frappuccino blended beverage another favorite among Starbucks drinkers and has more of a chocolate flavor than many other iced chocolate drinks.
The java chip Frappuccino has 440 calories, 65 grams of carbs, and 60 grams of sugar in a serving with 105mg of caffeine, so it's less popular with coffee enthusiasts but very popular with chocolate lovers.
7. Double Chocolaty Chip Crème Frappuccino
The Double Chocolate Chip Crème Frappuccino is one of the most intense chocolate drinks out there, and it's a favorite with younger Starbucks drinkers.
Chocolate chips, mocha sauce, milk, and ice are all blended together and topped off with sweetened Starbucks whipped cream and a final mocha drizzle.
It's so good but very filling, and this chocolate drink is almost like drinking a meal.
There's only 15mg of caffeine in this double chocolate chip Frappuccino blended beverage, so it's more like a milkshake than a coffee.
There are 410 calories, 51 grams of carbs, and 47 grams of sugar in a serving, so it's not one to have too regularly, but one you have to try if you like a sweet chocolate drink.
8. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Frappuccino
Chocolate and strawberry go so well together, and this iced coffee marries the flavors beautifully.
The chocolate covered strawberry frappuccino has over 400 calories, 60 grams of carbs, and 56 grams of sugar so it’s another very sweet option.
It’s not as well known as the other crème Frappuccino options, but a great secret drink to try next time you’re in Starbucks.
Ask Barista For: A strawberries and crème Frappuccino with added coffee Frappuccino syrup, java chips, and then two pumps of mocha sauce.
9. Iced Caffè Mocha
This cold version of a classic Starbucks mocha is popular with coffee drinkers with a sweet tooth.
It's made with two shots of the signature Starbucks espresso, mocha sauce, milk, and ice blended together and then topped with whipped cream.
This Frappuccino blended beverage is a bit sickly sweet for some people and definitely tastes a lot sweeter than a regular mocha.
It's got 350 calories, 38 grams of carbs, 30 grams of sugar, and 175mg of caffeine, so it will give you that coffee boost.
10. Kit Kat Frappuccino
The Kit Kat Frappuccino isn’t on the menu, so you'll need to customize your order. Ask for a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with vanilla syrup and mocha sauce in the cup, and java chips blended in.
Top it with whipped cream, mocha sauce, and chocolate cookie pieces (Frappuccino chips) to give you the satisfying crunch, similar to eating a Kit Kat.
If you enjoy biscuity textures, then this drink is for you.
It has 450 calories, 60 grams of carbs, 54 grams of sugar, and basically no caffeine, so it's another chocolate drink that's more like a dessert than a coffee.
11. Chocolate Mousse Macchiato
This version of a chocolate macchiato is more decadent and smoother, but you will have to order it special because it’s not on the standard menu.
Ask for an iced venti caramel macchiato made with half and half, but with white chocolate mocha sauce instead of vanilla.
Add a caramel drizzle and mocha chocolate cookie crumble topping made from Frappuccino chips to complete the drink.
This variation is really popular with those in the know, and it's another indulgent chocolate drink. It has 420 calories, 56 grams of carbs, and 48 grams of sugar, with roughly 100mg caffeine.
12. Regular Hot Chocolate
Sometimes you can't beat a hot chocolate, and it's one of the most commonly ordered drinks in Starbucks.
Steamed milk is mixed with mocha sauce and topped with whipped cream, finished with a chocolate drizzle and extra mocha sauce.
It's got 370 calories, so it's more like a dessert than a drink, and 37 grams of sugar, so they probably aren't a drink for every day, but a Starbucks hot chocolate is a timeless classic.
13. Chocolate Espresso
Everyone knows an espresso, but Starbucks offers a chocolate espresso which is the basis of most of their chocolate drinks.
To create it, they combine an espresso shot (or double) with chocolate malt powder and mix.
You can also add some extra mocha sauce and a mocha drizzle on top. They also have some chocolate espresso beans you can buy to make a more chocolatey espresso at home.
The flavor of the chocolate from the mocha sauce helps to make the espresso smoother and gives a deeper flavor.
A Starbucks chocolate espresso has about 75mg of caffeine (150mg for a double) and is about 25 calories with just a few grams of sugar.
It's not the most commonly ordered drink, but it is good for those who want a quick energy boost.
14. Peppermint Hot Chocolate
This seasonal take on a Starbucks hot chocolate is generally only available around Christmas and Thanksgiving, but it's extremely popular.
It's exactly the same as a regular hot chocolate but has 2-3 pumps of peppermint syrup and dark chocolate curls on the whipped cream.
It also sometimes has a bit of extra peppermint syrup, mocha sauce and mocha drizzle on top to enhance the flavor.
If you love the combination of peppermint syrup and chocolate, then you'll really enjoy this drink.
The peppermint hot chocolate has 560 calories, 62 grams of carbs, 56 grams of sugar, and 25mg of caffeine, so it won't give you much of an energy boost, but it will satisfy your chocolate cravings.
15. Three C’s Latte
The 3 C's latte is the ultimate flavor combination from Starbucks, and this has been trending in online drinks forums.
It mixes cinnamon, chocolate, and caramel in one drink, and it's the perfect winter pick-me-up.
It isn’t on the menu, so you'll need to ask for a cinnamon dolce latte with 1.5 pumps of mocha sauce and 1.5 pumps of caramel syrup - with extra caramel drizzle on top.
It has about 320 calories, 48 grams of carbs, and 42 grams of sugar, so it's not the worst chocolate drink, and it also has about 75mg of caffeine to perk you up.
16. White Hot Chocolate
White chocolate is sweeter than milk or dark chocolate and is often a favorite with kids.
The Starbucks white hot chocolate is made with milk, white chocolate sauce, and steamed milk, and then topped with whipped cream.
There's also some extra white chocolate mocha sauce and mocha drizzle on top of the whipped cream.
It can be a little sickly for some people, but provides an even sweeter alternative to their traditional hot chocolate.
This drink contains 460 calories, 55 grams of carbs (all of which is sugar), and no caffeine, so it's perfect for younger Starbucks drinkers.
17. White Chocolate Mocha
The Starbucks white chocolate mocha looks amazing and tastes even better.
Espresso is mixed with steamed milk and white chocolate sauce or white chocolate mocha sauce, and then it’s topped with whipped cream.
It’s the perfect drink for those who need caffeine but enjoy very sweet drinks.
The Starbucks white chocolate mocha has 430 calories, 54 grams of carbs, 53 grams of sugar, and 150mg of caffeine to wake you up in the morning.
18. Iced White Chocolate Mocha
The iced white chocolate mocha is the cold version of the same drink as above.
The white chocolate mocha sauce, espresso and steamed milk are blended with ice to give you a refreshing summer drink.
You can then add some white chocolate mocha sauce or mocha drizzle on top, and whipped cream to complete the dirnk.
It has the same number of calories, sugar, and caffeine, but this cold version tends to be more popular with young people.
Questions About Starbucks Chocolate Drinks
What is the most chocolatey drink at Starbucks?
The Double Chocolate Chip Crème Frappuccino is the most chocolatey drink Starbucks offers. It has a lot of mocha sauce and a mocha drizzle, and you can even add dark chocolate curls on top of the chocolate cookie Frappuccino chips.
Are chocolate drinks at Starbucks more expensive than coffee?
Chocolate drinks at Starbucks do tend to be more expensive than coffee, but it depends on exactly what you order. If you add extras, like mocha sauce, vanilla syrup, coffee Frappuccino syrup, Frappuccino chips, and whipped cream then you will pay more too.
Does Starbucks serve Mexican hot chocolate?
Not every Starbucks will offer it, but you can ask them to add cinnamon syrup and extra cinnamon powder on top of the whipped cream to get a similar taste.[3]
What flavors of Hot Chocolate does Starbucks have?
Starbucks offers a range of flavored hot chocolates, which change throughout the year. The most common and popular flavors are peppermint, white chocolate, white chocolate mocha, chocolate orange, and pumpkin hot chocolate.
Conclusion - Perfect For Chocolate Lovers!
Chocolate drinks at Starbucks aren't the healthiest option, but they taste amazing. There are options for everyone, with hot, cold, caffeine-free, and low-calorie options to choose from.
In 2022 you need to treat yourself to some of these, and hopefully, you've found at least one on the list that you can't wait to try.
References:
1. https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2122615/iced
2. https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/426/iced
3. https://nunuchocolates.com/the-truth-behind-starbucks-mexican-hot-chocolate/
