Last Updated on August 14, 2024 by Michelle
Making a mocha frappe without coffee was never a thought on my mind until recently. In fact, I wasn’t a mocha frappe kinda gal at all.
I used to hate coffee.
There. I said it.
I used to love the smell of coffee but couldn’t stand the taste. These days I love the taste of coffee, but unfortunately “real” coffee doesn’t always agree with me. Therefore, coffee alternatives have made their entrance into my life.
Suddenly, making a mocha frappe without coffee was pretty high on my to-do list.
Join me in my kitchen as I whip one up…
If you know me, you know I’ve been working towards an all-real-food diet for many years. But I still eat some processed foods. I even occasionally have something really-bad-for-me from a fast-food restaurant. My #1 thing I miss the most once I started trying hard to eat better? McDonald’s fries. There’s just nothing like them.
But I don’t miss McDonald’s Mocha Frappe at all. Not one bit.
Because I’ve figured out how to make a healthy, good-for-me version at home.
If you’re here because you’re looking to make a McDonald’s Mocha Frappe without coffee, look no further. I gotcha covered.
If you’re here because you know a McDonald’s Mocha Frappe is the worst iced coffee drink you can buy anywhere (with a whooping 70 g sugar and 160 mg sodium), you’re going to LOVE this guilt-free Mocha Frappe.
Can you make a mocha frappe without coffee?
You can totally make a mocha frappe without coffee! In fact, you can even order mocha frappes from Starbucks without coffee.
One option is to just make (or order) a mocha frappe with the coffee left out. You’ll be left with a similar end product texture-wise, but without the coffee flavor.
However, if you enjoy the coffee flavor but just can’t or don’t drink coffee, a way around that is to use a coffee alternative in place of “real” coffee. While there are several options for coffee alternatives, chicory has been my favorite so far.
How to make a mocha frappe without coffee
My favorite way to make a delicious mocha frappe without coffee is by using coffee alternatives. My favorite coffee alternative is chicory root, which you can purchase in a pre-mixed blend, you can mix yourself, or you can even grow your own chicory! You also don’t have to mix a special blend to make coffee alternative, but you can just use plain chicory root as well.
With this method, you can make a delicious, protein-packed, healthy mocha frappe without any coffee–all at home and for a fraction of the price of a coffee shop.
Why use coffee alternatives?
Although coffee is fine for most people to drink, sometimes it doesn’t sit well with others. Or, sometimes you’re in the mood for coffee but just don’t want to drink the caffeine. Personally, my body decided caffeine was something it didn’t like as much when I hit menopause. Previously I had no issues, but these days my stomach doesn’t always tolerate caffeine well.
Not only do chicory tea blends not cause caffeine crashes or any of the other side effects of coffee, but it tastes just like the real thing, plus has added health benefits!
Is a frappe without coffee a milkshake?
In general, a frappe starts with coffee or tea and ice and milk are added, then it’s blended. Since I wanted a mocha frappe without the coffee, I added a medicinal herb that’s a delicious alternative to coffee.
I also added my favorite protein powder for the chocolate flavor and an extra nutrient boost. Who doesn’t need more protein in their diet?
Sidenote: we did a whole fascinating video series on protein… why we need more in our average diets and how to add it, easily and nutritiously, in this playlist over on youtube.
Although some of the more “conventional” frappes you can get from a restaurant like McDonald’s are essentially just a sugary coffee-flavored milkshake, this healthy, homemade mocha frappe is definitely not in the same category as a milkshake.
Ingredients for Mocha Frappe without Coffee
15 TB worth of chicory ice cubes (see below)
1 1/4 cups of milk
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
pinch of cinnamon
2-3 TB maple syrup
Directions to make a Mocha Frappe without Coffee
Mix all ingredients in blender.
Top with whipped cream and drizzle on chocolate. (both optional)
Enjoy.
Concentrated Chicory Brew Ice Cubes
To make your concentrated chicory brew that you’ll use to make your ice cubes, steep 4 TB of chicory in 1 quart water overnight. (Or use hot water and steep until cool.) Strain and then make your chicory ice cubes.
For one mocha frappe, you’ll need 15 TB of frozen chicory. My ice cubes are 3 TB each, so for me that’s 5 ice cubes, but you’ll need to measure the size of your ice cube tray compartments.
ALTERNATIVE
Use a strong version of my favorite homemade healthy tea that tastes like coffee to make your ice cubes and skip the added cinnamon when making your frappe. Steep 4 TB of the healthy tea that tastes like coffee in 1 quart water overnight.
Make your not-coffee tea, or buy some not-coffee tea. Use code SOULYRESTED to save! (bonus: shipping is FREE in the U.S. if you’re spending $59 or more, so I tend to buy my not coffee in bulk.)
Notes for Making a Mocha Frappe without Coffee
If you’re not a fan of all the fluff that tends to build up on your drink (you know, that stuff that’s so full of air it doesn’t suck up in your straw?) use a vacuum sealed blender. Bonus, they seal in all the nutrients of your foods that you’re blending.
See the alternative option for making your chicory ice cubes above. I love this drink both ways.
Mocha Frappe (without coffee)
Ingredients
- 15 TB worth of chicory ice cubes see below
- 1 1/4 cups of milk
- 1 scoop 3 TBs chocolate protein powder
- pinch of cinnamon
- 2-3 TB maple syrup
Chicory Ice Cubes
- 4 TB of chicory
- 1 quart water
Instructions
- To make your concentrated chicory brew that you’ll use to make your ice cubes, steep 4 TB of chicory in 1 quart water overnight. (Or use hot water and steep until cool.) Strain and then make your chicory ice cubes.
- Mix all ingredients in blender.
- Top with whipped cream and drizzle on chocolate or I like to sprinkle on cacao nibs, ground finely. (both optional)
- Enjoy.
Things I Use to Make a Mocha Frappe without Coffee
Talk to me about your mocha frappe!
If you have any questions, leave a comment below. And please tag me on ig to show me your mocha frappe @souly.rested.
More healthy drinks to make at home:
Decaf Frozen Coffee Alternative
Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Shake
Knockoff Starbucks Pink Drink–a healthy version (and other drinks)
An organic knockoff of Lipton tea–that you’ll love
And be sure to Download my FREE Pantry Checklist and all the discounts on the best ingredients
“Listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:2
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Michelle there’s always an old fashioned hand crank mixer for whipping cream. My dna always had fun making instant chocolate pudding when they were back in elementary school days.
When I have room in my freezer I will try making this frappe