Mocha vs Frappe are two of the most popular coffee drinks that people often confuse. A mocha is a hot coffee made with espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate, while a frappe is a cold, iced, or blended coffee drink, usually sweet and refreshing.
Both these drinks are loved worldwide, but serve differently. In this blog, we will compare mocha and frappe so you can easily understand their taste, ingredients, and when to choose each one.
What are the Differences between Mocha and Frappe?
Two delicious but seemingly different flavors. One coffee is served hot, the other is usually served cold.
Difference in serving
Yes, the two flavors are different in many ways. Frappe is served cold by adding iced cubes to instant coffee and chilled water.
On the other hand, Mocha is usually a warm, rich, and creamy beverage with a robust coffee taste complemented by chocolate.
Difference in ingredients
These drinks significantly differ in ingredients. Frappe is a hot drink.
- Frappe Ingredients
Unlike Mocha, this drink is made with instant coffee instead of a usual espresso shot. A good change if you consider changing the espresso shot.
However, you can still brew a Frappe with espresso shots. It depends on your personal choice.
Frappe ingredients include instant coffee, milk, and ice cubes. Also, you can add sugar syrup or other flavors to make it sweeter and flavorful.
- Mocha ingredients
This drink features a distinctive blend of espresso and chocolate. This combination creates a unique taste and texture.
Mocha contains an espresso shot, chocolate syrup or sauce, and steamed milk. Also, you can try adding whipped cream and flavored syrup to this drink.
Do you know the difference between Frappe vs Frappuccino?
Difference in brewing process
Since one drink is hot and the other is cold, they have different brewing processes. It is important to understand the difference between the two.
- Mocha brewing process
A mocha includes a standard espresso shot, steamed milk, and chocolate sauce.
First, make a cup of strong espresso shot. Pick a cup and add one tablespoon of chocolate sauce to it. Now pour a hot espresso shot into the cup of chocolate sauce and swirl it gently.
Pick whole milk and steam it. Add the steamed milk over the espresso shot and mix well. Optionally, you can add sugar or other flavorful syrups to the drink.
A cup of Mocha is ready to serve.
- Frappe brewing process
A frappe adds one cup of brewed coffee, milk, and ice cubes.
Start by brewing a cup of coffee using any coffee maker and let it cool for a few minutes. Add half a cup of ice cubes. Optionally, mix in two tablespoons of sugar and blend everything.
Also, you can optionally add whipped cream on top.
Mocha vs Frappe: What is the difference in taste and texture?
Both flavors have different tastes and textures in many ways. One is hot, made with an espresso shot, while the other is cold, using instant or brewed coffee.
- Mocha taste and texture
Mocha is a hot drink with the strong, bitter taste of espresso, while Chocolate makes it sweeter and chocolaty. Steamed milk also makes it smoother and creamier.
Mocha has a smooth, beautiful, creamy texture.
- Frappe taste and texture
Unlike Mocha, Frappe tastes refreshing, less intense due to brewed coffee, sweeter, and creamy because of milk and sugar.
So, a frappe has a sweet, refreshing, and slightly creamy taste. A frappe has a frothy top with a slushy, icy texture that makes it light and refreshing.
Check the difference between Macchiato vs Mocha.
Why does Mocha contain more Calories than Frappe?
A mocha adds chocolate sauce and steamed milk, which contains high calories. Whereas Frappe has milk that contains all the calories.
However, if you prefer making Frappe sweet, you can add sugar syrup, which will increase the calorie count.
Mocha contains around 250 to 300 calories, and Frappe has 180 to 220 calories per serving.
| Drink | Typical Serving (Medium 12 oz. / 355 ml) | Calories (Approx.) | Why Calories Differ |
| Frappe | 12 oz. (made with instant coffee, milk, sugar, and ice) | 180–250 kcal | Added sugar, milk/cream, and sometimes whipped cream increase calories. Coffee itself is low-cal. |
| Mocha | 12 oz. (made with espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup) | 250–350 kcal | Chocolate syrup + milk adds richness and more calories than a standard latte. Toppings like whipped cream increase this further. |
Why does Frappe have more caffeine than Mocha?
Frappe is usually made with brewed coffee or instant coffee. Whereas Mocha is brewed with an espresso shot. So a single shot of brewed coffee contains more caffeine than a single shot of espresso.
If you prefer Frappe with instant coffee, it comprises slightly less caffeine than brewed coffee.
| Drink | Small (8 oz.) | Medium (12 oz.) | Large (16 oz.) |
| Frappe | 50–80 mg | 60–120 mg | 100–160 mg |
| Mocha | 70–100 mg | 90–150 mg | 130–200 mg |
Frappe vs Mocha: Which flavor is healthier?
A regular Frappe without sugar is a clearly healthier drink compared to a sweet, indulgent mocha. Frappe may contain slightly more caffeine; however, it is a better coffee to consume.
Also, Mocha has slightly more fat content per serving due to milk and chocolate.
Americano vs coffee vs espresso: comparing Amazing flavors
Final thoughts: Which flavor to prefer?
It depends on the weather and your preference.
In a hot summer, you can prefer a refreshing cold Frappe over a Mocha. However, in the cold season, Mocha is the better option, especially if you like the chocolate flavor in your coffee.
A frappe is a great drink if you’re looking to get a quick energy boost.
A mocha is an amazing taste that you can use as a dessert-like drink.