Wondering what a tuxedo mocha is? This copycat Starbucks tuxedo mocha is a rich coffee drink made with both chocolate sauce and white chocolate mocha sauce. It’s also known as a zebra mocha or black-and-white mocha because it combines dark and white chocolate flavors in one creamy drink.
We top it with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and dark chocolate curls for a coffee shop-style drink you can make at home.
Mindy’s Recipe Snapshot
- Cooking Method: All you have to do is brew some fresh hot coffee and warm some milk.
- Key Ingredients: Coffee, white chocolate mocha sauce, chocolate sauce and whipped cream (of course!)
- Ease: Easy-peasy! Just brew some coffee and mix a few ingredients together.
- Top Tip: If you’re heating the milk in the microwave, be sure to use a microwave-safe container. If heating it on the stovetop, watch it carefully, as milk can boil over quickly.
What Is a Tuxedo Mocha?
A tuxedo mocha is a coffee drink made with espresso or strong coffee, milk, chocolate sauce, and white chocolate mocha sauce. It is topped with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, and dark chocolate curls. It is also called a zebra mocha or black-and-white mocha.
Jump to:
The trio of tuxedo drinks first appeared around the end of 2016. From what I’ve gathered online, they were only available that year. These drinks are now part of the Starbucks secret menu—if that’s even a thing!
Personally, I tend to stick to what’s officially on the menu. (Judging by comments I’ve received on Pinterest and this blog, baristas seem to prefer it that way.) I do enjoy their seasonal drinks, but when I crave something not currently available, I create a recipe so I can enjoy it at home.
Ingredients
See recipe card for exact amounts.
Ingredient Notes
See below to make homemade white chocolate mocha sauce (the ingredients need to make it aren’t listed here).
- Coffee: Starbucks makes theirs with a shot of espresso. We use very strong coffee but if you have an espresso machine then go ahead and use a shot.
- Chocolate Sauce: We use store-bought chocolate sauce, chocolate syrup, like Hershey’s, can be used. I also make a homemade Chocolate Syrup that will work great in this recipe.
- Mocha Sauce: I use my homemade White Chocolate Mocha Syrup. Store-bought white chocolate sauce or syrup (Torani, for example) is slightly different but works well.
- Milk: We use whole dairy milk. Virtually any type of milk will work.
- Whipped Cream: Either whipped cream in the can or whipped topping in a tub can be used. See note below for using whipped topping, like Cool Whip.
- Dark Chocolate: A candy bar is inexpensive and works perfectly to shave on top of the drink. Dark chocolate chips can be used in a pinch; just chop them up a bit.
How to Make a Tuxedo Mocha
- Pour hot brewed coffee into a mug, stir in chocolate sauces.
- Heat the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop in a small saucepan.
- Top with whipped topping then top it with a mocha drizzle over half and chocolate curls over the other half.
How to Make White Chocolate Mocha Sauce
Not only is this sauce great in coffee, it’s also delicious as a topping for ice cream and other desserts. Check out my white chocolate mocha sauce recipe for step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- ¾ cup milk
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp instant coffee
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a medium saucepan.
- Simmer over medium-high heat stirring constantly until the chocolate chips melt.
- Store in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Recipe Notes
- If you’re heating the milk in the microwave, be sure to use a microwave-safe container. If heating it on the stovetop, watch it carefully, as milk can boil over quickly.
- The drink in the photos is topped with Cool Whip. I simply put it in a piping bag and pipe it on. You can also use a plastic zip-top bag; just snip off a corner to pipe.
- We usually drink our morning coffee with just a little milk. So when making a sweet drink like this, we brew our coffee twice as strong. This helps it to be more like espresso.
- This makes one drink that’s about 12 ounces. Be sure to use a mug big enough that you have plenty of room to top it with whipped cream. You definitely want enough room for that!
Make these delicious drink recipes next!
- Peppermint Mocha – Strong coffee is mixed with cocoa, sugar and peppermint to make this coffee shop copycat.
- Vanilla Frappuccino – Enjoy a refreshing, cold and creamy drink anytime with this easy recipe.
- Brown Sugar Oat Milk – Skip the drive thru and make rich and creamy coffee at home, no equipment required.
Love this recipe?
Leave a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
Tuxedo Mocha Recipe (Starbucks Copycat Zebra Mocha)
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong coffee
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoons white chocolate mocha sauce
- 1 tablespoons chocolate syrup + additional for garnish
- whipped cream
- dark chocolate curls
Instructions
- Pour hot brewed coffee into a mug, stir in chocolate sauces.1 cup strong coffee, 1 tablespoons white chocolate mocha sauce, 1 tablespoons chocolate syrup
- Heat the milk in the microwave or on the stove top in a small saucepan and add it to the coffee mixture.½ cup milk
- Top with whipped topping then top it with a mocha drizzle over half and chocolate curls over the other half.
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.