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I couldn’t stop at just tasting it from Starbucks. I wanted to recreate it in my own kitchen and experience the magic whenever I craved a little luxury in the middle of my day. So, I rolled up my sleeves, experimented, and now, I’m sharing this incredible Starbucks Dubai Chocolate Mocha recipe with you.
Table of Contents
How to make Starbucks Dubai Chocolate Mocha
Starbucks Dubai Chocolate Mocha is a seasonal drink Starbucks introduced as part of its Winter 2026 menu.
Ingredients
For the Mocha Base:
- 2 shots of espresso (or ¼ cup of strongly brewed coffee)
- 1 cup of milk (dairy or non-dairy, such as almond, oat, or soy milk)
- 2 tablespoons of chocolate sauce (choose a good-quality mocha or dark chocolate sauce for the best flavor)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar (optional, for added sweetness)
For the Pistachio Cream Cold Foam:
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons milk (any type works, but whole milk or oat milk gives a creamier texture)
- 1 tablespoon pistachio paste (available in specialty stores or online; alternatively, blend roasted pistachios until smooth)
- 1 teaspoon powdered sugar (or sweetener of choice)
- A pinch of salt (balances the sweetness)
For the Topping:
- Salted brown butter cookie crumbles (optional; you can use shortbread cookies, biscotti, or even graham crackers mixed with a pinch of salt)
- A sprinkle of crushed pistachios (for extra nuttiness)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Mocha Base:
- Brew 2 shots of espresso (use an espresso machine, moka pot, or strong French press coffee) and set it aside to cool slightly.
- In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until warm (don’t boil). If using non-dairy milk, be careful not to curdle it.
- Stir in the chocolate sauce and sugar (if adding) until fully combined.
- Pour the espresso into a serving glass or cup, then top it with the chocolate milk mixture. If you’re making it iced, fill your glass with ice cubes before adding the liquids.
2. Make the Pistachio Cream Cold Foam:
- In a small mixing bowl or jar, combine heavy cream, milk, pistachio paste, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt.
- Using a milk frother, immersion blender, or hand whisk, whip the mixture until it becomes light and frothy. The texture should be creamy enough to sit on top of your drink without mixing in right away.
3. Assemble the Drink:
- Carefully spoon or pour the pistachio cold foam on top of your mocha base.
- Sprinkle the salted brown butter cookie crumbles and crushed pistachios over the foam for a final luxurious touch.
Tips for the Perfect Dubai Chocolate Mocha
- Invest in quality ingredients: The rich flavor of this Starbucks Dubai Chocolate Mocha comes from fresh espresso, good-quality chocolate sauce, and authentic pistachio paste. Don’t skimp on these!
- Adjust the sweetness: Depending on your preference, you can add more or less sugar to the mocha base or cold foam.
- Serve it iced or hot: While the Starbucks version is typically iced, this drink can be enjoyed warm for a comforting winter treat. Simply skip the ice and serve in a heated mug.
- Make your own pistachio paste: If you can’t find pistachio paste, blend roasted unsalted pistachios with a bit of neutral oil and a touch of sugar until smooth.
- Experiment with toppings: Get creative with the toppings! Try white chocolate shavings, caramel drizzle, or even edible gold flakes for a truly “Dubai” experience.
What to serve with
Starbucks Dubai Chocolate Mocha is a luxurious drink that pairs beautifully with a variety of foods, especially those that complement its rich flavors of chocolate, coffee, and pistachios.
- Croissants: A buttery classic croissant, either plain or almond-stuffed, complements the drink’s smooth pistachio cream and chocolate notes without overpowering it.
- Baklava: This iconic Middle Eastern pastry is a perfect match. Its layers of flaky phyllo dough, sweet nutty filling (especially pistachios), and honey syrup mirror the indulgent elements of the mocha.
- Muffins: Pistachio or chocolate-chip muffins work especially well with the mocha, each enhancing a key flavor in the drink.
- Brown butter cookies or shortbread: These lightly sweetened cookies pair well with the salted brown butter crumble of the drink topping.
- Biscotti: Dipping a pistachio or chocolate biscotti into the mocha adds a delightful crunch and a complementary flavor.
Ingredients Substitutes
There are plenty of substitutes and alternatives you can use to maintain the luxurious flavors of this special drink.
1. Espresso Substitutes
The bold, concentrated flavor of espresso is a key component of this drink. If you don’t have an espresso machine or pods, try these alternatives:
- Strong Coffee: Use ¼ cup of strongly brewed coffee as a substitute for 2 shots of espresso. Brew it at double strength by using more coffee grounds in your French press, drip coffee maker, or AeroPress.
- Instant Coffee or Espresso Powder: Dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of instant coffee or espresso powder in ¼ cup of hot water. This quick trick mimics the strength of espresso.
- Cold Brew Concentrate: For an iced version of the drink, substitute espresso with ¼ cup of cold brew concentrate.
2. Chocolate Sauce Substitutes
A rich chocolate sauce combines with espresso to give the drink its mocha base. If you don’t have chocolate sauce, here are some replacements:
- Cocoa Powder Mixture: Mix 1-2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder with 1 tablespoon of sugar (or to taste) and 1-2 tablespoons of hot water to create a smooth paste. This works well as a chocolate sauce substitute.
- Chocolate Chips or Chopped Chocolate: Melt 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips (dark or milk) with a splash of water, milk, or cream in the microwave or on the stovetop until smooth.
- Hot Chocolate Mix: Combine 1-2 tablespoons of hot chocolate mix with 2-3 tablespoons of hot water to create a sweet and chocolatey substitute.
3. Milk Substitutes
Milk makes the mocha creamy and smooth. Here’s how you can customize it for dietary needs or flavor preferences:
- Almond Milk: Adds a light, nutty flavor that works perfectly with the pistachio tones of this mocha.
- Oat Milk: Creamy and slightly sweet, oat milk is one of the best substitutes to mimic the texture of dairy milk.
- Coconut Milk: Adds a tropical hint, but choose a light version so it doesn’t overpower the chocolate and pistachio.
- Soy Milk: A high-protein option that blends smoothly and froths well for hot versions of the drink.
- Half-and-Half or Cream: For a richer, more indulgent flavor, swap part or all of the milk with half-and-half or heavy cream.
4. Pistachio Paste Substitutes
Pistachio paste is a signature ingredient in the Starbucks Dubai Chocolate Mocha, giving the drink its unique nutty twist. If you can’t find pistachio paste, here’s how you can make or replace it:
- Homemade Pistachio Paste: Blend roasted unsalted pistachios with a drizzle of neutral oil (such as sunflower or light olive oil), a teaspoon of sugar, and a tiny pinch of salt until smooth. Adjust to taste.
- Pistachio Butter: If you have pistachio butter on hand, use 1 tablespoon as a substitute.
Nut Alternatives:
- Almond Butter: Adds a similar nutty richness, though it varies in taste.
- Cashew Butter: A sweeter option that works well as a creamy replacement.
- Flavored Syrups: If pistachio paste or butter isn’t available, try using pistachio syrup (commonly available as a coffee flavoring) for a more straightforward, sweet alternative. Use 1-2 teaspoons in your drink.
5. Heavy Cream Substitutes (for the Cold Foam)
To make the velvety pistachio cream cold foam, heavy cream is ideal. But if you don’t have any, here are some replacements:
- Whipping Cream: This is the closest substitute, as it has a slightly lower fat content but still whips up nicely.
- Coconut Cream: Use the thick, creamy part at the top of a chilled can of coconut milk to make a dairy-free cold foam. Add pistachio paste or syrup for flavor.
- Milk with Added Oil or Butter: If you only have regular milk, lightly whip ½ cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of melted butter or coconut oil for a makeshift heavy cream alternative. Note that it won’t froth as well, but it adds richness.
Final Thoughts
To make the experience truly special, serve your Starbucks Dubai Chocolate Mocha in a beautiful glass or mug with one of the above treats on the side.
More Starbucks Recipes:
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