Keto Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha (Copycat Recipe)

If you love chocolate AND caramel, this coffee drink is for you! This keto recipe for salted caramel mocha is a delicious low carb drink that is perfect for when you want a sweet treat. And, yes... it's a Starbucks copycat - without all of the extra carbs!

Article Index

• Carb Comparison
• Recipe Ingredients
• Recipe's Quick tips
• Recipe Instructions
• Serving Suggestions
• Common Recipe FAQs
• Related recipes
• Recipe

I love to recreate Starbucks drinks because they are so delicious, but I can't actually always get them from Starbucks because very few of their drinks are keto-friendly (but not impossible! Check out my Keto at Starbucks guide).

So, it is often easier to just make them yourself at home! Just like those beverages you can't order keto at Sonic.

This keto drink is the perfect copycat version of the Starbucks salted caramel mocha. So much so that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference if you tried it!

Carb Comparison

The Starbucks version of a salted caramel mocha has a whopping 34 grams of carbs per 8 oz. serving. That would be completely unrealistic for someone on a keto diet.

This is why I decided to create my own version of this tasty drink, just without all of those bothersome carbs that will mess your day up!

The secret to making any drink keto-friendly is to replace the sugary elements. Starbucks has some very carb-heavy syrups that they add to their drinks, making them unavailable to those of us on a low-carb diet.

I was able to cut that amount of carbs almost completely out by replacing the syrups using a sugar-free chocolate sauce and caramel sauce for flavor. Then, I used a low-carb sweetener to taste.

This drink tastes just as good as the Starbucks version and fits perfectly into your keto lifestyle!

Recipe Ingredients

This salted caramel mocha drink does not require very many ingredients and comes together in just a few minutes. Here's what you need:

Espresso (Or Strong Coffee)

Espresso is a big element to this drink and will help it have that classic mocha flavor. The stronger the coffee, the better!

If you don't have any espresso on hand, replace it with some strong dark roast coffee.

Heavy Whipping Cream

Heavy whipping cream helps this drink to be deliciously rich and creamy - perfect for sipping on leisurely throughout the day.

Use half and half if you don't have heavy cream.

Almond Milk

Adding in some almond milk helps to make sure the drink isn't too thick. It is a better low-carb option than normal milk. You can also use coconut milk but I prefer almond because it compliments the chocolate and caramel better.

Sugar-Free Syrups

This recipe calls for sugar-free chocolate sauce and sugar-free caramel sauce. Both are important as they give this drink that iconic Starbucks flavor!

My favorite brand to buy from is ChocZero!

Sweetener

Because we aren't adding too much syrup to this drink, you may want some extra sweetness. You can use whatever keto-friendly sweetener that you prefer.

Tip: Check out this guide on all low-carb sweeteners you can try!

Salt

Just a pinch of salt makes ALL of the difference in this drink, balancing out the sweetness as well as giving it that salted caramel flavor.

Whipped Cream

Adding whipped cream to this drink is completely optional since it is a topping. However, I would highly recommend it as it really takes this drink to the next level! I used my homemade keto whipped cream.

Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb drink.

Recipe's Quick tips

• For a cold version of this drink, combine and heat everything as the recipe says, then chill the drink for about an hour before drinking.
• For a blended version of this drink, heat everything as the recipe says. Next, let the mixture come to room temperature. Then, blend it up with a handful of ice until smooth.
• If you want to make it more of a seasonal drink, you can add a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin spice to give it a festive flavor!

Recipe Instructions

This yummy keto coffee only takes a few minutes to make. Better than going to Starbucks! Here's how:

Start out by adding the espresso, heavy whipping cream and almond milk to a saucepan over medium heat. Make sure to stir it all together!

Whisk in the sugar-free chocolate syrup, some of the caramel sauce and a pinch of salt.

You can also add in a bit of sweetener to taste if you like. It just depends how sweet you like it. Stir to combine and cook until heated.

Pour the drink into a serving glass or two, depending on how big the cups are.

Top with sugar-free whipped cream and left over drizzled caramel sauce.

Serving Suggestions

This mocha coffee is the perfect drink to make around this time of year as the weather is starting to get a bit chilly.

It pairs perfectly with sweet treats like keto pumpkin pie or a chocolate zucchini muffin.

Unlike regular Starbucks drinks, this recipe is much healthier and isn't too sweet. So, enjoy it with an afternoon treat or dessert after dinner!

Common Recipe FAQs

Before we get into the details of the recipe, here are a few answers to the most frequently asked questions about this keto drink.

Do I have to add the toppings to this salted caramel mocha?

If you don't want to add toppings or do not have the ingredients on hand, you definitely can leave them out. Just keep in mind that the sugar-free caramel syrup does add flavor to this drink, so it is best to try and use it.

The whipped cream, however, is not as important and can be left out if you prefer.

Do I have to add coffee?

If you don't enjoy drinking coffee or don't want the added caffeine, you could use a bit more almond milk instead. This would create a more creamy and milky drink.

If you do that, I'd recommend adding more chocolate sauce or caramel syrup for flavor. You could even add coffee extract if you want the coffee taste, without the actual coffee!

How many servings does this salted caramel mocha recipe make?

This recipe makes about 1 ½ cups of coffee, which roughly comes to a slightly larger than 8oz drink. Because it is lighter and less rich than the Starbucks version, I find this to be the perfect serving size.

If you don't want quite that much, you can cut it in half or save some of it for later in the fridge.

How can I change up the flavors?

The flavors of this drink are pretty delicious, but if you want to go all out and be more creative, there are a few options.

Sugar-free syrups are the best way to add flavor. You could use:

• White Chocolate Syrup
• Butterscotch Syrup
• Peanut Butter Syrup 

These are all tasty options that would pair well with this drink recipe.

Related recipes

If you enjoyed this keto salted caramel mocha recipe, here are some more low-carb drink recipes you have to try!

• Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice Drink is sweet and slightly tart with just the right balance of spices!
• Keto Pumpkin Spice Latte is rich and decadent - a great treat without all of the carbs.
• Keto Chai Masala is the perfect mix of tea and spice with a touch of sugar-free sweetness.
• Spiced Gingerbread Coffee is a delicious drink that tastes like Christmas in a cup!
• Low-Carb Hot Chocolate is great to have a cold day and just as good as traditional hot chocolate!

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