The Starbucks iced caffè mocha may not be as iconic as its pumpkin spice latte, but dare we say it’s just as tasty (and more reliable)? The combo of espresso, mocha sauce, milk, and a whipped cream topping is pretty much flawless … save for that last part. Whipped cream isn’t bad, but ordering cold foam instead adds extra flavor and makes your coffee more than the sum of its parts.
Starbucks’ two-ingredient whipped cream is excellent on its hot chocolate, but less ideal for iced beverages. The stiff cream doesn’t combine well with a cold mocha, even if you stir it a whole bunch. When you tilt the cup to meet your lips, the cloud of cream tends to float away from the opening, making it hard to enjoy a cohesive drink. You either have to alternate sips of whip and coffee using a straw (a pain when you’re in a rush), or settle for a lump of topping left over at the bottom of your cup.
One of the main differences between cold foam and whipped cream is the texture: Cold foam is basically frothed milk, with a light, bubbly, thinner consistency that dissolves into cold drinks for the perfect union. Trying different foams makes for a more exciting and easy-to-enjoy mocha. You might even agree that it’s one of the Starbucks drinks you should always order with cold foam.
The best Starbucks cold foams to try with an iced mocha
Both the basic iced mocha (which has a dark chocolate vibe) and the white chocolate version can get a serious upgrade from Starbucks’ best cold foam flavors. If you’d like a textural upgrade but don’t want to mess with the classic flavor profile, try vanilla sweet cream or chocolate foam. Far more fun, though, is the salted caramel cream cold foam. The rich candied vibe and touch of salt enhance the chocolatey coffee and add way more depth than plain whip.
Can’t decide between a regular or white iced mocha? Order the classic version with white chocolate macadamia cold foam for a double chocolate delight. If pistachio cold foam is available at your local Starbucks, it will add even more of a nutty flavor.
If you’re a fan of chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry cold foam on a white chocolate iced mocha is a must-try. The pretty-in-pink topping isn’t too shabby on a classic mocha, but the lighter flavors of white chocolate better complement the fruitiness. The same goes for matcha cold foam — the earthy, grassy tea might be a bit overwhelming when paired with bittersweet cocoa, but adds a great contrast to the sweeter white mocha.
