If you’ve ever slid into a Denny’s booth way too early in the morning or way too late at night, you know this feeling. The lights are soft, the menu is huge, and you’re not sure if you want pancakes or coffee, so you end up ordering both. That’s exactly where Denny’s Mocha Cold Brew lives. It’s coffee, but comforting. Chocolatey, but not dessert-sweet. The kind of drink you sip slowly while deciding whether hash browns count as breakfast or dinner.
The first time I tried it, I expected something heavy and sugary. Instead, it was smooth, chilled, lightly creamy, and just chocolatey enough to feel indulgent without crossing into milkshake territory. This copycat version nails that balance. Strong cold brew, mellow cocoa flavor, gentle sweetness, and a soft dairy finish. It tastes like something you’d order “with your meal” and then keep sipping long after the plate is empty.
This homemade Denny’s Mocha Cold Brew gives you the same diner-style comfort, but lets you tweak the sweetness, dairy level, or chocolate intensity depending on your mood. It comes together in about five minutes, no espresso machine, no fancy syrups required.
Table of Contents
How to make Denny’s Mocha Cold Brew
Start with a strong cold brew concentrate. This is key. Denny’s version isn’t watered down, and the coffee flavor always comes through first. Stir cocoa powder with a little warm water and sugar to make a smooth chocolate base. This step matters because cocoa doesn’t dissolve well in cold liquid on its own.
Pour the cold brew over ice, add milk, then stir in that chocolate mixture until everything blends into a smooth, mocha-colored drink. The result is creamy without being thick, chocolatey without tasting like syrup, and refreshing in that “refill your glass” diner kind of way. Finish with whipped cream if you want the full menu-photo experience.
Nutrition facts (per 16 oz serving)
Calories: 240
Total Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
Carbohydrates: 34 g
Sugar: 28 g
Protein: 6 g
Ingredients (1 serving, 16 oz)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
- ½ cup cold brew coffee concentrate
- ½ cup ice
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- 1½ tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- Whipped cream, optional
Tools you’ll need
- Tall glass (16 oz)
- Spoon or small whisk
- Measuring spoons
- Small bowl or cup
- Ice scoop
Instructions
Make the chocolate base
In a small bowl, whisk cocoa powder, sugar, and warm water until completely smooth and glossy. This prevents gritty cocoa bits later. (1 min)
Build the drink
Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the cold brew concentrate and milk. (30 sec)
Add the mocha
Stir in the chocolate mixture until the drink turns evenly mocha-colored and smooth. (30 sec)
Finish and serve
Top with whipped cream if using. Serve immediately with a straw or long spoon. (1 min)
Tips
- Use cold brew concentrate, not regular iced coffee, or the drink will taste thin.
- Dissolving the cocoa first makes a huge difference in texture.
- Whole milk gives the closest diner mouthfeel, but lighter milks still work well.
- For a slightly sweeter diner vibe, add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Chill your glass beforehand for an extra-cold finish that lasts longer.
What to serve with
Classic diner breakfast vibes
- Buttermilk pancakes with butter and syrup
The richness of pancakes paired with cold mocha coffee is peak diner comfort. The chocolate notes in the drink almost feel like a dessert forked into breakfast territory. - Crispy hash browns
Salty, golden, and crunchy, hash browns cut through the mocha’s sweetness beautifully. Alternate bites and sips and the balance just works. - Scrambled eggs with toast
Simple, warm, and familiar. The mild eggs let the mocha shine, while the toast gives you something comforting to nibble between sips.
Sweet companions
- Chocolate chip cookies
Dunk one corner into the cold brew if you’re feeling bold. The mocha flavor gets deeper, and the cookie softens just enough to feel intentional. - Blueberry muffins
The fruity acidity of blueberries brightens the chocolate coffee combo and keeps the pairing from feeling too heavy. - Cinnamon rolls
That cinnamon-sugar warmth plays surprisingly well with cold chocolate coffee. It’s indulgent, but very on-brand for a long, lazy breakfast.
Savory balance
- Bacon or sausage links
Salty, savory meats ground the sweetness and bring everything back into diner territory instead of café dessert land. - Grilled cheese halves
Sounds odd until you try it. The creamy cheese and toasted bread contrast beautifully with the cold mocha sip. - Breakfast sandwich
Egg, cheese, maybe ham or bacon. The mocha cold brew acts like a refreshing palate cleanser between bites.
Variations
Iced Mocha Latte Style
Use equal parts cold brew and milk for a lighter coffee flavor. Add an extra ½ tablespoon cocoa powder for balance.
Extra Chocolate Mocha
Stir in 1 teaspoon chocolate syrup along with the cocoa base for a richer, more dessert-leaning drink.
Light & Low-Sugar Version
Reduce sugar to 1 teaspoon and use unsweetened almond milk. The coffee flavor becomes more pronounced and grown-up.
Dairy-Free Mocha Cold Brew
Use oat milk or almond milk and skip the whipped cream. Oat milk gives the closest creamy texture.
Vanilla Mocha Twist
Add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. It softens the chocolate edge and gives the drink a warmer, rounder flavor.
Ingredient substitutes
Cold Brew Coffee
Original: Cold brew concentrate
Substitutes: Strong iced coffee (use less ice), store-bought cold brew, homemade overnight cold brew
Cocoa Powder
Original: Unsweetened cocoa powder
Substitutes: Dutch-processed cocoa, dark chocolate cocoa mix (reduce sugar), melted dark chocolate
Sugar
Original: Granulated sugar
Substitutes: Brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, simple syrup
Milk
Original: Whole milk
Substitutes: Oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, half-and-half for extra richness
Whipped Cream
Original: Dairy whipped cream
Substitutes: Coconut whipped cream, vanilla foam, or skip entirely for a cleaner finish
Frequently Asked Questions – Denny’s Mocha Cold Brew Copycat
1. What is Denny’s Mocha Cold Brew?
Denny’s Mocha Cold Brew is a chilled coffee drink made with cold brew coffee, chocolate flavor, milk, and ice. It’s smooth, lightly sweet, and more refreshing than a hot mocha, with a classic diner-style balance.
2. Is Denny’s Mocha Cold Brew sweet?
It’s mildly sweet, not dessert-level sweet. The chocolate flavor is noticeable but balanced, letting the coffee still come through. You can easily adjust sweetness when making it at home.
3. Does Denny’s Mocha Cold Brew contain espresso?
No. It’s made with cold brew coffee, not espresso. Cold brew gives it a smoother, less acidic taste compared to espresso-based iced mochas.
4. Can I make Denny’s Mocha Cold Brew without cocoa powder?
Yes. You can substitute chocolate syrup, melted dark chocolate, or even a chocolate drink mix. Cocoa powder gives the cleanest, least sugary flavor, though.
5. What kind of milk works best for this recipe?
Whole milk gives the closest diner-style creaminess, but oat milk is the best dairy-free option. Almond milk works too, though it makes the drink a bit lighter.
6. Can I make this mocha cold brew sugar-free?
Yes. Use a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and pair it with unsweetened cocoa powder and unsweetened milk to keep the flavor balanced.
7. Is this drink stronger than iced coffee?
Yes, slightly. Cold brew concentrate is typically stronger and smoother than regular iced coffee, which is why the flavor holds up well against milk and chocolate.
8. Can I make this ahead of time?
You can mix the cold brew and chocolate base ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Add ice and milk just before serving for the best texture.
9. Is Denny’s Mocha Cold Brew served with whipped cream?
Some locations add whipped cream, while others serve it plain. At home, whipped cream is optional and purely for indulgence.
10. How can I make it taste more like a diner version?
Use whole milk, don’t over-sweeten, and keep the texture thin and drinkable rather than thick. Chilling the glass also helps recreate that classic diner feel.
Ingredients
½ cup cold brew coffee concentrate ½ cup ice ⅓ cup whole milk 1½ tablespoons cocoa powder 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons warm water Whipped cream, optional
Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk cocoa powder, sugar, and warm water until completely smooth and glossy. This prevents gritty cocoa bits later. Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the cold brew concentrate and milk. Stir in the chocolate mixture until the drink turns evenly mocha-colored and smooth. Top with whipped cream if using. Serve immediately with a straw or long spoon.
Notes
Calories: 240 Total Fat: 6 g Saturated Fat: 3.5 g Carbohydrates: 34 g Sugar: 28 g Protein: 6 g
