Copycat Chick-fil-A Frosted Coffee Recipe

If you’ve ever ordered Chick-fil-A’s Frosted Coffee and paused after that first cold, creamy sip thinking, how is this so simple but so good? you’re not alone. I still remember the first time I tried it. It was one of those sticky late-May afternoons when spring feels like it’s racing toward summer, and all I wanted was something cold that wouldn’t weigh me down. I ordered it on a whim, thinking I’d take a couple sips and toss it. Instead, I sat in the parking lot, windows down, breeze barely cutting the heat, savoring every smooth, coffee-kissed spoonful.

This homemade Frosted Coffee copycat brings that same creamy-light texture and mellow sweetness you get in the original. You only need two ingredients: cold brew concentrate and soft-serve-style vanilla ice cream. Blend them together and you’ve got the kind of fast-food treat that feels like it came from a fancy café. Best part? It takes 3 minutes, no drive-thru line required.

How to Make Chick-fil-A Frosted Coffee

Start with cold brew concentrate for a strong, smooth coffee flavor. Pair it with soft-serve vanilla ice cream (or regular vanilla plus a splash of milk), then blend just enough to make it creamy and light. That’s it. No syrups, no secret ingredients. Just coffee, dairy, and the magic of proportions.

Nutrition Facts (per 14 oz serving)

Calories: 260
Total Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Sugar: 37 g
Protein: 6 g

Ingredients (Small 14 oz serving)

Prep time: 3 minutes
Cook time: 0 minutes
Total time: 3 minutes
Servings: 1

• 3 oz cold brew coffee concentrate (or 6 oz ready-to-drink cold brew)
• 6 oz soft-serve vanilla ice cream*
• Optional: 1–2 tsp sugar or simple syrup (to taste, depending on coffee strength)

*No soft-serve? Use 2 scoops vanilla ice cream + 2–3 tbsp cold milk to loosen.

Tools You’ll Need

• Blender
• Measuring cup
• Ice cream scoop
• Chilled glass
• Straw or spoon

Instructions

Step 1: Prep your glass
Pop your serving glass in the freezer while you gather ingredients. A cold glass helps the drink stay frosty longer.

Step 2: Combine in blender
Pour 3 oz of cold brew concentrate into the blender. Add 6 oz soft-serve vanilla (or 2 scoops vanilla ice cream with 2–3 tbsp milk). If using a stronger coffee or prefer sweeter, add 1 tsp sugar.

Step 3: Blend briefly
Pulse on low to medium speed for about 10–15 seconds, just until smooth and pourable. Don’t over-blend, it should stay thick, not soupy.

Step 4: Taste and adjust
Taste a spoonful. Add more sugar if needed, or a splash more milk if it’s too thick. Blend again briefly.

Step 5: Serve immediately
Pour into your chilled glass and sip away. The texture should be creamy, not icy, with that signature soft-serve smoothness.

Tips for Success

• Use cold brew concentrate for that mellow, rich base.
• Don’t over-blend or the drink will turn thin.
• Chill your glass and coffee beforehand for best texture.
• If your soft-serve or ice cream is very firm, let it sit 2 minutes before blending.

What to Serve With

Sweet & simple

• Chocolate chip cookies – A classic pairing. The warm cookie bits and cool coffee shake play off each other like an afternoon treat and a nap.
• Cinnamon sugar toast – Light, crisp, and just sweet enough. A nostalgic combo if you grew up dipping cinnamon toast in your cereal milk.
• Vanilla pound cake – The buttery richness balances the cool, coffee flavor. Bonus if you warm the cake slice before serving.

Savory contrasts

• Crispy waffle fries – That salty crunch with the cold coffee is fast-food perfection. Alternate bites and sips and thank me later.
• Mini egg bites or quiche – If you’re having this as a breakfast treat, a protein-rich eggy snack is the perfect balance.
• Everything bagel with cream cheese – The salty, garlicky notes of the bagel make the vanilla-coffee combo taste even sweeter by contrast.

Light & refreshing

• Fresh strawberries or apple slices – For a fresh bite between sips. Great if you’re having this mid-afternoon and want something crisp to chew.
• Plain biscotti – Dippable, lightly sweet, and firm enough to hold up without crumbling.

Variations

Mocha Frosted Coffee
Add 1 tbsp chocolate syrup to the blender for a mocha twist. It adds just enough richness without overpowering the coffee.

Caramel Version
Add 1 tbsp caramel sauce, or swirl it into the glass after blending for a golden ribbon through the drink.

Vanilla Bean Boost
Use a high-quality vanilla bean ice cream or add ½ tsp pure vanilla extract to amplify the vanilla flavor.

Frosted Coffee Float
Pour the cold brew over two scoops of soft-serve in a glass, no blending. It’s messier, but the float-style layers are a fun twist.

Boozy Brunch Shake
Add 1 oz Kahlua or Baileys for an adult upgrade. Serve in a chilled coupe glass and top with whipped cream for flair.

Large 20 oz size
Use 4½ oz cold brew concentrate and 9 oz soft-serve vanilla. Keep the 1:2 ratio for the same smooth texture.

Ingredient Substitutes

Cold Brew Coffee

• Original: Cold brew concentrate
• Substitutes: Ready-to-drink cold brew, double-strength brewed coffee chilled, espresso + ice water
• Tip: Avoid regular iced coffee. It’s too acidic and doesn’t give the smooth, low-bitterness finish.

Soft-Serve Vanilla

• Original: Low-fat, airy vanilla soft-serve
• Substitutes: Regular vanilla ice cream + 2–3 tbsp milk, frozen yogurt, dairy-free vanilla frozen dessert
• Tip: Look for a lower butterfat ice cream if you want that fast-food milkshake feel.

Sugar or Sweetener

• Original: Optional, based on coffee strength
• Substitutes: Maple syrup, honey, stevia, agave, monk fruit
• Tip: If you use sweetened cold brew or sweet ice cream, skip the extra sugar.

Milk (if using regular ice cream)

• Original: 2–3 tbsp cold whole milk
• Substitutes: Oat milk (for creamy body), almond milk, coconut milk, evaporated milk
• Tip: If using oat milk, go for a barista blend, it foams and blends better.

Honest Review

After a few rounds of testing (and more than a few happy brain freezes), this homemade version of Chick-fil-A’s Frosted Coffee hits that drive-thru sweet spot with surprising accuracy. The texture is just right, light, smooth, and creamy without being too thick. It pours like a milkshake but drinks like a cold brew with a dessert soul.

Flavor-wise? It’s pretty spot-on. That mellow, gently sweet vanilla paired with chilled, smooth coffee? Yeah, it scratches the Chick-fil-A itch without question. Would I say it’s exactly like the original? Not totally. I mean, they’re likely working with proprietary blends and soft-serve machines I definitely don’t have in my kitchen. But when I sip this homemade version, I get the same ahh feeling I had in that first sun-drenched parking lot moment. It’s nostalgic, refreshing, and cozy all at once.

If you love cold brew and milkshakes but want something lighter and faster than a full-blown frappuccino, this is a make-it-again recipe. Especially on hot days or when you’re in the mood for Chick-fil-A but don’t want to change out of your pajama pants.