Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso is a delicious mix of espresso, malt, chocolate and almond milk. Make it with or without an espresso machine!
This is a drink for dark chocolate lovers. Think of a cold version of melted dark chocolate with hints of nuts and coffee. The espresso flavor is more subtle if compared to an Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso Recipe, probably because of the addition of malted chocolate powder.
But the combination tastes wonderful and is perfect for those who are looking for a less sweet coffee beverage.

What a shaken espresso?
A shaken espresso is a hand-shaken mix of espresso with milk (dairy or plant based), flavorings, and ice. In simple words: it’s coffee shaken with syrup and ice cubes until lightly frothed.
You can use a mason jar for it, or any recipient with a lid you can close tight.
Ingredients
Chocolate malt powder. You can use your favorite chocolate malt powder.
Espresso. Brew it using filtered water for the best result.
Don’t have an espresso machine? Make it using instant coffee: 1 teaspoon of instant coffee for ¼ cup of water.
Almond milk. I use unsweetened vanilla flavored almond milk. You can use sweetened almond milk for a sweeter drink, but use vanilla flavored if possible: it makes all the difference.
Ice. Make it using filtered water.
How much chocolate malt powder should I add?
Chocolate malt powder is sweet - but not too sweet. So if you’re used and prefer an extra sweet drink, add an extra dose of this ingredient.
For a tall cup, I use 3 tablespoons and get a good balance between chocolate, malt and coffee.
For an extra strong chocolate malt flavor, I add 1 tablespoon more of powder. And for a lighter flavor, I add only 2 tablespoons.
If you’re looking for a sweeter drink, try adding 1 tablespoon of sugar syrup (or ½ tablespoon of sugar) to the mixture just before shaking.
Is chocolate malt powder vegan?
Not every chocolate malt powder is vegan. Be aware of that if you’re looking for a vegan coffee drink and always check the ingredients.
Although most of the chocolate malt powders I know have milk powder added, there are a few that are free of any animal ingredients and so, suitable for a vegan diet.
I can’t find chocolate malt powder! What can I use instead of it?
You can make your own chocolate malt powder with 3 simple ingredients: coca powder, malt powder and sugar.
The proportions I use are:
- 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder;
- 1 tablespoon of malt powder; and
- 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.
That makes enough for 1 serving and is a vegan chocolate malt mix option.
How to make it
The thing I love the most about this drink is how quick I can get it done!
- Start by brewing 2 doses of espresso.
- In a mason jar or any jar with a lid, add chocolate malt powder, ice enough to fill it, and pour the espresso shots.
- Shake it for 1 minute!
- Pour in a tall glass, add almond milk and serve it right away!
Tips for getting the best shaken espresso drink
- Use Starbucks Blonde Espresso blend for brewing the espresso and get a recipe as good as the original;
- Brew espresso and make ice cubes using filtered water (Starbucks claims to always use triple filter water for ice cubes and coffee);
- Shake coffee, chocolate malt powder and ice for at least 1 minute, vigorously.
- Shake all the ingredients together if the almond milk you’re using doesn’t mix very well with coffee.
More Starbucks Copycat Drinks
Mocha Latte
Matcha Frappuccino
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Strawberry Frappuccino
📖 Recipe
Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon chocolate malt powder
- 2 espresso shots 60ml
- ⅓ cup almond milk
- Ice.
Instructions
- Start by brewing 2 doses of espresso.
- In a mason jar or any jar with a lid, add chocolate malt powder, ice enough to fill it, and pour the espresso shots.
- Close the lid and shake it until chocolate malt powder has dissolved, and the beverage is lightly frothy. For the best result, shake espresso, chocolate malt powder and ice for at least 1 minute, vigorously.
- Pour in a tall glass. Add more ice if needed. Add almond milk and serve right away.
Video
Notes
- 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder;
- 1 tablespoon of malt powder; and
- 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.
Rehan
Thank you for this simple recipe.
Tall 12 fl oz size with Starbucks is 80 calories. Here, it is 283 calories for a tall glass. Why is there a huge difference? I am sure I am not comparing apples to apples.
Milk and Pop
Hi Rehan!
The nutrition information is only an estimate, and will vary depending on the substitutions made and/or brands used.
Cheers!
Rosemary
where did you get the malt powder? Everything I find is used for baking or is labeled malted milk powder with dry milk added.
Milk and Pop
Hey Rosemary,
I made my own for the vegan version! Mix 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon of malt powder, and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar for the exact amount used for the recipe. I usually can find pure malt powder at Amazon.
Cheers!
Kathleen
Does anyone else have issues dissolving the chocolate malt powder? I’ve tried this recipe by putting the ingredients in all different orders and it’s always chunky? I’ve tried two malt powders now.
Alena
Hi! Thank you for sharing this.. seems super easy! I was wondering if you have more specific instructions on how to make this with instant coffee?
Milk and Pop
Hi Alena!
If making with instant coffee, use 1 teaspoon of instant coffee for 1/4 cup of water: that's the exact amount I add when using instant coffee. It will make a difference in taste, as instant coffee does not taste as an espresso shot, but it is still good.
Choose a good instant coffee powder if possible! Usually the ones with bigger granules taste better. Look for freeze-dried instant coffee. Also, you don't need to use hot water: it is fine to mix it with cold or room temperature water.
As you have your instant coffee ready, pour it over ice, add chocolate malt powder, close the jar and shake it, as you would with the espresso shots. Add more ice if needed, and complete with 1/3 cup of almond milk.
Oh, when I want my drink sweeter, I use sweetened vanilla almond milk!
Hope you enjoy it!