Coffee Bean Ice Blended Copycat That Tastes Like the Real One

INTRODUCTION:

If you’ve ever craved that velvety-smooth, chocolatey burst of a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Ice Blended drink but didn’t want to wait in line (or spend $7 a pop), you’re not alone. This post reveals the ultimate Coffee Bean Ice Blended copycat recipe that delivers the same rich taste, icy texture, and signature flavor — all from your kitchen. Whether you’re a die-hard iced coffee fan or a DIY coffeehouse enthusiast, you’ll walk away with a barista-level drink you’ll make on repeat.

1. The Coffee Bean Ice Blended origin story

1.1 What is a Coffee Bean Ice Blended?

The Ice Blended is The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s trademark frozen coffee drink. It’s like a mix between a frappe and a milkshake — strong, sweet, and frosty.

• Created in the 1980s, before Starbucks released its Frappuccino.
• Uses fresh espresso, flavored powders, milk, and crushed ice.
• Comes in various flavors like Mocha, Vanilla, Caramel, and Hazelnut.

This iconic iced coffee beverage helped shape the U.S. cold coffee culture and inspired countless café-style drink recipes.

1.2 Why people love the Ice Blended

From LA teens to global travelers, the Coffee Bean Ice Blended gained cult status for a reason:

• Balanced blend of bold coffee flavor and creamy sweetness.
• Refreshing, crushed ice texture perfect for warm weather.
• Customizable base for seasonal flavors and add-ons (like whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, or caramel syrup).

It’s not just coffee; it’s a treat.

1.3 Common ingredients in the original drink

Most Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf locations use these core elements in their Ice Blendeds:

• Freshly brewed espresso or coffee extract
• Powdered drink mix (like mocha powder)
• Crushed ice
• Milk or non-dairy substitute
• Optional toppings: whipped cream, chocolate chips, syrups

We’ll recreate that magic next.

2. The perfect copycat recipe that really tastes like the real one

2.1 Key ingredients you’ll need

To make your copycat Ice Blended, gather these essentials:

• 2 shots of strong espresso (or ½ cup cold brew concentrate)
• ¾ cup of whole milk (or oat milk for dairy-free version)
• 2 tablespoons of mocha powder (or sweetened cocoa mix)
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla syrup
• 1 ½ cups of ice cubes
• Optional: whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, chocolate chips

2.2 Step-by-step Coffee Bean Ice Blended copycat recipe

This recipe makes one 16 oz serving (the “regular” size):

Ingredients:

• ½ cup freshly brewed espresso or cold brew
• ¾ cup milk
• 2 tbsp mocha or cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp vanilla syrup
• 1½ cups of ice
• Optional toppings

Instructions:

1. Brew the espresso and let it cool slightly.
2. Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender: espresso, milk, mocha powder, vanilla syrup, and ice.
3. Blend on high until smooth and frothy (30–45 seconds).
4. Pour into a tall glass and top with whipped cream and drizzle.
5. Sip and smile — this tastes just like The Coffee Bean original!

2.3 How to customize it like a barista

Want to mimic seasonal or alternative flavors?

• Use caramel syrup instead of vanilla for a caramel twist.
• Add a pinch of sea salt for a salted mocha vibe.
• Swap in almond or oat milk for a vegan-friendly version.
• Use frozen espresso cubes instead of regular ice for a stronger punch.

This recipe is your frozen iced coffee playground.

3. The secret sauce: mocha powder & flavor hacks

3.1 What mocha powder does The Coffee Bean use?

Coffee Bean uses a proprietary mocha powder that balances chocolate and coffee bitterness with sweetness. You can use:

• Nestlé Cocoa Mix with a pinch of espresso powder.
• Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix.
• Homemade mix: 2 parts sugar, 1 part unsweetened cocoa, pinch of salt.

3.2 DIY mocha powder recipe (optional)

Make your own copycat mocha base:

Ingredients:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp instant espresso powder
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1. Mix all dry ingredients in a jar.
2. Store in an airtight container.
3. Use 2 tablespoons per drink.

This is great if you want to save money or avoid preservatives.

3.3 Flavor boosting tips

Enhance your iced coffee’s flavor depth with these tricks:

• Add ¼ tsp of vanilla extract for warmth.
• Mix in ½ tsp of cinnamon or nutmeg for a spiced profile.
• Use cold brew instead of espresso for a smoother sip.
• Drizzle sweetened condensed milk for a Vietnamese iced coffee feel.

Flavor is the key to replicating the café experience.

4. Copycat vs. coffeehouse: which wins?

4.1 Head-to-head taste test

We compared our copycat recipe with the original Mocha Ice Blended:

Copycat Pros:

• Stronger coffee flavor (less sugar masking)
• Customizable sweetness and milk
• No preservatives or artificial flavors

Original Pros:

• Super consistent texture (thanks to commercial blenders)
• Signature sweet chocolate-milk balance

Verdict: The copycat wins for flavor control and budget-friendliness.

4.2 Cost breakdown: homemade vs store-bought

• Store-Bought: $6.95 + tip
• Homemade: ~$1.25 per drink

You could make five of these for the price of one.

4.3 Convenience and control

• No lines. No waiting.
• Control your caffeine, sugar, and milk type.
• Make it anytime — morning boost or late-night dessert.

Your kitchen becomes your coffee shop.

5. Iced coffee copycats worth trying next

5.1 Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino copycat

This is the iced mocha cousin of the Ice Blended:

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cold brew
• ¾ cup milk
• 2 tbsp mocha syrup
• 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips
• 1½ cups ice

Blend it all and top with whipped cream and chips.

5.2 Dunkin’ frozen coffee copycat

A simpler alternative using brewed coffee:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cold coffee
• ½ cup milk
• 3 tbsp sugar or syrup
• 1½ cups ice

Blend until slushy and sweet.

5.3 Iced vanilla latte ice blended (non-chocolate)

Skip the mocha and use:

• 2 shots espresso
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla syrup
• 1½ cups ice

Perfect for lighter, smoother cold coffee cravings.

CONCLUSION:

If you love the sweet buzz of a Coffee Bean Ice Blended but want more control over ingredients and cost, this copycat recipe is your golden ticket. You’ll get that same signature coffee-meets-dessert-in-a-cup experience, all with simple ingredients and a blender. It’s creamy, customizable, and perfect for iced coffee lovers who crave café-quality drinks at home.

👉 Looking for more delicious iced coffee recipes? Check out our collection of creative and refreshing iced coffee drinks!