Almost Famous Mocha Frappes

Thanks again to the Food Network Magazine for this copy-cat recipe!  It was in the September 2010 issue.

For the coffee ice:
3 TBS sugar
2 cups warm strong coffee
(ever have left over coffee in the pot in the mornings?  that's what I used)


For the chocolate syrup:
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ounce milk chocolate, finely chopped (I used whole milk chocolate chips and just guessed at the amount)
1 1/2 tsp honey
1/2 tsp vanilla extract


For the frappes:
1 cup reduced fat milk
whipped cream, for topping, if desired

• Make the coffee ice: Stir the sugar into the coffee until dissolved, then let cool.  Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid, about 3 hours.  (After mine are frozen I dump them into a ziploc bag - I always have coffee ready for a frappe!)
• Make the chocolate syrup:  Combine the sugar and cocoa powder in a saucepan and slowly whisk in 2/3 cup hot water.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking, until the sugar dissolves, 3-5 minutes; do not boil.  Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate, honey and vanilla until smooth.  Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until cool.  (I made the entire recipe and just kept in the fridge, pulling out only the little bit I needed to make one drink)
• Make the frappes:  Puree 8 coffee ice cubes, 1/2 cup milk, 1/3-1/2 cup chocolate syrup and 1 cup plain ice in a blender until smooth.  Pour into 2 glasses, then repeat to make 2 more drinks.  Top with whipped cream and more chocolate syrup if you want. (I like mine plain!)

It's really good!  You can play with the ingredients to make it suited to your tastes.....less sugar maybe?  Add in coconut?  What about caramel syrup instead of chocolate syrup?  Have fun!