Craving that iconic chocolate-coffee delight from Arby’s? Look no further! This ultimate copycat Jamocha Shake recipe brings the rich, creamy, and irresistibly refreshing experience right to your kitchen, taking mere minutes to prepare. Forget the drive-thru lines and enjoy a perfectly blended, barista-quality beverage whenever the mood strikes.

Crafting the Perfect Copycat Arby’s Jamocha Shake at Home
There’s an undeniable satisfaction that comes with recreating beloved restaurant favorites from the comfort of your home. It’s not just about saving a few dollars; it’s about the joy of customization, the convenience of instant gratification, and the pride of mastering a classic. My husband, John, is a prime example. He’s a big coffee lover but often finds that the combination of heat and caffeine during warmer months can lead to headaches. However, after trying this homemade Arby’s Jamocha Shake, he declared it his new favorite way to get his daily coffee fix – a delicious, chilled solution to a common summer dilemma!
This recipe is remarkably simple, transforming a few common ingredients into a luxurious, satisfying treat in just a few short minutes. It’s the perfect harmony of robust coffee and sweet, decadent chocolate, all whipped into a frosty milkshake consistency. If you’re searching for an extraordinary chocolatey coffee indulgence without the hassle, this is your go-to recipe.
And if coffee isn’t always on your menu, don’t worry! My love for copycat recipes extends far beyond coffee creations. You might also enjoy whipping up a copycat Orange Julius for a burst of citrusy delight, or a creamy copycat Wendy’s Frosty – always a hit on a scorching hot day. For peanut butter enthusiasts, the Copy Cat Sonic Peanut Butter Shake is an absolute must-try!
What are your favorite ways to beat the heat during summer? For our family, it’s all about cool, creamy treats like ice cream, milkshakes, and refreshing frozen beverages. This Jamocha Shake recipe stands out because of its simplicity and speed. I can literally blend it up in seconds, transforming a regular afternoon into a moment of pure, relaxed bliss.
Imagine this: no frantic dashes to the restaurant, no navigating bustling streets, just you, your backyard (or couch!), and a perfectly chilled, chocolate-infused coffee shake. It’s a small luxury that makes a big difference. Sometimes, I think everyone drives a little crazier in the summer, rushing to get to their destinations, turning a simple grocery run into a competitive sport. Being able to create a beloved treat at home means one less reason to venture out into the summer madness.
Beyond beverages, we’ve also perfected some other Arby’s classics. You can now make Arby’s Sauce and Arby’s Horsey Sauce right in your own kitchen! These homemade versions are fantastic additions to any meal, truly elevating your home dining experience.
Essential Jamocha Shake Ingredients
Creating this delightful shake requires only a handful of readily available ingredients. The beauty lies in their simple combination, yielding a flavor profile that’s incredibly close to the original. For precise measurements and step-by-step guidance, refer to the detailed recipe card at the end of this article.
- Cold coffee: The backbone of our Jamocha. Ensure it’s thoroughly chilled for the best frosty texture.
- Low-fat milk: Provides the creamy base without making it overly heavy. Feel free to adjust to your preference.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the deal, balancing the bitterness of the coffee and enhancing the chocolate.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: The key to that thick, luscious milkshake consistency and a hint of classic sweetness.
- Chocolate syrup: Delivers the irresistible chocolate component, making it a true Jamocha experience.
Pro Tip: For an even richer coffee flavor and a thicker shake that won’t get watered down, consider freezing leftover cold coffee in an ice cube tray. Use these coffee ice cubes in place of some or all of your regular ice for an intensified experience.
Optional Toppings: Elevate your shake with a generous dollop of whipped cream, an extra drizzle of chocolate sauce, a scattering of colorful sprinkles, or a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes for added texture and flavor.
Recommended Equipment for Your Homemade Jamocha Shake
While the ingredient list is minimal, having the right tools makes all the difference in achieving that perfectly smooth, thick, and irresistible Jamocha Shake.
High-Speed Blender: A powerful blender is non-negotiable for achieving that silky-smooth milkshake consistency. We’re particularly fond of the Ninja Blender for its ability to effortlessly crush ice and blend frozen ingredients, making it ideal for all sorts of frozen drinks. The smoother your shake, the more enjoyable it will be!
Soda Fountain-Style Glasses: Presentation can significantly enhance the enjoyment of your shake. Serving your Jamocha in classic soda fountain glasses instantly elevates the experience, making it feel even more indulgent and authentically retro. It’s a simple touch that adds a lot of charm.
Wide Paper Milkshake Straws: If you’re serving these at a gathering or just want to capture that authentic ice cream parlor vibe, wide paper milkshake straws are the perfect finishing touch. They’re functional for thick shakes and add a festive, playful element.
How to Prepare Your Arby’s Jamocha Shake
The simplicity of this recipe is one of its greatest assets. You’ll be enjoying your delicious homemade Jamocha Shake in mere moments. For comprehensive, step-by-step instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card below. Here’s a quick overview of the process:
- Step 1: Blend the Liquids. Begin by combining the cold coffee, milk, and granulated sugar in your blender. Process for about 15 seconds on medium speed, ensuring the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is well integrated.
- Step 2: Add Creaminess and Flavor. Next, add the vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup to the blender. Blend on high speed until the mixture is perfectly smooth and creamy, with no ice cream lumps remaining. You might need to pause and scrape down the sides of the blender with a spatula to ensure everything is incorporated evenly.
- Step 3: Serve with Flair. For an extra touch, drizzle some chocolate syrup around the inside of your serving glass before pouring in the freshly blended Jamocha Shake. This creates an appealing visual swirl and adds to the overall chocolate experience.
Preparation and Storage Tips
Make Ahead: While tempting to prepare in advance, we strongly recommend enjoying your Jamocha Shake immediately after blending. This shake is truly at its best when it’s fresh, cold, and thick, straight from the blender. The texture will be optimal, and the flavors will be perfectly integrated.
Freezing/How to Freeze + Storage: Should you find yourself with any delicious leftovers, you can certainly store them! Transfer the remaining shake to an airtight, freezer-safe container. It will firm up considerably in the freezer, becoming more like a soft-serve ice cream. When ready to enjoy again, you might need to let it thaw for a few minutes on the counter or give it a quick pulse in the blender with a splash of milk to regain a drinkable consistency.
Recipe Variations to Explore
This Jamocha Shake recipe is wonderfully versatile, allowing for numerous modifications to suit various dietary needs and taste preferences. Don’t hesitate to experiment!
Milk Substitutions: We typically use whatever milk we have on hand. For a truly rich and thick shake, whole milk is an excellent choice. However, feel free to use 2% milk, skim milk, or any of your preferred dairy-free alternatives such as almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Each will impart a slightly different flavor and texture.
Vegetarian Option: This recipe, as written, is inherently vegetarian-friendly, making it a great choice for those following a vegetarian diet.
Vegan Option: To transform this into a plant-based delight, simply substitute all dairy-containing ingredients with their non-dairy counterparts. Opt for your favorite dairy-free vanilla ice cream, vegan chocolate syrup, and your go-to plant-based milk (almond, soy, oat, or coconut work wonderfully).
Gluten-Free Consideration: The ingredients in this recipe are typically gluten-free. However, if gluten is a significant dietary concern, always double-check the labels of your specific brands of chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream, and any other add-ins to ensure they are certified gluten-free.
Adults-Only Alcoholic Option: For those looking to add a grown-up twist, this Jamocha Shake makes an excellent base for an alcoholic dessert beverage. Blend in a shot or two of your favorite spirit, such as vodka, whiskey, dark rum, coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa), or Irish cream for a sophisticated and boozy treat.
Adjusting Serving Size: The recipe as provided yields two generous servings. If you’re just making a single shake for yourself, simply halve all the ingredients. For a larger crowd, easily scale the recipe up by doubling, tripling, or quadrupling the ingredient amounts as needed.
Make it Spicy (Mexican Mocha Style): While the original Arby’s Jamocha Shake isn’t spicy, you can add an exciting kick by transforming it into a Mexican mocha-inspired shake. Incorporate a few dashes of ground cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, and a tiny dash of cayenne pepper for a warming, complex flavor profile.
Sugar-Free Alternatives: If you’re monitoring your sugar intake, this shake can still be enjoyed! Focus on the primary sugar culprits: vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. Swap these for sugar-free or low-sugar versions. You can also replace granulated sugar with a sugar substitute of your choice. Always read product labels to confirm sugar content.
Do Jamocha Shakes Contain Caffeine?
Yes, Jamocha Shakes do contain caffeine, though generally at a relatively low level. Arby’s traditionally uses an instant coffee powder in their Jamocha syrup, which provides the coffee flavor along with a mild caffeine boost. Our homemade version, using cold coffee, will have caffeine content depending on the strength of your coffee.
Top Tips for the Best Copycat Arby’s Jamocha Shake
Achieving that perfect, restaurant-quality Jamocha Shake at home is easier than you think. Here are some expert tips to ensure your homemade creation is absolutely delicious:
- Coffee Choice Matters: Any cold coffee will work wonderfully in this recipe, including leftover brewed coffee or even cold brew concentrate diluted to regular strength. The key is that it’s chilled. Using strong, cold coffee will give your shake a more pronounced coffee flavor.
- Boost Nutrition (Optional): For an added nutritional punch, some versions of this recipe incorporate a scoop of unflavored or vanilla protein powder. This can make it a more substantial snack or post-workout treat.
- Amplify Coffee Flavor: If you desire a bolder, more intense coffee flavor closer to Arby’s signature profile (which uses instant coffee powder in their syrup), consider adding a teaspoon of espresso powder or instant coffee granules along with your cold coffee. This will deepen the coffee notes without thinning the shake.
- Perfecting Thickness: The ideal milkshake consistency is subjective. If your shake turns out thinner than desired, simply add another scoop or two of vanilla ice cream and blend again until you reach your preferred thickness. Conversely, if it’s too thick, gradually add more milk or cold coffee, blending after each addition, until it’s just right.
- Chilled Glasses: For an extra frosty experience, chill your serving glasses in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes before pouring in the shake. This helps keep your Jamocha colder for longer.
- Ingredient Quality: While simple, the quality of your ingredients can make a difference. Good quality vanilla ice cream and a flavorful chocolate syrup will enhance the overall taste.
- Nutritional Information: Please note that precise nutrition information, including calories, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, potassium, cholesterol, sodium, and various fats, will vary significantly based on the specific brands and types of ingredients you choose to use.
When to Serve & What to Pair with Your Copycat Arby’s Jamocha Shake
This swoon-worthy coffee and chocolate shake is a treat in itself, but it can also be the perfect accompaniment to a full meal or a refreshing dessert. Tempted to recreate an entire Arby’s feast at home? We’ve got you covered with some fantastic pairing suggestions!
Delicious Side Dishes:
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries: A slightly healthier, crispy alternative to traditional fries.
- Air Fryer French Fries: Achieve perfectly golden and crunchy fries with minimal oil.
- Crock Pot French Fry Casserole: A comforting and hearty side dish perfect for a family meal.
- Air Fryer Tater Tots: Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and incredibly easy to make.
- Slow Cooker Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole: Another fantastic, easy-to-prepare casserole that pairs well with savory mains.
Hearty Main Dishes:
- Crockpot Bourbon Barbecue Beef Sandwiches: Tender, flavorful beef perfect for piling onto buns.
- Crock Pot French Dip Sandwich: A classic, savory sandwich with rich au jus for dipping.
- Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: A fun, nostalgic mashup of two comfort food favorites.
- Crock Pot Bacon Ranch Chicken: Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this chicken dish is a crowd-pleaser.
- Crock Pot Buffalo Ranch Chicken: For those who love a bit of heat, this spicy chicken is incredibly versatile.
And, of course, no Arby’s-inspired meal is complete without the signature condiments! Don’t forget to serve your creations with homemade Arby’s Sauce and Horsey Sauce.
More Delicious Copycat Recipes to Try
If you loved making this Jamocha Shake, you’re in for a treat! Our collection of copycat recipes allows you to enjoy many more restaurant favorites right in your own kitchen. Here are a few popular ones to get you started:
- Copy Cat Starbucks Frappuccino: Recreate your favorite coffee shop beverage at home.
- Copy Cat McDonald’s Sweet Tea: A refreshing and perfectly sweet iced tea for any occasion.
- Copy Cat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits: Fluffy, garlicky, and cheesy biscuits that are addictive.
- Copy Cat Olive Garden Breadsticks: Warm, soft, and garlicky, just like the restaurant version.
- Copy Cat Chili’s Queso: A creamy, spicy, and irresistible dip perfect for parties or snack time.
Do you love finding new and exciting recipes? Be sure to explore our extensive categories including more copycat recipes, delightful dessert recipes, and an array of convenient Crock Pot Recipes for easy meals.
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Copy Cat Arbys Jamocha Shake
Print
Rate
5 minutes
5 minutes
2
762kcal
Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 1 cup cold coffee
- 1 cup Milk
- 3 Tablespoon White Sugar
- 3.5 cups Vanilla Ice Cream
- 3 Tablespoon chocolate syrup
Instructions
- Combine cold coffee, milk, and sugar in the blender and blend for 15 seconds until well mixed.
- Add the vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. Blend on high speed until the mixture is perfectly creamy and smooth.
- Pour the Jamocha Shake into serving glasses. This recipe makes two 16-ounce drinks.
Kitchen Tools
- Blender
Notes
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 243
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Recipe originally shared on July 23, 2013. Updated on March 25, 2020, and January 2023.
