Dirty Cola Frappé — Cold Brew & Mexican Spiced Cocoa

Dirty Cola Frappé

The Dirty Cola Frappé is a cold brew coffee frappé built on frozen cola cubes, Mexican spiced cocoa, and sweetened condensed milk — inspired by the pure nostalgia of a cola float, upgraded with a caffeine kick that makes it an adult activity. Blended, frosty, and completely unreasonable in the best way.

Adulting: Unlocked

• Three minutes in a blender. One very good decision. That's the whole math here.
• The condensed milk drizzle down the inside of the glass looks like you tried really hard. You didn't have to.
• It's a coffee drink and a dessert and a childhood memory all in one glass — which is exactly the kind of multitasking we fully endorse.

The Java Momma Twist: We use Stand Tall Cold Brew here because it's smooth, unflavored, and bold enough to hold its own against the cola and cocoa without competing with either of them. Cold brew also blends into frozen drinks without the bitterness you'd get from hot-brewed coffee that's been chilled — which matters when everything else in the glass is doing something interesting.

What You'll Need

For the Frozen Frappé Base:

• 1 cup Java Momma Stand Tall Cold Brew
• ½–¾ can cola, frozen into cubes (we used Cherry Coke Zero — regular cola works too)
• 1–2 Tbsp Mexican spiced cocoa powder

To Build the Drink:

• 2 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk
• Whipped cream for topping (optional but obviously yes)
• 1 maraschino or fresh cherry for garnish (optional)

How To Make It

1. Freeze the cola first. Pour ½–¾ can of cola into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid — at least 4 hours, overnight is easier. This is the one step that requires actual planning ahead, so plan accordingly.
2. Blend the frappé base. Add the cola cubes, Stand Tall Cold Brew, and Mexican spiced cocoa powder to a blender. Pulse until smooth and slushy — you want thick and frosty, not watery. Don't over-blend.
3. Prep the glass. Drizzle half the sweetened condensed milk around the inside of your glass before pouring — tilt and rotate so it runs down the sides in long streaks. It looks like you know what you're doing. It takes ten seconds.
4. Pour and finish. Pour the blended frappé into the prepared glass. Drizzle the remaining condensed milk over the top and give it one gentle stir to swirl it through.
5. Top and serve immediately. Add whipped cream and a cherry if you're feeling it. Drink before it melts, which won't be a problem.

Swaps & Permission Slips

• No Mexican spiced cocoa powder? Make your own in 30 seconds: 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder + ¼ tsp cinnamon + a pinch of cayenne. That's the core of it. Add a pinch of salt if you want it to taste a little more intentional.
• Cherry Coke Zero not your cola? Regular Coke, Pepsi, or Dr Pepper all work as the frozen base. The cherry version adds a fruit note that plays nicely with the cocoa, but use whatever cola you'd actually drink on its own — that's the flavor you'll taste.
• No sweetened condensed milk? A drizzle of chocolate syrup or caramel sauce covers the presentation move and adds sweetness. The flavor won't be quite as rich and creamy, but it still works and still looks great going down the glass.
• Want it less sweet? Pull the condensed milk back to 1 Tbsp and let the cocoa and cold brew carry the flavor. The dirty cola frappé with cold brew coffee comes through more clearly without as much sweetness competing with it.
• No Stand Tall Cold Brew? Any smooth unflavored cold brew at drinking strength works here. Avoid chilled hot-brewed coffee — it tends to turn bitter when blended frozen, and bitter is not the vibe we're going for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a frappé "dirty"?

In coffee terms, "dirty" means cold brew or espresso has been added to something that wouldn't normally contain it — a dirty chai has espresso in it, a dirty matcha has a shot pulled through it. A Dirty Cola Frappé means cold brew coffee has crashed the cola float party, which is exactly as good as it sounds. The coffee doesn't overpower the cola; it deepens it and adds a backbone that makes the whole drink feel more intentional than your average gas station slushie.

Why do you freeze the cola instead of just using regular ice?

Regular ice dilutes the drink as it melts and flattens the cola flavor fast. Freezing the cola itself means every cube that softens in the blender is adding more cola flavor, not watering it down. It's the same logic as coffee ice cubes in an iced latte — the flavor stays concentrated all the way to the last sip instead of turning into sad brown water.

What is Mexican spiced cocoa powder?

It's unsweetened cocoa powder blended with cinnamon and chile pepper — the same flavor profile as traditional Mexican hot chocolate, just in dry powder form. You'll find it in the baking or international aisle at most grocery stores. No luck? The quick DIY version is 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, ¼ tsp cinnamon, and a pinch of cayenne — thirty seconds to mix, same flavor payoff.

Can I make the Dirty Cola Frappé ahead of time?

The cola cubes are the one thing worth doing ahead — freeze them overnight and the actual drink comes together in about three minutes. The blended frappé itself is best served immediately and starts to separate after 10–15 minutes. If you want to prep further in advance, blend everything and freeze the mixture in a shallow container, then give it a quick re-blend before serving to bring the texture back.

What does the Dirty Cola Frappé actually taste like?

Cola float meets Mexican hot chocolate, blended frosty. The cola brings that familiar sweet, slightly fizzy flavor (blending kills the carbonation but the taste stays). The Mexican spiced cocoa layers in chocolate, a whisper of cinnamon, and just enough cayenne warmth that you notice it without being alarmed by it. The cold brew anchors everything with a smooth coffee backbone, and the condensed milk ties it all together into something that tastes like a dessert someone actually planned. Nostalgic, a little unexpected, and very hard to share.