How to Make a Cafe Mocha (Recipe)

The Cafe Mocha is an American invention akin to creamy and sweet cappuccinos with chocolate sauce, or powdered cocoa. Chocolate blends best when you make a Cafe Mocha with an Italian espresso.

The Italian espresso will balance the chocolate while maintaining a bold coffee flavor.

Steam and froth the milk just as you would for a Cappuccino or Latte. Lattes have a flat foam layer because the milk consistency runs as a liquid whereas cappuccinos have a thick foam layer. How you froth your milk depends on your total fluid volume and preference.

For minimum sweetness choose a high-quality cocoa powder, for maximum sweetness pick a hot chocolate syrup. Other alternatives include white chocolate powder or syrup. Once you have separated the milk and foam, add your chocolate to the milk and beat with a whisk. Conversely, you can heat the milk on a stove top with the hot chocolate before steaming it all together.

Pull your espresso shot the same way you would for any coffee. A well-pulled espresso with Crema will add depth and luxury to your chocolate. Grind fresh espresso and tamp it, let it breathe and tamp again. Clean the portafilter and filter basket to create a proper seal around the group head and give a smooth pour to your espresso.

Pouring your milk and chocolate mixture over the Italian espresso shot, add the foam on top. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings, cinnamon or top with whipped cream.

Milk Alternatives - Soy, Almond, Coconut

If you are looking for nondairy options to make a Caffe Mocha, the most comparable regarding texture and density will be almond milk or soy milk. Coconut milk is another great option if you're looking to add some exotic, rich flavor to the drink but will change the flavor noticeably, which you may or may not like depending on your personal preferences.

You will get the same consistency and accents from the chocolate with almond milk as you would if you used regular milk. The Cafe mocha brings together childhood memories of hot chocolate and the satisfying taste of coffee into one dynamic drink.

Peppermint Mocha Recipe

Turning this into your favorite cafe-style Peppermint Mocha is as simple as adding an ounce (30 ml) of peppermint syrup to your milk before steaming and frothing. This blends the flavors into the milk and adds a delicious dynamic to the resulting drink that will have you thinking warm thoughts all year.