Mocha Latte Recipe -Make Starbucks-Style Coffee at Home

Are you tired of waiting in long coffee shop lines and spending extra cash on your favorite mocha? Well, you're in luck! With this homemade mocha latte recipe, you can bring that rich, café-quality flavor right to your kitchen—no barista required. All you need are a few simple ingredients and basic equipment to make a mocha that’s just as delicious as the one from your local coffee shop. Plus, you get to enjoy it on your own terms! Whether you're in the mood for a cozy, hot mocha to warm you up or a refreshing iced mocha to cool off, this recipe has got you covered. Trust me, you’ll be sipping your new favorite drink in no time, and it’s so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner!

What is a Mocha Latte?

A mocha latte (also known as a café mocha) is the perfect marriage of coffee and chocolate. This beloved drink combines rich espresso with steamed milk and chocolate syrup, topped with a light layer of foam. Think of it as a hot chocolate that got upgraded with a shot of espresso – making it the ideal choice for both coffee lovers and chocolate enthusiasts.

Why Make Your Mocha Latte at Home?

Making your own mocha latte at home isn't just about saving money (though you'll definitely save quite a bit). It's about customizing your drink exactly how you like it. Want extra chocolate? Go for it. Prefer oat milk instead of dairy? No problem. Plus, you'll skip the morning coffee shop rush and have a barista-worthy drink ready in minutes.

Jump to:

Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions for Hot Mocha Latte
Instructions for Iced Mocha Latte
Variations
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Top Tip
FAQ
Homemade Mocha Latte: Your Easy Ticket to Café-Quality Drinks
Related
Pairing
Mocha Latte Recipe

Ingredients

For the Basic Hot Mocha Latte:

2 shots espresso (2 oz) or 4 oz strong brewed coffee
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 cup whole milk (or milk alternative)
Whipped cream (optional)
Cocoa powder for dusting (optional)

Mocha Latte Recipe Ingredients on a marbel contertop.

For the Iced Version:

2 shots espresso (2 oz) or 4 oz strong brewed coffee, cooled
2-3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 cup cold milk Ice cubes
Whipped cream (optional)

Equipment

Espresso machine OR:
- Moka pot
- French press
- Strong brewed coffee
Milk frother (manual or electric)
Measuring spoons
Tall glass or mug
Saucepan (if heating milk on stovetop)

Instructions for Hot Mocha Latte

Prepare Your Espresso
- Pull two shots of espresso using your preferred method
- If using regular coffee, brew it extra strong (about 4 oz)
Mix in Chocolate
- While espresso is hot, add chocolate syrup
- Stir well until completely dissolved
Steam and Froth Milk
- Heat milk to about 150°F (65°C)
- Create foam using your milk frother
- For stovetop method: heat milk in a saucepan and whisk vigorously
Combine and Serve
- Pour chocolate-espresso mixture into your mug
- Add steamed milk while holding back the foam
- Top with foam
- Garnish with whipped cream and cocoa powder if desired

Freshly pulled espresso shots steaming in a cup, with a coffee machine nearby.

Step 1 :Prepare Your Espresso
Pull espresso shots or brew strong coffee, about 4 oz.

Espresso in a mug being stirred with chocolate syrup until smooth and glossy.

Step 2 : Mix in Chocolate
Stir chocolate syrup into hot espresso until dissolved.

Milk being heated in a saucepan on a stovetop, whisked vigorously to create foam.

Step 3 :Steam and Froth Milk (stovetop method)
Heat milk to 150°F and froth until creamy foam forms.

Chocolate-espresso mixture in a mug topped with steamed milk, foam, whipped cream, and cocoa powder.

Step 4 : Combine and Serve
Pour espresso mixture into a mug, add steamed milk, and top with foam.

Instructions for Iced Mocha Latte

Prepare Coffee Base
- Brew espresso or strong coffee
- Let it cool completely
- Mix with chocolate syrup
Assemble the Drink
- Fill a tall glass with ice
- Pour in the coffee-chocolate mixture
- Add cold milk Stir well to combine
- Top with whipped cream if desired

Coffee mixed with chocolate syrup in a glass, cooling on a countertop.

Step 1 : Prepare Coffee Base
Brew strong coffee or espresso, cool it, and mix with chocolate syrup.

Iced coffee with milk poured in a tall glass, topped with whipped cream.

Step 2 : Assemble the Drink
Fill a glass with ice, add coffee mixture, pour in cold milk, and stir.

Variations

White Mocha Latte

Replace chocolate syrup with white chocolate sauce for a sweeter, creamier version.

Mint Mocha

Add ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract for a refreshing twist.

Skinny Mocha

Use sugar-free chocolate syrup and non-fat milk to reduce calories.

Mocha Frappe

Blend all ingredients with ice for a frozen treat.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Coffee Base: Can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours
Chocolate Syrup: Store-bought stays fresh for months
Homemade Chocolate Syrup: Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks

Top Tip

Temperature Matters: For hot mochas, serve immediately while the foam is fresh
Chocolate Choice: Use high-quality chocolate syrup for the best flavor
Milk Selection: Whole milk creates the richest foam, but any milk alternative works
Coffee Strength: Adjust coffee strength to your taste
Ice Cubes: For iced mochas, use coffee ice cubes to prevent dilution

FAQ

What does a mocha latte taste like?

A mocha latte tastes like a perfect blend of coffee and hot chocolate – rich, creamy, and chocolatey with a distinct coffee flavor. It's sweeter than a regular latte but not as sweet as hot chocolate.

Why is it called a mocha?

The name "mocha" comes from the port city of Mocha in Yemen, which was a major marketplace for coffee beans with a naturally chocolatey flavor. Today, it refers to the combination of chocolate and coffee in drinks.

How many pumps in a mocha latte?

A standard mocha latte typically uses 4 pumps of chocolate syrup for a 16oz (grande) drink. Adjust to taste: use 3 pumps for 12oz, 5 pumps for 20oz.

Is mocha stronger than latte?

No, a mocha isn't stronger than a latte in terms of caffeine content. Both drinks use the same amount of espresso – the main difference is that a mocha includes chocolate syrup.

Homemade Mocha Latte: Your Easy Ticket to Café-Quality Drinks

Making a café-quality mocha latte at home is actually way easier than you might think—trust me, you'll be amazed at how simple it is once you get the hang of it! With this recipe, you’ll become a pro at blending the rich, bold flavor of coffee with the sweetness of chocolate, creating a mocha that could easily rival any coffee shop version. Whether you’re trying to save some cash or just want to level up your coffee-making skills, this recipe is your golden ticket to barista-worthy drinks right in your kitchen.

Feel free to play around with the coffee, chocolate, and milk ratios—it’s all about discovering that perfect mix that makes every sip pure bliss. And don’t forget to share your homemade mocha with friends and family—they might just ditch their coffee shop runs for good!

Craving more delicious drinks? Try our Hot Caramel Macchiato, Creamy Whipped Dalgona Coffee Recipe, or a cozy Homemade London Fog Latte. And if you’re in the mood for something with a little spice.

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Mocha Latte Recipe :