Mocha Recipe

Updated: September 14, 2023, By Swasthi

Mocha Recipe with simple tips & tricks to make the best at home. It is a commonly expressed notion that coffee and chocolate go perfectly well together. In desserts, as well as beverages, it is a combination that seems to take the best of what coffee has to offer and heighten it with sweetened cocoa, allowing the chocolate to sort of temper the bitterness of the coffee without hiding it. That’s what makes this Mocha a favorite drink!

Mocha Recipe



It is no surprise that the cafe mocha is a very popular coffee drink that satisfies those who crave this classic combination in a way that provides a little bit of a pick-me-up that is a delicious coffee beverage.

A lot of coffee drinkers indulge in specialty coffee drinks at coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants. It is certainly a treat to enjoy as a barista brews, froths, and finishes your drink with a certain flair, but you can expect to pay a rather steep price for a cafe mocha.

With the right ingredients and some simple tools, you can recreate these drinks in the comfort of your own home, saving money and creating the mocha to your own specifications. Once you understand what goes into it, the cafe mocha will become a part of your beverage repertoire that you can offer your guests at your next gathering.

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What goes into a Café Mocha?

There are essentially four parts to a cafe mocha.

Coffee: First, there is the coffee component. Traditionally, in many cafes, this is an espresso-based drink that starts with a shot of classic, intense coffee. Unfortunately, many home cooks do not have access to freshly brewed espresso. That, however, should not stand between you and a cafe mocha.

With many instant coffee and espresso choices available in the market today, you can have the ingredients at your fingertips for whenever the craving hits you.

Chocolate: The second cafe mocha component is the chocolate. Many cafes will use a chocolate syrup which, when added to the coffee, mixes quite easily. The problem with these syrups is that they tend to be very sweet which does not suit everyone’s tastes.

Alternately, you can make a cafe mocha with bittersweet chocolate which adds a less-sweet and more intense flavor that is quite nice for those who prefer something more bitter.

Finally, you can achieve delicious results with good quality cocoa powder and sugar. This gives you the chocolate flavor you desire along with the ability to control the sweetness according to your tastes.

Milk: The third component of the cafe mocha is the milk. These days, there are a growing number of options here. From low-fat and full-fat dairy to soy, coconut, and nut milk, there is a milk for everybody.

While a lower fat milk will yield a beverage with less richness, a full-fat milk will contribute a creamier, more velvety consistency which really elevates this drink. For a vegan or dairy-free alternative, choose almond, soy, or coconut milk which all taste delicious in this coffee drink.

Toppings: And the last component is the topping. This is an opportunity to put a finishing touch on your cafe mocha and there are a couple of ways to do so. Whipped cream is a rather popular addition which takes your mocha towards a more dessert-like direction.

Alternately, frothed milk can top things off with a bit of foam, much like a cappuccino. This option is lighter and really lets the coffee and chocolate shine through.

How to make a Mocha

How to make it at home

Making a cafe mocha at home is really quite simple. You can make it with instant coffee or brewed coffee.

Using instant coffee: First of all, in a mug, combine the instant coffee with the cocoa powder and sugar. Next, heat the milk and stir a small amount into the mug to dissolve the coffee and cocoa. After you have worked out the lumps and it seems smooth, add the rest of the milk, stirring to incorporate.

Finally, you have the option to finish your mocha with a variety of toppings such as whipped cream, frothed milk, cocoa nibs, chocolate shavings, and cocoa powder.

Using ground coffee: Alternatively, a cafe mocha made with ground coffee is really delicious and easy. In this case, combine cocoa and sugar in a mug, pour your hot, brewed coffee over it. Stirring to combine and finish with your milk and toppings.

How to froth milk for Café Mocha

Because most home kitchens are not customarily equipped with high-end espresso machines with all of the bells and whistles, it is worth mentioning that there are ways you can achieve foamy frothed milk without an industry-quality machine. I have been successful in frothing milk following the first 3 methods mentioned below. The last option is the least preferred.

Mason jar: Perhaps the simplest way is with a standard mason jar. Start by filling the jar about half full with cold milk, securing the top in place, and simply shake vigorously. Within a minute or so you will begin to see foam forming on the surface of the milk. When you are satisfied, simply remove the top and microwave for about 30 seconds to warm the milk then proceed with your cafe mocha recipe. The results will surprise you!

Milk frother: Another option is a hand-held milk frother which looks like a small motorized whisk. With this handy tool you should start with warm milk (optimally around 150 degrees F). Once it is at the proper temperature you can use the frother to create foam right in the mug. This is a great option as it does not take up much space and delivers a really nice foam.

Blender: If you happen to have a blender in your kitchen, you can use it to froth warm milk. Within seconds you can whip up a really good froth that will top off your cafe mocha quite nicely. The added bonus here is that you already have a kitchen tool that can multitask which is an asset. No need for excess spending when you already have something that works really well.

Hand mixer & immersion blender: A hand held mixer with whisk attachment will also create foam, as will and immersion blender. It is worth mentioning that these two methods can be a bit messy. Nevertheless, they work quite well with preheated milk.

Photo Guide

How to make a Mocha (Stepwise Photos)

1. Ingredients to use: any instant coffee, sugar and cocoa powder, for substitutes refer the recipe below.

mocha recipe step 1

2. Add coffee, cocoa and sugar to a cup.

mocha recipe step 2

3. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons hot water. Stir in to blend the ingredients well.

mocha step 3

4. Heat 1 cup milk & pour it to the mocha mixture and stir. Garnish with grated chocolate. If you want to froth milk and make cafe mocha, heat milk until it begins to barely simmer, about 65 C or 130 F. Pour this to a heat resistant mason jar and secure the lid tightly. Ensure the milk is not very hot. Begin to shake the bottle so the milk froths. It takes about 40 to 60 seconds for the milk to become frothy. Then gently pour it to the mocha mixture from the side, so the froth settles on top.

mocha recipe

5. For topping (optional):whip the cream as you would whip any whipping cream and top it. If using coconut cream, Refrigerate coconut cream overnight. Transfer it to a bowl and just fluff up with a fork.If using coconut milk to make the coconut cream, refrigerate overnight and drain off the liquid. we need only the thick ingredient. Whip it till fluffy.Top your mocha with whipped cream.

mocha, how to make a mocha

How to make an Iced Café Mocha

It bears noting that a cafe mocha makes a delicious cold beverage, as well. In order to make an iced cafe mocha you would start in much the same way by dissolving your cocoa and sugar with hot coffee or espresso until it is smooth and free of lumps.

Next, add ice to fill the cup or mug, then fill with desired milk, stirring to incorporate.

At that point, how you finish your cafe mocha is up to you. Frothed milk or whipped cream, shaved chocolate or a dash of cocoa powder are all delightful. Whatever suits your tastes is the way to go.

Related Recipes

Recipe Card

mocha

Mocha Recipe, How to make a Mocha

5 from 30 votes
Home style mocha made with instant coffee, cocoa, sugar and milk. A perfect drink to enjoy all-round the year!
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time1 minute
Cook Time3 minutes
Total Time4 minutes
Servings1
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • 1 cup milk (full fat)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder or chocolate syrup as needed (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon instant coffee or ¼ cup brewed coffee or filter coffee (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (adjust to taste)


Instructions

How to make a Mocha

  • Add instant coffee, sugar and cocoa powder to a cup and pour 3 tablespoons hot water.
  • Stir until all the ingredients blend well. Mocha mixture is ready. Set this aside.
  • Pour 1 cup milk to a sauce pan and begin to heat it until it barely simmers, about 65 C or 130 F. You can also do this in a microwave cup for 1 minute or so.
  • Pour this to a heat resistant mason jar and seal it tightly. Ensure the milk is not too hot otherwise the jar can explode. Shake the milk to froth up for 40 to 60 seconds. Alternately you may use a milk frother to froth the milk until frothy.
  • Gently pour the milk from a side to the mocha mixture so all of the froth settles on top. Serve mocha immediately.
  • Optionally you may top mocha with whipping cream or finely grated chocolate.


Notes

Instant coffee can be replaced with brewed coffee or filter coffee. Use them as needed to suit your taste.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Mocha Recipe, How to make a Mocha
Amount Per Serving
Calories 224 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 24mg8%
Sodium 108mg5%
Potassium 575mg16%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 24g27%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 395IU8%
Calcium 289mg29%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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About Swasthi

I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me

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Where might one find this mug? ?

Love this. Muah

5 stars
Lovely Mocha recipe. I have made it already thrice and been loving it.

Please add dalgona coffee recipe and irish coffee recipe.

5 stars
It very useful for me ,thank you swati ,keep it new recipes,

Wow..homemade mocha awesome…