How to Make a Mocha

This classic mocha coffee is delicious, comforting and comes together in no time.

I’ve been making this chocolate mocha for years. It’s a great base recipe, and you can tweak the drink with different ingredients and toppings, based on what you have on hand. You can easily turn this recipe into a festive peppermint mocha or add some caramel for a delicious salted caramel mocha.

This is one of my favorite coffee drinks, period. Here’s how I make chocolate mocha:

ESPRESSO + COCOA + MILK

Ingredients:
double espresso shot (2 oz) / 1 espresso pod
1 tsp quality cocoa powder or 2 tbsp chocolate sauce/chips
1 tsp sugar, optional
6 oz steamed milk
whipped cream for garnish

Directions:
Combine cocoa with 2 tablespoons hot water and stir to get a smooth paste. Brew espresso into the cup. Add enough sugar to achieve the level of sweetness you like. I don’t need sugar but most people like their mocha sweet so you can add 1 tsp sugar. Pour milk into a steaming pitcher and heat the milk using a steam wand. Add steamed milk to your espresso. Garnish with whipped cream. 

Normally, cafe mocha is an espresso-based drink but, you CAN use regular coffee if you don’t have an espresso machine. I’ve tested a few options out but this one for sure is my fave:

REGULAR COFFEE + COCOA + MILK

Ingredients:
1/2 cup strong black coffee
1/2 cup hot milk
1 tsp cocoa or 2 tbsp chocolate sauce/chips
1 tsp sugar
whipped cream for garnish

Directions:
Combine cocoa with 2 tablespoons hot water and stir to get a smooth paste. Brew coffee and heat the milk. Combine cocoa, coffee, hot milk and sugar and stir well. Garnish with whipped cream. 

The fun part is that you can truly customize the recipe depending on what ingredients you currently have. You can use cocoa powder, chocolate sauce, chocolate chips or Nutella. It’s totally up to you!

If you’re interested in vegan, paleo or dairy-free meals, you will love this paleo almond mocha recipe made with almond milk and raw cocoa powder.

Make it for friends or just make it for yourself. You deserve it!

I’ve shared a bunch of easy coffee recipes on the site in the past. You can go straight to the recipe index page to browse all the recipes.