This is for the fans of both coffee and chocolate. A mocha is your coffee drink.
Let’s cover what a mocha is, a little history and how you can make an easy version at home.
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What is a Mocha?
A mocha, also known as a caffe mocha, is an espresso based coffee drink made with espresso, steamed milk and chocolate. It is often served with whipped cream on top and the chocolate flavor usually comes from either cocoa powder or chocolate sauce or syrup. Mocha is also referred to as the flavor of coffee and chocolate.
What makes a mocha different from other coffee drinks is the chocolate. Chocolate and coffee were made for each other as enjoyed in many recipes like our coffee smoothie bowls, coffee chocolate chip cookies, homemade java chip Frappuccino and also in its drink form, in either a hot or iced mocha.
There are variations of a mocha. A white mocha replaces milk or dark chocolate with white chocolate. A black and white mocha is a mix of a regular mocha and white mocha with equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate sauce.
The History of a Mocha
Though the origin of coffee has been attributed to Ethiopia, it’s Yemen that takes credit for spreading coffee around the world, through a port city on the Red Sea called Mocha. (There has been evidence of coffee in Yemen since the 15th century. For an overview of coffee history, check out the book The Philosophy of Coffee.)
The mocha coffee drink is not to be confused with mocha coffee beans, which are coffee beans that originated in Yemen and named after the port city. But the mocha coffee drink could have been named after the bean since the beans have been known to have a chocolate flavor.
How to Make Mocha Coffee
Here’s an easy way to make a mocha at home. For an iced version, just add coffee ice cubes before adding whipped cream.
What You Need to Make Mocha Coffee
- 4 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong coffee)
- 1 cup milk (or milk alternative)
- 2 tablespoons chocolate sauce (or more if you want a stronger chocolate taste)
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Cocoa powder (optional)
- Milk steamer (optional)
Step 1
Brew the coffee. I used a moka pot.
Step 2
Steam the milk. I used the steaming option in a Miroco milk frother.
You can also steam milk using a microwave by shaking the milk in a mason jar, uncovering the lid and then sticking it into the microwave to heat.
Step 3
Pour steamed milk into coffee. Mix in chocolate sauce. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle cocoa powder on top.
Make your own whipped cream by using ½ cup of heavy cream and adding in ¼ teaspoon of vanilla syrup. Use an electric mixer on medium speed for about 5 minutes until stiff peaks form.
For a fast iced version, mix coffee, milk and chocolate syrup and add in coffee ice cubes.
Mocha Recipe
Mocha Coffee
This is for the fans of both coffee and chocolate. A mocha is your coffee drink.
Materials
- 4 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong coffee)
- 1 cup milk (or milk alternative)
- 2 tablespoons chocolate sauce (or more if you want a stronger chocolate taste)
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Cocoa powder (optional)
- Milk steamer (optional)
Instructions
1. Brew the coffee. I used a moka pot.
2. Steam the milk. I used the steaming option in a Miroco milk frother.
You can also steam milk using a microwave by shaking the milk in a mason jar, uncovering the lid and then sticking it into the microwave to heat.
3. Pour steamed milk into coffee. Mix in chocolate sauce. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle cocoa powder on top.
Notes
- Make your own whipped cream by using ½ cup of heavy cream and adding in ¼ teaspoon of vanilla syrup. Use an electric mixer on medium speed for about 5 minutes until stiff peaks form.
- For a fast iced version, mix coffee, milk and chocolate syrup and add in coffee ice cubes.
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What is the difference between a latte and a mocha?
A latte and a mocha are both made with similar ratios of espresso to steamed milk and a layer of milk foam. However, the main difference is the chocolate in a mocha. You could say mocha is a chocolate version of a latte. Also, a mocha will typically be topped with whipped cream, while a latte would have a layer of milk foam on top for latte art.
