The cafe mocha is on the market for anyone with a sweet tooth who loves coffee! The drink is based on espresso and hot milk, but has the added flavor of chocolate.
Intrigued? You should be! Here, I'll reveal a delicious mocha recipe so you can make your own at home.
What is Mocha and How can We Tell It's the Real Deal?
A cafe mocha can be modified to suit your style, but there are some attributes it needs to have. It will contain a shot of espresso and some hot milk. The chocolate flavor can either come from cocoa powder or from chocolate syrup.
Often, a barista will serve up a milky hot chocolate with a shot of espresso on the top. They can contain the froth found on a latte, or can be jazzed up some more with whipped cream. Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? Foam or whipped cream? That's all up to you.
A Brief History of the Mocha
A mocha may sometimes be called a mocaccino. (Say this in your best Italian accent for maximum impact!)
Originally, the word "mocha" didn't have anything to do with chocolate or even with a combination of chocolate and coffee. It originated in 1773 and referred to a variety of coffee. Mocha coffee beans became popular in Europe in the late 1700's.
The beans had a distinctive chocolate taste, which could be why their name is now used to describe the chocolate and coffee combination. As far as combinations go, can you think of any better ones?
The Delicious Mocha Recipe at Home
Coffee shops are the fastest-growing segment of the American restaurant industry. Wouldn't it be great if you could save your dollars and learn how to make a mocha in your own home? Here is a simple mocha recipe so you can make that heavenly cup.
You will need:
- 2 tbs cocoa powder
- 1 oz of espresso (or 2tbs of ground coffee and water)
- 6-10 oz of milk
- Dollop of whipped cream
- Milk steamer or saucepan
- Cup or glass mug
The Method |
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Prepare the hot chocolate. I prefer to use cocoa powder rather than syrup because you get that rich, blended hot chocolate flavor. Add cocoa powder to milk and steam it or heat on the stove. Try and heat until it's thick. |
Brew the coffee. If you have an espresso machine, perfect! You'll just need one shot of espresso. Otherwise, mix 2 tbs of ground coffee for every 6 oz of water. |
Layer the drink. The order is up to you! Try pouring the hot chocolate into your cup and topping it up with the espresso. If you use a glass cup, you'll get a nice layered effect. |
Garnish and enjoy. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle some extra cocoa powder on top to really treat yourself. |
What is an Iced Mocha?
There are, of course, variations on this drink, starting with the iced mocha. An iced mocha recipe is simple to follow and is great for a sweet treat in the summer.
You can make an iced mocha using some bittersweet mocha syrup. It is simple to make and requires you to layer some ingredients. Here's how the drink should look from top to bottom:
- Top with whipped cream and sprinkles
- Cold milk filled with ice
- A rich shot of espresso
- Mocha sauce/syrup
How to Make a Mocha Frappe at Home
If you prefer a mocha recipe with a twist, opt for this frozen mocha frappe you can make in your kitchen. The great thing about this recipe is that you can make a large batch and then leave it in the freezer.
You will need:
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee
- 2 tbs sugar
- 1 and a half cups milk
- 2 tbs chocolate syrup
- Dollop of whipped cream
- Chocolate powder
- Ice cube tray
- Measuring cup
- Blender
- Cups
The Method |
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The Mocha Bean
The famous mocha all began with the humble mocha bean. The mocha coffee bean got its name from the Port of Mocha in Yemen. The beans were shipped from this place.
The beans are harvested from arabica plants and are small, with an irregular shape. They are pale yellow to olive green in color and have a slight chocolate hint.
Back in the 17th century, sailors often arrived to the Port of Mocha from the Indonesian island of Java. As a result, a blend of mocha beans and java coffee beans was developed and is known as the "Mocha Java". The Mocha Java is one of the oldest coffee blends in the world.
The beans have a deep, rounded flavor and are full of body. Many people often confuse the two, but the mocha java blends actually have no relation to the cafe mocha drink.
Nutritional Facts
If you're trying to cut down on calories, you can make some adjustments to the drink. I recommend substituting in low-fat milk and avoiding the whipped cream. You can also edit the caffeine content by opting for a double or single shot of espresso.
Calories | 394 |
Fat | 9.14g |
Carbohydrates | 66.97g |
Protein | 10.94g |
Cholesterol | 29mg |
Sodium | 199mg |
Potassium | 739mg |
The Bottom Line
The mocha could be a good drink for those that don't like a strong coffee flavor. The chocolate taste adds luxury and it can be a good entry point to the coffee world.
You may want to try the healthier option, or you may want to go all out and feast! Either way, are you one of the 30 million US daily coffee drinkers that prefers a specialty coffee? If so, it's time to try a mocha!
