What is a mocha coffee?

If you enjoy this sweet beverage as much as we do, you're in luck! Whether you've tried it or not, mocha coffee is well known in the coffee community, and we have everything you need to know about what this drink is and how to make it, right here!

What is a Mocha Coffee?

So, what exactly is this drink? In short: mocha is short for "mocha latte" or "caffe mocha," which is simply a regular latte with added chocolate syrup. One of the great reasons why many coffee enthusiasts love lattes is that they are customizable, and the mocha is a perfect example of that.

Making Mocha Coffee and Its History

Mocha has appeared and gained popularity worldwide. It has roots as an American beverage, emerging as a variant of the classic "latte." While the latte, known as café au lait in American culture, began to rise in Seattle in the 1980s, mocha was not far behind. The term "mocha" became popular as the shortened version of "caffè mocha," just as "latte" became the abbreviated title for "caffè latte."

The main feature that distinguishes Bicerin from mocha is that espresso, milk, and chocolate are carefully layered.

How to Make Mocha Coffee Properly?

If you've made a latte before, or know how to make a latte in general, the steps are extremely similar. If you have an espresso machine at home, it should be super simple and easy to prepare. Before you start making it, it's important to gather the ingredients; we've made a list for you below. Obviously, if you have access to an espresso machine, you’ll have access to a milk frothing pitcher, espresso cups, and all the necessary equipment.

Steps to Make Mocha Coffee

1. Gather/Measure Ingredients

Before you can start making a Mocha, you'll need to gather its supplies and ingredients. Now it's time to grind your 16.5 grams of coffee into the portafilter of your machine, and you can pour your chocolate syrup directly into your latte cup.

2. Extract Your Espresso

Pull two shots of espresso into the latte cup and into the chocolate syrup. The heat from the espresso will melt the chocolate, creating a delicious mix. Once you’ve finished pulling the espresso, you should mix the two well to blend the flavors properly.

3. Steam the Milk

While your espresso is preparing in your cup, you can start to steam a quarter liter of milk. When steaming the milk, you should hear sounds like tearing paper, which means that air is mixing with the milk to create a decent amount of foam for your latte. You’ll know when the steaming is done when the milk pitcher is too hot to touch, around 74ºC.

4. Pour

After you’ve steamed the milk, you can pour it into your cup over the chocolate/espresso mix. There should be a fine layer of foam on the surface, giving you a smooth and slightly velvety texture with each sip.

5. Decorate Your Drink!

The great thing about mochas is that you can decorate them in various ways. So, if you choose to, you can add whipped cream, milk, dark or white chocolate syrup, sprinkles, nutmeg, cinnamon, and even chocolate chips.

Drink Modifications

Since lattes are customizable, mocha coffee is also highly customizable. Depending on the ingredients you have or the café where you order it, mocha can be made in various ways, and here are some of the most common variations you'll find with the magical mocha latte.

White or Dark?

If you order your mocha at a café, you may be asked if you prefer a white mocha or a dark mocha. While this might cause a slight hesitation, don’t worry! Generally, a standard mocha is made with milk chocolate syrup, and a white/dark mocha refers to other types of chocolate syrups: white chocolate syrup and dark chocolate syrup.

When it comes to the main differences between these syrups, the only thing is your personal preference! If you want something sweeter, a white mocha might be best for you. Similarly, if your palate leans more towards slightly bitter chocolate, dark chocolate mocha is also a good option. And that’s not all, all three of these syrups can be mixed to create a marble mocha!

Cocoa Powder

A simple way to add chocolate to a mocha, cocoa powder is a suitable method to control exactly how much chocolate you add to your coffee. Whether you have a can of cocoa powder or leftover hot chocolate mix packets at home, there are many ways you can use it!

Chocolate Milk

A slightly radical method to use when making a mocha, chocolate milk is another option that some mocha lovers have used to eliminate the intermediary syrup/powder. If you’ve reached a point of desperation and need something chocolate-flavored to get the job done, chocolate milk is always a quick and easy option to use. So, instead of using syrup, you would use espresso and chocolate milk.

Ice and Mocha!

You can drink it iced! If you want to take your mocha outside with you on a warm spring day, all you need to do is pull your daily espresso shots, mix it with chocolate syrup, pour cold milk, and add some ice.

That’s It!

There you have it! Now you can make a mocha in the comfort of your home. This drink is a great choice for those who need something with a hint of espresso as well as a good amount of milk. So, if you really like sweets and mainly enjoy your cup of coffee because you like sipping it, then you should consider trying a mocha the next time you need a coffee fix.