Something magical happens when espresso and chocolate come together…it’s like they each bring out the best in each other and it’s a combination that shouldn’t be missed, whether it’s in your favorite coffee drink, brownies, or in a chocolate cocktail.

Mocha latte on coaster with mini chocolate chips.

In my younger years, I would head to Caribou Coffee with friends and devour white chocolate mochas on the ‘reg (ironic, because I’m not actually a huge white chocolate fan).

Now, the sweetness can definitely be too much for me, but every now and again I’ll indulge in a homemade mocha, where I can make it richer and less sweet – with the best kind of chocolate I can find. It’s luxurious and an extra special way to spend a morning at home.

Using my easy at-home latte method requires no fancy equipment or machines, and it’s ready in less than 5 minutes using simple ingredients.

And while you make it, you can go ahead and sing Lady Marmalade because I know you’ve already got it goin’ in your head by now…mocha choca lata yaya…

Looking for an iced version? Check out: How to Make an Iced Mocha.

What is a Mocha Latte?

A latte is a coffee beverage made with 1/3 espresso and 2/3 steamed milk, with a layer of fine foam.

A mocha latte is a latte made with chocolate syrup. It is a little sweeter than a regular latte with a lovely chocolate flavor. Mochas are often topped with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle making them extra indulgent and delicious.

More times than not, you’ll see mocha latte shortened to just mocha, as they are the same thing.

Overhead mocha with chocolate chips and chocolate sauce next to it.

How to Make a Mocha

Making a simple mocha is really not much different than making a regular homemade latte, we’re just adding chocolate!

The three components we’ll need are espresso, frothed milk, and chocolate (more on this in a minute). Of course, whipped cream if you really want to take it to the next level, which I highly recommend.

  1. Add the espresso to a mug.
  2. Heat milk and chocolate; shake to froth.
  3. Pour the milk over the espresso.
  4. Top with foam, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, and chocolate chips, if desired.

Let’s dive into the details, beginning with the espresso.

Options for Espresso at Home

Espresso is traditionally made using an espresso machine, which sends pressurized water through very finely ground coffee that is packed together, resulting in rich espresso coffee with crema.

But can you make espresso at home without a machine? There are a few ways you can still achieve espresso – or espresso-like coffee – at home for your homemade lattes!

  • Strongly Brewed Coffee: it’s easy and super accessible. You will need less water in your coffee-to-water ratio when brewing coffee. The general recommendation is a 15:1 ratio of water to coffee for a strong brew. Ultimately, it depends on your preferences.
  • Instant Espresso
  • Stovetop Espresso: make espresso on the stovetop using a Moka pot, which is a classic Italian method for brewing strong coffee.
  • Nespresso, if you have one.

Find more options for espresso options at home in my homemade latte post!

Chocolate Options

A homemade mocha is all about the chocolate. You can’t have a mocha without it!

I have three super easy options for including chocolate in your mocha, depending on what you have available and prefer (plus one extra easy hack).

  • Chocolate Syrup: similar to a caramel latte, I go ahead and use the chocolate syrup I have on hand for ice cream when I need to. It blends into the milk wonderfully for the perfect mocha!
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: back when I worked at the midwest coffee shop Caribou, they switched to using mini chips in their mochas (white mochas too) and I loved the switch. It was rich, indulgent, and extra chocolatey. Now that I make my own mochas at home, I love doing the same. They melt in the warm milk and infuse a lovely sweet chocolate flavor.
  • Chopped Chocolate Bar: if you like less sweet lattes, replace the mini chocolate chips with an unsweetened or bittersweet chopped bar of baking chocolate.
  • Chocolate Milk: ok, so this is the extra easy hack. If you have chocolate milk at home, then go ahead and just heat it up to make your mocha. And if you’re really into chocolate, why not add more? I won’t stop you!

Use high-quality ingredients, regardless of your method, for the best results!

Make Frothed Milk

First things first, I recommend using whole milk for the best froth! For the best dairy-free option, use oat milk.

My favorite way to froth milk at home is to heat milk in a mason jar. Heat the jar of milk in the microwave without the lid until hot.

Once it’s ready, add the chocolate to the jar, top it with the lid, and shake it vigorously (while dancing…because happiness makes better lattes) until it’s doubled in size and foamy. The chips will melt as they are shaken with the hot milk.

Jar with milk and chocolate chips.

Please keep these tips in mind when you use the mason jar method for making frothed milk:

  • Do not microwave the lid. It’s metal and cannot go in the microwave.
  • Carefully remove the jar from the microwave, and use a towel or potholders to prevent burning your hands, as needed.
  • Carefully remove the lid from the jar, removing it slowly in case any pressure has accumulated. I like to use a towel to remove it, just in case there is any splatter or excess heat.

If you don’t have a lid for your jar, heat the milk in a small saucepan, then use a whisk to froth the milk, vigorously whisking until foamy.

If you want to have extra chocolate, drizzle more in the mug before you pour your latte!

Once the milk is frothed, pour it on top of the espresso in your mug, spooning out any foam that remains in the jar.

Chocolate milk pouring into espresso.

How to Top a Mocha

If we’re looking at technicalities, then technically speaking, there isn’t whipped cream on a regular latte.

However, I am pretty sure mochas fall into a completely different category, because whipped cream feels like a must. It’s an exceptionally delicious topping in this case.

I recommend making a batch of homemade whipped cream and scooping a big dollop on top. Then, add a generous drizzle of chocolate sauce and/or mini chocolate chips, of course!

Overhead view of mocha with whipped cream, chocolate chips, and chocolate drizzle.

More Coffee Drink Recipes

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!

Overhead view of mocha with whipped cream, chocolate chips, and chocolate drizzle.
5 (9 ratings)

Get the Recipe Homemade Mocha Latte

Making a hot, creamy, chocolatey mocha latte at home has never been easier – or more delicious – thanks to this easy homemade latte method that requires no special equipment and simple ingredients. In under 5-minutes you'll have a coffee-shop-worthy latte ready to enjoy!

Ingredients

Latte

  • 3 ounces espresso (2 shots), or ½ cup strong coffee
  • 6 ounces whole milk, or milk of choice
  • 2 Tablespoons chocolate syrup, or chopped unsweetened chocolate or mini chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Brew espresso or strong coffee as desired.
  • Pour milk into a mason jar; if using chocolate syrup, add it now, too. Microwave for 1 ½ minutes. Depending on your microwave, you may need to continue heating in 30-second increments up to another minute. You want the milk hot, but not boiling.
  • Carefully remove the jar of milk from the microwave; you may need to use a towel or potholder as it will be hot. Add the mini chocolate chips or chopped chocolate, if using, then put the lid on the mason jar, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to 1 minute. See notes below for additional frothing methods.
  • Continuing to use a towel or potholder, remove the lid carefully, being aware of any pressure that may have built up in the jar.
  • If desired, drizzle chocolate syrup in the mug you'll be using. Add the espresso and pour the milk over, topping with any foam that remains in the jar. Serve immediately with whipped cream and additional chocolate drizzle, if desired.

Notes

  • Use caution when shaking and opening the mason jar! Make sure the lid is on tight, use a towel or pot-holder to hold the jar as needed, and open the lid carefully (I again, use a towel in hand).
  • Additional frothing methods: 
    • Use a milk frother wand
    • Shake the jar of milk before microwaving. Make sure the milk doubles in size before microwaving, then once heated, immediately pour it into your espresso.
    • Heat milk in a saucepan on the stovetop (or again in the microwave) then use a whisk to froth the milk. 
  • Strong Coffee: if using strongly brewed coffee instead of espresso, consider using more coffee/less milk for a more latte-like coffee-forward flavor.
Calories: 292kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 32mg, Sodium: 115mg, Potassium: 405mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 30g, Vitamin A: 435IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 315mg, Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!

The post “4 Ways to Make a Homemade Lattes” was originally published in March 2017; in May 2022 each latte was re-published as individual posts.