If you are a chocolate and coffee fanatic, then homemade mocha lattes have your name written all over them.
This iced latte version of everyone’s favorite chocolatey drink is so easy to make in just 5-minutes! It’s rich, creamy, and totally luxurious – the perfect afternoon escape. And why not pair it with mocha brownies while you’re at it?! I fully endorse this plan.
Looking for the hot version? Get it here: Homemade Mocha Latte.
Iced Mocha vs. Iced Latte vs. Iced Coffee
An iced latte is made with espresso, which is much stronger than coffee. There is more milk in an iced latte, because… latte ratios! Mocha combines chocolate and coffee, so an iced mocha is simply an iced latte with chocolate syrup added.
Iced coffee and cold brew are both versions of coffee served over ice. You can add cream or milk to either, as you would a cup of hot coffee, but it’s not an essential part of the drink, as it is with an iced latte.
The Key Ingredient: Chocolate Syrup
Often, because simple syrup works so well in iced drinks, a simple solution is to make your own homemade chocolate simple syrup for iced mochas. It’s also significantly better than store-bought chocolate sauce (I might be biased, but the reviews back it up!).
However, if you already have store-bought chocolate syrup in your fridge (like Hershey’s), you can easily use it, too!
Other Ways to Add Chocolate
Two other “hacks” for getting the chocolate flavor into your iced latte, if you don’t have chocolate syrup on hand:
- Mini Chocolate Chips: melt them in the hot espresso (or strong coffee) and enjoy the chocolate infusion.
- Chocolate Milk: Okay, so this is the extra-easy hack. If you have chocolate milk at home, go ahead and heat it up to make your mocha. And if you’re really into chocolate, why not add more? I won’t stop you!
How to Make an Iced Mocha Latte
Making coffee-shop-worthy drinks at home might feel overwhelming, but I hope to give you plenty of options to make this an easy process! Because who doesn’t love to stay at home in their PJs enjoying coffee, and saving money?!
First, Prepare the Coffee
If you have an espresso machine, use it! But I hear you…how can you brew espresso if you don’t have an espresso machine?! Well, friend, I don’t have an espresso machine either. The key, in this case, is to make very strong coffee.
Here are a few ways to make “espresso” or very strong coffee:
- Cold brew concentrate
- Traditional Coffee, Strongly BrewedCoffee:
- Use 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.
- Brew espresso beans or a dark roast for the strongest, deepest coffee flavor
- Stovetop Espresso: make espresso on the stovetop using a Moka pot, which is a classic Italian method for brewing strong coffee.
- Use Instant Espresso or strongly brew instant coffee.
- Nespresso: ok, this is a machine but it’s not an official espresso machine (IMO) but rather an easy, at-home option for making espresso without the pricey, fancy machine. So if you have one, of course, use it!
Consider this: if you are using strongly brewed coffee instead of espresso, use less milk for a more authentic latte flavor.
Then, it’s time to assemble!
Before you begin, take note that combining the coffee and chocolate is key so that the flavor is infused throughout your iced latte.
If you’ve brewed hot espresso or strong coffee, add it to your glass, then add the chocolate syrup. The heat will help to melt the chocolate into the espresso, which will, in turn, infuse it throughout the drink.
Add Your Milk of Choice
Again, to ensure the latte is fully combined, I recommend adding the milk before the ice. This way you can stir it well and make sure the chocolate will be in every sip!
I highly recommend using whole milk for the creamiest texture and most luxurious iced latte. My favorite dairy-free option is oat milk. That being said, since it’s an iced latte and there’s no frothing required, you have so much flexibility when it comes to milk type, so use what you like best.
Voila, your iced latte!
Fill the glass with ice, add in a reusable straw, sip away, and enjoy your homemade perfection.
And that extra ingredient I mentioned is totally indulgent, but you should totally add it because why would you not just live a little?!? Yep, it’s whipped cream. And extra chocolate syrup. Treat yo’ self, friends!
Variation Ideas
Mix and match some of your favorite latte syrups to make a fun coffee creation! Add caramel syrup and top it off with whipped cream and chopped pecans with caramel drizzle to make a “turtle mocha.”
Add mint syrup and make an iced peppermint mocha! Or, if you’re wondering…
Iced White Chocolate Mocha
I’ve mentioned here before that white chocolate mochas were my favorite as a teen (hmm…ok…they’re still up there currently).
If you’re looking for a white chocolate mocha, follow the same steps as above for the chips, but melt white chocolate chips instead. White chocolate syrup is a little more difficult to source, so I’ve found the chips are the easiest route to take.
More Fabulous Iced Lattes to Love:
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!
Get the Recipe 5-Minute Homemade Iced Mocha Latte
Ingredients
- 3 ounces espresso (2 shots), or ½ cup strong coffee
- 2 Tablespoons chocolate syrup
- 4-6 ounces whole milk, or milk of choice
- Ice
Instructions
- Brew espresso or strong coffee as needed (or use cold brew concentrate) and add it to a drinking glass. Stir in the chocolate syrup, stirring to combine.3 ounces espresso (2 shots), 2 Tablespoons chocolate syrup
- Stir in the desired amount of milk – if using strong coffee instead of espresso, I recommend less milk so the coffee flavor still shines through. Of course, taste test as you go and you can always add more as needed.4-6 ounces whole milk
- Add ice and serve immediately with whipped cream and additional chocolate drizzle, if desired.Ice
Notes
- Milk: any type of milk will work; I recommend whole milk or oat milk as a dairy-free option.
- Ratio:if using strongly brewed coffee instead of espresso, consider using less milk and more coffee for a more authentic latte flavor.
