If you are a chocolate and coffee fanatic, then homemade mocha lattes have your name written all over them.
Whether you are craving a piping hot mocha or need it served over ice, we’ve got you covered. We’ve also got your back if you need it in the form of brownies, too.
This homemade iced chocolate latte is rich, creamy, and totally luxurious…yet totally easy to make. You need just 3 simple ingredients (4 if you want to really indulge…and yes, yes you do) and 5 minutes.
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 is a combination of 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. There is the option of adding 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.
What You’ll Need
You’ll need three simple ingredients: espresso (or strong coffee), milk of choice, and chocolate syrup.
Chocolate Syrup
Before we start mixing, let’s talk about the 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.
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: 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!
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, the Coffee
If you have an espresso machine, use it! A latte typically has espresso, so it’s the way to go if you do have 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
- While you can brew the coffee any method you prefer, a french press is a great option for strong coffee.
- 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.
Assembly for an Iced Mocha
It’s key to combine the coffee and chocolate 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.
Similarly, if you decide to use mini chocolate chips, make sure they are melted into the liquid.
Add Milk
Again, to make sure the latte is fully combined, I recommend adding the milk before the ice. This way you can give it a good stir and make sure the chocolate will be in each and every sip!
What kind of milk is best?
For the creamiest texture and most luxurious iced latte, I highly recommend using whole milk. 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 and sip away and enjoy your homemade perfection.
And that extra ingredient I mentioned that is totally indulgent but that you should totally add 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”.
Or add mint syrup and make an iced peppermint mocha! Or, if you’re wondering…
Iced White Chocolate Mocha
I’ve mentioned around here before that white chocolate mochas were actually 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, just make sure they melt into the hot espresso before continuing.
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
- 4-6 ounces whole milk, or milk of choice
- 2 Tablespoons chocolate syrup
- 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. 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.
- Add ice and serve immediately with whipped cream and additional chocolate drizzle, if desired.
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.
