Mocha is one of the most famous beverages out there and for a good reason – it combines all the delicious flavors of espresso with the sweet and rich flavors of chocolate. You might be wondering, how to make a mocha with an espresso machine and what can you do if you do not have one? This is where we come in!
We covered everything from what mocha is to how you can make one from the comfort of your home. Keep reading and get an easy recipe that will help you get delicious results with every use.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
What Is Mocha?
A mocha, also known as caffè mocha and mocha latte, is a delicious beverage made by combining espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup. While there is no doubt about its delicious flavor, the exact amount of espresso, milk, and syrup that was “originally” used to make it is unknown. It all depends on the barista that makes it.
When Did It Become Popular?
Like many hot and iced beverages that have espresso as a base, a mocha also became popular in America due to Starbucks in the early 80s.
Can An Espresso Machine Make A Mocha?
To be clear, if you want to make a “real” mocha, you need to use an espresso machine. It is essential as espresso is the base for a mocha.
What About A “Regular Coffee Machine?
You can try, but, note right away that you will not get the same results you would with an espresso machine. This is because the two work on 2 different principles, a drip coffee maker uses gravity while an espresso machine uses extraction pressure to pull coffee.
Mocha Coffee – Key Elements
The two key elements you need to master to make a delicious mocha are:
- espresso
- steamed milk
Let Us Start With Espresso
As we said, espresso is the base of every mocha and for that reason, you need to get it right:
- use dark espresso roast coffee beans – dark roast will give you the best and the most authentic flavor.
- always grind your beans freshly before use – that way you will get the most flavorful brew with every use.
Onto The Milk
Now, to get this part of the mocha right:
- you need to use fresh milk – you won’t be able to make foam using milk that is near its expiration date.
- consider switching to whole milk – this is for a very simple reason, the higher the fat content in milk the better (richer) results you get. You can opt for a 2% milk too, however, you will lose on the richness.
- if you want to make a vegan version, oat milk is your best bet. This is because it froths the best out of all non-dairy kinds of milk and it has a good flavor.
Mocha Coffee Recipe
Now that we got the basics covered it is time you try out our recipe:
Place the chocolate chips into your cup and pull a double shot of espresso using your espresso machine. This helps to melt chocolate much easier.
Now, steam the milk and simple syrup together. Place the steam wand into the milk pitcher and hold it just below the milk surface until it doubles in size. This ensures that the milk gets aerated properly. Once it becomes foamy, lower the wand deeper into the milk to heat it up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do not have a thermometer, the milk is ready once you can't hold the pitcher with your bare hands for more than a few seconds.
Finally, add the milk into the center of your chocolatey brew and add chocolate shavings to decorate the mocha.
Ingredients
Directions
Place the chocolate chips into your cup and pull a double shot of espresso using your espresso machine. This helps to melt chocolate much easier.
Now, steam the milk and simple syrup together. Place the steam wand into the milk pitcher and hold it just below the milk surface until it doubles in size. This ensures that the milk gets aerated properly. Once it becomes foamy, lower the wand deeper into the milk to heat it up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do not have a thermometer, the milk is ready once you can't hold the pitcher with your bare hands for more than a few seconds.
Finally, add the milk into the center of your chocolatey brew and add chocolate shavings to decorate the mocha.
Here is a visual representation of the process you might find helpful:
Different Variations You Might Like
There are a few mocha variations you can try. These include:
- a mocha cappuccino
- mocha frappe
- iced mocha
- iced white chocolate mocha
Mocha Cappuccino
Follow the steps you would to make a cappuccino and add chocolate syrup or regular chocolate to get a perfect mocha cappuccino brew.
Mocha Frappe
Now, this frappe is a bit different. It is a frozen version of mocha made by combining instant espresso coffee powder, sugar, milk, ice, and cocoa powder.
Iced Mocha
To make an iced mocha, simply follow all the same steps and combine them with a glass of ice.
Iced White Chocolate Mocha
You need espresso and steamed/frothed milk, simple syrup, and white chocolate. It is easy as that. Instructions on how to make it are the same as for an iced and regular mocha (you are just replacing the chocolate syrup with simple syrup and white chocolate.
What If You Do Not Have An Espresso Machine?
If you do not have an espresso machine, and currently can’t or don’t want to buy one, you can try to make the cheat version of mocha. You can try one of these methods to brew a good cup of espresso. To make the steamed/frothed milk you can heat the milk in a microwave and then froth it using a:
- handheld frothing wand – place it in the milk and turn the wand on. You will get frothy milk in a few seconds. This is also the cheapest method you can try.
- whisk – the most basic tool most of us have in our kitchen. It provides froth with large bubbles.
- mason jar – simply close the lid and shake the jar
- French press – add milk to the press and plunge it a few times to get foam
Can You Make A Mocha Using Instant Coffee?
Well, you can. Simply put instant coffee in your glass and add hot water to it. Let us be clear right away that instant coffee (much like drip coffee) does not provide the same flavor. However, you can use it when out of options.
What About Cocoa Powder?
Mocha is usually made using sweetened cocoa powder. However, most baristas opt for chocolate syrup as it is much simpler and provides a great flavor.
What Is The Best Chocolate For Mocha?
The final option you have is pure chocolate. You can use dark, milk, or even white chocolate depending on your preferences.
How Is Mocha Different From A…
Now that you know how to make a delicious mocha, let us explain how it is different from other espresso-based beverages:
…” Regular” Latte?
The main difference between the two is in the chocolate. While mocha does have it, a latte is made only by combining espresso and steamed milk. Lattes are considered to be healthier as mochas have a higher amount of fat. Also, a mocha has more caffeine than a regular latte (only about 20 mg).
… A Cappuccino?
There is no chocolate in a cappuccino. Other than that, the difference is only in the espresso/milk ratio. A cappuccino brew is made using ⅓ espresso, ⅓ steamed milk, and ⅓ thick milk froth.
To Wrap It Up
That is it. Now you have all the information you need to make a cup of delicious mocha with or without an espresso machine. If you like it and decide it is “the beverage” for you, we recommend that you get an espresso machine, even the most basic one, as it will give you much more authentic results.
Give the mocha variations a try too, to ensure that you know which brew is the optimal one for you.
