What Is a Latte Mocha/Mocha Latte, and How Do You Make One at Home?

The latte mocha, also called a mocha latte, is a decadent coffee beverage that beautifully combines the flavors of rich espresso, luscious chocolate, and velvety steamed milk. While it got its roots hundreds of years ago, this sophisticated sipper has become a staple offering at coffee houses around the world. In this guide, I’ll explain exactly what a latte mocha is, how to make one, and some customization options you might want to explore.

What Is a Latte Mocha?

At its core, a mocha latte contains espresso and steamed milk, just like a regular latte. But it kicks things up a notch by adding chocolate to the mix, resulting in a luscious, mocha-flavored beverage. The specifics can vary, but generally speaking, a mocha latte contains 1 to 2 shots of espresso, 8 to 12 ounces of steamed milk, and 1 to 3 tablespoons of chocolate in some form (cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, etc.).

The flavor profile strikes a delicious balance between the boldness of the espresso and the sweet richness of the chocolate—one of the best combinations of flavors. While some coffee purists might find it a bit too indulgent, anyone who enjoys the flavor of mochas or lattes will very likely fall in love with this beverage.

A Brief History of the Latte Mocha

The exact origins of the mocha latte are unclear, but the name provides some clues. It’s believed that the word “mocha” is a reference to the reddish-brown coffee beans that were originally imported from the Yemeni city of Mocha (now known as Al-Mukha). These beans had a unique chocolate-like flavor that would eventually inspire coffee drinks featuring chocolate.

As for lattes, the term is the Italian word for “milk” and refers to the espresso and steamed milk base of the beverage. Latte drinks are believed to date back to 17th century Europe when people would use creamy milk to help cut the bitterness and acidity of the coffee.

So when you combine the chocolate flavor profile of a “mocha” with the rich espresso and milk of a “latte”, you get the latte mocha.

How Do You Make a Latte Mocha?

To make an authentic latte mocha at home, you’ll need a way to brew high-quality espresso. This typically means using an electric at-home espresso machine or a manual lever espresso maker. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can attempt to make “faux espresso” using an Aeropress or brew super strong coffee—called Cuban coffee—in a French press (more on those options later). But for now, let’s assume you have access to an espresso maker.

Here’s what you’ll need to make a proper latte mocha:

Ingredients:

2 shots of espresso
8 to 12 oz of whole milk
1 to 3 tbsp of chocolate (cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, chocolate sauce, etc.)
(Optional) Additional sweetener to taste

Equipment:

Espresso machine
Milk frothing pitcher
Small saucepan or milk steaming wand
Spoon for mixing
Mugs for serving

Instructions:

Start by pulling 2 fresh shots of espresso into your mug or pitcher. You want the espresso to be hot and fresh for best results.
In a small saucepan or milk frothing pitcher, heat the milk over medium heat until it reaches around 150 to 160 degrees (F). You don’t want it to boil, just get hot and steamy. Use a milk thermometer if you have one.
Once the milk is hot, vigorously whisk or froth the milk until it develops a light, frothy foam on top. You can use a hand frother or the steaming wand on your espresso machine for this.
Add your chocolate to the bottom of your mug. For cocoa powder, go with 1 to 2 tbsp. For syrup or sauce, 2 to 3 tbsp is good.
Pour in the hot espresso shots over the chocolate and use a spoon to combine everything into a smooth mixture.
Add any additional sweetener at this point if desired. I usually add 1 tsp of white sugar.
Finally, pour in the frothed, steamed milk. Pour slowly and try to get plenty of the frothy milk foam incorporated as well.
Optional: Garnish with chocolate shavings, cinnamon, or any other desired toppings.

And that’s it! Let the flavors meld together for a minute, give it a stir, and enjoy your rich, creamy latte mocha.

Mocha Latte Variations

While the base recipe above is delicious on its own, part of the fun of making coffee drinks at home is experimenting with different variations. You have some flexibility to play around with altering both the espresso base and the chocolate components.

Swapping Out the Espresso

If you don’t have an espresso machine at home, you can still get close to the bold, concentrated coffee flavors needed for a proper mocha latte. Two solid options are using an Aeropress or a French press.

Aeropress “Espresso”

The Aeropress is an affordable ($30 to $40) manual coffee maker that can brew incredibly smooth, low-acidity coffee that’s close to espresso if you use the right technique:

Use finely ground, dark roast coffee. Around 17 to 20 grams of grounds.
Add just enough hot water at around 200 degrees (F) to wet the grounds and let it “bloom” for 30 seconds.
Top off with more hot water up to the “2” marker on the Aeropress.
Stir vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
Insert plunger and slowly but firmly press down to extract the concentrated “espresso”.

You’ll get a bold, syrupy shot of strong coffee concentrate that mimics the flavor of espresso pretty well.

Cuban Coffee in a French Press

Cuban coffee, made by brewing coffee at high coffee-to-water ratios in a French press, can also make a great espresso substitute:

Use a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:2.
Bring water just to a boil, then let it sit for about 30 seconds.
Add coffee grounds to French press, start a timer, and then pour the hot water over the grounds, making sure to wet them evenly.
Give it a quick stir after one minute and let it brew for 5 to 10 minutes total.
Slowly press down on the plunger, and pour immediately.

You’ll get a super bold, intense coffee concentrate that works nicely as the base for a mocha latte.

While these methods won’t quite match the nuanced intensity of true espresso, they’ll provide enough bold, concentrated coffee flavor for a tasty mocha latte in a pinch.

Chocolate Options

For the all-important chocolate component of a latte mocha, you have a few different options to play with.

Cocoa Powder

Using unsweetened cocoa powder is the most traditional way to add chocolate to a mocha latte, and it’s my preferred method, as it doesn’t add too much sweetness. Go with 1 to 2 tablespoons dissolved into the hot espresso. Cocoa powder provides a rich, somewhat bitter chocolate punch. Look for high quality, dark cocoa powder if possible.

Chocolate Syrup/Sauce

For a sweeter, smoother chocolate flavor, use 2 to 3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup (Hershey’s, Ghirardelli, etc.) or premade chocolate sauce. This is an easy shortcut, but the flavor can lean a bit artificial and overly sweet for some people.

Homemade Chocolate Sauce

You can also make your own decadent chocolate sauce at home. You’ll need the following ingredients:

1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Simmer the milk, cream, and sugar first, then whisk in the chocolate until smooth. This produces a luxuriously rich chocolate sauce for your mocha. This should last for about 1 to 2 weeks, so put it in a squeeze bottle and store it for future coffee drinks.

Add-Ins

Don’t be afraid to put your own spin on a mocha latte with some additional flavorful add-ins:

Cinnamon (1/4 to 1/2 tsp): Warm spice complements the chocolate nicely

Maple Syrup (1 to 2 tbsp): Adds cozy, sweet maple notes

Caramel Sauce (1 to 2 tbsp): For extra decadence and candy-like flavors

Vanilla Extract (1/2 to 1 tsp): Enhances the richness and adds a subtle sweetness

Milk Alternatives

For a classic, creamy texture, whole milk is tough to beat in a latte mocha. But you can definitely use milk alternatives if you prefer:

2% or Skim Milk: Thinner body but still fairly rich

Almond Milk: Nutty notes, not as indulgent

Oat Milk: Naturally sweeter with a velvety texture

Coconut Milk: Distinctly coconut flavor that may overpower your beverage

What Food Pairs Well With a Latte Mocha?

The deep, chocolaty notes of a latte mocha make it an incredibly versatile beverage to enjoy alongside all kinds of different foods, especially as the bitterness from the coffee complements that sweetness. Below are some recommendations for pairing your latte mocha with different foods at any time of day.

Breakfast: The sweetness complements things like waffles, pancakes, donuts, chocolate croissants, etc. It’s an indulgent morning treat.

Lunch: I love pairing it with nutty salads, veggie sandwiches, or even spicy dishes like chili or curry where the cooling creaminess contrasts nicely.

Dinner: Because of the richness, a mocha latte works well with steaks, barbecue, Italian dishes, and anything featuring rich sauces or bold flavors.

Dessert: It IS dessert, so any kind of cake, pie, cookies, custards, or other sweets make for lovely pairings.

This beverage is sweet, bitter, and creamy, so I find that it works across all kinds of cuisine and dishes.

Are Mocha Lattes Unhealthy?

While absolutely delicious, there’s no getting around the fact that a properly made mocha latte is relatively high in calories, fat, and sugar compared to a plain coffee. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be totally off-limits.

Let’s look at the numbers for a 12 oz mocha latte made with 2 shots of espresso, 1 tbsp of cocoa powder, and whole milk:

Calories: Around 265

Fat: 10g

Sugar: 26g

Caffeine: 125mg

So right off the bat, you’re looking at over 250 calories from a pretty standard size mocha latte, with a decent amount of fat and quite a bit of sugar from the chocolate and milk. The caffeine content is about on par with a standard cup of coffee.

From a health perspective, it’s clear that frequently indulging in large, whole milk-based mocha lattes probably isn’t ideal if you’re watching your weight or fat or sugar intake. The saturated fat and high amount of sugar could potentially cause health issues over time.

That said, there’s nothing inherently “unhealthy” about this beverage if consumed in moderation. The fats come from dairy, which isn’t a particularly risky source of fat. And with options to use skim or plant-based milks, you could cut down on both the fat and calories fairly easily.

My advice? Treat it as an indulgent dessert-type beverage, not something to consume every single day. Opt for a smaller size when possible, and choose your milk wisely if you want to cut calories. Choose unsweetened cocoa powder to reduce the sugar content in your chocolate option. Enjoy it as a periodic treat and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with allowing yourself the luxury of a delicious, homemade mocha latte from time to time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a latte mocha without an espresso machine?

Yes, you can approximate the bold espresso flavors needed for a latte mocha without an actual espresso machine. Using an Aeropress and finely ground coffee, you can brew a concentrated “faux espresso” shot. Alternatively, making Cuban-style coffee in a French press with a higher coffee-to-water ratio of 1:2 produces a thick, syrupy brew that also works well. While not quite the same as espresso, either of these methods allows you to craft a pretty convincing latte mocha at home.

What kind of chocolate is best for making a mocha latte?

There are a few good options for the chocolate component. Unsweetened cocoa powder provides the most authentic, slightly bitter dark chocolate flavor. Premade chocolate syrups or sauces are convenient but can taste artificial. For best results, make your own decadent chocolate sauce by simmering milk, cream, chocolate, sugar, and vanilla together. Going the homemade route allows you to control the richness and quality of chocolate used in your perfect latte mocha.

Is it okay to drink a mocha latte while on a diet?

A standard 12oz mocha latte made with whole milk and chocolate contains around 265 calories and 26g of sugar, so it’s not the most diet-friendly beverage. However, you can make some adjustments like using skim or non-dairy milk alternatives and less chocolate to reduce the calories and fat. Ultimately, a small mocha latte can be enjoyed as an occasional treat, even while dieting, but it’s best not consumed daily if you’re watching your weight and sugar intake.