Having a delicious caffeinated beverage is a great way to break up an otherwise mediocre day. But what if you can’t make it to your local coffee shop for a specially prepared cup of joe? Luckily, you can create decadent coffee drinks like the beloved mocha latte from the comfort of your kitchen.
To make a mocha latte, start by creating a mixture of cocoa powder, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in the bottom of your favorite mug. Then, pour espresso or strong coffee into the cup. Froth your milk, pour a bit into your glass, and mix. Finally, pour in the remaining frothed milk and enjoy!
Making tasty coffee drinks right at home is pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. The best part is that you can substitute ingredients based on your preferences — or simply what you have in the pantry. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about making mocha lattes at home.
What Is a Mocha Latte?

The mocha latte is a popular drink you can find at chains like Starbucks or easily make at home.
The mocha latte is similar to a traditional latte but has additional chocolate flavoring. The drink is essentially made of espresso, milk, and chocolate flavoring.
Chocolate sauce, cocoa powder, mocha sauce, or other chocolate sweeteners work well.
How to Make a Mocha Latte at Home
The mocha latte doesn’t necessarily have strict recipe requirements and can be adjusted to fit your preferences or situation. We’ll cover a basic at-home latte recipe below, but feel free to customize it to match your tastes.
To get started, here are some ingredients you may need:
- Espresso or strong-brewed coffee
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (on Amazon)
- Maple syrup or a liquid sweetener of your choice
- Whole milk (or your preferred type of milk)
- Pure vanilla extract (on Amazon) (optional)
Step 1: Brew Your Espresso or Coffee
The first step is to brew your espresso or coffee using your preferred method. You can use a French press (on Amazon), AeroPress, espresso machine, or even instant coffee.
If you’re using instant or pre-ground coffee, opt for more potent and decadent flavors for the best results.
Don’t pour the espresso or coffee into your cup immediately, as you’ll need an empty glass for the next step.
Step 2: Create the Chocolate Mixture
Scoop 2-3 teaspoons of cocoa powder into your mug of choice or an 8-ounce glass. Next, add 2-4 teaspoons of maple syrup to your cup or use an alternative sweetener that you prefer. You can also add an optional ⅛ teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Whisk the mixture together until it forms a smooth chocolate paste. A tiny whisk (on Amazon) works well in mugs or glasses.
Alternatively, you can substitute nearly any chocolate sweetener combination you like. Chocolate syrup or sauce works well if you’re in a rush. Or you can use dark chocolate without sweetener if you prefer the taste.
Step 3: Pour the Espresso Into Your Mug
Simply pour the espresso into your glass after your chocolate mixture is finished and your espresso is brewed. You can move on to the next step.
Step 4: Froth Your Milk
If you don’t have a milk steamer (on Amazon), heat your milk to 155°F (68°C) in a small pot on your stovetop.
Now that your milk is heated, you can froth your milk with standard kitchen tools like a whisk, hand whisk, or blender. If you use one of these methods, simply whisk or blend your warm milk until you reach your desired froth level.
Alternatively, you can use a stick frother (on Amazon) or a hand pump frother (on Amazon).
Step 5: Pour the Milk Into Your Mug

Finally, you can pour the frothed milk into your mug with the chocolate mixture and espresso. Pour a little bit of the frothed milk first and stir the drink to ensure everything is evenly combined. Afterward, you can pour the remaining milk and make latte art if you like.
How Much Cocoa Should You Add?
You can use as much cocoa powder as you like, but 2-3 teaspoons are usually recommended. More cocoa powder creates a deeper chocolate flavor, while less will create a more subtle effect.
Which Type of Milk Tastes Best in a Mocha Latte?
The type of milk you like the most depends on personal preference. Most recipes call for 2% or whole milk. However, you can use non-dairy substitutes like oat, almond, and soy milk.
- Whole Milk: Most recipes call for whole milk, as it produces a consistently light and creamy foam thanks to the sugar, fat, water, and protein content.
- 2% Milk: 2% milk is similar to whole milk when frothed but it froths more quickly. The result is a rich, creamy, and decadent froth that’s excellent if you want to reduce the fat content of your drink.
- Skim Milk: Skim milk foams very quickly and creates larger bubbles than other dairy options. The foam is rich, stable, and stays frothy for extended periods.
- Oat Milk: Oat milk is one of the best dairy substitutes for frothing, and it creates a rich, sweet, and creamy consistency. Oatly Barista Edition (on Amazon) is a common substitute for cow milk that many coffee drinkers love.
- Almond Milk: Frothed almond milk works well at room temperature. The higher fat content leads to a dense, creamy consistency that tastes light.
- Soy Milk: Soy milk is another dairy substitute that froths quickly and produces a creamy, stable consistency. However, soy milk isn’t a good choice if you want to make latte art.
What Are the Best Sweetener Options?
You can use several sweeteners in a mocha latte, and the best option will come down to your taste buds and what they enjoy most. Besides maple syrup, you can incorporate honey, monk fruit extract, stevia, or even agave nectar (on Amazon).
The choice will come down to your preferences, diet, and what you have on hand.