Starbucks Cafe Mocha Copycat Recipe

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So you love Starbucks Cafe Mocha but hate going through driveways to place your order? Got you! Because I have been in your shoes in the past. As much as I love this drink, standing in queues was very tiring.

Along with this, the price made this like a guilt trip rather than a satisfying one. So I switched to making Starbucks Cafe Mocha at home, and this has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Those who know me know I hate making compromises with my coffee. Although I stick to lattes, mochas are more of my special treats, which means there is no room for error.

So, when I first started making Starbucks Cafe Mocha at home, I was amazed to see that you only need four ingredients. Yes, milk, sweeteners, coffee, and cream are all you need to prepare your fancy Starbucks Cafe Mocha at home.

Plus, you do not need high-end tools and techniques to get that frothy milk. I know this is a big concern for people who are starting out to make Mocha at home, which is why I have suggested alternative ways to froth your milk.

Ensure you read until the end to enjoy all the tips I have to perfect your Starbucks Cafe Mocha in the first go. So, shall we get into the recipe now? Let’s go!

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Espresso Maker: Since this recipe calls for espresso, I am using my espresso machine to brew it.
Frother: The Starbucks Cafe Mocha is incomplete without frothy milk, so I am using a frother for this recipe.
Saucepan: I am using a saucepan to heat up the milk and create that frothy effect.
Glass: I am using a glass to serve the final drink, but you can also use a cup of your choice.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve one person. You can increase or decrease the quantities as required for more or fewer portions.

150 Ml Milk: I go for 2% milk, as the higher the fat content, the richer your coffee will be, but you can also use non-dairy milk for this purpose.
1 Cup Brewed Espresso: I am using espresso here for the caffeine kick, but you can also use regular or instant coffee for this recipe.
2 Tablespoon Mocha Sauce: For a slight variation, you can also use chocolate sauce or hazelnut sauce instead of sticking to mocha sauce.
1 Cup Whipped Cream

Preparation & Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
10 Minutes	10 Minutes	20 Minutes

How To Make Starbucks Cafe Mocha At Home

Step 1

Start by brewing espresso and milk in an espresso maker and pouring them into a cup.

Step 2

Add mocha sauce to the same cup for the flavor.

Step 3

Follow it up with whipped cream on top.

Step 4

Finish it off with some chocolate chips, and enjoy!

Expert Tips That I Recommend

When I don’t want to use mocha syrup for my drink, I make a simple homemade syrup mix. I add cocoa powder, sugar, and water to a pan and mix it well until it reaches a syrup-like consistency. This is easier to control and homemade, which is always better.
Note that steamed milk is very important for this recipe and is different from regular hot milk. Adding hot milk will make your drink taste like chocolate milk; however, steamed frothy milk adds that mocha effect.
While brewing my espresso, I take extra care not to over-brew it, as this can make the mocha oily and bitter. Coffee, when roasted for long periods of time, will steep in the water, altering its taste. Sadly, “the longer, the better” does not apply in this case.
I also like to use a thermometer to ensure the milk reaches the right temperature for perfect froth. If the thermometer shows 140 degrees F, then it is hot enough; however, if it is above or near 160 F, then it is too hot and should be cooled down a bit for the perfect frothy milk.
Another tip regarding frothing is to stir it gently to prevent the froth from collapsing.
I like to use chocolate chips blended with hot milk instead of mocha sauce for a richer chocolate flavor.

FAQs About Starbucks Cafe Mocha

How can you make Starbucks Cafe Mocha caffeine-free?

Starbucks Cafe Mocha does contain caffeine, but if you want to make it caffeine-free, you can use decaf bags for this recipe. You can also turn this into a hot chocolate recipe and skip adding coffee and add hot chocolate along with a Medjool date for a blast of sweetness.

Can you froth the milk without a frother?

Yes, you can froth the milk without the frother. Add the milk to a pan and let it steam. Whisk it manually until you see foam appearing on top. If this sounds very messy, then add the hot milk to a mason jar, cover it with a lid, and shake it vigorously until the milk starts appearing foamy. Add this to your espresso, along with whipped cream, and enjoy.

Why is your Starbucks Cafe Mocha so watery?

Your Starbucks Cafe Mocha can become watery if you add too much water and less espresso to the espresso machine. If the coffee beans are not ground well, this will make the mocha watery, ruining the texture and, ultimately, the taste of the drink. Be aware of the quantity of water and espresso to avoid this mistake.

Why did your Starbucks Cafe Mocha curdle after you added the milk?

Your Starbucks Cafe Mocha will curdle if you add extremely hot milk to your drink. When the milk is too hot, it gets separated by mixing with the mocha syrup and coffee, which leads to separation and crudling effects. Go for medium-heated steamed milk to avoid this issue.

Why is your milk not frothing?

There are several reasons why your milk will not froth. First, if the milk is too hot or cold, this will hinder the frothing process. Another reason can be using old or stale milk, which does not flow well. Also, be familiar with proper frothing techniques for best results.

What kind of milk should you avoid when making Starbucks cafe mocha?

When making Starbucks cafe mocha, using low-fat milk and skim milk is a big no-no. This is because those kinds of milk can result in thin cafe mochas. They don’t have a cream-like texture and also do not enhance the flavors of the syrup, making the cafe mocha taste bland.

Why is your Starbucks cafe mocha so bland?

Your Starbucks cafe mocha can taste bland if you use low-quality chocolate and syrup. Poorly brewed espresso or old espresso beans are also some of the reasons why your mocha tastes bland. Another major factor is an improper milk-to-coffee ratio, which totally influences the taste of the mocha.

Nutritional Value Per Serving

As much as I love a Starbucks Cafe Mocha, I have to agree that it is not healthy at all. Being high in calories, it should be consumed in moderation and not regularly.

To give you a detailed insight, take a look at the nutritional chart below:

Calories	350 kcal
Carbohydrates	29 g
Protein	7 g
Fat	18 g
Saturated Fat	11 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	1 g
Monounsaturated Fat	5 g
Cholesterol	64 mg
Sodium	66 mg
Potassium	320 mg
Sugar	26 g
Vitamin A	662 IU
Calcium	251 mg
Iron	0.03 mg

This drink is suitable for people following a soy-free, nut-free, keto, and gluten-free diet. It is also ideal for vegetarians, so people following those diets can have it without any restrictions.

People following vegan and dairy-free diets can also have it, but they need to make certain modifications to the ingredients list first.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: To make Starbucks cafe mocha in vegan style, I use unsweetened soya milk for this recipe.
Keto Diet: To make a keto-friendly version of Starbucks Cafe Mocha, you must use almond milk since it is low in carbohydrates. Follow the same steps in the recipe, but instead of mocha syrup, go for any sugar-free sweeteners and alternatives to make it fully keto.

Storing & Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Countertop: I do not leave my Starbucks Cafe Mocha on the countertop for more than an hour. It tastes best when it is fresh because, over time, the coffee’s effect diminishes, ruining the essence of this drink.
Refrigeration: When I have leftover Starbucks Cafe Mocha, I store it in the fridge. Before this, I transfer the leftovers to an airtight container, after which I store them in the fridge for about two days.
Freezing: I do not suggest freezing your Starbucks Cafe Mocha, as this will ruin your drink’s taste and texture.

Reheating

Stovetop: When I use refrigerated Starbucks Cafe Mocha, I like to reheat it before consumption. I like to do this on the stovetop at medium heat. Please stir it nicely, spread the heat, and serve it warm.

Microwave: You can also use your microwave to reheat your leftover Starbucks Cafe Mocha. Start by pouring Starbucks Cafe Mocha into a microwave-friendly cup and heat it for 10 seconds at medium heat. Then add the whipped cream to the cup and enjoy.

What To Serve With This Recipe

When I have Starbucks Cafe Mocha, I prefer chocolate-based sweets like Brownies or chocolate pudding. You can also have it with tarts and apple pie pudding.

If this sounds too sweet for you, you can also have it with toast and Scrambled Eggs for a kickstart in the mornings. Other delicious options include Bagels, donuts, croissants, and biscotti.

If you are looking for topping ideas, marshmallows, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, or cinnamon are ideal toppings that you can add to your Starbucks Cafe Mocha.

Printable Version

Starbucks Cafe Mocha Recipe

Author : Nandinii Todi

Serving : 1

Calories : 350 kcal

Total time : 20

This Starbucks Cafe Mocha is very easy to make. It is the perfect combination of chocolate and mocha. You need five ingredients to make this drink. This drink is moderately sweet and is simply amazing. Whip up all the elements together and you are good to go!

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Ingredients

▢ 150 Ml Milk
▢ 1 Cup Brewed Espresso
▢ 2 Tablespoon Mocha Sauce
▢ 1 Cup Whipped Cream

Get Recipe Ingredients

Equipment

▢
Espresso Maker
▢
Frother
▢
Saucepan
▢
Glass

Instructions

Start by brewing espresso and milk in an espresso maker and pouring them into a cup.
Add mocha sauce to the same cup for the flavor.
Follow it up with whipped cream on top.
Finish it off with some chocolate chips, and enjoy!

Video

Notes

- When I don’t want to use mocha syrup for my drink, I make a simple homemade syrup mix. I add cocoa powder, sugar, and water to a pan and mix it well until it reaches a syrup-like consistency. This is easier to control and homemade, which is always better.
- Note that steamed milk is very important for this recipe and is different from regular hot milk. Adding hot milk will make your drink taste like chocolate milk; however, steamed frothy milk adds that mocha effect.
- While brewing my espresso, I take extra care not to over-brew it, as this can make the mocha oily and bitter. Coffee, when roasted for long periods of time, will steep in the water, altering its taste. Sadly, “the longer, the better” does not apply in this case.
- I also like to use a thermometer to ensure the milk reaches the right temperature for perfect froth. If the thermometer shows 140 degrees F, then it is hot enough; however, if it is above or near 160 F, then it is too hot and should be cooled down a bit for the perfect frothy milk.
- Another tip regarding frothing is to stir it gently to prevent the froth from collapsing.
- I like to use chocolate chips blended with hot milk instead of mocha sauce for a richer chocolate flavor.

Prep Time : 10

Cook Time : 10

Total Time : 20

Cuisine : American

Course : Copycat Recipes

Nutrition

More Starbucks Recipes That You Can Try

Starbucks Style Eggnog Latte Recipe — Starbucks Eggnog Latte

Delicious Starbucks Pumpkin Pie Smoothie — Starbucks Eggnog Latte

Conclusion

You can actually make Starbucks Cafe Mocha at home without spending a lot of money and with basic kitchen ingredients and equipment. I have been making my cafe mocha like this for ages, and it saves me time and money from running to Starbucks.

If you are a fan of coffee recipes, you have to give this a try. If you are new to coffee recipes, start with this to change your mind. There are so many variations of Starbucks Cafe Mocha that you can make to enjoy new varieties of cafe mocha frequently at home.

I urge you to give this a try once; you will be shocked by the results. If you do, then let me know how it turned out in the comments below, as I love hearing cafe mocha stories.