Updated: September 2026.
A mocha (or café mocha) is a coffee drink made with espresso, chocolate and steamed milk, often topped with a little foam or whipped cream. It's essentially a latte with chocolate: the basic recipe uses a double espresso, 0.5-1 oz (15-30 ml) of chocolate sauce and about 5 oz (150 ml) of hot milk, served in an 8-10 oz (240-300 ml) cup.
For chocolate and coffee lovers, the mocha is irresistible. Here we show you how to make it at home with barista technique, which coffee to use and how it differs from a latte or a cappuccino.
What Is a Mocha and Where Does the Name Come From?
The name comes from Mocha (Mokha), a port in Yemen that for centuries was the world's great coffee export hub. The coffees shipped from there were known for their chocolatey notes, and over time "mocha" became associated with the combination of coffee and chocolate. The drink as we know it today, espresso with chocolate and milk, became popular as espresso bars spread in the 20th century.
How Does a Mocha Differ from a Latte and a Cappuccino?
| Drink | Espresso | Milk | Other | Flavor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mocha | Double | About 5 oz (150 ml), little foam | Chocolate | Sweet, chocolate and coffee |
| Latte | Single or double | 7-8 oz (200-240 ml), light layer of foam | — | Mild and milky |
| Cappuccino | Single | About 2 oz (60 ml) and dense foam | — | Balanced and foamy |
| Flat white | Double | 4-4.5 oz (120-130 ml), fine microfoam | — | Strong and silky |
If you prefer less sweetness and more coffee intensity, try the flat white. If you like sweet drinks, you'll also love the affogato. To see every preparation side by side, check our comparison table of coffee brewing methods.
How Do You Make a Mocha? Step-by-Step Recipe
Ingredients (1 cup of 8-10 oz / 240-300 ml):
- 1 double espresso (about 2 oz / 60 ml), made with 18-20 g of specialty coffee. We recommend our Natural or our Honey.
- 0.5-1 oz (15-30 ml) of chocolate sauce, or 20-30 g of melted dark chocolate.
- 5 oz (150 ml) of cold whole milk.
- Cocoa powder to garnish (optional).
- Sugar or sweetener to taste (optional).
Equipment: an espresso machine, a coffee grinder, a milk pitcher for steaming and, for precision, a thermometer.
- Preheat the cup with hot water, so the mocha stays hot longer.
- Put the chocolate in the cup. If you're using bar chocolate, melt it first in a double boiler or with a little hot milk.
- Grind the coffee just before brewing. For espresso, the grind should be fine, almost like powder.
- Pull the double espresso straight onto the chocolate: about 36-40 g of coffee in 25-30 seconds, with a thick, golden crema.
- Stir the espresso and chocolate together until smooth.
- Steam the milk to 140-150 °F (60-65 °C), with silky, glossy microfoam.
- Pour the milk over the coffee and chocolate base, first from a little height and then closer to the surface at the end.
- Garnish with a pinch of cocoa powder and sweeten to taste if you like.
To master the base, read our guide to making the perfect espresso at home.
Tips for a Perfect Mocha
- Use good-quality whole milk: its fat makes a more stable, creamier foam.
- Watch the milk temperature. Above 160 °F (70 °C) it loses sweetness and the foam turns lumpy; below 130 °F (55 °C), the drink cools down right away.
- Practice steaming to get velvety microfoam, the same technique used for the flat white.
- Adjust the chocolate to your taste: start with 0.5 oz (15 ml) and add more if you want it sweeter.
- For a stronger, less sweet flavor, use 60-70% dark chocolate.
Mocha Variations
- White mocha: made with white chocolate instead of dark; sweeter and creamier.
- Iced mocha: mix the espresso with the chocolate, add cold milk and serve over ice.
- Mocha without a machine: make the base with a moka pot or an AeroPress and heat the milk with a handheld frother.
- Spiced mocha: a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom in the chocolate adds a warm touch.
Which Coffee Should You Use for a Mocha?
Each coffee's process affects the result. Natural coffee brings notes of chocolate and red berries that pair perfectly with chocolate, while honey coffee offers a balance of sweetness and acidity. Starting with a good Colombian gourmet coffee makes all the difference. And to keep its aroma, learn how to store opened coffee.
If you enjoy exploring different drinks, don't miss our 25 coffee recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Mocha
What is a mocha?
It's a coffee drink made with espresso, chocolate and steamed milk. It's essentially a latte with chocolate, and it's usually topped with cocoa powder or whipped cream.
What is the difference between a mocha and a latte?
A mocha contains chocolate in addition to espresso and milk; a latte contains only espresso and milk. That's why a mocha is sweeter and tastes of chocolate.
Why is it called a mocha?
After Mocha (Mokha), a port in Yemen that was the main coffee export hub for centuries. Its coffees were known for their chocolatey notes, and the name came to be associated with the combination of coffee and chocolate.
How much caffeine is in a mocha?
About 130 mg when made with a double espresso, plus a small amount from the chocolate. It's similar to a double latte.
Can you make a mocha without an espresso machine?
Yes. Brew a concentrated coffee with a moka pot or an AeroPress, mix it with the chocolate and add hot milk foamed with a handheld frother.
Written by the Green Hills Coffee team, specialty coffee growers and roasters in Itagüí, Antioquia.
