Mochaccino: An Easy Recipe For Coffee-Chocolate Indulgence
Enjoying a perfectly made cappuccino is one of the great pleasures of visiting a cafe. The bittersweet espresso paired with velvety milk foam feels indulgent and light at the same time. But for the days we want to have our cake and eat it, too, we love mochaccinos.
This easy mochaccino recipe kicks the cappuccino up a notch with the addition of sweet dark chocolate. Treat yourself!
What You Need
- Double espresso shot or 90 ml of strong coffee
- 60 ml dark chocolate syrup
- 175 ml whole milk
- Whipped cream, to taste
- Cocoa powder, to taste
- Espresso machine
At a Glance
Brew Time:
8-10 minutes
Yield
475 ml
What Is Mochaccino?
Few things go together better than coffee and chocolate (1). The mochaccino is one of many classic drinks featuring this pairing. Found in cafes worldwide, it’s an indulgent treat that’s easy to replicate at home!
What is in a Mochaccino?
A mochaccino consists of one part chocolate syrup, one part espresso, two parts hot milk, a thick blanket of milk froth, and a dusting of cocoa powder. It’s a decadent version of the usual cappuccino drink that adds rich dark chocolate.
It is distinct from the traditional mocha, which is a chocolate latte. When making a mocha, the ratio of milk to coffee is higher, and the texture of the milk is silkier.
Mochaccino Variations
The black-and-white mocha is a popular variation of the mocha, and you can use the same method to make a black-and-white mochaccino. Simply use two parts of dark chocolate syrup to one part white chocolate syrup.
To make an iced mochaccino, add chocolate syrup to our recipe for making an iced cappuccino. Or try this recipe for an iced caffe mocha for a creamier warm-weather coffee drink.
How To Make Mochaccino At Home
This is one of the easiest coffee recipes. Only four simple steps stand between you and a delicious hot chocolate-and-coffee treat. Let’s get started!
1. Add Syrup To Mug
Measure 60 ml of dark chocolate syrup and add it to a warmed 475 ml tall glass.
Pro Tip: To make a caramel mochaccino, replace half the chocolate syrup with caramel syrup and then continue with the recipe.
2. Prep the Espresso
Pull a double shot of espresso using 20 g of finely ground coffee in your espresso machine.
If you don’t have an espresso maker, you can substitute 90 ml of extra-strong brewed coffee. To brew strong coffee, use an Aeropress, Moka Pot, or French press with a higher-than-average coffee-to-water ratio.
Stir thoroughly to combine the chocolate syrup and espresso or coffee.
Pro Tip: You can use any coffee bean you like for this recipe, but we recommend a darker roast blend if you want to replicate authentic Italian coffee drinks.
3. Make your Milk Froth
Use the steam wand of your espresso machine to prepare the milk froth. Fill a frothing pitcher with 175 ml of cold milk. Stretch and texture the hot milk until it has nearly doubled in volume. You are aiming for a thick layer of airy froth rather than the creamy microfoam of a latte.
Whole milk is the traditional choice for this chocolatey drink, but you can substitute skim milk or partially skimmed milk for a lighter variation. Or experiment with non-dairy alternatives for a vegan option. We recommend oat milk for the best texture.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have an espresso machine with a steam wand, you can prepare milk foam using a French press, dedicated milk frother, or even a simple Mason jar (2).
4. Add The Milk Froth To The Espresso
Pour the steamed milk over the coffee mug over your espresso-and-chocolate syrup mixture. Use a spoon to hold back the airy milk foam, then spoon that on top.
Garnish the coffee drink with a light dusting of cocoa powder, whipped cream, and maybe a dash of cinnamon.
Pro Tip: Blend whipped cream with more dark chocolate syrup or cocoa powder and use it as a topping for your mochaccino for an even richer experience.
Final Thoughts
A mochaccino is a great way to jazz up a classic cappuccino drink. It’s easy to make, and even easier to drink. If drinking coffee plain isn’t enough to kickstart your day, try adding chocolate! It hasn’t steered us wrong yet.
FAQs
No, mocha and chocolate are not the same thing. A mocha drink refers to a combination of coffee and chocolate. It takes its name from the city of Mocha on the Arabian Peninsula, from which many of the first coffee beans made their way to Europe.
A mochaccino is a cappuccino made with chocolate syrup, while a macchiato is a drink of steamed milk and espresso. Starbucks’ Caramel Macchiato, however, is made with vanilla syrup, steamed milk, marked with two shots of espresso, and a caramel drizzle (3).
The nutrition information for a mochaccino, made using 3.25% milk and 60 ml of syrup, is 268 calories, 37 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of fat. You can make a lighter version by substituting skim milk or non-dairy milk and buying reduced-sugar syrup.
References
- Dilettante Chocolates. (2021, October 15). Why Chocolate and Coffee Make the Perfect Pair. Retrieved from https://www.dilettante.com/blogs/chocolate-chatter/why-chocolate-and-coffee-are-the-perfect-pair
- The Pioneer Woman. (2017, January 11). 8 Ways to Froth Milk Without an Espresso Machine. Retrieved from https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/cooking-tips-tutorials/a91134/8-ways-to-froth-milk/
- Starbucks®. (2023). Caramel Macchiato. Retrieved from https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/413/hot
