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Use this 2 minute iced mocha latte recipe to enjoy the combination of sweet chocolate syrup and rich espresso topped with chilled milk with practically zero effort. It’s a classic coffee recipe that’s been a staple on coffee shop menus for ages! Make it at home with only three ingredients, no trip to Starbucks necessary!
Chocolate and coffee are a match made in heaven and this simple iced mocha recipe proves that to be true. Ready to make magic with only a few ingredients? Let’s do it!
Ingredients you’ll need
- Espresso – Make it in a machine, moka pot, or mix up some instant espresso powder. You can also use cold brew coffee concentrate in a pinch.
- Chocolate Syrup – This will add sweetness and that classic chocolate flavor to our mocha.
- Milk – Whatever variation you prefer. Whole milk, 2%, even oat or almond will work.
- Ice – Can’t have an iced latte without ice!
If you’re a latte lover like me, be sure to check out my iced vanilla latte recipe, white chocolate mocha, pumpkin spice latte, and pistachio latte recipe!
Is an iced mocha the same as an iced coffee?
In short – no.
An iced latte is a caffe latte that is made over ice instead of with steamed milk. It consists of espresso, your milk of choice, and a flavored syrup, if using.
Iced coffee is simply brewed coffee that is served cold over ice and doesn't contain as much (if any) milk as an iced latte.
If you're into iced coffees, though, be sure to check out my vanilla iced coffee recipe!
How to Make a Starbucks Iced Mocha Latte
- Combine the espresso and chocolate syrup. Stirring well to combine.
- Add in ice. You can even use coffee ice cubes to avoid a watered-down drink!
- Top with milk. Or your favorite dairy-free milk alternative. Whatever you prefer. Starbucks uses 2% milk as the standard in their mochas.
- Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate syrup. Not necessary but a delicious indulgence if you’re feeling like it!
Making an iced latte without an espresso maker
If you don’t have an espresso machine you can still enjoy this iced caffe latte with these simple alternatives.
Instant Espresso – use instant espresso powder mixed with hot water in place of freshly brewed espresso.
Cold Brew Coffee - 3 or 4 ounces of cold brew coffee concentrate is a decent substitute if you're lacking an espresso machine!
Best Milk for Iced Lattes
We are a whole milk family and that is what I use to make any latte – whether it’s hot or iced. When you’re making an iced latte at home you can use whole milk, low-fat, or even plant-based milks.
Because there’s no steaming involved (like when you make a hot mocha latte) you don’t have to worry about whether or not stabilizers have been added to milk alternatives to inhibit proper frothing.
It’s important to remember: some milk alternatives come pre-sweetened. If using a sweetened milk alternative be sure to adjust the amount of chocolate syrup you add to your espresso when making the latte so it’s not too sweet.
How strong is an iced mocha?
This may come as a shock, but an ounce of espresso actually has less caffeine than an 8-ounce cup of regular brewed coffee. Crazy right?
I learned years ago at a coffee shop I worked at that while espresso shots taste stronger than a cup of coffee, because they are so concentrated, the extraction method of espresso actually produces a less caffeinated drink than regular brewed coffee.
Water is pushed through the grounds so quickly in an espresso machine that it doesn’t have time to be infused with a ton of caffeine.
In a one ounce shot of espresso you’ll be drinking between roughly 40 – 60 milligrams of caffeine, vs. over 90 milligrams in an 8 ounce cup of coffee.
Of course, if you’re sensitive to caffeine (I am!) you can find decaf coffee beans to make espresso with at most grocery stores.
Other Starbucks inspired drinks you may enjoy
- Homemade Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam Cold Brew
- Chai Latte (made using my Starbucks dupe chai latte concentrate!)
- Dirty Chai Latte
2 Minute Iced Mocha Latte
Equipment
- Espresso Maker, optional
- Glass
- Straw
Ingredients
- 1 – 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup (more or less depending on how sweet you like it)
- 2 ounces espresso (or 3 ounces cold brew coffee concentrate)
- 8 – 12 ounces milk of choice
Instructions
- Combine 1 – 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup and 2 ounces espresso in a tall glass and stir well.
- Fill the glass with a generous scoop of ice and top with the milk of your choice (using less milk will produce a stronger coffee flavor and more milk will result in a milder drink).
- If desired, top with whipped cream and an extra drizzle of chocolate sauce before enjoying.
Notes
- Recipe makes one drink, is easily multiplied.
- Nutrition info based on using 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup and 8 ounces whole milk.
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