Iced mocha latte recipe

When you just need a refreshing, yet indulgent coffee drink to cool off with this summer, an iced mocha latte is the perfect choice! This delicious and creamy drink combines two classic coffee flavors – espresso and chocolate – in one cup. Not only can it be made at home quickly and easily, but it’s also sure to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings. Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or just looking for something new to try, find out how easily you can make my iced mocha latte recipe.

What is an iced mocha latte

Apart from being on of my go to summer drinks, an iced mocha latte is coffee made with espresso, cold milk, ice cubes and chocolate syrup or cocoa powder.

The difference between an ice moccha latte and a regular mocha latte is the addition of ice cubes and not needing to steam – or even heat the milk – in the iced version.

To add an even richer taste to your iced mocha why not stir in some vanilla extract? It really helps to bring out both the chocolate and coffee flavors. And for the ultimate luxury spray a layer of whipped cream on top and sprinkle with cocoa powder. That will bring back your last experience of Starbucks iced mocha, even remind you of dunkin donuts mocha iced coffee.

And don’t forget, you don’t have to use dairy milk. I often make eith an almond or oat milk iced mocha and wow it tastes great!

 What does a mocha latte taste like?

Like the hot version, iced mochas have a sweet, creamy taste and are the perfect combination of coffee and chocolate. Making an iced version gives you the chance to enjoy a great chocolate latte all year round.

If you want a deeper chocolate experience just add more cocoa powder, or chocolate syrup. Then it will taste like you are drinking a liquid version of your favorite candy bar.

Or you can make the coffee more rich and intense by using 2 shots of espresso. You will be drinking a deep, intense and pleasantly bitter coffee with powerful notes of chocolate and all topped off with rich creamy milk.

Cutting down on the strength of the coffee – maybe use light roast or blonde roast coffee beans – helps the chocolate and rich creamy milk to come through more.

Top it all off with whipped cream and a dusting of chocolate shavings, and an iced mocha, also called an iced chocolate coffee, becomes both smooth, rich, velvety and cooling all at once!

Best coffee beans

If you have read any of my posts, you know, I always go on about using the best quality and freshest beans you can. And only grinding them when you need them.

There are no rules for which is the best coffee to use for a mocha latte iced coffee. So use the beans you like. Even better if you like a chocolate flavored coffee, go with that.

If you aren’t sure what to use, try one of my current favorite great coffees:

• illy Classico – medium roast with notes of caramel and citrus fruit
• San Francisco Bay Coffee – French Roast with notes of smoky caramel
• Starbucks Pikes Place Roast – a medium roast with rich notes of cocoa and praline
• San Francisco Bay Coffee – Decaf, a medium roast that thinks it’s a dark roast. So it has a full-bodied deep flavor.

How to make an iced mocha latte at home

Making iced moccha latte at home is easy and fun! As with most lattes you only need a few ingredients and somewhere to cool down whilst enjoying it’s delicious tastes and aromas.

Equipment

• Coffee maker or espresso machine
• Latte glass
• Spoon
• Kitchen scales (optional)
• Set of measuring spoons (optional)

Ingredients

• ¾ cup milk
• 1-2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup of strong coffee
• 3 tsp cocoa powder or mocha syrup
• 1/2 cup of ice cubes
• 1-2 tsp sugar (optional)
• 1 tbsp whipped cream (optional)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 pinch cocoa powder for dusting (optional) 

Method

• Brew 1-2 shots of espresso.
• Put the cocoa powder or mocha syrup into and 8oz glass and add 3-4 tsp of the milk. Stir to a smooth liquid.
• Add the espresso
• Pour the rest of the milk over the cocoa paste and stir well to mix the ingredients.
• Add any sugar and vanilla extract you want to use.
• Top up with ice.
• Give your iced mocha a final stir.
• For a luxury finish add the whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.
• Relax and enjoy!

Top tips for making mocha latte at home

• Choose good quality fresh espresso beans to create the base of your mocha latte.
• Adjust the amount of sugar you add to change the sweetness of your latte. I recommend starting with the recipe as I have written it. Then, if it’s too sweet for you, next time use a little less sugar. Alternatively, if it’s not sweet enough for you, you can add a bit more sugar and stir it in.
• When you add the milk to the cocoa powder, it can easily become lumpy. To avoid lumps start by adding a few spoons of milk and stir to make a smooth paste. Then add the rest of the milk and stir to a smooth liquid.
• If you prefer you can use mocha syrup. You can use store-bought mocha syrup. It’s available from most good stores. But if you have any difficulty finding it, or you want to make your own, check out my easy mocha syrup recipe.
• You can use whatever milk you prefer. If you like dairy milk, check out my review of the best dairy milks. Otherwise, I have a great review of the best non-dairy milks you can use.

With an espresso machine

• Brew 1-2 shots of espresso.

Without an espresso machine

• Use your preferred coffee maker to brew a strong short coffee. Check out our tips on how to make espresso without an espresso machine.

Finishing touches

• If you want to really treat yourself, you can add a spoonful (or two) of whipped cream to the top. Better yet, pipe or spray the cream. Then finish with a dusting of chocolate powder.

Different types of iced coffee

If you love our iced mocha latte, or just want a tasty cooling coffee, be sure to give these a try:

• Iced latte
• Iced cappuccino
• iced americano
• Vietnamese iced milk coffee
• Iced caramel latte

FAQs

What are the ingredients in an iced mocha?

An iced mocha is typically made up of espresso, chocolate syrup or cocoa powder, cold milk and ice cubes. Some variations may also include whipped cream, syrups and other flavorings.

How much caffeine is in an iced cafe mocha?

The amount of caffeine in an iced mocha will vary depending on the type and strength of espresso used. Generally, a single serving (16 ounces) of iced mocha contains approximately 180 milligrams of caffeine.

Is an iced mocha coffee healthy?

An iced mocha can be quite unhealthy if it contains high amounts of sugar and cream. However, when made with low-fat milk and natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup, an iced mocha can be a healthier option than some other sugary coffees. Additionally, cold drinks tend to be more hydrating than hot drinks, making iced mochas an even better choice.

What is the difference between an iced mocha latte and a regular iced mocha?

The main difference between an iced mocha latte and a regular iced mocha lies in the ratio of espresso, chocolate syrup or cocoa powder to cold milk. An iced mocha latte is made with more espresso than a regular iced mocha, giving it a stronger coffee flavor and a slightly higher caffeine content.

Is it possible to make an iced caffe mocha latte without espresso?

Yes! It is easy to make an iced mocha latte without espresso by replacing the espresso with strong brewed coffee or a strong cold-brew. This will yield a slightly different flavor profile, but can still be a delicious iced mocha.

If you don’t have an espresso machine, that’s no problem. Take a look at my guide to how to make espresso without a machine.

Can I make an iced mocha latte with dairy-free milk?

Absolutely! Any kind of non-dairy milk such as almond, coconut or soy milk can be used to make an iced mocha latte. Additionally, there are now many vegan chocolate syrups available which can be substituted for the traditional cocoa powder and syrup combination.

If you’re not sure which non-dairy milk to use, check out my guide to the best non-dairy milks for lattes.

Does Starbucks have a mocha latte?

Sometimes you just want a great mocha latte. Making it at home allows you to control exactly what goes into it. That way you will get the exact coffee you want. But if you are out, it’s easier to go to a coffee shop.

So yes, Starbucks does have an iced mocha latte (during the hot months)! This delicious coffee combines rich espresso with chocolatey cocoa flavors to create an indulgent yet refreshing treat.

Plus, If you want one, you can get a Dunkin mocha iced coffee or even a Mcdonald’s iced mocha latte.

But trust me, once you have made your own iced mocha, you won’t want to go back to the iced mocha Starbucks sell or Dunkin donuts mocha iced coffee.

What are the ingredients in a mocha latte?

You only need 4 simple ingredients (though you can add others for a decadent experience!):

•  ¾ cup milk
• 1-2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup of strong coffee
• 2-3 tsp cocoa powder or mocha syrup
• 1/2 cup of ice cubes

For a more luxurious experience you can add some (or even all!) of these:

• 1-2 tsp sugar (optional)
• 1 tbsp whipped cream (optional)
•  ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 pinch cocoa powder for dusting (optional)