So, what is a mochaccino coffee anyways? If you love the taste of dark, rich coffee — you may already know.
If you don’t, you are missing out on a decadent coffee with a sweet flavor of steamed milk and chocolate.
Topics Explored
- What Is Mochaccino Coffee?
- What Does Mochaccino Coffee Taste & Look Like?
- Cafe Mocha vs. Mochaccino
- Variations
- How To Make A Mochaccino
- FAQs
What is a Mochaccino Coffee?
Mochaccino is a hot beverage combining the iconic flavors of mocha and cappuccino.
Simply made with a 1:1 ratio of espresso to frothed milk, it’s topped off with chocolate syrup and whipped cream for a sinful finish.
You can also add spices like nutmeg and cinnamon to give this cup of coffee an extra flair.
The Mochaccino was inspired by an Italian drink called “bavareisa,” (meaning “with passion”), which translates into English as “passionate bean”.
The Bavareisa was popularized by Caffè al Bicerin in Turin and called the Bicerin. The name “caffè mocha” was not used in America until around 1892.
Is Mochaccino a Coffee?
Yes, it contains several shots of brewed espresso and is similar to a latte or cappuccino in composition.
A Mochaccino deliciously combines the bitter sweetness of a mocha and the frothy creaminess of a cappuccino with chocolate syrup to create a rich flavor in every sip.
What Does It Taste & Look Like?
Appearance
Mochaccino is a coffee drink with an irresistible fluffy texture topping that makes it look similar to the ubiquitous cappuccino.
However, the main difference is that a mochaccino has a chocolate-colored foam on top with streaks of dark brown running through it. The chocolate is quite intense and can be easily identified.
Taste
Mochaccino is a unique coffee drink that tastes like the perfect combination of sweet, bitter, and rich.
The dominant flavor in this drink is “mocha”, giving it a chocolatey taste with a hint of coffee bitterness. The milk adds a creamy texture while the whipped cream and chocolate syrup provides a sweet finishing touch.
Cafe Mocha vs. Mochaccino
If you had to decide between a Cafe Mocha and a Mochaccino, which should you choose? Both are made with espresso, milk, and chocolate, but the ratios of these ingredients make all the difference.
| Mochaccino | Mocha |
|---|---|
| Composition: – Cocoa powder – 1 part espresso to 1 part milk – Froth |
Composition: – Cocoa powder – 1 part espresso to 2 parts milk – Froth |
| Flavor: – Chocolate notes – Strong espresso flavor |
Flavor: – Chocolate notes – Lighter espresso flavor |
| Thick froth | Thin microfoam |
| Body: Medium |
Body: Light |
1. Composition
If we were to draw a comparison, the Mochaccino is built more like a cappuccino while the Mocha is more similar to a latte.
A mochaccino that has an equal amount of espresso and steamed milk. It’s also topped with thick milk froth,
Mochas are less intense than their counterparts; with 1 part espresso and 2 parts milk. They’re usually sweeter too.
2. Flavor
A mochaccino is chocolatey with a strong punch of espresso flavor. The steam milk balances this intensity while giving the drink a light milky taste.
Mocha is even milkier and is what sets it apart from the mochaccino. The chocolate is not too overwhelming, which makes this drink the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy a light cup of coffee with a touch of decadence.
3. Foam
Both Mochaccino and Mocha are finished with steamed milk and milk foam. Sometimes, baristas may even finish off the brew with whipped cream.
The original Mochaccino however has a thicker and drier milk foam. On the other hand, a mocha will be topped with a thin layer of microfoam.
Mochaccino Variations
You now have a basic idea of what mochaccino coffee is, but what if you want to customize it?
Whether you like your coffee cold or with a touch of sweetness or cooling aftertaste, there’s a mochaccino variation for you. Here are our suggestions for making this drink just the way you like it.
Peppermint Mochaccino
Start by shaking milk in a jar until it becomes frothy – then add peppermint syrup. Fill your favorite mug with espresso or strong coffee, then pour in the sweetened frothy milk. Top it with whipped cream and candy cane pieces for a delicious soothing drink. (1)
Ingredients:
- Cocoa powder
- Peppermint syrup
- Espresso
- Milk
- Crushed candy canes (optional)
Caramel Mochaccino
Caramel mochaccino is a comforting and decadent drink.
Take 2 tablespoons of hot coffee, 2 tablespoons Torani caramel sauce, rich chocolate sauce, and milk and place into a coffee mug. Microwave for 35-40 seconds and then blend until mixed well. Let it cool and add the remaining coffee.
Finally, add ice and top it with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.
Ingredients:
- Cocoa powder
- Caramel sauce
- Espresso
- Milk
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Caramel drizzle (optional)
Iced Mochaccino
If you are a fan of iced beverages, don’t despair! The mochaccino can also be made cold.
Simply follow our fail-safe recipe below but make a few tiny changes. Once the mocha is complete (Steps 1 to 3), set it aside to cool before adding ice.
Finally, top it off with your frothed and your delicious drink is ready to serve.
Ingredients:
- Cocoa powder
- Espresso
- Milk
- Ice
- Whipped cream (optional)
How To Make A Mochaccino
Don’t know how to make a mochaccino? It’s easier than you might think! All you need is some basic ingredients such as coffee, milk, chocolate, and a blender.
Fail-Safe Mochaccino Recipe
When brewing your next cup of coffee, don't be afraid to experiment with different recipes. Try this fail-safe recipe.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder: 2 tbsp
- Espresso: 2 shots
- Whole milk: ⅔ cup
- Sugar*: 1 to 2 tbsp
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the milk in a saucepan on medium heat until it starts to warm up. Be careful not to let the milk boil and burn.
- Add sugar and cocoa powder to the warm milk. Stir until the powder and sugar dissolve completely in the milk without leaving any lumps inside.
- Brew a pot of espresso and pour it into a mug. You can almost taste the chocolate and caramel notes as you take a sip. But wait!
- Use a handheld frother to froth your cocoa mixture for an extra rich and smooth texture. Or, if you like, you can use the French press method pictured.
- In a mug, pour hot frothed cocoa over the rich and creamy espresso to make that perfect drink for any time of the day.
- Finish your drink with a dollop of whipped cream or sprinkle on some cocoa powder. Either way, you'll be enjoying a delicious and decadent treat!
Summary
So, what is a mochaccino coffee? It’s basically a latte with added chocolate but you can design it how you want.
Use cocoa powder or chocolate syrup as your chocolate base. Some people also like to add whipped cream and marshmallows on top.
FAQs
Making a mochaccino at home with an espresso machine is not as hard as you might think. All you need is some basic equipment and a little practice.
- Get some chocolate syrup.
- Brew espresso using your espresso machine.
- Froth milk using a steam wand.
- Add espresso to the steamed milk, followed by chocolate syrup
- Dollop with whipped cream, and your drink is ready.
Yes, mochaccinos contain caffeine unless you’re using decaf. A standard mocha has around 120 mg of the stimulating ingredient in each cup.
The mochaccino has an espresso to milk ratio of 1:3, but you can always increase the amount of espresso you add for a larger dose of caffeine.
Starbucks does not have mochaccino on its menu; they only have a mocha latte. The two names are often used interchangeably and this can be confusing because they aren’t always made the same.
You can differentiate the mocha latte and the mochaccino by their ingredients. While mochaccino uses espresso in hot chocolate milk, mocha contains steamed milk, espresso, and bittersweet mocha sauce.
Wondering where your info comes from? We totally understand. Hey Joe only obtains our information from reputable sources. Contents from this article are sourced from the following publications:
- Pinch of Yum: https://pinchofyum.com/cozy-homemade-peppermint-mocha
