Easy Iced Mocha Recipe: Cold Coffee Plus Chocolate Equals Joy

An iced mocha might be the easiest coffee shop treat to make at home! So what are you waiting for?

Making a classic mocha latte at home can feel intimidating. You need an espresso machine and the skills to use it. On the other hand, an iced mocha latte couldn’t be easier! You don’t need to steam milk, and you can even get away without pulling espresso shots.

It’s as simple as shaking a few ingredients together and enjoying your refreshing treat. After all, how wrong can you go with chocolate and coffee?

How To Make An Iced Mocha at Home

An iced mocha, also known as mocha latte, is a chilled drink that blends strong coffee, chocolate sauce, and milk – served over ice. When done right, it perfectly balances sweet and bitter flavor notes for a tasty treat that’s actually surprisingly healthy (1).

Not sure the mocha latte with ice is the right summer drink for you? Check out this list of other iced coffee recipes or try a crowd-favorite Starbucks Mocha Cookie Frappuccino.

What is the best coffee for making mocha?

I like to use storebought or homemade cold brew coffee concentrate for a mocha, but you can also make a strong brewed coffee or double shot of espresso and let them chill to room temperature before using. Alternatively, substitute 2 ounces of prepared instant coffee or instant espresso.

I recommend a medium, dark, or espresso roast coffee, as the delicate flavors of a lighter roast are likely to be overpowered by the chocolate.

What is the best milk for mocha?

The great thing about iced mochas is you don’t have to worry about the suitability of your milk for frothing. The traditional options are 2% and whole dairy milk, but it’s easy to make substitutions.

Use skim or 1% for a lower-fat drink or half-and-half for a creamier latte recipe. Or try chocolate milk for more chocolate flavor! Plant-based milks work equally well here. I like oat milk or almond milk for their neutral flavors. 

A Step-by-Step Homemade Mocha Recipe

Making a mocha at home is much easier than making the hot coffee alternative. You don’t even need an espresso maker. Odds are you already have everything you need!

Is it the wrong season for a cold drink? You can make a regular mocha coffee instead – or kick it up a notch with a fiery Mexican Spicy Mocha Coffee or comforting Toasted White Chocolate Mocha.

1. Make The Chocolate Sauce

Put 3 ounces of milk, sugar, and cocoa powder in a small saucepan over low heat. Whisk until everything is combined and the sugar dissolves.

Let it cool to at least room temperature, then add the tablespoon of heavy cream.

You can also make this sauce in the microwave. Put the first three ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and nuke it in 30-second increments until it has the right consistency. Then add the heavy cream.

2. Assemble The Mocha

Fill a tall chilled glass with ice cubes. Better yet, fill it with coffee ice cubes made from frozen brewed coffee for even more coffee flavor.

Add the cold coffee concentrate to the homemade chocolate syrup and mix well. Pour this mixture over the ice in the glass. Top with the remaining 3 ounces of cold milk.

3. Add Toppings

Toppings aren’t necessary, particularly if you’re counting calories, but it’s hard to resist a little decoration.

Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of extra chocolate syrup for the classic look, or go for a dusting of cocoa powder, some chocolate shavings, chocolate sprinkles, or even a shower of finely chopped nuts.

Final Thoughts

That’s all there is to it! A delicious iced mocha might be the simplest specialty coffee drink you can make at home, especially if you opt for a store-bought cold brew and chocolate sauce. The combination of coffee and chocolate is so good that it needs very little help to become the perfect treat for summer. 

Go ahead and make this recipe to impress the coffee lovers in your life. There’s no need to tell them how easy it was.