COFFEE GUIDE
Mocha
Espresso plus chocolate plus steamed milk. The gateway drink.
WHAT IT IS
A mocha (also called a caffè mocha or mocha latte) is a latte with chocolate sauce added. Usually 8 to 12 oz. Some shops add whipped cream on top. The name comes from the port city of Mocha in Yemen, historically a major coffee exporter.
HOW IT IS MADE
Chocolate sauce or cocoa powder is added to the bottom of the cup. Espresso shots are pulled over the chocolate. Steamed milk is poured to fill the cup. At quality shops, dark chocolate or house-made chocolate sauce is used instead of commercial mocha syrup.
WHAT IT TASTES LIKE
Sweet, chocolatey, and coffee-flavored. The chocolate softens the espresso bitterness and adds richness. Quality varies dramatically based on the chocolate used. House-made dark chocolate sauce creates a completely different drink than commercial flavoring syrup.
WHEN TO ORDER IT
When you want something sweet and coffee-adjacent. As a gateway drink before you develop a taste for straight espresso. As a treat rather than a daily coffee order.
HOW TO ORDER IT
Say "mocha." Ask for dark chocolate sauce if the shop uses commercial mocha syrup by default. Specify your milk preference.
VARIATIONS
White mocha: white chocolate instead of dark. Iced mocha: over ice. Peppermint mocha: with peppermint syrup. Skinny mocha: non-fat milk and sugar-free syrup.
CAFFEINE
About 125mg for a double-shot mocha. Dark chocolate adds about 5 to 10mg per tablespoon.
According to Pulled Coffee data from 462,531 coffee shops worldwide, 15.9% of all coffee shops are classified as specialty — the type most likely to serve a proper Mocha. In cities like Vancouver (4,175 specialty shops) and London (3,621), your chances of finding a great one are significantly higher than the global average.
Find a great Mocha near you
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Find a great Mocha near you