Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha
Learn how to make an amazing Starbucks mocha at home with our salted caramel mocha latte recipe. It’s the perfect dessert drink for family and friends during the holidays. Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of sauce, and you’ll be in heaven!
Servings: 1 mocha
Calories: 265kcal
Ingredients
For the Salted Caramel Sauce
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup filtered water
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
For the Chocolate Sauce
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 oz bittersweet chocolate chips
For One Mocha
- 2 tablespoons salted caramel sauce
- 1 tablespoon chocolate milk
- ¼ cup moka pot coffee or espresso
- ⅓ cup whole milk steamed
For Decorating One Mocha (Optional)
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon salted caramel sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked salt or flaky salt
Instructions
Making the Caramel Sauce
- Measure out the ingredients before you start.
- Pour the sugar in a heavy based 1-quart saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Pour in the water and whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Boil over medium-high heat until it turns amber, about 7 minutes. Never stir it; doing so will crystallize it. Once the caramel begins to turn color, watch it very closely because it can burn in a matter of seconds. Be careful, as it is hotter than boiling water.
- Once the caramel is a good color, immediately remove it from the heat and carefully add the butter, cream, and salt and whisk until well combined. Use caution, as the mixture will bubble up when you add the butter and cream.
- Pour the sauce into a bowl or glass jar and set aside to cool. You should have about ⅔ cup (160 ml) of sauce.
Making the Chocolate Sauce
- Heat the cream in a small saucepan until it barely reaches a simmer. Immediately remove it from the heat and add the chocolate. Whisk continuously until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Refrigerate leftovers.
Making the Mocha Latte
- Brew the coffee using a moka pot, or prepare 2 shots of espresso with a machine. Steam ⅓ cup of milk (heat to 139-149°F) in the microwave, on the stovetop, or with a steam wand.
- For one latte, pour 2 tablespoons of caramel into a mug. Add 1 tablespoon of chocolate sauce, ¼ cup of coffee (2 shots), and ⅓ cup steamed milk and stir well to combine.
- Beat the heavy whipping cream with a handheld electric mixer until stiff peaks form. It should be stiff enough not to fall out of the bowl if it's turned upside down. Pipe the cream on top of the mocha to decorate.
- Dizzle with additional caramel sauce and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Make your own caramel sauce. Homemade always tastes better than store-bought.
- Sticky pot and utensils? Fill the pot with tap water, add the utensils, and bring to a boil. Let the water boil for about 5 minutes, then rinse. All the sticky caramel will be gone!
- Need to make ahead? Whip up the chocolate milk and caramel sauce in advance and refrigerate until needed, or make up the whole mocha and just warm it up on demand.
- Use freshly brewed coffee for the best flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 5.2fl oz mocha | Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 26.6g | Protein: 3.4g | Fat: 16.6g | Cholesterol: 47.1mg | Sodium: 105.3mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 25.7g | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 170.9mg | Iron: 0.1mg
