How to Make the Perfect Cafe Mocha

This one goes out to all you caffeine addicts out there! Today, I want to show you how to make (in my opinion) the perfect homemade café mocha. *Note: this recipe has been updated as Starbucks no longer sells their mocha mix! For my Homemade Mocha Recipe using staple pantry ingredients, you can click here!

Even if you're not a fan of espresso drinks, it's nice to know how to make fancy coffee drinks when you have guests over. A really super-delicious mocha has the ability to make your guests overlook the playroom that looks like a Toys 'R Us delivery truck backed in through the window. Don't ask me how I know that.

I've never tried making a mocha with plain coffee, but I'd be willing to bet you could give it a whirl. The results could be interesting, but worth a try. But, truly, the $40.00 or so that an espresso maker like mine costs (on the very cheap end of the scale!) is worth the investment. Target and Wal-Mart both carry inexpensive espresso machines like mine. Each time I make a mocha at home, I'm saving a couple of bucks from being tossed into Starbucks' coffers.

1. We'll start with our main ingedients:

• Espresso roast (If you buy the Starbucks brand--found at Target and WM--the 'Bucks will grind it for you for free!)
• Starbucks Mocha Powder (Read about it here. Much better tasting than the other powdered kind you can buy on the coffee aisle. It is sweet, but not sugary syrupy sweet. More of a bitter cocoa chocolate as opposed to hot chocolate.)
• Flavored Syrup (Optional. Found at Wal-Mart, World Market, Starbucks.)

2. Measure out a bit more espresso than what you'll need. I usually fill almost to the 4 "cup" mark.

3. Place 2 Tablespoons of the dry Mocha powder into a mug:

4. While your espresso brews, mix the mocha powder with 2 Tablespoons of hot water and stir until dissolved. It creates a syrup!

5. When your espresso is finished brewing (I do enough for 2 shots, which is pretty standard with at-home machines), pour about half of it in with the syrup and stir well.

6. For a small to medium size mug, you'll want to measure out about 1/2 cup of milk. I do 3/4 cup for really big mugs. You can use a measuring cup to froth your milk like I am here, or a frothing mug. I picked a frothing mug up from IKEA for about $6. I prefer skim milk, but I've been using whole milk because that's what my kids drink.

7. Place the cup of milk under the frothing tip, making sure it doesn't touch the bottom of your cup. Slowly turn the steam application on and watch your milk steam! (You can also just microwave your milk)

8. Add your milk and then the rest of the espresso to the mug and stir well.

9. For an extra punch of flavor, you can add a Tablespoon of flavoring. I love Torani's peppermint syrup and the sugar free raspberry (pictured) is delish! Stir well.

So now you have a perfectly good mocha, but it's looking a bit plain, yes?

Call in the calvary, people!

 Uh huh...

Oooh yeaaah...

And if you have a friend who is nice enough and you want to thank her by sending her into a diabetic coma, pair it with a most indulgent cinnamon bun.

Don't you seriously want to be my best friend now? It's okay if you admit it.

Once you've tried this technique a few times, it becomes second nature. I packed up my stuff once and brought it to a girlfriend's house to play barista. Our friends took turns ordering drinks, and we had the most lovely play date. I'm telling you...mochas are the way to win friends for sure.

{What's your favorite beverage to serve morning guests?}


Linking to Tasty Tuesday, The Shabby Chic Cottage