If you want to try something cold, creamy, and chocolatey, with a bit of coffee punch. During summer, or just want to try something colder than an Iced mocha latte recipe instant coffee would be a good choice for you.
I have recently tried it and liked it too much. It was kind of Starbucks-like, but not from Starbucks.
The drink that I made at home with instant coffee, cocoa powder, and some tweaks is much better than many cafe versions.
So in this post, I will show you how to make it at home with instant coffee, even if you don’t have an espresso machine.
I’ll also give you some variation, tell you what you can pair with it, and how you will froth it like a pro.
What Is an Iced Mocha Latte, Actually?
In simple words, an iced mocha latte is basically a cold drink that is made with a mix of coffee, chocolate, milk, and ice.
Or we can also say that it is the cold cuisine of a cafe mocha.
But the only difference is that instead of steamed milk and espresso, we have to use cold milk, instant coffee (you can also use espresso if you want), chocolate syrup, or cocoa powder.
Besides this, it is topped with whipped cream and a little bit of chocolate sauce.
Why I Use Instant Coffee (And Not an Espresso Machine)
Not everybody has an espresso machine at home. And because I love trying different things. So I made it without it.
So, after trying it, I can say that you get better control of your drink with instant coffee.
It is fast, cheaper, and you can also adjust the strength.
In fact, if you use strong instant coffee and mix it well, you will get the same boldness that you’d get using an espresso machine.
Also read: White Mocha Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino Starbucks
Ingredients You’ll Need for Homemade Iced Mocha Latte (with Instant Coffee)
Here’s what I use when I make an iced mocha latte recipe instant coffee. All of these ingredients are pantry basics.
- 1 to 1.5 tsp instant coffee powder: I use Nescafé Classic or Bru Gold, because they were already in my home. But you can use any other brand you like—just make sure it’s bold enough so that your coffee can stand out.
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder: This will give it the chocolate mocha flavor. And, if you want it sweeter, you can also use sweetened cocoa mix, but I prefer to keep the sugar separate.
- 1.5 tbsp sugar or sweetener (or more/less): You can use regular sugar, coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, stevia, monk fruit—anything you like, they’re all good options.
- 1 to 2 tbsp hot water: You will need this to dissolve the instant coffee and cocoa together before adding to cold milk.
- 1 cup cold milk (dairy or non-dairy): I have used everything from whole milk to almond milk, oat milk, soy milk—depending on what I’m in the mood for and what I’m making. If you use Almond milk, it will keep it light, while the oat milk will make it creamy.
- Ice cubes (as much as you want): I usually fill my glass at least halfway with ice, but in your case, you could do something different, like fill 40 or 60 percent.
- Optional: whipped cream, chocolate syrup drizzle, cinnamon, or even a tiny sea salt pinch
This basic combo will give you the best mocha latte base that you can build upon or customize.
How to Make Iced Mocha Latte with Instant Coffee – Step-by-Step
Making this iced mocha latte recipe instant coffee is easy, and it will take just 5 to 7 minutes max. And the result will be café-style.
Step 1: Make the Coffee-Chocolate Base
You want to take a small bowl or mug and add the following ingredients:
- 1–1.5 tsp instant coffee
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1.5 tbsp sugar (or whatever sweetener you like)
- 1–2 tbsp hot water
After that, you wanna stir it well using a spoon until it forms a smooth paste, kind of syrup-like mix.
You wanna make sure that cocoa and coffee are fully dissolved because this is going to be your mocha base. If it looks thick, that’s totally fine.
You can also microwave it for 10 to 15 seconds to help mix faster.
Step 2: Prep the Glass
Now, take a tall glass (I prefer using a clear glass if you want to see the swirl).
Fill it halfway or more with ice cubes, that’s your choice, I did half.
If you’re okay with chocolate drizzle, swirl a little chocolate syrup around the inner wall of the glass before adding ice.
It will look fancier and will taste better, too.
Step 3: Add the Coffee-Choco Mix
Now pour the coffee + cocoa mix over the ice.
At this point, the glass will look brown at the bottom with ice floating on top.
Btw, don’t start mixing yet. You will have to do it in the next step.
Step 4: Pour the Cold Milk
You have to slowly pour 1 cup of cold milk over the ice and mocha base.
You’ll see the colors swirl and separate—looks pretty.
But before drinking, you should stir it nicely so that everything mixes well.
If you want a creamier or frothier texture, you can first shake the milk in a jar or use a frother before adding it.
Step 5: Add Toppings (Optional But Awesome)
Once mixed, you can top it with the following ingredients:
- A dollop of whipped cream
- Chocolate shavings or chips
- Cocoa powder sprinkles
- Chocolate syrup drizzle
- Sea salt pinch
- Even a cinnamon stick, if you want a fall twist
These toppings aren’t necessary, but honestly, they will take your homemade latte with instant coffee to the next level, like from basic to café-style without extra effort, so I suggest you try it.
Also read: Frozen Hot Chocolate with Swiss Miss Recipe
Pro Tips to Get the Best Homemade Iced Mocha
If you want to level up your iced mocha latte recipe instant coffee even more, here are a few tricks I would recommend you follow:
- Use espresso powder instead of instant coffee for a stronger kick.
- You can blend it with ice if you want a frappuccino-style frozen mocha latte at home. For this, you have to add a few ice cubes and blend everything together.
- Freeze coffee into ice cubes and use those instead of regular ice. This keeps the drink from watering down.
- Add vanilla extract (just a few drops) for an extra depth of flavor.
- Mix chocolate syrup instead of cocoa if you want your drink to be sweeter and creamier.
- You should froth the milk separately using a frother or shaker bottle; they will help you achieve a foamy texture, exactly like we get in cafes.
Best Milk Options (Based on Taste & Diet)
Here is what I personally feel about milk choices based on what you’re aiming for:
- Whole milk: This is thick, creamy, rich (closest to Starbucks), but if you’re losing weight, you can avoid it, as it will increase the calories.
- Almond milk: This is light, low-calorie, and nutty.
- Oat milk: it is sweet, creamy, and has an amazing texture.
- Soy milk: Richer than almond, higher protein, good if you want to drink after a workout.
- Coconut milk: Use it if you want a tropical twist; it’s great with dark chocolate
In the end, if you want a low-calorie iced mocha latte, I’d say go with almond or oat milk.
Also read: Iced White Chocolate Mocha with Strawberry Cold Foam
Flavor Variations You Can Try
Once you have learned how to make an iced mocha latte recipe with instant coffee, you can change it every day and try out other versions.
Here are some flavor ideas that I personally like to experiment with:
- Peppermint Mocha: You have to add just a few, like 1 or 2 drops of peppermint extract, to the coffee-cocoa mix. It will make you feel refreshed.
- Salted Caramel Mocha: just need to add 1 tsp caramel syrup and a pinch of sea salt.
- Vanilla Mocha: A few drops of vanilla extract will change the whole mood of the drink.
- Spicy Mocha: You have to add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder. This one will give you a bold kick (it is inspired by a Mexican hot chocolate recipe).
- Hazelnut Mocha: Add hazelnut syrup (sugar-free or regular) if you want a Nutella vibe.
- White Mocha Iced Latte: You can swap cocoa powder with melted white chocolate or white chocolate chips.
You can mix and match them with any milk and toppings. They will always give you a different flavor profile every time.
What to Serve with Iced Mocha Latte
Though you can drink this homemade white chocolate latte at home without adding anything.
But if you want to make a mini coffeehouse moment at home, here are some snacks or treats I would suggest you pair with this drink:
- Chocolate chip cookies or biscotti
- Granola bars or protein balls
- Banana bread or almond flour muffins
- Rice cakes with peanut butter drizzle
- Fruit bowl with dark chocolate chunks
- Mini pancakes with syrup + nuts
- Cinnamon toast
Or simply, just sip it solo with a book or Netflix on the side. That’s my favorite way sometimes, I watch my favorite show, and enjoy drinking and eating.
Conclusion
This was an iced mocha latte recipe using instant coffee. You can make it at home within 5 to 7 minutes.
You won’t have to spend a lot of money in a cafe or a restaurant to drink it.
Besides this, you can make it chocolaty, smooth, more refreshing, or customize it in other ways, like making it low sugar, dairy-free, or trying other flavors like frappuccino.
You don’t even need a fancy espresso machine. You will just add coffee, some ice, milk, cocoa, and that’s it.
Your own homemade Starbucks-style iced mocha at home is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use sweetened cocoa powder instead of unsweetened one?
Yes, you can use sweetened cocoa powder instead of unsweetened cocoa powder. Or you can even go with a hot chocolate mix if that’s available.
But you will have to reduce the sugar amount. Sweetened cocoa already contains sugar.
However, for the best result, I will recommend using unsweetened so that you can control the sweetness better.
Is it okay to blend everything with ice instead of pouring it over ice?
Absolutely, you can do that, especially if you want a very frappuccino-style iced mocha.
In this, you have to blend everything with ice, like the coffee, cocoa mix, milk, sweetener, etc. It will create a smooth, icy, thick drink like we get at Starbucks.
You can also add protein powder or any flavored syrup while blending for more richness.
How do I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
It is too simple to make this iced mocha latte recipe with instant coffee vegan.
You will have to use plant-based milk like oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk, plus you should skip whipped cream or just use a dairy-free version.
Besides this, you also want to make sure that the cocoa powder and sweetener you are using don’t contain dairy.
This version will still taste creamy and chocolatey, but it will be vegan.
Iced Mocha Latte Recipe with Instant Coffee
Ingredients
- 1 to 1.5 tsp instant coffee powder
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1.5 tbsp sugar or sweetener stevia, honey, or maple syrup
- 1 to 2 tbsp hot water
- 1 cup cold milk dairy or plant-based
- Ice cubes fill half or more of glass
- Optional: whipped cream chocolate syrup, cocoa powder, cinnamon, sea salt
Instructions
- Make Coffee-Chocolate Base: In a small bowl, mix instant coffee, cocoa powder, sweetener, and hot water. Stir well until it becomes a smooth paste.
- Prep the Glass: Fill a tall glass halfway with ice. Optional: drizzle chocolate syrup on the inside of the glass.
- Add Coffee-Choco Mix: Pour the coffee-chocolate mixture over the ice.
- Add Cold Milk: Slowly pour cold milk into the glass. Watch the swirl, then stir everything well.
- Top It Off (Optional): Add whipped cream, chocolate shavings, cocoa dusting, or a pinch of sea salt. Sip and enjoy!
Notes
As a passionate home cook and food enthusiast, I’m specialize in recreating popular café and restaurant-style chocolate recipes at home. I have experience in testing and customizing various chocolate-based dishes, I focus on using fresh, high-quality ingredients to make preservative-free, delicious treats. My goal is to help chocolate lovers enjoy their favorite recipes with a homemade touch and personalized twists.
