Caramel Mocha Latte Recipe

Name: Caramel Mocha Latte
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup; 1 tablespoon caramel syrup (or ice cream topping); 1 teaspoon instant coffee; 6 ounces very hot water; 6 ounces warm milk; Whipped cream (optional); Toffee bits (optional)

5 from 4 votes

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Treat yourself and your guests to a decadent Caramel Mocha Latte with this easy recipe. A delicious afternoon pick-me-up or after-dinner dessert coffee ready in just 5 minutes!

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One of the staples of my kitchen pantry is instant coffee. Yes, instant. Of course, I always enjoy my morning cup (or two!) of fresh brewed. It’s the way I start my day.

And while I savor my morning ritual of freshly brewed coffee, the convenience of instant coffee is great when my day gets busy and I want a caffeine boost.

In recent years, instant coffee has undergone a big transformation, boasting flavors that compete with the richness of brewed. It’s also a cost-effective choice that eliminates the wastefulness of brewing extra coffee when all you want is one cup.

Instant coffee is always in my pantry, and unlike those single-serve machines that generate mountains of trash, instant coffee is a good alternative.

☕ Advantages of Instant Coffee

Another reason I always have instant coffee on hand is for cooking. Many recipes require just one cup (or even a half cup) of brewed coffee. Particularly chocolate recipes. Coffee always enhances and brings forward the flavor of chocolate, and instant is the perfect thing to use for those recipes.

Take this Caramel Mocha Latte recipe, for instance. I’d probably never treat myself to a cup of this in the middle of the afternoon if I had to fill the coffee maker and brew coffee beforehand. By using instant coffee, I can make myself a delicious pick-me-up any time I like. It makes a fantastic after-dinner dessert drink, too. You won’t need anything else with it for dessert if you garnish it with whipped cream, caramel syrup, and toffee bits.

🛒 Ingredient Notes

All ingredients required for the recipe.

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Chocolate syrup: Chocolate creates the “mocha” aspect of the recipe. You don’t need anything fancy. In fact, I use good old Hershey’s chocolate syrup most of the time.
Caramel syrup or ice cream topping: The caramel adds a buttery background flavor. Again, you don’t need fancy coffee syrups. Smucker’s caramel sundae syrup works great!
Instant coffee: Of course, it’s the basis for the whole recipe. I keep these Nescafe instant coffee packets on hand in my pantry.
Warm milk: I recommend whole milk, of course. However, you can substitute plant-based milk if you like or even bump the flavor up with half and half or a little cream.
Whipped cream: For extra creaminess and richness, top the latte with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Although I do whip cream when a large amount is needed, I also keep gold old Reddi-wip on hand for those times when I just need a little garnish.
Toffee bits: A sprinkle of toffee bits is totally optional but adds a little crunch and a hint of extra caramel flavor.

You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

🥄 How to Make Caramel Mocha Latte

Measuring ingredients into a mixing bowl. — **STEP 1.**

After whisking in hot water. — **STEP 1.**

Measure the chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, and instant coffee into a small bowl.
Gradually whisk in hot water. Stir until the syrups and coffee are dissolved.
Gently mix in the warm milk.
Serve topped with whipped cream, an additional drizzle of caramel syrup, and toffee bits.

⚠️ Troubleshooting Tips

Adjusting the Coffee Strength: For a milder flavor, add a bit more warm milk to dilute the coffee’s intensity. On the other hand, if you crave a bolder kick of caffeine, simply increase the amount of instant coffee in the mix.
Adjusting the Sweetness: Adjust the amounts of the chocolate and caramel syrups to your desired level of sweetness. If you have a sweet tooth, add a touch more syrup or, if you prefer a more subtle sweetness, slightly reduce the syrup quantities.

🔀 Recipe Variations

Spiced Version: Infuse the milk with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a spiced mocha latte.
Iced Version: Chill the mixture and serve it over ice.
Vegan Version: Use dairy-free milk and vegan caramel syrup for a plant-based option.
Decaf Version: Swap out the instant coffee for decaffeinated coffee granules.

🍽️How to Serve

This delicious drink is perfect with anything from cake to cookies. I really enjoy it with an almond biscotti on the side or a slice of Red Velvet Cake.

🍚 How to Store

In my experience, leftovers are rare. However, if you somehow find yourself with extra, refrigerate it in an airtight container. To reheat, gently warm in the microwave or on the stovetop, then add more toppings.

❓ Questions About Caramel Mocha Latte

Can I use brewed coffee instead of instant coffee?

Of course, you can! Freshly brewed hot coffee works great. Instant is recommended here for convenience only.

Can I prepare a larger batch for a gathering?

Yes, absolutely. Just multiply the ingredients to make the number of servings you need.

Any ideas for a kid-friendly version?

To make the recipe kid-friendly, just skip the coffee and substitute hot cocoa powder to create a caramel hot chocolate for kids.

📖 Recipe