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Caramel Mocha Latte Recipe

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!

Caramel mocha latte in a glass cup.

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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


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

⚠️ 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


  1. Spiced Version: Infuse the milk with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a spiced mocha latte.
  2. Iced Version: Chill the mixture and serve it over ice.
  3. Vegan Version: Use dairy-free milk and vegan caramel syrup for a plant-based option.
  4. 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

Caramel mocha latte in a glass cup.

🍚 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.

Lana Stuart.

Questions? I’m happy to help!

If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

📖 Recipe

Caramel mocha latte in a glass cup.

Caramel Mocha Latte

Enjoy a decadent Caramel Mocha Latte as an afternoon pick-me-up or after-dinner dessert coffee with this 5-minute recipe!
5 from 4 votes
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Course: Beverages
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 102kcal
Author: Lana Stuart

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

Instructions

  • Measure 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, additional caramel syrup, and toffee bits.

Notes

  • For a milder flavor, add a bit more warm milk. For a bolder taste, increase the amount of instant coffee in the mix.
  • To store leftovers, refrigerate it in an airtight container. To reheat, gently warm in the microwave or on the stovetop, then add more toppings.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 | Calories 102kcal | Carbohydrates 17g | Protein 3g | Fat 3g | Saturated Fat 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat 1g | Cholesterol 10mg | Sodium 74mg | Potassium 174mg | Fiber 0.3g | Sugar 15g | Vitamin A 147IU | Vitamin C 0.1mg | Calcium 112mg | Iron 0.2mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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— This post was originally sponsored by Folgers and published on May 20, 2016. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.

Caramel Mocha Latte - Enjoy it as a delicious afternoon pick-me-up or a serve to your guests for a delicious after dinner dessert coffee. https://www.lanascooking.com/caramel-mocha-latte/

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9 Comments

  1. Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says:

    It’s rainy and dreary here. This looks so good to me right now!

  2. Chris Celebrations At Home says:

    Mmmm, sounds decadent! Great for entertaining too.

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      Yes, it is, Chris. I think it makes a wonderful dessert all on its own.

  3. I never make “pick me up” coffee, because of the issue you identified – don’t want to make a wasteful entire pot. The instant Folger’s idea is brilliant!

    Miss P

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      I know! I hate dumping out cups and cups of leftover coffee. Especially as expensive as it is! Also, I can flavor just one cup any way I want – a pinch of cinnamon or a spoonful of chocolate syrup.

      1. Barb Luedeka says:

        I like to refrigerate left over coffee and use it to make an iced coffee drink. I just add some sweetener, vanilla, and milk or cream and pour over ice. Some whipped cream and/or cinnamon topping would be decadent.

  4. i love making specialty coffee drinks at home. This looks simple and delicious! thanks Lana

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      It’s great, Cheryl. Especially with the caramel and toffee bits on top!