We’ve discovered the perfect fusion of rich chocolate and smooth coffee that’ll transform your morning routine. This mocha cold brew coffee recipe combines the bold intensity of cold-brewed coffee with the indulgent sweetness of chocolate, creating a café-quality drink you can make at home.
Cold brew coffee has taken the industry by storm, and for good reason. The slow steeping process extracts maximum flavor while reducing acidity, resulting in a naturally smooth and less bitter taste. When we add chocolate to this already perfect base, we get a luxurious beverage that’s both refreshing and energizing.
What makes our recipe special is its simplicity and versatility. You can customize the chocolate intensity to match your preferences, whether you’re craving a subtle hint of cocoa or a full-blown chocolate experience. This drink works beautifully as an afternoon pick-me-up or a morning energizer that’ll rival any coffee shop creation.
Ingredients
Our mocha cold brew recipe requires simple yet quality ingredients that create the perfect balance of rich coffee and decadent chocolate. We’ve organized these ingredients into three categories to make your preparation seamless and efficient.
For the Cold Brew Coffee
- 1 cup coarse ground coffee (medium to dark roast works best)
- 4 cups cold filtered water
- Large jar or cold brew maker
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
For the Mocha Mixture
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For Serving
- 1 cup prepared cold brew coffee concentrate
- 1/2 cup whole milk or your preferred milk alternative
- 2 tablespoons prepared mocha mixture
- Ice cubes
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder for garnish (optional)
Equipment Needed
Creating our mocha cold brew coffee requires minimal equipment that most home coffee enthusiasts already have on hand. We’ll walk through each essential tool and explain why it’s important for achieving the perfect brew.
For Making Cold Brew Coffee:
- Large jar or cold brew maker – We recommend using a 32-ounce mason jar or dedicated cold brew maker to accommodate the coffee and water ratio properly
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth – This essential tool removes coffee grounds from our concentrate and ensures a smooth final product
- French press (optional) – While not required, a French press can simplify the brewing and straining process for those who prefer this method
For Preparing the Mocha Mixture:
- Mason jar or cocktail shaker – We use this to thoroughly combine our cold brew with chocolate syrup, creating the perfect mocha blend
- Small mixing bowl – Essential for whisking together our cocoa powder, sugar, and hot water into a smooth paste
- Whisk or small spoon – This helps us eliminate lumps when creating our chocolate mixture
For Serving and Storage:
- Measuring cups and spoons – Accurate measurements ensure consistent flavor in every batch we make
- Tall glasses – We recommend 12-16 ounce glasses to accommodate ice and all our delicious ingredients
- Sealed container – Our cold brew concentrate stays fresh in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container
Most of these items are common kitchen tools, making this recipe accessible for coffee lovers at any skill level. The equipment we’ve listed allows us to create café-quality mocha cold brew from the comfort of our own kitchen.
Instructions
Creating the perfect mocha cold brew coffee requires three simple steps that build upon each other for maximum flavor. We’ll guide you through each stage to ensure your homemade version rivals any café creation.
Prep the Cold Brew Coffee
We start by combining ½ cup of cold brew coffee in a cocktail shaker or mason jar with a lid. If you prefer making your own concentrate from scratch, steep coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water overnight then strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. The cold brewing process extracts coffee’s rich flavors without the bitterness that hot brewing can create.
Store-bought cold brew concentrate works perfectly for this recipe and saves important time. Quality matters here since the cold brew forms the foundation of our mocha creation.
Make the Mocha Mixture
Add 2-3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup directly to your cold brew coffee. Store-bought syrup provides convenience while homemade versions offer customization options for sweetness levels.
For a richer mocha experience, we recommend whisking together cocoa powder, sugar, and warm cold brew coffee to dissolve the ingredients completely. This method creates a more intense chocolate flavor that chocolate syrup alone cannot achieve.
Stir the chocolate mixture thoroughly into the cold brew, shaking or whisking vigorously to ensure complete integration. The mixture should appear smooth and evenly colored without any chocolate settling at the bottom.
Combine and Serve
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes to create the perfect temperature foundation for your mocha cold brew. Pour the prepared mocha cold brew mixture over the ice, allowing it to cascade through the cubes.
Add ⅓ cup of milk or dairy alternative and stir gently to combine all flavors. The milk softens the coffee’s intensity while adding creamy richness to balance the chocolate notes.
Top with whipped cream and drizzle additional chocolate syrup for enhanced presentation and flavor depth. For an elevated experience, use a milk frother or French press to froth the milk before adding it to create a café-style foam layer.
This method delivers a smooth, chocolatey iced mocha that takes approximately 5 minutes to prepare when using ready-made cold brew concentrate.
Directions for Make-Ahead Cold Brew
We recommend preparing your cold brew coffee in advance to ensure maximum flavor extraction and convenience. This make-ahead approach allows the coffee grounds to steep slowly, creating a smooth and concentrated base that will elevate your mocha cold brew experience.
Step 1: Prepare the Coffee Mixture
Start by combining 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee beans with 1/8 cup of cocoa powder in your large jar or cold brew maker. The cocoa powder integrates directly into the brewing process, infusing chocolate notes throughout the steeping period. Add 6 cups of warm water gradually while stirring to ensure even distribution of the coffee grounds and cocoa powder.
Step 2: Add Flavor Enhancers
Pour in 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract to complement the chocolate and coffee flavors. This addition creates depth and rounds out the overall taste profile of your cold brew concentrate. Stir the mixture thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
Step 3: Begin the Steeping Process
Cover your container and let the mixture steep for 12 to 24 hours at room temperature or in the refrigerator. The extended steeping time allows the coffee grounds and cocoa powder to release their full flavor potential. We find that 18 hours provides the optimal balance of strength and smoothness.
Step 4: Strain and Store
After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove all grounds and cocoa particles. Pour the concentrated cold brew into a sealed container and refrigerate immediately. Your homemade mocha cold brew concentrate will stay fresh for up to two weeks when properly stored.
| Steeping Time | Result |
|---|---|
| 12 hours | Light concentration |
| 18 hours | Optimal balance |
| 24 hours | Maximum strength |
This make-ahead preparation method ensures you always have delicious mocha cold brew concentrate ready for quick assembly whenever cravings strike.
Serving Suggestions
We’ve perfected our mocha cold brew recipe and now it’s time to elevate your presentation game. The right serving approach transforms this delicious drink from a simple morning beverage into a café-worthy experience.
Serve your mocha cold brew in tall glasses filled with ice for that refreshing iced coffee experience. Coffee ice cubes work exceptionally well here since they prevent dilution while maintaining the drink’s robust flavor profile. For an extra indulgent treat, we recommend topping with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup to create that luxurious coffeehouse appeal.
Garnish Options
Whipped cream serves as the perfect creamy topping that adds both visual appeal and rich texture to your mocha cold brew. Chocolate shavings or a light dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder create an elegant finish that enhances the chocolate notes.
Chocolate chips scattered on top provide delightful bursts of sweetness with each sip. Extra chocolate syrup drizzled over whipped cream creates beautiful patterns while intensifying the mocha flavor. For creative presentations, fresh mint leaves add a pop of color and aromatic freshness, while berry slices or orange wedges complement sparkling cold brew variations perfectly.
Flavor Variations
Transform your basic mocha cold brew into a Mocha Cream Cold Brew by substituting heavy whipping cream for regular milk. This creates an incredibly rich texture that rivals premium coffee shop drinks. Mix the cold brew with chocolate syrup and add a touch of sugar to balance the cream’s richness.
Sparkling Cold Brew Mocha offers a refreshing twist by incorporating sparkling water for effervescence. Add a splash of citrus or flavored syrup to create complexity and brightness that cuts through the chocolate’s richness.
Flavored syrups like vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut allow you to customize sweetness levels while adding unique flavor profiles. Vanilla syrup enhances the chocolate notes, while caramel creates a dessert-like experience. Hazelnut syrup adds nutty depth that pairs beautifully with both coffee and chocolate elements.
Replace store-bought chocolate syrup with homemade chocolate sauce made from heated cream and dark chocolate. This substitution provides superior flavor control and creates a more sophisticated taste profile that showcases premium ingredients.
Storage Tips
Proper storage ensures your mocha cold brew maintains its rich flavor and quality for days. We recommend keeping your cold brew concentrate and mocha mixture components separate until you’re ready to serve.
Cold Brew Coffee Base Storage
Store your cold brew concentrate in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator. This coffee base maintains optimal quality for up to 2 weeks when properly sealed. Glass containers work best as they don’t absorb flavors or odors that could affect your brew’s taste.
Prepared Mocha Coffee Storage
Fresh consumption delivers the best flavor experience for your complete mocha cold brew. When you need to store prepared drinks, keep them in sealed containers in the refrigerator. Consume within 24 hours to prevent separation and maintain the creamy texture you created.
Component Storage Strategy
We suggest storing chocolate syrup and milk separately according to manufacturer instructions or homemade recipe guidelines. This approach preserves individual component quality and prevents texture changes that occur when ingredients sit together. Combine these elements fresh at serving time to maintain optimal taste and consistency.
Make Ahead Convenience
Prepare your cold brew concentrate and chocolate syrup in advance for quick assembly. Keep these base components ready in your refrigerator so you can create fresh mocha cold brew whenever cravings strike. This storage method gives you café quality drinks in minutes while ensuring maximum flavor retention.
| Storage Component | Container Type | Duration | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Brew Concentrate | Airtight glass jar | Up to 2 weeks | Refrigerator |
| Prepared Mocha Coffee | Sealed container | 24 hours | Refrigerator |
| Chocolate Syrup | Original container | Per manufacturer | Refrigerator |
| Milk/Cream | Original container | Per expiration date | Refrigerator |
Conclusion
We’ve shown you how to create a café-quality mocha cold brew that rivals any coffee shop drink. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal equipment you can create this delicious beverage in your own kitchen.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility – customize the chocolate intensity adjust the sweetness and experiment with different garnishes to match your taste preferences. Whether you’re batch-preparing concentrate for the week or whipping up a quick afternoon treat this mocha cold brew delivers consistent results every time.
Now it’s time to put these techniques into practice. Grab your favorite coffee beans start that cold brew process and treat yourself to the rich chocolatey goodness that awaits. Your morning routine will never be the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mocha cold brew coffee?
Mocha cold brew coffee is a delicious combination of rich chocolate and smooth cold-brewed coffee. It features the low acidity and smooth taste of cold brew coffee enhanced with cocoa powder, sugar, and vanilla extract. This refreshing drink offers a perfect balance of coffee and chocolate flavors, making it an ideal pick-me-up for any time of day.
How long does it take to make mocha cold brew?
The actual preparation time is about 5 minutes when using ready-made cold brew concentrate. However, if making cold brew from scratch, you’ll need 12-24 hours for steeping (with 18 hours being optimal). The make-ahead approach allows you to have concentrate ready for quick assembly whenever you want a mocha cold brew.
What ingredients do I need for mocha cold brew?
You’ll need cold brew coffee concentrate, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, hot water, vanilla extract, salt, milk (or milk alternative), and ice cubes. For the cold brew concentrate, use coarse ground coffee and cold filtered water. Optional garnishes include whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and chocolate syrup for enhanced presentation.
How should I store mocha cold brew?
Store cold brew concentrate and mocha mixture components separately until serving. Keep cold brew concentrate in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Prepared mocha coffee should be consumed within 24 hours to maintain its creamy texture. Store chocolate syrup and milk separately to prevent texture changes.
Can I customize the mocha cold brew recipe?
Yes, the recipe is highly versatile and customizable. You can adjust chocolate intensity by varying cocoa powder amounts, use different milk alternatives, add flavored syrups like vanilla or caramel, or create variations like Mocha Cream Cold Brew with heavy cream or Sparkling Cold Brew Mocha for effervescence. Homemade chocolate sauce can also elevate the flavor profile.
What equipment do I need to make mocha cold brew?
Basic equipment includes a large jar or cold brew maker, fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, mason jar or cocktail shaker, small mixing bowl, whisk or spoon, measuring cups and spoons, tall glasses, and sealed storage containers. Most items are common kitchen tools, making this recipe accessible for coffee lovers at any skill level.
