Cafe Mocha Vs Mocha Latte (What’s the Difference?)

You say potato and I say potahto, some say cafe mocha and others say mocha latte?! This is getting confusing. So before we call the whole thing off – what is the difference between these two popular coffee drinks?

There isn’t actually a difference between a mocha and a mocha latte, they’re fundamentally the same drink. However, a mocha (latte) is simply a latte with the addition of hot chocolate.

Let’s dive down into the subject of cafe mochas and mocha lattes in more detail, and discover how they’re made and the subtle differences between them…

Cafe Mocha Vs Mocha Latte

What’s the Difference Between a Cafe Mocha and a Mocha Latte?

There isn’t actually a difference between a mocha and a mocha latte – they’re the same drink. A mocha (latte) is simply a latte but with the addition of hot chocolate. It’s deliciously indulgent! 

How does a mocha differ from a latte? The latter is a shot (or two) of espresso topped with steamed milk and finished with a layer of foamed milk. 

A mocha is pretty similar, except there’s an extra layer of hot chocolate, which goes in after the espresso shot and before the milk. It’s sweeter than a latte, and you can make it sweeter still by using white chocolate. 

Wondering what the difference is between “steamed milk” and “foamed milk”? They’re different ways of heating the milk for a coffee, which give you slightly different results. 

Steamed milk is heated by placing a steam wand below the surface of the milk. This gives you hot and slightly frothy milk.

However, for really frothy milk, like the foamed kind you see on top of your latte or mocha, you place the wand just above the surface. 

You’ll find both types of milk in a latte or a mocha latte. The steamed milk goes in the body of the drink to mix with the coffee (and chocolate in the case of a mocha), while the foamed milk sits on the top, looking pretty and tasting delicious.

What is the Difference Between a Mocha and a Latte at Starbucks?

A Starbucks latte follows the traditional recipe of espresso and milk (steamed and foamed), and it’s served in a tall glass.

Look out for favorite variations like the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte and the tasty caramel edition.

A Starbucks Caffe Mocha has a dose of chocolate (“mocha sauce”) as well as espresso.

As well as the classic mocha, you can get a white chocolate version or a peppermint-flavored edition, and this being Starbucks, you can add all sorts of syrups, sugars, and toppings to create your own unique beverage.

What's the Difference Between a Cafe Mocha and a Mocha Latte?
What’s the Difference Between a Cafe Mocha and a Mocha Latte?

What is Stronger a Latte or Mocha?

Working on the basis of one espresso shot per coffee, a mocha is stronger in both caffeine and flavor.

If it’s made with good chocolate, there’ll be an extra dose of caffeine in that, making it stronger than the single-shot latte.

Then, there’s the flavor. A latte is typically one part coffee to five parts milk. This gives it a mild and creamy taste and texture. There’s less room for the milk in a mocha because of the chocolate, so those strong espresso and chocolate flavors aren’t as diluted. 

Is Latte Healthier Than Mocha? (Which Has Most Calories?)

With its luscious chocolate shot, as you can imagine, mocha has the most calories. In fact, if you choose a skinny latte, you’re looking at a pretty low-cal drink because you’re drinking only espresso and low-fat milk.

If made with standard milk, a typical latte has 43 calories per 100g (about 4 ounces) compared with 64 in a mocha, so that’s quite a difference.

However, a latte contains more fat because it has more milk – generally around 10% more.

Chocolate contains carbohydrates, so if you’re on a low-carb diet, don’t go for the mocha because it has over twice the carbs of a latte. 

Do either have any health benefits? A latte is high in calcium thanks to all that milk. It’s a good drink for vegetarians who want to get a bit more protein into their diets, as milk is a great source of that, too. A latte has 10% more protein than a mocha.

Counting the calories? Stick to an Americano, which has just a single, lonely little calorie per 100g. Really don’t care? A frappuccino serves up 67 cals in 100g, which is even more than a mocha.

Which is Better Latte or Mocha for Beginners?

If you’re new to the world of coffee, a latte is a good starting place. The milk makes it a naturally sweet and creamy drink, and the coffee doesn’t seem too strong. 

Now, you might think that the chocolate content in a mocha would make it a more easier-drinking beverage: not so. The combination of chocolate and espresso is pretty heady, and of course, there’s less milk so the flavors really come across. 

In terms of making coffee, a latte is easier than a mocha simply because there’s one less ingredient. 

Dancy making your own mocha at home? This short film shows you how to make a cafe mocha, barista-style.

Is Mocha Sweeter Than Latte?

Yes, mocha is sweeter than latte (although the milkiness of a latte makes it taste pretty sweet, too). A mocha is made with chocolate, so it’s bound to have a sweeter flavor.

What kind of chocolate goes into a latte? It can be hot chocolate, cocoa, or chocolate syrup, and all three add a lot of sweetness to the latte base. If you have a really sweet tooth, make it using white chocolate which is naturally sweeter.

And then of course, there are all the flavored sugars and syrups and toppings that you can add to your mocha or latte if you like your coffee really sweet.

Does a Latte or Mocha Taste More Like Coffee?

A latte is really just a milky coffee, so if you want a purer coffee taste, that’s the one to choose.

However, there’s something about the way that the espresso and chocolate combine in a mocha that makes the coffee flavors seem stronger.

Coffee and chocolate are the perfect combination. Together, they create a rich and luxurious flavor that has an almost roasty edge.

A mocha latte has a wonderfully deep coffee taste, because the chocolate serves to enhance the roasted coffee tones.

If you like the taste of chocolate with your coffee, try adding coffee syrup to your cappuccino as well as the obligatory sprinkles, which makes a “mochaccino”. Here’s a recipe for making a mochaccino at home.

In Starbucks? Indulge your love of chocolatey coffee by ordering one of their dark chocolate mochas, which have a seriously rich flavor.