Coffee is a drink consumed as per personal preferences. Some people prefer it basic, while others prefer it with added flavours. However, not many might refuse a coffee paired with chocolate, and mocha is one of those drinks.

Mocha is a classic espresso-based coffee that tastes more like sipping chocolate pudding. It’s rich, chocolaty, and delightful to drink, but making it even more fun, especially when you want a delectable coffee drink in the comfort of your own home.

You’ll often see espresso machines used in coffee shops and cafés to make mochas. But is it possible to brew mocha without an espresso machine? The answer is Yes!

In this article, we’ll discuss how to make mocha with French press. But before we get started, let’s first understand what mocha is and where it comes from.

What is Mocha Coffee?

Mocha goes under a couple of names, such as mochaccino or mocha latte. It is basically a coffee drink made with espresso shots mixed with chocolate and topped with steaming milk or cream.

The amount of espresso shot, milk, and chocolate that go into a mocha might vary (depending on the maker). For instance, a mocha typically has 1-2 espresso shots, but if you’re making one and want it to be bolder, you can add an extra 1-2 shots with less or more milk, cream, and chocolate.

This beverage was first served in the 18th century, but it gained popularity after Starbucks began serving it in its stores in the United States of America.

Where Did the Mocha Come from?

The term “mocha” comes from a specific variety of coffee beans grown in the Yemeni city of “Mokah.” Due to the coffee beans’ inherent chocolate flavour, the name mocha was kept for the coffee drink. However, today mocha typically refers to the addition of chocolate topping to a coffee.

How to make Mocha with French Press?

Now that we know what mocha is, it’s finally time to discuss its making with the French press. Make sure you have the following ingredients before you start the brewing process:

• Coffee beans 
• Chocolate syrup or powder
• Cream
• Water
• French Press
• Mug or Cup

Step 1: Add Ground Coffee

The first step in creating a mocha is to take a French press and fill the canister with two tablespoons of finely ground coffee. Make sure you’re using fresh, high-quality ground beans because the flavour of your mocha will ultimately depend on the quality of the beans you use.

If you’re in the UK, the finest location to buy premium, finely ground coffee is Kahwati. Their coffee beans are brewed to barista standards and are 100% recyclable.

Step 2: Pour Water

Pour some hot water, mainly two ounces, over the ground coffee in the French press. Once poured, stir the coffee grounds and cover the French press with the lid. However, make sure not to just plunge it yet.

Step 3: Steep the Coffee for 4 Minutes

After placing the lid, let the coffee sit for 4 minutes so it can steep properly. In the 5th minute, you can plunge down so that what’s remaining in the coffee beans can pass through.

Step 4: Pour out the Coffee

Now that the coffee has been brewed, you may pour it from the French press into a mug or cup.

Step 5: Make a Chocolate Paste

Take a different mug or cup and fill it with chocolate syrup or powder. You may also add honey or sugar to enhance the sweetness. Thoroughly mixing the two ingredients to form an excellent smooth chocolate paste.

Step 6: Add the Espresso Shot

Put the espresso shot you just made in the mug with the chocolate paste. After adding all the ingredients, whisk the coffee nicely and make a mixture.

Step 7: Froth the Milk

Once your coffee’s base is ready, it’s time to froth the milk. However, if you don’t have a steam frother, heat the milk on medium before pouring it into the mug. Use a French press so that you get a thick frother.

Step 8: Pour the Milk

Now add a little milk to the mug and stir the contents to ensure thorough mixing. After that, slowly pour the remaining milk into the mug. Use a frothing pitcher to precisely form an art if you want latte art on top.

Step 9: Sprinkle Cocoa Powder and Add Cream (Optional)

This step is entirely optional and depends on the preference.

Adding cocoa powder and whipped cream will give your coffee an extra flavour. Therefore, if you want more sweetness in your mocha, you don’t have to ignore this step.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Your mocha is now ready and delicious to be served and enjoyed. Remember, these steps are for hot mocha. If you are someone who fancies iced mocha, skip the frothing step.

Are Mocha and Latte the Same?

Both mocha and latte are espresso-based drinks, meaning an espresso shot serves as the base for both coffees. They also have steamed and froth milk, another element they have in common. However, The inclusion of chocolate is what differentiates them.

While a latte just contains espresso shots, a mocha combines chocolate and coffee.

Moreover, mocha has a sweeter flavor because of the chocolate, while latte has a milky flavor.

So, the answer to this question is No!

You might also like to read: how to make a matcha latte with oat milk

Conclusion

Mocha is undoubtedly one of the most delicious chocolate coffee drinks. However, when making it at home, every step must be properly followed to ensure the final product is sweet and gorgeous. In this article, we have discussed every step related to how to make mocha with the French press in detail.

So there you have it, mocha with a French press! However, make sure to use the quality ground as the whole taste of mocha relies on that. 

If you’re in the UK and don’t know how to find the best coffee grounds, read this article.