Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Recipe

This Copy Cat Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Recipe is the perfect pairing of coffee and caramel.

Its warmth soothes, and the taste of salted caramel is always a favorite!

Salted Caramel just keeps trending; once a fall and holiday flavor, it is now an all-year-long indulgence.

It’s my go-to when I want a drink with all the flavors I love but not pay Starbucks’ pricing!

Make the coffee through a traditional coffee maker or simplify with a Keurig coffee maker.

If you aren’t big on coffee, try substituting it with hot chocolate–it’s how my kiddos enjoy this drink!

A fan of caramel, you might also want to try our M&M Caramel Bites Recipe, EASY Caramel Apples, Caramel Peanut Brittle, or Caramel Fondue Recipe!

You might also enjoy our Pinterest Coffee Board for more great recipes like this Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha.

 

Martinsville doesn’t lay claim to a Starbucks. We have a small coffee house with a drive-thru, but it’s uptown and not really on my way to anywhere.

I miss the city and the fancy coffee house drinks–though my pocketbook appreciates we don’t have to budget for pricey coffee daily.

This recipe is perfect for one, or increase the ingredients, be a sensational hostess, and offer it to your guests.

This copycat salted caramel iced coffee includes a quick recipe for homemade salted caramel.

Make it ahead of time and keep it in your refrigerator for quick prep of this recipe.

If you don’t want to put in the effort, that grocery-store caramel sauce works just fine. 

I’m going to encourage you to make homemade whipped cream.

It’s such an incredibly delicious topping. For extra caramel flavor, I add a teaspoon of caramel sauce to the heavy cream before whipping.

It’s sooooo good.

 

Coffee, chocolate, and caramel come together to make a rich, delicious, and comforting drink. 

You don’t even really need the espresso machine…your favorite cup of coffee works just fine.

Although, for some motivation, espresso is the answer.

Did you know the mocha drink is named after mocha coffee beans, which are usually used to make the drink? 

This kind of arabica coffee has a natural hint of chocolate flavor. 

Mocha drinks also contain hot chocolate, cocoa powder, or some other kind of chocolate flavoring, such as a syrup.

We use hot cocoa powder for this recipe, the kind you add water to form a delicious hot cocoa treat.

You can add chocolate syrup instead, or even, in addition, to make this drink the chocolatey bliss you seek.

With the ingredients at hand, you can vary your cup of coffee or shake it up a bit and make a Caramel macchiato.

It’s just a matter of the order you choose to add your ingredients.

The best part, you can make this recipe and serve it hot or iced. It’s delicious either way!

Seriously, it’s good stuff.

Some call it a seasonal drink, I say drink it whenever.

It’s even better than this decadent drink can be loaded with caramel and chocolate shavings, and it doesn’t cost the $4+ price tag of the chain.

It’s perfect when you have a craving.

Go ahead, whip this up, put up your feet and sip yourself to love with this copycat Starbucks salted caramel coffee.

Enjoy it hot or cold.

 

 

Copy Cat: Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Recipe Ingredients

1 shot of espresso or 3/4 cup of strong coffee

1 1/2 – 2 tablespoons caramel sauce (see below)

1-2 tablespoons instant hot cocoa powder (not the unsweetened baking kind)*

Pinch of sea salt**

1/2 cup milk***

Whipped cream (optional)

Extra caramel sauce and sea salt to drizzle/sprinkle on top

*You can use hot chocolate packets instead or chocolate syrup instead of the hot chocolate powder without compromising the flavor.

**Don’t skip this part; it adds something to the overall result. Coffee shops use a blend of turbinado sugar and sea salt.

***Any milk will work for this recipe: whole milk, 2% milk, almond milk or nut milk, or fat free milk. 

 

How to make the homemade caramel sauce:

Use this salted caramel recipe for best results in your favorite drink using caramel.

It is one of the favorite flavors of fall.

1/2 cup sugar

3 tablespoons salted butter, cubed

1/4 cup heavy cream, at room temperature

 

 

How to Make Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha:

Prepare coffee.

Place caramel sauce, cocoa powder, and sea salt in a mug.

Pour hot coffee into a mug, stirring to combine everything.

Heat milk in the microwave or on the stove and add to the cup, stirring everything to combine.

Taste and add more caramel, cocoa, and salt to taste.

Top with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and a sprinkle of sea salt.

You can also garnish with mini chocolate chips, dark chocolate sauce, a dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder

 

How to Make Salted Caramel for your Caramel Mocha 

In a medium saucepan, cook the sugar over low heat, occasionally stirring with a spatula.

When it turns a dark amber color, add the butter and stir until it is melted.

Add the heavy cream and whisk until the caramel is smooth (Warning: it will bubble up when you add the cream).

Remove from heat and let cool.

Refrigerate extra syrup.

Serve this copycat Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha recipe hot or cold.

Tips:

I find ingredients make a huge difference in the outcome of any recipe.

When I make this Salted Caramel Mocha at home, I use homemade salted caramel.

You can make this ahead of time and keep caramel sauce on hand in the refrigerator.

You’ll find so many uses for homemade caramel, not just for this delicious salted caramel mocha copycat, but as toppings for pie, ice cream, cakes, and more.

I also use homemade whipped cream but use whatever whipped cream or topping you prefer. 

Whipped topping, like Cool Whip, will not yield the same result.

 

How to Froth Milk:

Frothing milk at home can transform your overall drink experience. 

Begin by heating your milk.

A quick method is to heat milk using a microwave.

Start with 30 seconds, stir, then heat for another 15 seconds until the milk starts to steam.

To froth the milk without a frother:

Pour the milk into a large jar with a lid.

Ideally, fill no more than a third of the jar.

Screw the lid on tightly, and shake the jar vigorously until the milk is frothy and has roughly doubled in volume.

This should take approximately 30 to 60 seconds.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN FROTHING MILK

Microfoam

The best-frothed milk creates what’s called microfoam,

This froth is tiny bubbles that are so small they are barely seen.

Rich mouthfeel

Lush, velvety foam adds a rich mouthfeel and smooth texture, which elevates the drink experience at home.

Enjoy this quick and simple recipe and end the expensive coffee house trips for your salted caramel mocha cravings!

What kind of milk do you use in a homemade latte?

You can use any kind of milk!

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Resources:

https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/what-is-turbinado-sugar/