How to make a vegan or dairy-free mocha coffee?
Stir cocoa into hot espresso until it dissolves, add sugar or syrup to taste, then top with warmed, frothed oat milk or another plant milk. Check that your cocoa, chocolate and sweetener are dairy-free. The method takes about 10 minutes.
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In this article
Vegan mocha: the quick method
A mocha is espresso, chocolate and steamed milk. To make it dairy-free you only change the milk and make sure the chocolate has no milk in it.
What you need (one mug)
- 1 or 2 shots of espresso, or very strong coffee
- Unsweetened cocoa powder, or dairy-free dark chocolate
- A sweetener such as sugar, maple syrup or agave, to taste
- About 250 to 350 ml of plant milk (the Abel and Cole recipe uses 700 ml for two mugs)
Steps
- Brew the espresso. While it is hot, stir in the cocoa so it dissolves. A published oat milk mocha from Abel and Cole uses just 1 teaspoon of cocoa for two mugs, which gives a light chocolate note. Add more for a stronger mocha.
- Stir in your sweetener while the coffee is hot.
- Warm the plant milk in a pan over medium heat, whisking until foamy and hot, or use a frother or steam wand. Do not let it boil hard.
- Pour the milk into the mug, holding back the foam with a spoon, then spoon the foam on top. Dust with a little cocoa.
Which plant milk works best?
Barista-style oat milk is the usual choice because it froths well and is neutral with chocolate. Soy also froths well. Almond and coconut milks are thinner and foam less, but they work. Always shake the carton and pick unsweetened if you control the sugar yourself.
Check these for hidden dairy
- Hot chocolate mixes: many contain milk powder. Use plain unsweetened cocoa instead.
- Chocolate bars and chips: some dark chocolate contains milk or milk traces; read the ingredients.
- Syrups and sauces: chocolate sauce can contain milk; look for a vegan label.
Common mistakes
- Dumping cocoa onto cold milk: it clumps. Mix it into the hot coffee or make a paste with a splash of hot water first.
- Overheating oat or soy milk, which can taste scorched or split.
- Using too much cocoa without sweetener: unsweetened cocoa is bitter.
Variations
Add a pinch of salt or cinnamon, a drop of vanilla, or make it iced by pouring the cooled chocolate coffee over ice and cold milk.
People also ask
Is mocha coffee vegan?
Not by default. Standard mocha uses dairy milk and often milk chocolate. Swap in plant milk and dairy-free cocoa.
Can I make a mocha without espresso?
Yes. Use very strong brewed coffee, moka pot coffee or instant coffee dissolved in a little hot water.
Which milk is best for a dairy-free mocha?
Barista oat milk is a common pick because it froths and tastes neutral; soy also works well.
Sources
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