Make a Salted Caramel Mocha at home with this Starbucks copycat recipe. It's made with coffee and milk and topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Trust me, you'll want to enjoy this delicious drink all year.
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A salted caramel latte and pumpkin cream cold brew are my two favorite fall drinks. I can't get enough of either of them!
Unfortunately, the salted caramel mocha was discontinued in 2021. It makes me sad that the popular seasonal drink is not on the Starbucks menu anymore.
I am going to show you just how easy it is to make one at home, though. In just minutes, you will be sipping on a delicious latte and thinking about how much money you saved.
Why You Will Love This Caramel Latte
Mixing chocolate, caramel, hot coffee, and steamed milk creates a delicious homemade version even better than at a coffee shop.
- Saves money. Buying drinks at coffee shops can be expensive over time. Making homemade allows you to enjoy the same flavors without the high price tag.
- Convenient and easy. Making the drink at home eliminates the need to travel to a coffee shop and wait in line. It's a great option, especially for those who want to enjoy their favorite Starbucks drink without leaving the house.
- Available all year. Enjoy seasonal drinks year-round by making your favorite copycat recipes at home.
What is a Mocha Latte?
A mocha latte is a delicious coffee drink with an espresso shot, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup. It's often called a "mocha."
What's the difference between a mocha and a latte? A latte is an espresso with steamed milk poured on top. A mocha is the same drink with chocolate syrup added to it. It is sweeter and has less coffee flavor because of the added syrup.
Key Ingredients
Make this salted caramel mocha recipe with a few simple ingredients in your kitchen. What sets it apart from other drinks is the sea salt sprinkle that goes on top.
- Milk - You can use any variety of milk for your mocha. Whole milk will froth the best, but I prefer fat-free or 2% to reduce the calories.
- Caramel Topping - This gives the drink a great caramel flavor. Plus, the extra caramel drizzle makes the drink look pretty. Use store-bought or homemade caramel sauce.
- Hot Chocolate Mix - You can use chocolate syrup instead of the powdered mix.
- Coffee - Use strong brewed coffee or two espresso shots for best results. To make strong brewed coffee, increase the coffee grounds but not the water. You can also use a French press or espresso maker.
- Turbinado Sugar - Find this coarse raw sugar in large boxes or individual packets.
- Sea Salt - Make sure you use coarse ground sea salt, or your topping will be too salty. If you want it to taste like Starbucks, use smoked sea salt.
- Toffee Nut Syrup - This is optional, but it will make your homemade drink taste exactly like the Starbucks salted caramel mocha. Use it instead of the caramel in the milk.
How to make a Salted Caramel Mocha
This salted caramel mocha latte can be made in less than 5 minutes. Heat, froth, and pour over hot coffee. Don't forget the whipped cream and caramel drizzles because it really does add a delicious flair to the coffee drink.
- Stir together the sea salt and raw sugar in a small bowl.
- Mix milk, caramel topping, hot chocolate powder, and sea salt in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat until very warm. Do not let it boil.
- Use a handheld frother or a blender to pulse the mixture until foamy.
- Pour coffee into a mug and top with steamed chocolate milk. Add Cool Whip, a drizzle of caramel syrup, and a pinch of salt and sugar.
Tips and Tricks
- Buy high-quality ingredients. Use good coffee beans or espresso pods for the best-tasting coffee base. A better quality caramel will also add to the flavor.
- Try other milks. Any milk or milk alternative can be used in this recipe. Certain types of milk may froth less than others.
- Add toffee nut syrup. To mimic the Starbucks caramel mocha, replace the caramel in the milk mixture with 2 tablespoons of the syrup. There are a couple of online stores (Torani or Monin) that you can order from.
- Substitute chocolate syrup. You can use Hershey's chocolate syrup instead of the hot chocolate mix.
- Use a microwave. Heat the milk mixture in the microwave to make this caramel mocha even quicker.
- Make an iced version. Brew the coffee as normal, but let it cool slightly. Do not steam the milk. Stir together the cold milk, powder, and caramel. Pour over ice and add the coffee.
FAQs
To froth the milk mixture, you can use a hand-held aerolatte, a blender, an immersion blender, or a milk frother. You can also pour the warm mixture into a mason jar, tighten the lid, and shake until frothy.
You can use any milk in this caramel latte, so feel free to use whole, 2%, or fat-free dairy milk. Use coconut, oat, or almond milk. Keep in mind that some milk will froth less, but the taste will still be the same.
Yes, you can. Almond, soy, and coconut milk are great options. Top the latte with vegan whipped cream before serving.
Other Coffee Drinks
- Thin Mint Latte
- Chocolate Latte
- S'mores Latte
- Peanut Butter Latte
- Pumpkin Latte
- Cinderella Latte
- Nutella Latte
- Maple Latte
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Recipe
Salted Caramel Mocha Recipe
Make and enjoy this Salted Caramel Mocha from the comfort of your own home. This Starbucks copycat mocha latte recipe is easy to make with ingredients you may already have in your pantry.
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon Turbinado sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt + a pinch
- 1 cup fat free milk
- 2 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping + 1 teaspoon
- 2 tablespoons dark hot chocolate mix
- ½ cup strong brewed coffee (or 2 shots espresso)
- 2 tablespoons Cool Whip
Instructions
- Mix together the turbinado sugar and ½ teaspoon sea salt. Set aside.
- Heat the milk, 2 tablespoons caramel, hot chocolate mix (or chocolate syrup), and pinch sea salt until hot. Don't let it boil.
- Pour into a blender or use an Aerolatte to froth the milk.
- Pour coffee into a mug and top with the frothed milk.
- Top with Cool Whip and drizzle with extra caramel topping. Sprinkle with the sugar/sea salt mixture.
Notes
- Buy high-quality ingredients. Use good coffee beans or espresso pods for the best-tasting coffee base. A better quality caramel will also add to the flavor.
- Try other milks. Any milk or milk alternative can be used in this recipe. Certain types of milk may froth less than others.
- Substitute chocolate syrup. You can use Hershey's chocolate syrup instead of the hot chocolate mix.
- Add toffee nut syrup. To mimic the Starbucks caramel mocha, replace the caramel in the milk mixture with 2 tablespoons of the syrup. There are a couple of online stores (Torani or Monin) that you can order from.
- Use a microwave. Heat the milk mixture in the microwave to make this caramel mocha even quicker.
- Make an iced version. Brew the coffee as normal, but let it cool slightly. Do not steam the milk. Stir together the cold milk, powder, and caramel. Pour over ice and add the coffee.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 432Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 1587mgCarbohydrates: 87gFiber: 2gSugar: 77gProtein: 13g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This post was first published in October 2013. The photos were updated in August 2021, and it was republished in August 2023.
Hallie Ann
Love this! I didn't follow the recipe exactly (used 1/2 and 1/2, didn't froth it), but loved that I could use chocolate syrup instead of coco powder. Turned out wonderful and saved a ridiculous amount of money. Thank you for sharing!
Jocelyn
Woo hoo! That's awesome! Thank you for sharing that you loved it! And saving money is always a huge plus!!!
Sinea Pies
Oh this looks soooo good! I am doing a best of copycat recipes roundup soon and this HAS to be one of them!
Whit
Thank you for saving me a substantial amount of money that would otherwise be spent at Starbucks. I actually like this better than the store-bought one!
Gwen
OH Wow! I'm kind of embarrassed by how excited this post made me. I can't wait to try it myself. Thank you for the post!
Andi @ The Weary Chef
This is my favorite Starbuck drink, so I'll have to try this copycat version myself! I don't have to be embarrassed to ask for extra salt if I'm making it myself 😉
Kristen Duke
Looks yummy! I love finding recipes that you can make on your own for a fraction of the cost you can buy them for!
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor
Looks so yummy, Jocelyn! I had a reader on FB ask when I shared this, if she could use regular sugar? THANKS!! 🙂
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
I think you should start a Starbucks addicts-anonymous; we can drink copycat versions of their drinks and eat goodies inspired by their drinks...and save tons of cash! heehee I love salted caramel mochas so I'll be trying this ASAP! 😀
Jocelyn Brubaker
I think that sounds like a great idea, lol! 😉 Thanks Jess!!
Chels R.
The ways in which I'm loving you right now!!! I can't wait to have my husband make this for me while were on vacation!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha!! Thank you Chels!! 😉
Jennifer
Hi All 🙂 although I'm not sure what this drink tastes like, I do have to note that as someone who works at Starbucks herself, you are missing one important ingredient...toffee nut! Toffee nut and mocha are the base flavors for the Starbucks style. This drink does look amazing in itself though 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Jennifer! I'm glad you let us in on that!! I will have to try to add some toffee nut! 😉
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Not only would I love a giant mug of this but I'd love that mug lol so fun
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thanks Rachel!! 😉
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen
I am all about the copy cat starbucks!! this looks amazing Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Chandra!! 😉
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life
I cannot tell you how many times I've heard about this drink! My friends just love it:) Now I don't have to throw five bucks to try it ... THANK YOU. Hot chocolate, coffee, caramel, whipped cream; what is not to love?!
Jocelyn Brubaker
No problem!! 😉 You will love it!!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
Making this, for sure!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Let me know what you think of it girl! 😉
Rochelle @ Oh So Sweet Baker
I loovveee me some salted caramel and I just made some sauce which this is what it's going on next!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Mmmm, sounds divine!! 😉