Kat's Kitchen

If you love the flavor combo of chocolate and cherries, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Cherry Mocha. Whether you enjoy it hot and cozy or iced and refreshing, this drink brings together rich espresso, sweet cherry syrup, and decadent chocolate sauce for a coffee shop-style treat you can easily make at home.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the ingredients, tools, and step-by-step instructions you’ll need to craft the perfect Cherry Mocha, no matter your skill level or espresso setup.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Please note, full measurements are listed on the recipe card at the bottom of the recipe. Scroll to the end, or click the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the page.

Cherry Syrup: I have a lovely and simple Homemade Cherry Syrup recipe that goes perfectly in this recipe! If you’d prefer a store-bought syrup, I recommend using a dark cherry syrup like the Torani Cherry Syrup! If you want a sugar free option, make your own homemade syrup using a sugar substitute, or use a sugar free store bought option like the Torani Sugar Free Black Cherry Syrup.

Chocolate Sauce: Since this is a cherry mocha, you will also need a chocolate sauce. I personally love the Torani Dark Chocolate Sauce, but you could make your own homemade sauce or you could use your preferred store bought brand. I will share a homemade option later in this recipe.

Espresso: This is an espresso based drink so you will need espresso! See my 5 Ways to Make Espresso at Home blog post for all the different ways you can make espresso at home. It doesn’t matter which method you choose, simply follow the espresso making steps to get your espresso shots, and then use that to make your own iced or hot Cherry Mocha!

Milk: I love whole milk or 2% milk most in this recipe, but you can use any milk you’d prefer! Keep it dairy free by using a plant based milk like almond, coconut, soy, or oat.

Ice: For an iced Cherry Mocha, you’ll need ice cubes. No ice is needed for a hot Cherry Mocha.

Whipped Cream: This ingredient is optional, but always adds an extra layer of creaminess and sweetness to any mocha. Opt for a sugar free whipped topping for less sugar, or dairy free whipped topping if you’re dairy free.

Optional Cocoa Powder/Chocolate Topping/Drizzle: I love topping my iced or hot Cherry Mochas with a light dusting of cocoa powder, chocolate topping or more chocolate sauce drizzle to make the drink look fancier and for more chocolate flavor! This Chocolate Shakable Topping is so yummy and gives the drink a lovely additional texture, but feel free to top the drink with whatever your heart desires!

What Coffee Should I Use For Espresso?

If you already have a preferred coffee to use for your espresso at home, absolutely use that! Like I mentioned above, I personally love a lighter roast coffee in this recipe since I find a light roast coffee and espresso pair so beautifully with oat milk and with the lavender syrup. Some of my favorite options are recommendations for this recipe include:

BEANS/GROUNDS COFFEE

• Laka Java Wahine Blonde Roast Espresso– Use code: katerinafaith for 10% off your order
• Press Coffee Spitball Espresso Blend
• Press Coffee Twitch Espresso

NESPRESSO PODS:

• Oatly Barista Edition Nespresso Pods
• Nespresso Double Espresso Dolce Pods
• Starbucks Nespresso Vertuo Iced Double Espresso Pods

INSTANT ESPRESSO POWDER:

• Nescafe Gold Blonde Roast Instant Espresso Powder

Equipment You’ll Need:

Espresso Maker: Since espresso is the key ingredient in this drink, you need a way to make espresso at home. You can’t buy bottled espresso at the store, so you need to make it yourself. At home options include:

• Espresso machine (like a breville, delonghi, ninja, etc) with ground or whole bean coffee
• Nespresso machine with espresso pods
• Moka pot (stove top coffee maker) with ground coffee
• Aeropress with ground coffee
• Instant espresso powder with warm water
• Keurig machine with a shot function and any coffee kcup

For step by step instructions for any of the espresso making methods above, see my blog post: 5 Ways To Make Espresso At Home!

Steam Wand or Milk Frother: This drink requires steamed milk as part of the Hot Cherry Mocha recipe. Typically coffee shops steam milk using a steam wand on an espresso machine. If you are using an espresso machine as your espresso making method, then you most likely won’t need any additional equipment if your machine can do both. If you’re using any of the other espresso making methods or if your espresso machine does not have a milk steaming function, then you will need a separate option or piece of equipment to warm and add texture to the milk such as:

• Nespresso Aerroccino (electric milk frother)
• Keurig Frother (electric milk frother)
• Instant Pot Electric Milk Frother
• Warm milk in a pot on the stove or in the microwave and froth the warmed milk using a blender, french press, or a handheld milk frother

How To Steam Milk At Home

All hot mochas at coffee shops use steamed milk as one of the main ingredients. Typically steamed milk is made by inserting a steam wand into a cup of milk, and introducing steam into the milk until it is hot and full of bubbly aerated texture. While you can’t technically steam milk without a steam wand, you can still warm up the milk and add texture in various ways to give you a very similar steamed milk product. Here are ways to steam or warm your milk with or without an espresso machine for a Hot Cherry Mocha:

1. Steam Wand: If you have an espresso machine with a steam wand attached to it, watch this Milk Steaming Video Tutorial for how to steam milk! You simply add milk to a milk frothing pitcher, insert the tip of the steam wand into the milk, and create air bubbles, heat and texture to create perfect, velvety steamed milk at home!
2. Electric Milk Frother: Add your milk to an electric milk frother, and select the hot setting. The milk frother will heat the milk as well as create a thick and foamy texture. The texture will be a little different than a typical steam wand, but it’s very similar and pleasant, and a great option if you don’t have an espresso machine with a steam wand.
3. Handheld Milk Frother: Add cold milk to a large coffee mug and place the mug in the microwave for 60 seconds. Alternatively, you can heat up milk in a pot on the stove until warm, just make sure to constantly stir it so it doesn’t burn. Once your milk is warm, insert a handheld milk frother into the warm milk. Froth the mixture until the milk doubles in size and becomes bubbly and frothy, and you have warmed, frothed milk for your hot coffee drinks!

Homemade Cherry Syrup

See my easy Homemade Cherry Syrup recipe!

Homemade Chocolate Sauce:

Single Serving:

• 2 tablespoons dutch process cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• Combine cocoa powder, sugar, warm water, vanilla extract and salt in a small bowl or container, and whisk until fully incorporated and smooth.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Larger 6 ounce batch:

• 1/3 cup dutch process cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

• Combine cocoa powder, sugar, warm water, vanilla extract and salt in a small bowl or container, and whisk until fully incorporated and smooth.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Once you have all your ingredients, and you’ve established how you’ll be making your espresso and (for hot latte drinkers)steaming/warming your milk, we can move onto assembling our mocha!

How To Make an Iced Cherry Mocha

1. Brew your espresso shots using your preferred espresso making method.
2. To a cup add cherry syrup, chocolate sauce and espresso, then stir to dissolve the sauce.
3. Add in cold milk and ice, and stir to chill.
4. Top with whipped cream, cocoa powder/chocolate topping/chocolate sauce drizzle, and enjoy!

How To Make a Hot Cherry Mocha

1. Brew your espresso shots using your preferred espresso making method.
2. Add cherry syrup and chocolate sauce to a cup, and add in the espresso. Stir to dissolve the sauce.
3. Add milk to a milk frothing pitcher, and steam the milk using a steam wand on an espresso machine. If you don’t have a steam wand, see the section above titled: How To Steam Milk At Home.
4. Pour the steamed milk over the chocolate-cherry-espresso mixture, top with whipped cream and cocoa powder/chocolate topping/chocolate sauce drizzle, and enjoy!

How Would I Order This at Starbucks?

Ask for a tall/grande iced (or hot) mocha with 1 scoop of cherry powder or a venti iced (or hot) mocha with 2 scoops of cherry powder.

How To Make This Dairy Free:

• Ensure the chocolate sauce you’re using is dairy free! Note the Torani Dark Chocolate Sauce is dairy free as well as my homemade chocolate sauce listed in the recipe!
• Use a plant based or dairy free milk like oat, soy, coconut, or almond.
• Use a plant based or dairy free whipped topping or skip the whipped cream altogether.
• Use a dairy free topping like cocoa powder

How To Make This Drink Sugar Free:

• Use a store-bought sugar free cherry syrup or make your own sugar free Homemade Cherry Syrup using a sugar free substitute
• Use a sugar free store bought chocolate sauce like the Torani Dark Chocolate Sauce or make your own sugar free chocolate sauce using a sugar free substitute
• Use a lower sugar or unsweetened milk
• Use a sugar free whipped topping or skip the whipped cream altogether
• Use a sugar free topping like cocoa powder

More Cherry Recipes to Try

• Homemade Cherry Syrup
• Starbucks Iced Cherry Chai

More Mocha Recipes to Try

• Pumpkin Mocha
• Almond Joy Iced Mocha
• Starbucks Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
• Dutch Bros Cocomo

With just a few simple ingredients and your favorite espresso-making method, you can recreate this Cherry Mocha right in your own kitchen—iced for a refreshing sip or hot for a cozy cup. It’s a sweet and slightly tart twist on a classic mocha that’s perfect for cherry lovers and chocolate fans alike. Don’t forget to check out the tips for making it dairy free or sugar free to suit your preferences. Happy sipping!

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For links to all the ingredients and products used in the recipe, CLICK HERE!