• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Champagne Tastes®
  • About
  • Travel
    • Food Travel
    • Outdoor Adventure
  • Recipes
    • Garden To Table
    • Seafood
    • Camping Recipes
    • Ferment
    • Backyard Foraging + Wild Game
    • Cooking Basics
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Garden To Table
  • Seafood
  • Ferment
  • Foraging + Wild Game
  • Cooking Basics
  • Camping Recipes
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Food Travel
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Drinks » Coffee, Tea + Cocoa

    Chile Mocha

    Published: Nov 18, 2016 · Modified: Dec 26, 2020 · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    This vegan-friendly spicy Chile Mocha is made with freshly brewed espresso, steamed milk (or coconut milk), and spicy hot cocoa. 

    Chile Mocha in mugs

    Are the skies a little grey where you are right now?

    They are here.

    The cooler weather has rolled into Central Appalachia, and we’ve entered the awkward in-between season.  Let’s call it fwinter.

    The bright, multi-color leaves have fallen, and the trees are (gasp!) unclothed.

    Will we have gorgeous, snowy blankets on the ground soon?  Most likely.

    For now, to help transition through the grey, chilly mornings– we need coffee.  More specifically, we need espresso.  And chocolate.

    While we’re at it– let’s add some spice! 

    This spicy Chile Mocha is a vegan-friendly, decadent, caffeinated, fantabulous way to jump-start your day. 

    The Perfect Winter Drink

    When Starbucks rolled out their fall menu this year, and the annual Pumpkin Spice Latte frenzy began, another, newer, spicier drink jumped out at me– the Chile Mocha.

    This fiery concoction is made by blending a Mexican hot chocolate with a creamy, espresso-filled latte.  Espresso, chocolate, AND spicy pepper???

    Basically, it’s the best thing ever.

    Instead of paying for someone else to make my mocha, however, I decided to make my own!

    Being my own barista not only saves money (yay!), but also lets me control how much sugar is in my drink.

    Win and win!

    Chile Mocha in mugs

    Do I Need an Espresso Machine?

    Technically, to be called a “latte” you should use espresso. 

    BUT we don’t live by technicalities, do we?

    If you don’t have espresso, you can also use coffee made in a French press, or another strong, dark coffee.

    Shopping for an espresso maker? Check out our picks for the best small espresso makers.

    How Spicy Is This Drink?

    As written, the recipe is only mildly spicy.  If you want to make it hotter, you can add some red chile flakes to the milk while it’s frothing (like Starbucks does).

    What If I Don’t Own a Milk Frother?

    You can warm your milk on the stovetop or microwave, and then use an immersion blender to froth it.

    Other options are to simply use warm milk, or to buy an inexpensive handheld milk frother.

    Starbucks Copycat! This vegan-friendly spicy Chile Mocha is made with freshly brewed espresso, steamed milk (or coconut milk), and spicy hot cocoa. champagne-tastes.com
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 3 votes

    Chile Mocha

    This vegan-friendly spicy Chile Mocha is made with freshly brewed espresso, steamed milk (or coconut milk), and spicy hot cocoa. 
    Makes 2 mochas
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Prep Time3 mins
    Cook Time7 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 2 people
    Calories: 218kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Spicy Hot Chocolate:

    • ¼ cup bittersweet chocolate chips (about 1oz)
    • 1 cup milk OR full-fat coconut milk
    • 2 chilis de arbol, split open OR ½ tsp red chili pepper flakes
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

    Mocha Latte:

    • 4 ounces brewed espresso (more or less as desired)
    • ½ cup milk for frothing (use at least 2%, skim won’t froth well) OR full-fat coconut milk
    • To Serve (Optional): whipped cream, extra cinnamon

    Instructions

    • Make hot chocolate: In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup milk over medium heat until boiling.  Remove from heat immediately, strain out peppers with a slotted spoon, and quickly add chocolate and cinnamon.  Stir until chocolate melts.  Taste hot chocolate, and add more chili if desired.
    • Next, brew espresso and steam milk.  If you don’t have a milk steamer, heat milk on stovetop and use a hand-held frother or immersion blender to create some froth (froth optional but recommended).
    • Divide hot chocolate between two mugs.  Pour half of the espresso into each cup and stir to blend the coffee and chocolate. 
    • Pour milk into each espresso, holding back the froth with a spoon. Top with foam.
    • Optional: Top lattes with whipped cream and dust with more cinnamon.  Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Nutrition information assumes 2% milk.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 218kcal (11%) | Carbohydrates: 23g (8%) | Protein: 7g (14%) | Fat: 10g (15%) | Saturated Fat: 8g (50%) | Cholesterol: 14mg (5%) | Sodium: 115mg (5%) | Potassium: 455mg (13%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 16g (18%) | Vitamin A: 180IU (4%) | Calcium: 294mg (29%) | Iron: 0.4mg (2%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
    « Gourmet Recipes on a Budget
    Stinky Cheese Recipe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich »

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Meghan

      November 18, 2016 at 9:14 am

      This looks sooooo good — I can’t wait to make it!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes

        November 18, 2016 at 9:18 am

        5 stars
        Thanks! I’m kind of obsessed with it. Lol

        Reply
    2. Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy

      November 18, 2016 at 11:10 am

      5 stars
      I just got a new coffee maker that I’ve been gushing over and here you are with a new espresso machine! Now I know what i’m adding to the shopping list!!! Don’t be too abashed about adding frothy milk to everything – I’d be doing the same too – I’m a sucker for foam mustaches! <3 And once I have my de'Longhi, I'll be making your Chile Mocha first! <3

      Reply
    3. Fiona Saluk

      November 18, 2016 at 4:53 pm

      5 stars
      The Chile Mocha at Starbucks also called to me this season – your rendition sounds delicious! I love that this espresso machine is so compact, at work we have been looking for one to fit in our tiny office and replace the terribly environmentally unfriendly Keurig and I think this could do the trick!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes

        November 18, 2016 at 4:58 pm

        Aw thanks! I mean, chili, coffee, and hot cocoa can’t go wrong!
        And yesss- it’s probably all in my head, but keurig coffee always tastes like plastic to me. And I don’t like buying pods. This has been perfect for us!

        Reply

    Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    bio

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

    Learn More →

    Currently Trending

    • Sardine Fish Cakes in a stack with sauce on the serving tray
      A Canned Sardine Recipe: Mini Fish Cakes
    • pan-seared rockfish on a plate
      Pan-Seared Rockfish
    • pan-seared red snapper on plates
      Pan-Seared Red Snapper
    • crab butter sauce on a platter with crab legs
      Crab Butter Sauce

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For California Residents
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For Nevada Residents

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Recipe and Photo Reuse Terms + FAQ

    Copyright ©2015-2023 Champagne Tastes
    All Rights Reserved.