That's right, my friends, you can make your very own Peppermint Mocha Latte in your home! Why spend 5 dollars for a tall (or a not-so-tall, as it's the smallest cup size Starbucks offers) for a drink when you can make more affordable versions in your own home.
I don't tolerate caffeine too well, but I do love the taste of (chocolately) coffee. During my 'coffee experimentation' phase, I was surprised to learn that Mocha basically just means chocolate in coffee. Honestly, beforehand, I had semi-earnestly thought there was some kind of "Mocha bean" that existed. Clearly, this is not the case.
Here are some of my 'notable' findings:
- Starbucks mocha lattes basically taste like hot chocolate. In accordance with that discovery, the recipe listed below is pretty chocolatey! For those who prefer a less rich drink, use 1.5 tbsp of cocoa powder instead of 2 tsbsp.
- Prewarming all of your tools will help keep your drink warmer longer! The secret? 'Preheat' your containers (thermos, milk pitcher, cup) with hot water. I got this idea after I watched enough Youtube videos of people putting their espresso cups atop their fancy schmancy espresso machines to warm them.
- Starbucks lets you buy their coffee syrups. You may not see them lining the shelves at a Starbucks, but if you ask the person at the register if they sell Peppermint syrup, they'll gladly oblige! I don't remember the exact price, but it's somewhere between 5 and 10 dollars. Don't forget to ask them for a pump for the bottle! They'll provide you with one of these too.
- Moka Expresses are pretty cool. You can read about them in this NYT article. Did you know that 9 out of 10 Italians own one of these?!
- They're also very easy to use. Watch this video to get an idea (ignore the advertising for the coffee though) on how to use it.
The Moka Press comes in a variety of shapes--1 cup, 3 cups, and 12 cups. I wanted 3 cups--perfect for when you have guests over, but not as gigantic as a 12 cup. From reviews I read online, these coffee makers were meant to be used for a full filter of coffee; that means you probably shouldn't be using a 12 cup Moka Press to make coffee for 3 by decreasing the amount of coffee beans you put into it.
The 3 cup Moka Press goes for about 25 bucks on Amazon.
This tool is optional, but it's nice to have if you plan on trying to make pretty latte designs. The ideal size for a milk frothing pitcher is 20 oz, and there's one going for about 10 bucks on amazon.
In reality through, you don't need a milk frothing pitcher. You can mix the milk-chocolate mixture in any old cup, but it'll likely be messier. The milk frothing pitcher offers a wide base, which is great for when you use the aerolatte, and it's spout is a huge plus for when you want to pour the milk mixture with minimal dribble.
The recipe I've provided only uses half of the coffee in a 3 cup moka pot, but if you wanted to, you could easily use the remaining coffee for a second latte to impress a special someone!
Peppermint Mocha Latte
Makes 1 drink
Tools of the trade:
[1] Moka Express 3-cup stovetop Espresso Maker
[2] Aerolatte
[3] Milk Frothing Pitcher (or a wide-based cup will do, such as a beer mug)
[4] Thermos
Ingredients:
Ground coffee (I like to use Illy Decaf Ground Coffee, but you can use whatever!)
3/4 cup 2% reduced fat milk
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp cocoa powder
3 pumps of Starbucks Peppermint Syrup
Recipe:
To warm all your receptacles and chalices:
[1] Boil water
[2] Fill thermos with boiling water
[3] Fill milk frothing pitcher with boiling water
[4] Fill any cups you plan on drinking with, with boiling water.
To make the coffee:
[1] Fill Moka Press filter with ground coffee beans.
[2] Fill Moka Press base with water up to the gage.
[3] Place Moka Press filter into the base
[4] Screw top portion of Moka Press onto the Base.
[5] Place Moka Press on stovetop. Do not place the contraption in the middle of the stovetop, but instead place it on the edge. You do not want the handle to sit above the stovetop; it will burn you when you reach for it in this orientation.
[6] Set heat to medium-hot for about 5 minutes, or until you hear gurgling (this sound represents the water boiling from the base, passing through the filter holding the ground coffee beans, and making its way into the upper coffee pot. Once you hear gurgling, turn off the heat, and move the Moka Press to an unused stovetop area so it's no longer over heat.
To make the mocha portion of your peppermint mocha latte:
[1] Microwave 3/4 cup of milk for 1:20.
[2] Empty milk frothing pitcher of its hot water.
[3] Pour hot milk into pitcher.
[4] Add cocoa, sugar, and syrup.
[5] Insert the off aero-latte into the pitcher. After it's inserted in the solution, turn the aerolatte on. Mix the solution by keeping the aerolatte close to the base and moving in a circular fashion. Mix for about 30 seconds. While the aerolatte is still in the solution, turn the machine off. Then remove aerolatte from pitcher (These directions are given in order to help you prevent major chocolate splattering).
To put it all together:
[0] Empty the thermos of the hot water.
[1] Pour half of the coffee maker's coffee into the thermos.
[2] Pour the milk-chocolate mixture into the thermos.
[3] Close thermos. Shake (I know, it's no real barista technique, but it works!)
[4] Serve by pouring into individual warmed cups (remember to empty them of the warm water first!) or drinking it directly out of the thermos.
