Nothing is like going to a favorite coffeehouse and ordering a mocha latte made freshly before your eyes. Still, between the price and calories of a single mocha, it’s safer to stay home, save money, and cut calories. What goes into the coffeehouse classic, anyway?
Two percent or whole milk, a day’s worth of sugar, and caffeine. Add whip cream to that sucker, and you’re looking at a meal’s calories. Cutting back a bit can save a lot of calories with an almost equal taste and save you money.
A latte is a combination of espresso, steamed milk, and froth. Adding a mocha sauce makes the mocha latte, sometimes topped with whipped cream.
Using skim milk and sugar-free syrup saves a lot of calories and fat without compromising taste. If cutting fat and sugar out of the drink makes you nervous, start using only skim milk and then try sugar-free syrup.
Here are the steps to making a 12-ounce skinny mocha latte.
Steaming the Milk
Once you have gathered the ingredients and prepared the espresso, it’s time to steam the milk. This can be done either with a manual or automatic espresso machine.
Most coffee shops use two percent milk in their mocha lattes, although any milk will do for a mocha. The skinny mocha is made with skim milk.
Pour 10 ounces of skim milk into a stainless steel steaming pitcher fitted with a food thermometer, then lay the steaming wand tip on top of the liquid. To begin heating the milk, turn the dial counterclockwise. To make froth, raise the heating wand tip slightly over the surface of the milk. The secret to creating the proper froth, which should have the consistency of shaving foam, is a gentle hissing sound.
Remember that skim milk steams faster than other types of milk, making froth more difficult. To avoid scorching the milk, keep an eye on the thermometer.
For a mocha, only a tablespoon or two of foam is required, so after a few seconds of frothing, the mocha maker may slide the wand farther into the milk to finish heating it. Once the milk has reached 150-160 degrees, turn off the steamer.
This will allow the milk to rise to 170°F or fall to 140°F, all of which are acceptable temperatures for a latte. After steaming milk, quickly wipe the steaming wand with a clean, moist towel.
The Chocolate Sauce
Fill the mug or cup halfway with two ounces of sugar-free chocolate sauce or syrup. Many coffeehouses utilize the torani brand sugar-free chocolate sauce, which produces a fantastic mocha. Torani and other famous brands are available in smaller sizes at most specialized food stores.
The white mocha, which utilizes white chocolate sauce instead of chocolate, the raspberry mocha, and the peppermint mocha are all variations of the mocha. Many coffeehouses and coffee enthusiasts have developed their variants. Sugar-free syrups come in various tastes, so experiment to find out what you enjoy.
Making Homemade Chocolate Sauce
After gathering all the necessary ingredients, it is time to mix the skim milk and cocoa powder. Begin by taking out your favorite mug and adding 1 tablespoon of unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
You can use sugar-free hot cocoa powder, non-fat milk, or unsweetened almond milk for a lower-calorie option. Then, add a sweetener of your choice, if desired. Whisk the mixture together until the cocoa powder is dissolved and no lumps remain. Now that the cocoa powder and skim milk have been mixed, it is time to steam the milk for that creamy latte texture.
Pour the steamed milk into the selected mug or cup just before pulling the espresso shots, using a spoon to hold back the foam and leaving roughly two inches of room for the shots and froth. Chocolate sauce or syrup tends to settle to the bottom more than other tastes, so mix thoroughly.
Pulling the Shots of Espresso
Grind the espresso beans immediately before extracting the shots for the finest flavor. Fill the portafilter handle halfway with new grinds and tamp level before placing it into the espresso machine. Make careful to take shots between 16 and 26, ideally between 18 and 23.
Pour two into the cup of steaming milk immediately after drawing a fair shot(s). Use one shot if you want less coffee flavor and three shots if you want more. The espresso has a 10-second window before it loses taste and becomes bitter.
Stir the Latte
Once the espresso and milk have been combined, gently stir the latte to ensure that all ingredients are evenly mixed. If you are adding a sweetener such as sugar-free chocolate syrup, add it now and stir to combine. You can also top the latte with light whipped cream or a sprinkle of cocoa powder for added flavor. Enjoy your skinny mocha latte!
Finishing Touches and Tips
Add Sweetener (Optional)
Once the espresso, milk, and cocoa have been blended, the drinker can add a sweetener. If desired, a few drops of liquid stevia can be added for extra sweetness. Alternatively, a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup can also be used.
One can top the latte with light whipped cream and sugar-free chocolate syrup for a more decadent treat. Whichever sweetener is chosen will add a layer of flavor to the skinny mocha latte, making it stand out from all the other drinks.
Garnish the Latte (Optional)
Once the latte is ready, there are several options for garnishing it. The classic mocha latte is usually topped with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings, but you can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to give it a unique flavor.
If you’re making a peppermint mocha, you can top it with crushed candy canes or a drizzle of peppermint syrup. However, if you want a lighter option, add a dollop of whipped cream on top for an extra special touch. No matter how you choose to garnish your skinny mocha latte, it’s sure to be delicious!
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make a delicious skinny mocha latte, you can enjoy this sweet treat any time you want! A skinny mocha latte is perfect for satisfying your coffee cravings without overdoing it on calories.
Plus, you can customize your latte however you like – adding syrup, chocolate sauce, and other toppings to get your desired flavor. So the next time you’re in the mood for a coffee treat, give this skinny mocha a try!
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
