How to Make Chocolate Coffee – The Perfect Recipe for Hot Cocoa with a Caffeine Kick

There are mornings when you just can’t choose between a cup of hot cocoa or your go-to cup of joe. Why don’t you enjoy both in one drink? Coffee and chocolate pair perfectly.

A mug of chocolate coffee strikes two targets in one go – your hot chocolate cravings and your needed caffeine fix. And it’s pretty easy to make, right at home.

Today, I’m sharing with you my chocolate coffee recipe for a luscious and delectable drink for lazy mornings, chilly evenings, or whenever you want a delicious sip.

What is a Chocolate Coffee

Chocolate coffee is a beverage that combines coffee and cocoa. Unlike caffe mocha, it doesn’t use espresso and milk to create a latte-like drink. While variations of chocolate coffee may also use milk and sweeteners, this drink really puts the flavor of cocoa and coffee at the forefront. After all, we already have chocolate-coated coffee beans, so why not enjoy them as a drink?

It’s unclear when coffee and chocolate were first mixed together in one drink, but both have been enjoyed separately for centuries. Coffee is known to have originated from the ancient coffee forests on the Ethiopian plateau, while the chocolate drink is said to have been invented by the Mayans millenniums ago.

What I love about chocolate coffee is that in addition to the delicious taste of coffee that I enjoy as an adult, the flavor of hot chocolate also gives me a sweet sense of nostalgia, reminding me of the cold winter days at home as a kid.

Furthermore, since you can still enjoy this drink without milk and additional sweeteners, I often recommend this to my friends and relatives who crave sweetened coffee but are lactose intolerant or watching their sugar and calories.

Equipment & Ingredients Used for This Chocolate Coffee Recipe

Before you start, here are the ingredients and equipment you need to make homemade chocolate coffee:

• French press: Used to brew coffee and cocoa. Aside from the French press, you can also use the drip method.
• 30g of coffee grounds: Used as the base ingredient for your chocolate coffee.
• 15g of cocoa powder: Used to add the chocolate flavor to your drink.
• 400 ml of boiling water: Used to brew the coffee with the cocoa.
• White sugar (optional): Can be used to add sweetness to the drink according to your preference.
• Whipped cream/milk (optional): This can be added to enhance the flavor and turn it into a creamy drink.

What kind of cocoa powder should you use? The pure chocolate coffee recipe calls for a dark 70% cocoa powder, which is not what you use to make hot chocolate. But of course, you know your own taste the best. Try this and that, and you’ll find the cocoa powder you like the most in your coffee.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chocolate Coffee

This chocolate coffee recipe is easy enough even for busy mornings or afternoon breaks when you need a quick pick-me-up. Here is how to make chocolate coffee at home:

1. Add the coffee grounds and cocoa powder to the French press.

• Add coffee grounds to your French press.
• Sprinkle 15 g (one tbsp) of cocoa onto the coffee grounds.

Alternatively, you can use the drip coffee method. Just add 15 g of cocoa powder per serving to your coffee filter alongside your coffee grounds.

2. Add hot water to the French press and let it brew for 3-4 minutes.

• Pour the hot water over your coffee grounds and cocoa powder.
• Stir.
• Allow the mixture to sit for approximately three to four minutes.

3. Press the plunger down.

• After three or four minutes have passed, press the plunger down.
• Do this slowly so that all of the liquids are drained out cleanly. Click here for my guide to brewing coffee with a French press.

4. Pour your chocolate coffee into a mug and enjoy.

• Pour the chocolate coffee into a mug and give it a final stir.
• If you like, you can add sugar, milk, or other sweeteners to enhance the sweetness and creaminess according to your preference. I often add whipped cream on top and sprinkle a pinch of cocoa powder.

What kind of cup should you serve Chocolate Coffee in?

You can use any glass or ceramic mug to serve chocolate coffee, just make sure it has a handle, since it’s a hot drink.

Barista Recipe Tips for Making Chocolate Coffee

Making chocolate coffee is just as easy as brewing your daily java, but you can also take it to the next level with these tips:

• If possible, grind your own beans to ensure the freshness of the coffee in your drink. 
• You can experiment with different types of chocolate, such as dark chocolate and milk chocolate powders in your drink.
• Don’t be afraid to get creative with toppings. Aside from whipped cream and cocoa powder, you can also top your drink with chocolate shavings, marshmallows, or even some caramel sauce.
• Instead of cocoa powder, you can also use chocolate syrup which is often sweeter. However, add the syrup after you brew your coffee normally and mix well.
• After you’ve mastered this recipe, you can also try my other recipes of sweetened coffee-based drinks such as caramel macchiato, espresso con panna, caffe mocha, and Melya espresso.

Conclusion

There you have it, a quick recipe to make chocolate coffee at home. With some basic equipment and its two main ingredients, coffee, and cocoa, you can have the best of both worlds in one comforting cup.

So if you’re looking for a different twist on your typical cup of joe, try making some homemade chocolate coffee today and let me know in the comments how it went for you.