Mocha Coffee

This homemade mocha coffee mix is a pantry staple that takes about two minutes to put together and makes roughly 25 cups of instant cafe mocha. Instant coffee, hot cocoa mix, powdered creamer, and sugar go into a jar, and that’s your mix done.

Scoop a couple tablespoons into a mug, pour in boiling water, stir, and you’ve got a chocolate-coffee drink that’s richer than plain instant coffee and way cheaper than a coffee shop mocha.

The ratio is easy to remember: equal parts instant coffee, cocoa mix, and powdered creamer, with half as much sugar. Adjust the sugar up or down depending on how sweet you like your coffee.

Stored in a tightly sealed jar, this mix keeps for months in the pantry. It makes a great homemade gift during the holidays too.

Kitchen Tips

• Use a good-quality instant coffee for the best flavor since it’s doing a lot of the work
• Stir well when adding boiling water to dissolve all the powdered creamer completely
• Start with 1 ½ tablespoons per cup and increase to 2 if you want it stronger

Variations

• Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry mix for a spiced mocha
• Use sugar-free cocoa mix and sweetener for a lower-sugar version
• Stir in a splash of vanilla extract or peppermint extract after adding the hot water