Oh my gosh, are you tired of dropping five dollars every morning just for a mediocre cup of coffee? Me too! That’s why I spent way too much time testing combinations until I cracked the code for making the most glorious, velvety **Salted Caramel Mocha Latte** right here in my own kitchen. Seriously, this recipe is foolproof. You get that incredible balance of rich espresso, deep chocolate, salty caramel swirl, and just enough milk to make it velvety smooth. I stopped going to the coffee shop weeks ago because honestly, mine tastes better! It’s so fast, too. You’ll be sipping perfection before your toast even pops up.

Why You Will Love This Homemade Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

Forget those complicated café orders that require a secret menu dictionary! This recipe is all about getting gourmet flavor without the hassle. Trust me, once you make this **Salted Caramel Mocha Latte** at home, you won’t look back. Here’s why I’m totally obsessed:

That Perfect Flavor Balance: It hits every note—the deep bitterness of the espresso cuts through the sweetness of the chocolate and caramel, while that little whisper of sea salt just makes everything pop! It’s addictive.
Speedy Delivery: Seriously, this whole thing takes less time than waiting in the drive-thru line. We’re talking about 8 minutes total from thinking about coffee to having it in your hands. Perfect for those rushed mornings!
Total Creaminess, No Fuss: We gently heat the milk on the stove, which gives it a luxurious texture without needing an expensive steam wand. If you want to experiment with your own coffee creamers, check out this homemade coffee creamer recipe!
Customization Heaven: You control everything—the sweetness, how salty you want it, and definitely what kind of milk goes in there. Want it strong? Add an extra shot! Want it sweet? More drizzle!
It’s Way Cheaper: Honestly, this is the biggest win. Making your own lattes saves so much money over the month, and you get better quality coffee, too!

Essential Ingredients for Your Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

You only need a few key players here, which makes this recipe so accessible! Remember, quality matters when you’re working with so few ingredients. You’ll need two full shots of rich espresso to give us that real coffee kick. Then, grab one cup of your favorite milk—whole milk frothed up is amazing, but oat milk works wonderfully too. Don’t forget two tablespoons of good chocolate syrup, one generous tablespoon of caramel sauce, and the real star: just a quarter teaspoon of flaky sea salt. That salt is non-negotiable, it makes the caramel sing! If you’re looking to beef up the creaminess of your dairy, I sometimes prep my own heavy cream substitute ahead of time.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

Okay, now for the fun part! This isn’t rocket science, but timing is everything so you get that perfect layered look and temperature. Don’t rush the milk step—that’s where we build most of the body for our **Salted Caramel Mocha Latte**. You’ll want everything ready to go on the counter before you start heating the milk.

Preparing the Base Coffee

First things first, you need that strong coffee foundation. Brew up two lovely shots of espresso into your mug—the mug you plan on drinking out of! If you don’t have an espresso machine, don’t worry a bit. Just brew the strongest, darkest coffee you possibly can. We’re talking very concentrated, maybe just an ounce or two, to replace the traditional espresso shots. Set that concentrated coffee aside while we get the milk ready.

Heating and Flavoring the Milk for Your Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

Next up is the heating stage, and listen closely here: Do not let it boil! Pour your cup of milk into a small saucepan and warm it over medium heat. You want it steaming—you should see little heat wisps rising up—but as soon as you see the edges start to bubble slightly, pull it right off the burner. That’s the secret to a creamy latte without curdling the milk proteins. Now, while it’s hot, stir in the two tablespoons of chocolate syrup, the tablespoon of caramel sauce, and that crucial quarter teaspoon of sea salt. Whisk it gently until everything is dissolved and that wonderful aroma starts filling your kitchen. This flavor blend is what makes it a true **Salted Caramel Mocha Latte**.

My little pro tip for the milk temperature? Stick your clean finger in there for just a second. If it’s too hot to hold comfortably for three seconds, it’s too hot for the latte. You want it warm, not scalding!

Assembling and Finishing the Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

Now that your espresso is waiting and your milk is perfectly flavored and warm, it’s time to combine! Pour your prepared espresso shots right into that sweet, salty, chocolatey milk base we just made. Give it one final gentle stir to make sure all those rich flavors marry together perfectly. For the grand finale, pile a generous dollop of whipped cream right on top. If you’re feeling extra fancy (and you should be!), drizzle a little extra caramel sauce—maybe a teaspoon—right over the peak of the foam. It looks beautiful and gives you a wonderful burst of pure caramel when you take that first sip!

If you ever want to try a cold version, make sure you check out my guide for an iced vanilla latte variation while you’re here!

Tips for Customizing Your Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

The beauty of making your own coffee at home is that you are the boss! You don’t have to stick to my exact measurements, especially when it comes to personalizing your perfect **Salted Caramel Mocha Latte**. Think of the basic recipe as a fantastic canvas waiting for your signature touch. I’ve played around with so many variations over the years, and I always come back to the core flavor—but changing the milk or the temperature can make it feel like a totally new drink!

Milk Substitutions and Frothing Techniques

Like I mentioned, regular milk gives you that classic, rich texture because of the milk fat. But if you’re plant-based, you have fantastic options! Oat milk is my favorite non-dairy swap; it steams and froths up beautifully without that weird, thin texture you sometimes get with almond milk. Coconut milk makes it super decadent, almost too rich, but I love it for a weekend treat. If you’re using a non-dairy option, remember a slight trick: adding an extra pinch of salt sometimes helps the flavors pop, as vegan milks can sometimes taste a little flatter than whole dairy milk.

If you have an actual milk frother, use it! Even if you’re chilling the milk for an iced drink, getting that foam builds texture. A quick 30-second blast in a handheld frother can totally elevate your homemade beverage.

Making a Colder Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

Sometimes you just need that chilled, icy hit, especially when the weather warms up. Making this a summer delight is super easy—just skip the heating step entirely! Brew your espresso shots and let them cool for just a minute so they don’t instantly melt all your ice. Pour the cold milk, chocolate syrup, caramel, and salt directly into your mug.

Fill a tall glass completely with ice cubes, then pour the cold, flavored milk mixture over the ice. Finally, carefully pour your slightly cooled espresso shots on top. If you have a frother, use it to make the cold milk foamy before pouring it into the glass. If you want to see how I handle making creamy, cold drinks, you might want to check out how I whip up my recipe for an iced vanilla sweet cream cold brew; the technique for chilling ingredients translates perfectly here!

Storage and Serving Suggestions for the Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

Look, darling, this **Salted Caramel Mocha Latte** is absolutely best when it’s piping hot (or ice cold, if that’s the mood!) and consumed immediately. Coffee is a fresh ingredient, and that rich espresso flavor starts to fade as soon as it hits the air. You want to experience that wonderful moment when the salty caramel hits your tongue right after the espresso bloom!

If you are seriously planning ahead—maybe you’re batch-prepping Sunday morning lattes for the whole week—I’d suggest making the flavored milk base ahead of time. That mixture of warm milk, chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, and salt? That can hang out in an airtight container in the fridge for maybe two or three days. It won’t taste quite as luxurious, but it’ll be there when you need it. If you want to see how I prep coffee flavorings for non-drink items, you should look at my recipe for caramel mocha overnight oats—the principles of keeping those flavors stable are similar!

But here’s my real advice: brew those two shots fresh every single time. Don’t try to store the brewed espresso; it gets bitter and sad fast. When you’re ready to drink, just reheat the flavored milk base slightly (just until it’s steaming again, remember—no boiling!) and then pour in your fresh espresso. Top with your cream and drizzle, and boom! Perfect **Salted Caramel Mocha Latte**, guaranteed fresh every time.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

These are the questions I get asked most often when I share this recipe with friends. Seriously, everyone wants to know how to make that perfect blend of chocolate, coffee, and salty caramel goodness!

How much caffeine is actually in this Salted Caramel Mocha Latte?

Well, this depends entirely on your espresso! Since we use two standard shots of espresso, you are typically looking at around 120 to 150mg of caffeine, which is a pretty good kick for that morning boost! If you swap to strong brewed coffee, the caffeine level can be higher or lower depending on how concentrated you make that base. If you want a lower caffeine version of a **Salted Caramel Mocha Latte**, you can always just use one shot of espresso instead of two. Nobody will judge you, I promise!

Can I make this Salted Caramel Mocha Latte vegan or totally dairy-free?

Absolutely, yes! This recipe loves substitutes. You can use virtually any non-dairy milk you prefer. Oat milk is fabulous for texture, as I mentioned before, but almond or soy milk works in a pinch. Just remember that non-dairy milks don’t naturally foam up quite as nicely as dairy milk when heated on the stovetop. If you want that extra fluffy top, you’ll definitely want to invest in a small handheld frother. Also, make sure whatever chocolate syrup and caramel sauce you buy are certified vegan, as some brands sneak in milk solids!

What is the best kind of caramel sauce to use for the best Salted Caramel Mocha Latte?

This is where people get really opinionated! For the best result, you want a thick, rich caramel sauce, not a thin caramel syrup that you pour on ice cream. I honestly prefer making my own sauce if I have time, but if I’m grabbing a jar off the shelf, I look for brands that are marketed as ‘baking caramel’ or ‘sauce’ rather than ‘topping,’ as they usually have a deeper flavor profile that stands up well to the chocolate and espresso. If you’re serving it iced, I sometimes just use a thick salted caramel milkshake base for an intense flavor blast!

Do I really need the sea salt, or can I use regular table salt?

Oh, please don’t use regular table salt! That is a rookie mistake that will make your **Salted Caramel Mocha Latte** taste like you put salt water in your coffee. We need that flaky sea salt because it dissolves beautifully and provides those bursts of salinity that contrast with the sweetness. Table salt is too harsh and concentrated. Even kosher salt is better than table salt, but flaky sea salt is the absolute best investment you can make for your coffee bar.

Can I make a big batch of this for guests?

You can definitely prep components ahead! You can mix your chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, and salt together in a jar—that’s your flavor bomb base. You can even brew a larger batch of strong coffee/espresso concentrate and keep it refrigerated. When guests arrive, you just heat up individual portions of milk, stir in the flavor base, pour in the cold coffee concentrate, and *then* top with whipped cream. It makes serving a crowd much faster than making one at a time!

Estimated Nutritional Snapshot of the Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

Okay, so we’ve talked about how amazing this **Salted Caramel Mocha Latte** tastes, but let’s briefly touch on the fuel factor. When I whip this up on a busy morning, I like knowing roughly what I’m sipping on. Based on using standard whole milk and typical syrups, here is the nutrition breakdown for one serving. This gives you a good ballpark idea of what you’re indulging in!

Remember, this is an estimate, and your actual numbers can swing wildly based on what you choose! If you use skim milk or an unsweetened non-dairy alternative, you trim that sugar and fat content way down. Conversely, if you pile on the whipped cream and go heavy on the caramel drizzle, things get richer, which is fine for a treat, but good to know!

Calories: Approximately 250
Total Fat: About 10g
Saturated Fat: Around 6g (this is mostly from the milk and syrups)
Protein: Roughly 8g
Carbohydrates: Near 35g
Sugar: That’s hitting around 30g (that’s where the chocolate and caramel sit!)
Sodium: About 350mg (thanks mostly to that wonderful sea salt!)

It’s a little sweet, yes, because it’s a lovely dessert-style coffee, but it packs a good amount of energy to get you through the afternoon slump. Enjoy it guilt-free because you mixed it yourself! That’s half the fun, right?

Share Your Perfect Salted Caramel Mocha Latte Experience

Now that you’ve brewed up your very first perfect, homemade **Salted Caramel Mocha Latte**, I absolutely need to hear about it! You took the time to create liquid gold, and I want to share in your coffee triumph! Don’t keep that deliciousness a secret; the coffee community needs to know how good this is!

Did you manage to get that gorgeous drizzle on top of the whipped cream? Did you try our suggestion of using oat milk? Or maybe you went rogue and added a tiny dash of vanilla extract to the milk base—I love hearing about those little twists and turns that make the recipe yours. When you try something new, drop a comment down below and tell me exactly how you adjusted the salt or the amount of chocolate syrup. This helps everyone else who tries the recipe later!

And please, please take a picture! Snap a shot of that beautiful foamy top before you dive in. Tag me on social media so I can see your stunning creations. It always makes my day to see my recipes popping up in your own kitchens! Think of us all in a big virtual coffee club! If you want to see another way I use this incredible flavor profile—especially when the holidays roll around—you have to check out my recipe for the salted caramel espresso martini. It uses the same great sweet and salty balance!

If this recipe saved you an emergency trip to the café, please let the world know by giving it a five-star rating right here on the page. Your feedback is what keeps me experimenting and sharing these little kitchen secrets with you all!

Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 8 min
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A homemade coffee drink combining espresso, chocolate, caramel, and a touch of salt.

Ingredients

Scale

2 shots espresso
1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 tablespoon caramel sauce
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
Extra caramel sauce (optional, for drizzling)

Instructions

Brew two shots of espresso and set aside.
Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until steaming, but do not boil.
Pour the warm milk into a mug.
Stir in the chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, and sea salt until dissolved.
Pour the espresso shots into the milk mixture.
Top with whipped cream and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce, if desired.

Notes

You can use strong brewed coffee instead of espresso if you do not have an espresso maker.
Adjust the amount of salt to your preference.
For a colder drink, use cold milk and skip the heating step; froth the milk if you have a frother.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 3 min
Category: Beverage
Method: Stovetop/Assembly
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 250
Sugar: 30g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: salted caramel, mocha, latte, coffee, espresso, chocolate, caramel drink