Salted Caramel Mocha Latte. Just hearing it makes my brain do a little happy dance. You know those chilly afternoons when you want something cozy but the idea of dropping five bucks at your local coffee place just, well, fries your wallet? Me too. That’s why I’m obsessed (genuinely) with crafting this magic at home. Before you get all ‘is it tricky,’ hang with me. If you’re a fan of warmup drinks that scream autumn check out this warm-up caramelized apple cinnamon latte or my ride-or-die for crazy fall cravings: this copycat Starbucks pumpkin spice latte recipe. But right now, let’s deep dive into this salted caramel mocha latte situation.

What is a salted caramel mocha?

Okay, here’s my not-so-official definition. A salted caramel mocha latte is what happens when your classic mocha falls in love with gooey caramel and a pinch of sea salt joins the party. We’re talking chocolate. We’re talking espresso (use strong coffee—don’t let the espresso police tell you otherwise). Then throw in dreamy caramel sauce. Add a hit of sea salt that just makes all those sweet notes… pop.
Some folks say it tastes like a liquid candy bar. They’re not wrong. The best ones taste like a five-star restaurant made your drink, but in a comfy mug right at home. No fancy machines needed. I started making these in college because, well, Starbucks is not in my budget, ha! If you like lattes that taste like dessert, this drink’s your jam.
Want even more cold-weather twists? Try a deliciously creamy vanilla chai oatmilk latte recipe for another soul-warming option.

How to make a homemade salted caramel mocha

Alright, let’s get practical! You don’t need barista skills. If you can microwave milk and operate a spoon, you’re halfway there.
First, make your strong coffee, or espresso if you’re feeling extra. Next step: heat up your milk until it gets nice and steamy. Whisk it like you’re angry, or shake it up in a jar for that foam—seriously, it works.
Drizzle caramel sauce in your mug. Pour in your hot coffee, add some chocolate syrup (be generous, no one’s judging), and then toss in that hot milk.
The magic moment: a little sprinkle of sea salt over the top. Stir it all up, top with a blob of whipped cream, and another caramel drizzle just for drama. If you’re feeling really over the top, add a tiny pinch more salt on top.
Not gonna lie, the first time I made these, I made a mess, but wow, it was worth it. Your kitchen might smell like a bakery exploded, but trust me, you’ll forget all about the mess after that first sip.

Key ingredients for a salted caramel mocha

This isn’t rocket science and you probably have most of the basics. The must-haves for a delicious salted caramel mocha latte? Here’s the rundown in human terms:

Coffee or espresso – strong is better (don’t go weak on me)
Milk – whatever you’ve got (whole, skim, oat, almond, whatever keeps your fridge happy)

Caramel sauce – the premade kind, or if you’re brave, homemade
Chocolate syrup – classic Hershey’s works, but get fancy if you want
Sea salt – flakey, finishing salt is goals, but any pinch will do

If you want a super-fancy version, toast your salt for extra drama. No, really, toasted salt is a thing. Toss it in a pan for a minute and it gets extra fragrant.

Ingredient	Why it Matters	Must-Have?	Easy Swap
Coffee/Espresso	Brings the buzz	Absolutely	Strong brew
Milk	Gives creaminess	Yes	Oat/almond milk
Caramel sauce	Sweet & gooey	Oh yes	Dulce de leche
Chocolate syrup	Makes it mocha-y	Yep	Hot cocoa mix
Sea salt	Brings it all home	Don’t skip	Kosher salt

Can you make a vegan mocha?

Short answer? Absolutely. The delicious salted caramel mocha latte practically begs for swaps if you’d like. I tried it once with oat milk because that’s all I had and, honestly, it was creamy enough that my dairy-loving husband couldn’t tell. Grab a dairy-free caramel sauce (they exist, really), and go for dark chocolate syrup or cocoa.
Same method, swap the ingredients, and boom, you’ve got a vegan-friendly treat. My one tip? Taste everything as you go. Some plant milks are a little thin, so feel free to add extra syrup or a splash more caramel for extra oomph. And don’t skip the sea salt—it ties everything together whether you’re sipping dairy or not.
Heck, toss a sprinkle of cinnamon in there if you want to keep things interesting.

Whats the difference between a mocha and a latte?

Let’s clear up a weird bit of coffee confusion, shall we? A latte is just espresso plus milk. That’s it, no chocolate, no drama. But when you mix in chocolate—pow, you’ve got a mocha.
So basically, a mocha is a latte’s wilder, richer cousin that just decided to add chocolate syrup and stir the pot (literally). Salted caramel mocha latte turns up the volume extra with caramel and salt on top, so it’s like dessert in a mug for anyone who likes to say “yes” to flavor and “nah” to boring.
I used to mix up the two all the time. If you see chocolate, think mocha. If it’s just milky, you’ve got a latte. If it’s got caramel and salt, well, now you know what you’re getting.

Serving Suggestions

Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for a cozier vibe when serving.
For a chilly treat, pour over ice and call it an iced salted caramel mocha.

Pair with a classic buttery scone or—my personal favorite—molasses cookies.
Want to go wild? Swirl two flavors together (seriously, check my delicious-iced-pumpkin-spice-latte-starbucks-copycat for funky ideas).

Common Questions

Q: Can I use instant coffee for this recipe?
A: Yup, instant works in a pinch. Just make it strong—extra coffee in less water.

Q: I’m out of caramel sauce, what do I do?
A: Use dulce de leche or even maple syrup for a totally different spin.

Q: Will it taste good iced?
A: Oh yes. Pour everything over ice and stir well. Super refreshing in summer.

Q: Can I prep the salted caramel mocha latte ahead?
A: Make the base and store it in your fridge. Just heat or pour over ice when ready.

Q: Is this contender for best homemade latte?
A: Not to brag, but folks say it rivals their favorite shop. One friend said:

“This salted caramel mocha latte was better than any drive-thru version—sweet, salty, and totally satisfying!”

Try This Comforting Cup Yourself

There you have it: my low-drama, flavor-packed way to whip up a homemade salted caramel mocha latte. No need to get fancy or spend a fortune. Next time you crave something indulgent, remember this recipe. If you want more ideas, check out this Salted Caramel Mocha Recipe (Starbucks Copycat) – Baran Bakery for another take, or browse Inside BruCrew Life’s Salted Caramel Mocha Recipe (Starbucks Copycat) – Inside … for a fun twist. Warm mug, happy heart, and your own twist—go on, get sipping!

Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

Print Recipe

A cozy, delicious drink that combines classic mocha with rich caramel and a hint of sea salt for a sweet, dessert-like experience.

Author: Alexandra Roa
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Category: Beverage

Method: Beverage Preparation
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup strong coffee or espresso
1 cup milk (whole, skim, oat, or almond)
2 tablespoons caramel sauce

2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
Pinch of sea salt
Whipped cream (for topping)

Additional caramel sauce (for drizzling)

Instructions

Brew your strong coffee or espresso.
Heat the milk until steamy and froth it using a whisk or jar shake.

Drizzle caramel sauce into your mug.
Pour in the hot coffee.
Add chocolate syrup and toss in the hot milk.

Sprinkle sea salt on top and stir.
Top with whipped cream and drizzle with caramel sauce.
Add an extra pinch of sea salt if desired.

Notes

For a vegan option, substitute with dairy-free milk and caramel sauce. Taste as you go to adjust sweetness.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350

Sugar: 35g
Sodium: 200mg
Fat: 15g

Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g

Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 8g

Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: latte, mocha, caramel, coffee, autumn drink, dessert drink, homemade coffee, warm beverages