Coffee meets chocolate
Starbucks Caffè Mocha: Calories, Price, and Caffeine
Is mocha coffee or chocolate? Does it have caffeine? What is in Starbucks mocha sauce? We answer the big mocha questions, break down the Starbucks Caffè Mocha size by size, and show you how to make one at home, sauce included.
Quick answer. A mocha is espresso + chocolate + steamed milk, usually finished with whipped cream. At Starbucks, a Grande Caffè Mocha is 2 shots of espresso, 4 pumps of mocha sauce, 2% milk and whipped cream: 370 calories, 35 g of sugar and about 175 mg of caffeine, for about $7.35 on average in the US.
- Size in this answer: Grande
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 35 g
- Caffeine: 175 mg
- Average US price: $7.35
Checked October 2026. Prices are average US prices and vary by store.
Is Mocha Coffee or Chocolate?
Both, and that is the point. As a drink, a mocha (also called a caffè mocha, café mocha or mocha latte) is a latte with chocolate in it. As a flavor, “mocha” means coffee and chocolate together, which is why you see mocha cakes, mocha ice cream and even the color “mocha brown.”
The word comes from Mocha (al-Makha), a port city in Yemen that was a major center of the coffee trade from the 1400s to the 1700s. Coffee shipped from there was known for rich, chocolatey notes, and over time “mocha” came to mean coffee with chocolate. In American English it is pronounced MOH-kuh; you will also see it spelled mocca, moca or mocka.
What does a mocha taste like?
Like a rich, not-too-sweet hot chocolate with a coffee finish. Starbucks describes its sauce as bittersweet, so the chocolate is closer to dark cocoa than milk chocolate. The steamed milk makes it smooth, and the whipped cream adds a creamy, vanilla-sweet top.
Inside a Starbucks Caffè Mocha
Starbucks’ official ingredient list is short: milk, brewed espresso, mocha sauce (water, sugar, cocoa processed with alkali, natural flavor) and whipped cream (cream and vanilla syrup). Here is how it is built in each size:
| Size | Espresso shots | Mocha pumps | Calories | Sugar | Protein | Caffeine | Avg. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short (8 oz) | 1 | 2 | 200 | 18 g | 7 g | 90 mg | — |
| Tall (12 oz) | 1 | 3 | 290 | 27 g | 11 g | 95 mg | $6.49 |
| Grande (16 oz) | 2 | 4 | 370 | 35 g | 14 g | 175 mg | $7.35 |
| Venti (20 oz) | 2 | 5 | 450 | 45 g | 18 g | 185 mg | $7.59 |
Notice the Venti hot mocha still has 2 shots; the extra size is mostly milk and one more pump of sauce. Compare all cup sizes in our Starbucks sizes page.
Does a mocha have caffeine?
Yes. The espresso supplies most of it, and cocoa adds a little more, which is why a Grande mocha (about 175 mg) has slightly more caffeine than a Grande Caffè Latte (about 150 mg) with the same 2 shots. Want less? Ask for half-decaf (½ Decaf) or decaf espresso; the cocoa still adds a small amount.
Mocha vs. Latte vs. Mochaccino vs. Hot Chocolate
| Drink | What is in it | Grande at Starbucks |
|---|---|---|
| Caffè Mocha | Espresso + mocha sauce + steamed milk + whipped cream | 370 cal, 175 mg caffeine |
| Caffè Latte | Espresso + steamed milk | 190 cal, 150 mg caffeine |
| White Chocolate Mocha | Espresso + white chocolate sauce + milk + whipped cream | 390 cal, 150 mg caffeine |
| Mochaccino (mocha cappuccino) | Espresso + chocolate + more foam, less milk | Not a Starbucks menu name |
| Hot chocolate | Chocolate + steamed milk, no coffee | No espresso |
So a mocha is basically a caffè latte with chocolate, or a hot chocolate with espresso. If you have been searching for the name of “coffee plus hot chocolate,” this is it.
Every Mocha on the Starbucks Menu
- Caffè Mocha (hot): the classic, above.
- Iced Caffè Mocha: Grande 350 calories, 175 mg caffeine. See the Starbucks cold drinks page.
- White Chocolate Mocha and Iced White Chocolate Mocha: sweeter, with white chocolate sauce.
- Iced Dubai Chocolate Mocha: Grande 470 calories, 165 mg caffeine.
- Mocha Frappuccino and Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino: blended versions, on our Frappuccino menu.
- Peppermint Mocha: mocha sauce plus peppermint, a holiday-season drink. See the Starbucks holiday menu.
Popular ways to customize a mocha
| Order | What to ask for |
|---|---|
| Lighter “skinny” mocha | Nonfat milk, no whipped cream, 2 pumps of mocha |
| Vanilla mocha | Add 1 to 2 pumps of vanilla syrup |
| Tuxedo mocha (off-menu) | Half mocha sauce, half white chocolate mocha sauce |
| Decaf or half-caff mocha | Decaf or ½ Decaf espresso |
| Smoother mocha | Blonde espresso |
| Dairy-free mocha | Oat, almond, soy or coconut milk and no whipped cream |
Prefer a sweet hot coffee that is not chocolate? Browse the full Starbucks hot drinks menu.
How to Make a Mocha at Home
Homemade mocha sauce
- ¼ cup (21 g) unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-process is closest to Starbucks)
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the mocha
- 2 shots (2 oz / 60 ml) espresso, or ½ cup (4 oz) very strong brewed coffee
- 2 tablespoons homemade mocha sauce (above) or store-bought chocolate sauce
- 1 cup (8 oz / 240 ml) 2% or whole milk
- Optional: sweetened whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce or cocoa powder
Instructions
- Make the mocha sauce. Whisk the cocoa, sugar, water and salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth and slightly thick. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Brew the coffee. Pull 2 shots of espresso into a 12 to 16 oz mug. No espresso machine: use ½ cup of very strong brewed coffee, moka pot coffee or AeroPress concentrate.
- Mix the chocolate. Stir 2 tablespoons of mocha sauce into the hot espresso until fully dissolved.
- Steam the milk. Steam or heat the milk to 140–150°F (60–65°C) and froth it lightly with a wand or handheld frother.
- Combine and top. Pour the milk into the mug, then finish with whipped cream and a light chocolate drizzle.
Tips, swaps and storage
- Mocha ratio: 2 shots espresso : 2 tablespoons sauce : 1 cup milk. Use 1 ½ tablespoons for a Tall-size mug and 2 ½ for a Venti.
- Without an espresso machine: very strong coffee works; reduce the milk to ¾ cup so the coffee is not diluted.
- Quick version: stir 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon sugar into the hot espresso instead of making sauce.
- Dark chocolate mocha: melt 1 oz (28 g) chopped dark chocolate into the hot espresso.
- Iced mocha: mix sauce into the espresso, pour over ice and add 1 cup of cold milk.
- Storage: keep the mocha sauce in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks; stir or warm briefly before using.
Watch: Starbucks Mocha at Home
Mocha FAQs
What is a mocha?
A mocha (caffè mocha or café mocha) is espresso mixed with chocolate sauce and steamed milk, usually topped with whipped cream. Think of it as a chocolate latte, or coffee and hot chocolate in one cup.
Is mocha coffee or chocolate?
Both. A mocha drink is coffee (espresso) plus chocolate. As a flavor, “mocha” means chocolate and coffee together. The name comes from the Yemeni port of Mocha (al-Makha), a historic coffee-trading port.
Does a mocha have caffeine?
Yes. A Starbucks Grande Caffè Mocha has about 175 mg of caffeine: 2 shots of espresso plus a little from the cocoa. A Tall has about 95 mg.
How many calories are in a Starbucks mocha?
With 2% milk and whipped cream: 200 (Short), 290 (Tall), 370 (Grande) and 450 (Venti). Skipping the whipped cream and using nonfat milk lowers that.
What is in Starbucks mocha sauce?
Water, sugar, cocoa processed with alkali and natural flavor, according to Starbucks’ ingredient list.
What is the difference between a mocha and a mochaccino?
“Mochaccino” is not a Starbucks menu name. It usually means a mocha cappuccino: espresso, chocolate and more foam than milk. A mocha has more steamed milk and is usually topped with whipped cream.
Mocha vs. latte: what is the difference?
A latte is espresso and steamed milk. A mocha is a latte with chocolate sauce added, plus whipped cream. A Grande mocha has 370 calories versus 190 for a Grande latte.
How do you pronounce mocha?
In American English, “MOH-kuh.” Common misspellings include mocca, moca and mocka.
Is there a skinny mocha at Starbucks?
There is no separate skinny mocha on the current menu, but you can make one lighter by asking for nonfat milk, no whipped cream and fewer pumps of mocha sauce.
Nutrition, caffeine and ingredients are from starbucks.com (checked October 2026), made with 2% milk and whipped cream. Prices are average US prices and vary by store. starbukmenu.com is not affiliated with Starbucks Corporation.
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