Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha is one of those cozy, crave-worthy drinks that instantly makes you feel like fall has arrived. This homemade version captures the essence of the original perfectly—rich chocolate and bold espresso combined with creamy caramel and a touch of sea salt for the ideal balance. What really makes it special is the homemade mocha and caramel sauce blend, giving every sip that indulgent, comforting flavor Starbucks fans love. Finish it off with a cloud of whipped cream and a drizzle of salted caramel, and you’ve got the perfect café-style treat made right in your own kitchen.
Wondering What Makes This Special?
- Made with love: This homemade Salted Caramel Mocha uses real, simple ingredients—no syrups from a bottle. Authentic, full-bodied cocoa, smooth espresso, creamy milk, and a touch of sea salt caramel magic.
- A cozy copycat: It captures that classic Starbucks flavor you crave every fall, but you can make it anytime, right in your kitchen—no lines, no drive-thru, just comfort in a mug.
- Balanced indulgence: Slightly lighter than the original, but just as satisfying. It offers an ideal blend of sweetness, saltiness, and bold flavors—customized just for you.
What You’ll Need and substitutions
Recreate this cozy Starbucks favorite right at home with ingredients you probably already have. Below is a breakdown of what you’ll need, along with some easy substitutions to make it your own.
Mocha Sauce
- Granulated sugar – You can use your favorite cup-for-cup sugar substitute if you’re cutting back on sugar.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – Either regular or Dutch-processed works here. Dutch-processed will give you a smoother, richer chocolate flavor.
- Water – Add only enough to dissolve and mix the sugar and cocoa into a smooth sauce.
Salted Caramel Sauce
- White sugar – Brown sugar adds a deeper molasses note, so feel free to use that if you prefer a richer caramel.
- Unsalted butter – Use unsalted ingredients to better manage the salt level in your final drink.
Heavy cream – Half & half or even evaporated milk will work in a pinch. Just avoid low-fat milk—it can cause the caramel to split. - Sea salt – Small efforts can have a big impact. You can use kosher salt instead for a more subtle, mineral flavor.
For the Mocha Itself
- Espresso – If you don’t have an espresso machine, a strong brewed dark roast or even cold brew concentrate will get the job done.
- Milk – Whole milk is classic, but almond, oat, soy, or any dairy-free option will still create a creamy, frothy base.
- Homemade mocha sauce – If you’re in a rush, store-bought chocolate syrup (like Ghirardelli or Torani) is totally fine.
- Salted caramel syrup or toffee syrup – This adds that signature buttery-sweet flavor. Optional, but a lovely touch if you have it.
- Sea salt – A small sprinkle on top balances out all the sweetness beautifully. Kosher salt works well too.
Whipped cream – You can go with the classic dairy version or try coconut whipped cream for a dairy-free twist.
How to Cook Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha
Step 1: Prepare your sauces
Start by making your mocha and caramel sauces. For mocha, mix unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, and a splash of water to create a thick chocolate syrup. For caramel, you can use store-bought or make your own with butter, brown sugar, and a touch of cream. Add a pinch of sea salt to the caramel to give it that signature “salted” flavor.
Step 2: Froth your milk
Warm your milk of choice—whole milk gives it the creamiest texture. Froth it using a milk frother, French press, or by shaking it vigorously in a sealed mason jar until it’s foamy.
Step 3: Brew your espresso
Pull two shots of espresso (or use strong brewed coffee if you don’t have an espresso machine). Stir in 1 tablespoon of the mocha sauce and about 1 to 2 teaspoons of the salted caramel sauce, depending on how sweet and rich you like it.
Step 4: Bring it all together
Slowly pour the steamed milk over the espresso, letting the foam stay on top. Finish with a generous swirl of whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a tiny sprinkle of sea salt for that final café-style touch.
It’s cozy, indulgent, and easy enough to make on a quiet morning or as a weekend treat.
Tips for Success
The beauty of making your own Salted Caramel Mocha at home? You’re in full control. Whether you want to lighten it up, switch up the flavor, or make it suit your dietary needs, here are my go-to tips to make your homemade version even better:
Make it dairy-free:
No need to miss out if you’re dairy-free—this drink is super easy to adapt. Try using oat, almond, or soy milk instead of regular milk—I personally prefer oat milk because of its rich, creamy consistency. For the caramel sauce, go for one made with coconut milk or vegan butter. And yes, there are some amazing dairy-free whipped toppings out there—don’t skip it!
Chill it for a refreshing iced version:
On warmer days, this is my favorite twist. Let your espresso (or strong brewed coffee) cool completely. Then layer it over ice with milk, mocha sauce, and a drizzle of salted caramel. I like to stir everything together before adding the whipped topping for that perfect café-style finish.
Don’t have a frother? No worries:
No need to worry if you don’t own a fancy milk frother. Simply warm the milk in the microwave until it’s hot but not boiling, then pour it into a mason jar and shake it vigorously for around 30 seconds. It creates a surprisingly good foam—and it’s kinda fun!
Save time with store-bought sauces:
While homemade sauces are a nice touch, life gets busy. Grab your favorite store-bought mocha and caramel sauces for a quick fix. Choose ones with flavors you genuinely like—it truly changes the experience.
Adjust the level of sweetness and saltiness to match your taste preferences:
The original Starbucks version leans sweet, but at home, you can tweak it however you like. Add more or less caramel, try dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate, or sprinkle a little extra sea salt on top. Trust your taste buds.
Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Recipe
Ingredients
Homemade Mocha Sauce:
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Salted Caramel Sauce:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temp)
- ⅓ cup heavy cream (warm)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
For the Drink:
- ½ cup strong brewed coffee
- 1 cup milk (any kind – dairy, oat, almond all work beautifully)
- 2 tablespoons homemade mocha sauce (from above)
- 1 tablespoon store-bought caramel syrup or toffee nut syrup
- A tiny pinch of sea salt (just a touch—it makes all the difference)
- Whipped cream (optional, but highly recommended)
- Drizzle of your homemade caramel sauce
Instructions
Make the Mocha Sauce
- Boil water in a kettle.
- In a small mason jar or heatproof bowl, combine: 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar and ½ cup boiling water
- Stir until smooth and glossy. Set aside.
Make the Salted Caramel Sauce
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add ½ cup granulated sugar.
- Stir constantly — the sugar will start to clump, then melt into a golden brown syrup.
- Once melted and amber-colored, add 2 tablespoons butter. Stir until fully combined.
- Slowly pour in ¼ cup heavy cream while stirring (be cautious, it will bubble).
- Add ¼ teaspoon sea salt (or more to taste). Stir well.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
Brew the Coffee
- Brew 2 strong espresso shots into a large mug. (No espresso machine? Use ½ cup of very strong coffee instead.)
Froth the Milk
- Warm ¾ cup of milk in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or gently heat it on the stove.
- Whisk the milk briskly or use a milk frother to create a light, frothy texture.
Assemble the Drink
- Pour 1 to 2 tablespoons of mocha sauce, 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce (or caramel syrup), and a pinch of sea salt into the mug with espresso.
- Stir everything together until smooth.
- Pour in the steamed milk, then gently spoon the foam on top.
Top and Finish
- Add a generous swirl of whipped cream.
- Drizzle with more salted caramel sauce.
- Optional: Sprinkle a little extra sea salt on top.
- Serve warm and enjoy your homemade Salted Caramel Mocha — café flavor, made your way.
Notes
