Mocha Latte

Having bought an RV recently, I’ve been working on ways to more easily stick to my diet - both in terms of carbs, and getting enough protein.

To that end, I’ve been making a lot of high protein versions of my favorite coffee drinks. Protein powder is just a lot easier to deal with, when it comes in the form of delicious latte, IMHO.

Bonus when it’s in comfort of your own home, no need to venture to any of the local coffee shops! (No shade intended to anyone’s favorite coffee shop, I’m just not a people person!)

Oh, and it’s a healthy mocha at a fraction of the price of the Starbucks version, at that!

This delicious mocha latte is one of the dozen or so high protein, low carb homemade lattes and other drinks I’ve been making.

With the addition of chocolate coming from the protein powder, the main difference between this simple recipe for homemade mocha latte, and the coffee shop version is.. Well, protein. Obviously.

The protein powder I use is 25 grams of protein per serving, 0 sugar, and 5 total carbs - and the bulk of the nutrition in this easy mocha latte comes from that protein powder.

It makes for a espresso drink with just a small fraction of the sugar, carbs, and fat as a regular latte, while also being a great source of protein.

Fewer calories, too!

Protein Mocha Coffee Mixes

The best part of this simple recipe (beyond the fact that you don’t need a fancy espresso machine or french press to make it)?

You can do this mocha recipe up in batches - assembly line style - mixing them up in snack sized baggies.

Then, it’s ready for whenever you want your café mocha. All you need to do is add water or some form of milk, and you’re minutes away from a sweet treat!

I like to have one as a replacement for a morning cup of coffee, then a second one after lunch. I’ll usually do the first as a hot cup of coffee, and the second as an iced latte.

It’s my favorite way to cram some extra protein in my day, and it’s been SO helpful for staying on track while camping.

Be sure to take a look at the list of recipe links towards the end of this post for those other high protein drink recipes.

In the meantime, let’s get to that recipe!

Ingredients

This easy recipe needs only 3 simple ingredients, easy to find in most grocery stores!

Some thoughts for you:

Chocolate Protein Powder

Chocolate Flavored Protein Powder is what brings not only the protein content to these high protein mocha lattes, but ALSO the chocolate flavor.

No need for additional cocoa powder! (Though you can add a teaspoon of cacao powder if you want an extra chocolatey mocha!)

Also, because of the way they’re flavoured, there’s no need for vanilla extract to be added to the mix, which is handy!

For best results, use a protein powder that not only suits your own needs, but also tastes great and mixes up smoothly.

Need a vegan mocha latte? Grab a plant based protein powder. Easy!

Anyway, my protein powder of choice is Revolution Nutrition's High Whey in Chocolate Cake.

Great taste, smooth texture, suits my macros well.

Instant Coffee

Because this is an instant mix we’re making, I use Instant Coffee Granules / instant espresso powder.

Be sure to use one with a coffee flavor you like! You don’t have to LOVE it, though - the chocolate protein powder and milk cover up that “instant coffee” flavour.

I use a fully caffeinated instant coffee, but feel free to use decaf coffee if you prefer.

Milk or Water

Like protein shakes in general, these protein mocha lattes can be made with either water or milk - and hot or cold, at that!

Using milk makes for a creamier drink than using water, and using milk in the hot drink will make for some good froth if you mix it well enough.

I use Unsweetened Almond Milk, as I try to limit my dairy intake to cheese.

As far as plant based milks go, Oat milk, Cashew Milk, Flax Milk, Macadamia Milk, and coconut milk are all good options.

I just find that the non dairy milk options taste better than regular milk, so I’d probably use them even if I wasn’t limiting dairy consumption.

That said, if you’re fine with cow’s milk (my nose is NOT, lol!), you can use 2%, skim milk, or whole milk.

Just remember: The higher the milk fat content, the creamier the drink will be!

Shaker Bottle

Not an ingredient, really, but a shaker bottle is a nice thing to have on hand if you’re going to make these protein lattes often.

I love my 20 oz BlenderBottle.

It has a whisk ball thing that ensures a smooth shake, and it’s the perfect size for all of these homemade coffee drink mixes I do.

That said, you can use an immersion blender or milk frother, if you prefer.

How to Make High Protein Mocha Lattes

The full recipe is in the recipe card at the end of this post, here’s the visual walk through of both the original and the iced version:

Before getting started, finely grind instant coffee in a mini food processor or spice grinder:

For Hot Protein Mocha Latte:

Combine dry ingredients in a shaker bottle, mason jar, or blender.

Add hot water or hot milk*; shake until well combined, smooth, and with no undissolved coffee granules left on the bottom of the bottle.

Pour into a large coffee mug, garnish with homemade whipped cream and sugar free chocolate chips or chocolate shavings, if desired.

Enjoy right away!

For Protein Iced Mocha Latte:

Combine dry ingredients in a shaker bottle or blender.

Add cold water or milk*; shake until well combined, smooth, and with no undissolved coffee granules left on the bottom of the bottle.

Pour into a large glass filled with ice, enjoy right away!

Pro Tip: For easier dissolving, you can add a small amount of hot water or milk to the dry mix, shake until dissolved, then top up with cold liquid.

Another option is to make it with hot liquid, and chill it in the fridge for later use.

For Protein Powder Mocha Latte Mix Pouches:

Measure dry ingredients directly into individual snack-sized plastic baggies, seal and shake well to combine.

Press as much air as possible out of each baggie, seal the zipper.

Transfer baggies to an airtight container, labeled with the date, recipe name, and a note to use 12 oz of water or milk*, if you like.

More High Protein Drink Mixes!

Looking for more high protein, low carb drink mixes that can be made ahead? I've developed a whole series of instant drink mix recipes:

Chai Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Cream of Chicken Soup (Low Carb, High Protein)
Cream of Mushroom Soup (Low Carb, High Protein)
Fortified Instant Bone Broth
Gingerbread Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Matcha Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate (Low Carb, High Protein)
Peppermint Mocha Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Protein Cappuccino (Low Carb, High Protein)
Protein Hot Chocolate Mix(Low Carb)
Pumpkin Chai Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Pumpkin Spice Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)

Share the Love!

Before you chow down, be sure to take some pics of your handiwork! If you Instagram it, be sure to tag me - @LowCarbHoser - or post it to My Facebook Page - so I can cheer you on!

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... and hey, if you love the recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and comment! (Sharing the post on social media is always appreciated, too!)