Chapter Betty’s Signature Mocha
Betty's Signature Mocha
The drink that started it all
This is the café mocha Betty made for Captain Steiner and Lieutenant Commander Vasseur on the day they walked into her coffee shop and turned her life upside down. It's also the drink she served at her wedding reception at The Latte Princess.
Ingredients
For the mocha:
2 shots espresso (or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee)
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons Belgian dark chocolate syrup (or high-quality chocolate sauce)
1/4 teaspoon Madagascar vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
For the whipped cream topping:
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Raw cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
Make the spiced milk:
Pour the milk into a small saucepan over medium heat.
Add the vanilla extract and Ceylon cinnamon.
Heat until steaming but not boiling, stirring occasionally. If you have a milk frother or steam wand, use it to create a nice foam.
Prepare the whipped cream:
In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
Set aside. (You can do this ahead of time and refrigerate.)
Assemble the mocha:
Add the chocolate syrup to the bottom of a large mug.
Pour in the hot espresso and stir to combine with the chocolate.
Add the spiced steamed milk, holding back the foam with a spoon.
Spoon the milk foam on top.
Add a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream.
Dust with raw cocoa powder.
Serve immediately.
Betty's Tips
"The Ceylon cinnamon is important. Regular cinnamon is too harsh. Ceylon is sweeter and more delicate. Trust me on this."
"Don't skip the raw cocoa powder on top. It's not just for looks. That little bit of bitterness balances all the sweetness underneath."
"And for the love of everything, use real chocolate. Not the stuff that comes in a squeeze bottle at chain coffee shops. Belgian, French, or any high-quality dark chocolate sauce. Your taste buds will thank you."
Variations
Iced version: Let the espresso and chocolate mixture cool slightly, pour over ice, add cold milk (skip the cinnamon and vanilla heating step, just stir them in), and top with whipped cream and cocoa powder.
Extra indulgent: Add a shot of hazelnut or amaretto syrup.
Dairy-free: Substitute oat milk for the whole milk and use coconut whipped cream.
"Coffee is comfort food in liquid form. And sometimes, you need all the comfort you can get."
— Princess Bettina Elena Margot de Reina Montclair Falcieri, heir to the Duchy of Valdoria, Princess of Solmarina (and forever a barista at heart)