Starbucks latte vs. mocha: Which one should you get?

The wide variety of beverages at Starbucks sometimes leaves some customers confused, not knowing which one to pick. Since I have always loved coffee, a friend suggested I try espresso-based drinks. I was torn between picking a latte and mocha since they were both quite captivating.

After researching, I compared them and created this post to help you discover how they differ. By the end of it, you will also learn which of the two you should get. Read on!

What are the differences between Starbucks Latte and Starbucks Mocha?

Features	Starbucks latte	Starbucks Mocha
Ingredients	Steamed milk, brewed espresso, and milk foam	Steamed milk, mocha sauce, espresso, whipped cream, and vanilla syrup
Taste profile	Has a mild taste	Sweet and deep taste
Caffeine content/ Nutritional value	A tall latte has 75 mg of caffeine, 150 calories, 14 grams of sugar, 6 grams of fat, and 15 grams of carbs.   This beverage has less caffeine but fewer calories	A tall mocha has 95 mg of caffeine, 290 calories, 27 grams of sugar, 13 grams of fat, and 33 grams of carbs.   This drink has more caffeine but more calories.
Availability/ Accessibility	This is easy to access directly from the store or through the app. Some of its variations are, however, seasonal	The beverage is also readily available at most Starbucks stores, but some of its variations are not always available.
Roast level	Dark roast	Lighter roast

Starbucks mocha vs. latte: How do they compare?

What it’s made of (ingredients)

Starbucks mocha is a rich beverage made using full-bodied espresso, 2% steamed milk, and mocha sauce. Starbucks baristas also add whipped cream to this classic beverage to make it more satisfying. This can also be topped with milk foam. If, for instance, you order grande mocha from Starbucks, the baristas will add four pumps of mocha sauce and two shots of signature espresso.

On the other hand, the Starbucks latte is made with shots of espresso and steamed milk. It also comes with a light layer of foam which can be poured in a decorative pattern. A grande of this beverage has two shots of espresso.

Starbucks mocha wins in this category since it includes ingredients that make it richer such as mocha sauce and whipped cream.

Taste profile

Chocolate and coffee are like a match made in heaven. Many people enjoy the taste of Starbucks mocha due to this combination. The Mocha sauce added to it gives it a bittersweet taste, while the whipped cream makes it sweeter and gives it a creamier texture. You may find this beverage quite satisfying if you have a sweet tooth.

On the other hand, Starbucks latte has a subtle sweet taste. A standard latte does not have extra flavor. Even if you order a latte with two espresso shots, the milk taste will still be dominant. Due to the use of steamed milk in its making, the Starbucks latte also has a luxurious mouthfeel that can coat your mouth.

Starbucks mocha, therefore, wins in this category since it is more indulgent due to the inclusion of hot chocolate.

Caffeine content/nutritional value

If you want a stronger drink that can give you more caffeine boost, you should consider Starbucks Mocha. A tall mocha has 95 mg of caffeine, while a grande has 175 mg of caffeine. Though this beverage can keep you more alert, you should not take it very often since it is high in calories. A tall Starbucks mocha has 290 calories. It is made up of 27 grams of sugar, 13 grams of fat, and 33 grams of carbs.

On the other hand, the Starbucks latte has less caffeine. Many Starbucks customers consider latte as among the mildest and lightest coffee-based beverages. A tall cup of this beverage has 75 mg of caffeine, while a grande contains 150 mg of caffeine. Despite the less caffeine, it does not have as many calories as a mocha.

If, for instance, you order a tall latte from Starbucks, you will be consuming 150 calories. This is almost half of what a Starbucks mocha contains in the same size. This drink also has less sugar since a tall Starbucks latte contains 14 grams of sugar. It is also made up of 6 grams of fat and 15 grams of carbs.

If you want more caffeine, you should therefore choose a Starbucks mocha, but if you want a healthier option, you should focus on a Starbucks latte. In this category, it is, therefore, a draw.

Availability/ Accessibility

Both Starbucks latte and mocha are easy to access from the stores. You can order them directly from the store by simply stating their names or ordering them online through the app at any time.

Despite this, some Starbucks mocha and latte variations are seasonal and are therefore not always available throughout the year. For instance, Caramel Brulee latte and Peppermint mocha are only available for a limited duration.

In this category, it is also a draw since the basic latte and mocha are easy to access, but some of their variations are seasonal.

Roast level

The term mocha coffee comes from the form of coffee beans utilized to prepare the brew. Starbucks mocha is made from mocha coffee beans harvested from a species of the arabica plant. Since Starbucks mocha is made with a lighter roast, customers can experience the strong taste of coffee in this beverage.

On the other hand, Starbucks latte utilizes espresso roast coffee for its lattes. This is roasted as dark without burning the beans. This roast level is what gives Starbucks latte a lighter flavor.

Starbucks mocha wins in this category since being made with lighter roast makes it more indulgent than Starbucks latte.

Starbucks mocha vs. latte: A Comparison Review

Starbucks mocha Overview

If you have not yet tasted a coffee drink with chocolate, you are missing out. I took the time to order this drink from Starbucks and liked its taste. The flavors of a shot of espresso combine well with chocolate to create a deep sweet taste. I also liked the fact this beverage is velvety smooth and coats my mouth.

Starbucks even serves this beverage with whipped cream to make it more delicious. Feel free to order this drink with some vanilla syrup. Starbucks even offers different varieties of this beverage to give you a more enjoyable experience. For instance, if you like the taste of Starbucks mocha, you can also try varieties like white mocha or a salted caramel mocha.

I did not like that some of the mocha beverages are seasonal since this means I have to wait for specific periods to try them out. This is an ideal beverage for any coffee lover who has a sweet tooth.

What I liked

• Its rich taste
• The high caffeine content

What I didn’t like

• Some of the mocha varieties are seasonal

Who it’s best suited for

• This is best suited for a coffee lover with a sweet tooth

Starbucks Latte Overview

The decorative pattern of this Starbucks beverage is one of the things that attracts many customers to it. This espresso-based beverage is milky. It looks not only good but also tastes amazing. Since this drink does not have chocolate, it allows you to taste the espresso flavor more.

I liked not only the taste of the Starbucks latte but also the different flavors that I could add to it. This means that it is easy to customize a latte just the way you like it. Feel free to ask the Starbucks baristas to add any syrup you prefer.

This beverage is suitable for Starbucks customers that don’t like overly sweet beverages. This drink not only comes with a subtle sweet taste but also has the right smoothness since it is made with steamed milk. I also liked the fact that Starbucks baristas can make this beverage with plant-based milk alternatives.

If you like Starbucks drinks that are extra creamy and have a velvety finish, you should not overlook a latte. The only aspect that I did not like so much about this beverage is that it is not as strong as the other options like Starbucks mocha.

What I liked

• Its velvety finish
• Customization options

What I didn’t like

• Its mild taste

Who it’s best suited for

• This is best suited for customers who need a low calorie drink with less caffeine

Final Verdict: So, Which is Better? Starbucks Mocha or Starbucks Latte?

Starbucks mocha is better than a latte. This is because it has a richer flavor since it is made with more ingredients and it is made with a lighter roast. Besides this beverage’s sweet taste, many coffee lovers also like it due to its higher caffeine content. Starbuck mocha is stronger than latte drinks since it contains less milk. You can even ask for more shots of espresso. You should, however, not make this an everyday indulgence due to the higher calorie content in the drink. Feel free to order Starbucks mocha at a store today and enjoy every sip.

FAQ SECTION

Is Starbucks mocha stronger than a latte?

Yes. Starbucks mocha is stronger since it has more caffeine content.

What is the main difference between a latte and mocha at Starbucks?

The main difference is that Starbucks mocha has hot chocolate while a latte does not include this ingredient.

Which one tastes better between Starbucks mocha and latte?

Starbucks mocha tastes better since it is sweeter. The mocha sauce and whipped cream give Starbucks mocha a distinct taste that makes customers keep on ordering more.