Simple Spiderweb Mocha
Halloween is the perfect time to try your hand at spooky latte art. Adding a “spiderweb” on the top of a mocha or hot chocolate is easy for anyone to do by following these simple tips.
Why this works
This is a quick and simple technique for making Halloween latte art. You can’t go wrong with pairing chocolate, coffee, and spooky fun. You can also skip the espresso and make this drink as a Halloween hot chocolate for the kiddos!
Ingredients and equipment
This recipe calls for the classic ingredients in a mocha: chocolate syrup, espresso, and frothed milk.
You will need a few tools to make the spiderweb:
- Toothpick, skewer, or similar
- A way to pour the chocolate syrup through a small opening such as a piping tip or a measuring cup with a small pour spout.
See how it’s made
Tips on making the web effect
Tip 1: Use a thin stream of chocolate
Most store-bought chocolate sauce containers come with too wide of a tip to make this work effectively. Of course, you can try it, but what you want to create is a thin stream of chocolate to make the spiral.
I used a measuring cup with a small pour spout and that worked well. It also gave me better control of speed as opposed to a bottle. If you have piping tips those would also work well. Choose a small round tip.
Tip 2: Slightly heat the chocolate
I first tried this with room temperature chocolate and it just didn’t pour quite the way I needed it to. I’m sure different chocolates will pour differently. (I was using a Torani Dark Chocolate sauce.)
I poured the syrup into a glass measuring cup and heated it for about 10 seconds in the microwave, and that did the trick! It was much easier to pour and control.
Tip 3: No need for a perfect spiral!
The spiral does need to be spiral-y but no need to be perfect at all. Even if you have a few extra drips here and there, you can easily fix it with the toothpick when you pull your lines.
Tip 4: Start at the center
For both the chocolate spiral and for pulling the lines, start at the center and work out.
FAQs
Can I make a spiderweb on different drinks or does it have to be a mocha?
You can top any latte, or drink topped with foam with this spiderweb technique. For example, leave out the coffee and top a hot chocolate in this way, or even finish a pumpkin spice latte with this spiderweb for a full-on autumn experience.
How hard is it to make this web?
The beauty of this spooky latte art is that it’s simple for anyone to do, especially if you follow my recipe and tips! And you likely have all the tools you’ll need already in your kitchen.
It may take a couple of tries to practice the spiral. It did for me! Once you have that down, you are set! The spiral definitely does not have to be perfect either! You can go in and fix it up with your toothpick.
Spiderweb Mocha
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons chocolate sauce Two tablespoons in the drink and one tablespoon for the drizzle.
- 2 ounces espresso or double-strength coffee
- 12 ounces foamed milk of your choice
- 1 ounce extra milk foam
Instructions
- Add two tablespoons of chocolate sauce to the bottom of your cup.
- Pour the espresso or double-strength coffee over the sauce.
- Froth milk and add to the cup, holding back the foam as you pour. Leave a half-inch at the top.
- Scoop out milk foam and add to the top of the drink so there is a thick enough layer of foam to hold up the chocolate sauce web.
- Pour chocolate sauce using a small piping tip or small-spout measuring cup in a spiral over the top of the drink, with the spiral starting at the center.
- Use a toothpick or skewer to pull lines through the spiral. Start in the center and pull the toothpick through the spirals outwards to create a line. Continue five to six more times or until you like the web look!
