Can You Reheat A Mocha? [ANSWERED]

We’ve all been there, haven’t we?

We drop by our local coffee shop and order a cup of mocha (or prepare one at home)…

…but then get caught up in something (for me, it’s usually browsing the web on my phone!) and end up with room-temperature coffee.

Oops.

So what do you do?

Well, you have 2 options:

You can either dump it (but that would be a waste of money and a good cup of joe)…

…or you could try reheating your drink.

This brings us to the question:

Can You Reheat A Mocha?

Yes, you can reheat a mocha, but it’s best to drink it when it’s nice and warm and avoid reheating altogether.

Here’s why:

As you know, a mocha is usually made up of espresso shots, hot chocolate, and steamed milk.

And when it comes to bacteria growth, milk approaches the danger zone pretty quickly.

So having your mocha cool down for a few minutes is one thing, but reheating it after several hours isn’t really a good idea.

Not to mention, you’re sure to notice a significant drop in the quality and flavor of the drink after you’ve reheated your beverage.

TIP:

It might be worth investing in an Ember Mug².

It does a great job of keeping coffee hot for a long period of time, and also ensures the temperature remains above the threshold for bacteria growth.

What Is The Best Way To Reheat A Mocha?

The best way to reheat a mocha is on the stovetop, on a very low flame or temperature. Make sure you don’t let it come to a boil because an extremely high temperature can burn the liquid and spoil the flavor.

As we all know…

Burnt coffee tastes far worse than cold coffee, so it’s important that you take your time and don’t rush this process.

Now you’re probably thinking…

Can You Reheat A Mocha In The Microwave?

Yes, you can reheat a mocha in the microwave. But it’s highly recommended that you do it on a stovetop because a microwave fries away all of the wonderful flavor of your coffee.

Here’s the thing:

You may forget to drink your mocha while it’s hot…

…but you’ll still be hoping it tastes just as great as it did when you first bought/made it, right?

Well, while a microwave rapidly takes a liquid from cold to hot, it can also wreak havoc on the flavor of your drink.

In other words…

It can result in the breakdown of the aroma and taste of your coffee. This, in turn, will lend your mocha a stale and bitter flavor.

That being said…

You can find a microwave in almost every household and because of this, it remains one of the most convenient ways to reheat your coffee.

But there’s a right way to go about doing it.

Here are the steps to follow:

> Step 1

First off, you want to make sure your mocha is in a microwave-friendly mug or cup.

If you aren’t completely certain that it can be safely popped into the microwave, transfer your coffee to another mug that’s more suitable for use in a microwave.

After all…

It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?

> Step 2

Next, you want to turn down the power on the microwave.

Depending on the model you’re using, keep it to around the halfway mark level or just under it.

On my microwave, I usually opt for the number 8 setting. This is a couple of levels below 10 – the default setting at which a microwave typically heats at.

> Step 3

Go ahead and microwave your mocha in short 30-second bursts.

Take out your mug after each interval, give it a quick stir and check if the liquid is hot enough.

If it isn’t, pop it back in for another 30 seconds. Rinse and repeat until you’re satisfied with the temperature of your coffee.

Important:

Don’t let your mocha reach boiling point – it can ruin its taste and texture of it and you may end up pouring your beverage down the sink.

TIP

Just like any other drink, your mocha may taste a tad bitter after you’ve taken it out of the microwave.

Sprinkling a little bit of sugar or adding a dash of creamer will fix the problem (to a great extent).

How To Reheat A Mocha Without A Microwave

If you’re looking to reheat a mocha without a microwave, you can either do it on a stovetop or use a steamer wand.

Since I’ve already covered the stovetop method earlier on in this article, I’ll talk briefly about using a steamer wand to heat up your coffee again.

Firstly, if you have a high-end espresso machine at home, it’ll probably come equipped with a good-quality steam wand.

But if you don’t own one, you can always opt for a handheld steamer wand.

Here are the steps you’ll need to take to reheat your coffee with a handheld steamer. (Please note the process is the same with a steam wand attached to an espresso machine).

Step 1

Transfer your mocha into a deep container (it should be large enough to prevent it from spilling out over the edges once the steam is introduced).

TIP:

Use a stainless steel pitcher. It’s a lot better than a paper cup or a ceramic mug.

Step 2

Carefully insert your steamer wand all the way inside until it hits the bottom of the container. Then switch it on.

As with the other two methods described in this post (stovetop and microwave), reheating your mocha until it reaches boiling point can completely ruin it.

And since steamer wands tend to reheat drinks in double quick time, you’ll want to keep a very close eye on it.

TIP:

If you’re using a steel pitcher, here’s an easy way to determine if your coffee is hot enough.

Try placing your hand on the side of the pitcher for around 5 seconds – if you can do so comfortably, your beverage is probably warm enough to sip and enjoy.

But if you immediately yank your hand away, your drink just might be way too hot.

Moving on…

Can You Reheat A Starbucks Drink The Next Day?

While a Starbucks mocha or a latte is always best enjoyed when it’s nice and hot, there are times when you’re too busy to drink it right away.

In these instances, we often find ourselves wondering…

‘Do I drink it cold, toss it in the bin, or let it sit in the fridge overnight to be drunk later?

And if you’re gravitating towards the last option, the good news is…

You can reheat a Starbucks drink the next day, provided it hasn’t been left out for too long.

This is because leaving mochas and lattes at room temperature for several hours is not a good idea as bacteria can enter and the milk will spoil.

With that said, you can successfully reheat your Starbucks coffee on the stovetop, microwave, or by using a steamer wand.

Final Thoughts On Reheating Mochas

As you’ve just read, while you can reheat a mocha, it can also be pretty risky (due to bacteria growth).

Besides, the quality and flavor just aren’t going to be the same as when you drink it hot.

To avoid this, here are a couple of tips to keep in mind the next time you order/prepare a mocha:

> Set a reminder on your phone

Setting a 5 or 10-minute timer will help you remember to drink your mocha before it gets cold.

Even if you find yourself swamped with work, the sound of your timer going off is sure to get your attention.

> Purchase a good quality tumbler

Not only are reusable tumblers fantastic for the environment, but they also do a better job of keeping your coffee hot than ceramic mugs or paper cups.

Simply hand over your tumbler to the barista and request them to pour your mocha directly into it.

You can also transfer your drink to an Ember mug, as it does a wonderful job of retaining the temperature of your coffee for a longer period of time.

And there you have it – how to reheat a mocha (or any coffee with milk for that matter) quickly and easily.