Espresso With Chocolate: Is This a Combination Worth Trying?

Do you love the complexity of espresso but crave something a bit more sweet? If so, you may be in luck.

The combination of espresso with chocolate has been around for many years and is loved by people from all walks of life.

Its unique blend brings together two distinct flavors for an unforgettable coffee experience – making it perfect for those who enjoy savoring their morning cup of java.

In this article, you’ll learn why combining these two flavors makes such a dynamic duo, what types of chocolate are better suited to pair with your espresso shots, plus my favorite recipe to bring your cup to the next level!

Can you put chocolate in espresso?

You can put chocolate in espresso! The combination works beautifully together because both flavors are strong yet balanced. The sweet richness of the chocolate complements the bitterness of the coffee, making for an indulgent flavor profile.

Another way to incorporate quality dark chocolate into a cup of espresso is by incorporating it into steamed milk for a mocha latte or cappuccino-style drink.

Again this combines two classic flavors that will only elevate each other as they mix and interact within your favorite mug.

However, that’s for another read. This article is all about adding just a touch of dark chocolate to your espresso, so more on this below!

How much chocolate do you add to espresso?

The amount of chocolate you should add to espresso depends on the size of your drink — a single shot or a double:

• For one regular-sized single-shot espresso, I recommend 5 grams of dark chocolate. This will provide enough richness and complexity to bring out the espresso’s flavor without overwhelming it.
• If you want something more decadent, 10 grams of dark chocolate can be used for a double espresso. This will give your drink an extra kick without being overly sweet or taking away from the taste of the coffee itself.

A small square of chocolate is usually 5 or 10 grams, so it’s easy to measure the right amount for your needs.

If you need to figure out how much you need, weighing out the chocolate will be best for optimal strength.

What ingredients are needed for this recipe?

As you might’ve guessed from the title of this article, this is one of the easiest coffee recipes out there.

You’ll only need the following ingredients to get started with this quick espresso recipe:

• Espresso coffee
• Dark chocolate

There are a few different ways to go about this recipe, which I’ll cover below.

You can choose your favorite espresso to begin with (and your favorite espresso maker), but you can also switch up the chocolate used. More on this below:

What chocolate goes best with espresso?

Dark chocolate is the ideal accompaniment to espresso when looking to bring out its rich, deep flavor.

While you can combine many types of chocolates with espresso, those with a high cocoa content (65% or higher) are best for creating a decadent flavor combination.

When pairing chocolate and espresso together, the key is balance: both flavors should be bold yet harmonious.

Darker chocolates tend to have an intense bitterness that offsets the sweetness of the natural sugars in coffee beans.

I recommend choosing a bar with slightly lower sharp notes if desired—although some people prefer the more robust taste of darker chocolate too!

A good way to find your way around varied intensities of dark chocolate is by tasting different brands before deciding which one goes best with your favorite cup of joe.

It’s also important to note that while white or milk chocolate can also offer great flavor pairings with espresso, they often lack sufficient depth and complexity compared to darker options.

If you’re an espresso drinker, you might better enjoy dark chocolate with a high cacao content.

My personal go-to chocolate is the 85% cacao from Lindt. This dark chocolate is quite sharp but pairs well with the espresso:

How do you make great espresso at home?

For this recipe, there are a few routes you can go when it comes to the espresso base.

If you want to go the most traditional route, an espresso machine is your best option.

An espresso machine will produce the best-tasting espresso with a great crema:

There are a few great ways to make espresso-like coffee for which you’ll need one of the following coffee brewers:

• AeroPress
• Moka pot
• Or even your French press

The above-listed coffee brewers will produce a great espresso-like coffee that will taste great in combination with chocolate.

If you want to use the most convenient espresso maker, using your Nespresso machine is a great alternative!

Choose your favorite espresso pod and let the espresso pour onto the chocolate straight into the glass below.

If you’re using delicious and high-quality chocolate, make sure to get some quality coffee beans as well. More on this below:

Which coffee beans are best used?

When it comes to the best coffee beans to use, it depends largely on what your end goal is.

If you’re looking for a balanced cup of coffee without a lot of complexity or subtle flavors, then medium and light roasts will do the trick.

If you like a more robust espresso, you’ll want to use beans with a medium to dark roast to combine dark chocolate and espresso.

These coffee roasts are perfect here as they will provide enough body and flavor for the chocolate while still standing up against its richness.

Regardless of your preferred blend type, make sure that whatever beans you opt for are fresh and high-quality!

And if you’re still looking for some great coffee beans for espresso, check out this article!

Now that you have all the information about adding chocolate to your espresso, put it to the test by following the recipe below:

Conclusion

Making espresso with chocolate is a delicious way to enjoy the many flavors of coffee.

You can experiment with different types and amounts of chocolate. Once you perfect the art of making espresso with chocolate, you will have an indulgent experience whenever you sit down to enjoy it.

Your creation will surely be special whether you like it strong or sweet. It may take some practice before you achieve the perfect cup, but it’s worth all those trial runs when you do.

So grab some beans and some chocolate and enjoy your own mouthwatering masterpiece!

Espresso-based recipes to try

• Mocha Macchiato: What Is It & How Do You Make It at Home?
• Caramel Cappuccino: An Easy 5-Minute Recipe to Try
• Affogato: What Is It & How Do You Make It at Home