Homemade La Colombe Strawberry Mocha Draft Latte Recipe

9

I’ve been enamored with the ingenious creation of La Colombe Strawberry Mocha Draft Latte – a concoction that merges the lush sweetness of strawberries with the deep, velvety kiss of mocha, all wrapped up in a refreshingly cool latte.

How to make La Colombe Strawberry Mocha Draft Latte

La Colombe Strawberry Mocha Draft Latte is a seasonal or limited-edition canned coffee beverage from La Colombe, a well-known coffee brand. It’s part of their Draft Latte line, which is known for its creamy, frothy texture (similar to a café latte) but served in a convenient can.

Ingredients:

• Cold-brew Coffee: Start with 1 cup of your favorite cold brew. Making your cold brew is simple but takes time, so you might brew it the night before.
• Milk or Dairy Alternative: Use 1/2 cup of whole milk for a creamier taste, or substitute with almond, soy, or oat milk for a dairy-free option.
• Strawberry Syrup: You’ll need 2 tablespoons of strawberry syrup. If you have fresh strawberries, you can make a syrup by simmering strawberries with water and sugar until thickened.
• Chocolate Syrup: Prepare 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup. You can opt for a high-quality syrup or make your own with cocoa powder, sugar, and water.
• Vanilla Extract: Just a dash to enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Ice: Enough to fill your serving glass.
• Optional Sweetener: Add sugar, honey, or your preferred sweetener to taste, if needed.
• Garnish: A fresh strawberry and a sprinkle of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for presentation.

Instructions:

1. Cold Brew Preparation: If making your cold brew, coarsely grind coffee beans and steep in water for 12-24 hours in the refrigerator, then strain.
2. Strawberry Syrup: To make homemade strawberry syrup, wash and slice fresh strawberries. In a pot, combine the strawberries with equal parts sugar and water. Simmer until the strawberries break down and the mixture thickens. Strain to remove the solids and let it cool.
3. Mix the Flavors: In a large glass or shaker, combine the strawberry syrup, chocolate syrup, and a dash of vanilla extract. Stir to blend the flavors well.
4. Add the Milk: Pour in your choice of milk and stir until everything is well-combined.
5. Combine with Cold Brew: Add the cold-brew coffee to the mixture and stir gently. If using a shaker, give it a good shake now to create a frothy texture.
6. Serve: Fill your serving glass with ice. Pour the latte mixture over the ice, leaving some room if you want to add extra milk or sweetener.
7. Garnish and Enjoy: For the best taste and texture, garnish your homemade Strawberry Mocha Draft Latte with a fresh strawberry on the rim and a dusting of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings on top. Enjoy immediately.

Tips:

• Cold Brew Ratio: A good starting point for cold brew is a 1:8 coffee-to-water ratio, but adjust according to your taste preference.
• Syrups: Adjust the amount of strawberry and chocolate syrup to control the sweetness. Start with less and add more as needed.
• Texture: Shaking the drink with ice before serving can create a frothier texture, similar to La Colombe’s draft texture.
• Freshness: If using fresh strawberries for the syrup, pick ripe and fragrant ones for a more flavorful result.
• Dairy Foam: For an even closer approximation to La Colombe’s draft latte, froth your milk before adding it to the mixture.
• Quality Ingredients: The better the quality of your coffee, milk, and syrups, the better your homemade latte will taste.

What to serve with

Serving your delightful Strawberry Mocha Draft Latte brings up a sweet opportunity to complement it with snacks or dishes that enhance its rich and refreshing taste.

Sweet Treats

• Chocolate Croissants: The flakiness of a buttery croissant combined with rich chocolate can complement the strawberry and mocha flavors of your draft latte, creating a harmonious coffee break experience.
• Strawberry Scones: Pair your latte with some freshly baked strawberry scones for a berry-rich experience. The fruitiness of the scones and the coffee’s depth are a match made in heaven.
• Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies: The simplicity and butteriness of vanilla bean shortbread can nicely balance the sweetness and complexity of your strawberry mocha draft latte.

Breakfast or Brunch Delights

• Belgian Waffles with Fresh Berries: For a luxurious brunch treat, serve your draft latte alongside Belgian waffles topped with fresh strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream.
• Avocado Toast: For a more savory pairing, try avocado toast on thick, crusty bread. The creaminess of the avocado contrasts delightfully with the sweet and fruity latte.
• Oatmeal with Chocolate Chips and Strawberries: A warm, comforting bowl of oatmeal sprinkled with chocolate chips and fresh strawberries can mirror the flavors in your latte, making for a wholesome and cohesive meal.

Light Bites

• Fruit and Cheese Platter: A selection of cheeses, crackers, and fresh fruits, including strawberries, can pair beautifully with your latte. The cheese’s savory notes can offer a pleasing contrast to the drink’s sweetness.
• Nutty Banana Bread: Banana bread with walnuts or pecans adds a comforting, homey touch to your coffee experience. The nuttiness and fruitiness will complement the strawberry mocha flavors well.
• Dark Chocolate Almonds: For a simpler snack, dark chocolate-covered almonds can bring out the mocha notes in your latte, offering a crunchy, chocolaty bite that enhances every sip.

Desserts

• Strawberry Cheesecake: Indulge in a slice of creamy strawberry cheesecake while sipping your latte. The cheesecake’s rich, tangy flavor, combined with the latte’s fruity undertones, is pure decadence.
• Mocha Chocolate Mousse: Embrace chocolate in a light, fluffy form with a side of mocha chocolate mousse. Its airiness and intense flavor profile will elevate the chocolate essence within your strawberry mocha draft latte.
• Berry Tart: A colorful berry tart, with its sweet crust and various fresh berries, can add a fresh and tart edge, balancing the sweet and creamy textures of your latte.

Ingredients Substitutes

Creating a homemade version of the La Colombe Strawberry Mocha Draft Latte offers room for personalization, especially when you need substitutes for certain ingredients.

Coffee Base

Original: Espresso or a strongly brewed coffee.

Substitutes:

• Decaf Coffee: Use decaf espresso or strongly brewed decaf coffee for a caffeine-free version.
• Chicory Coffee: Those reducing their caffeine intake might enjoy chicory coffee as a heartier, slightly sweet substitute.
• Matcha Green Tea Powder: For a caffeine twist without coffee, matcha provides an earthy flavor and a caffeine kick.

Chocolate Component

Original: High-quality cocoa powder or mocha sauce.

Substitutes:

• Carob Powder: For a caffeine-free chocolate substitute, carob powder offers a naturally sweet and similar taste profile.
• Dark Chocolate: Melted dark chocolate or dark chocolate syrup can be used for a richer, more decadent flavor.
• Chocolate Almond Milk: Use chocolate-flavored almond milk to add both chocolate flavor and creaminess, offering a dairy-free option.

Strawberry Flavor

Original: Fresh strawberry puree or syrup.

Substitutes:

• Frozen Strawberries: If fresh strawberries aren’t available, thawed frozen strawberries blended into a puree can work just as well.
• Raspberry or Cherry: For a twist on the original, raspberry or cherry puree/syrup can offer a similar tartness and sweetness.
• Strawberry Extract: In a pinch, a few drops of strawberry extract can infuse your latte with the berry flavor, using less sugar.

Creamy Element

Original: Whole milk or cream.

Substitutes:

• Oat Milk: For a dairy-free, creamy texture, oat milk is an excellent substitute, providing a slight sweetness.
• Coconut Cream: To achieve a richer texture, coconut cream can be a flavorful dairy-free alternative.
• Almond Milk: Another dairy-free substitute, almond milk is lighter than oat milk and can offer a subtle nutty flavor.

Sweetener

Original: Sugar or simple syrup.

Substitutes:

• Honey or Maple Syrup: For a natural sweetener option, honey or maple syrup can offer rich flavors.
• Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener: For a low-calorie option, these sweeteners provide the sweetness without the sugar content.
• Agave Syrup: As a vegan alternative to honey, agave syrup is perfect for adjusting sweetness levels.

Final Thoughts

With this guide, you’re well on your way to enjoying a La Colombe Strawberry Mocha Draft Latte that brings all the flavors of a professional cafe into the comfort of your home.

More Strawberry Recipes:

• Cîroc Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
• Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Recipe
• Dubai Strawberry Cup Recipe
• Ocean Spray White Cran Strawberry Juice Drink Recipe