Here are the best Moka pot recipes you can make in under 15 minutes. From everyday lattes and caffè macchiatos to a delightful mug of a cortado, you name it.
A Moka pot also goes by the name caffettiera or stovetop coffee maker. Invented by an Italian engineer named Alfonso Bialetti in 1933, Moka pots make stronger coffee than drip coffee but not espresso. This is because the steam pressure in a Moka pot is only 1.5 bars of pressure, way less than nine bars of an espresso machine.
Coffee connoisseurs worldwide know this: using a Moka pot is not the best brewing method for intense espresso drinks. But on the flip side, they guarantee simple yet delicious coffee recipes you can make right away without hitting the coffee shop.
If you’re wondering what else you can make with a Moka pot, check out these seven incredibly easy Moka pot recipes. At the end of the article, you will know how to make classic coffee drinks such as lattes, americano, Cuban coffee, and cortado, and even how to brew tea with a Moka pot.
1. Classic Moka Pot Iced Latte
When summer days are around the corner, nothing is more delightful than an ice-cold latte. With a Moka pot at home, you can make a rich and aromatic barista-style iced latte within minutes.
If you’re still unsure of the best Moka pot to buy, check out this classic Moka Express from the original Bialetti, based in Italy. The best grind size for your Moka pot is medium-fine, so it won’t clog the filter screen.
Use a burr grinder if possible. Check out our explainer on can you use a Moka pot on a glass stove.
Materials Needed
Ingredients:
- Half an ounce of medium-fine ground coffee, ideally freshly ground
- Three ounces of hot water
- One teaspoon of vanilla creamer
- Half a cup of whole milk
Equipment:
- A Moka pot
- A tall glass
- A spoon to stir
- Ice cubes
Method:
Step 1: Brew Coffee With The Moka Pot
Add hot water into the lower chamber, but make sure it doesn’t exceed the safety valve. Add ground coffee into the filter basket and gently tap to even it out. Do not tamp to prevent over-extraction.
Plug the basket back into the lower chamber. Screw on the upper chamber tightly and place the Moka pot on the stovetop over low heat.
It takes about five minutes for the coffee to begin spilling into the upper chamber. Turn off the heat when bubbles appear, close the lid of the Moka pot, and submerge the base in cold water for half a minute to halt the brewing process.
Step 2: Prepare And Serve
Fill half of the glass with ice cubes. Pour the coffee out of the Moka pot into the ice.
Add whole milk to the coffee, followed by creamer. Stir with a spoon and serve.
2. Foamy Moka Pot Caffè Macchiato
Materials Needed
Are you craving a pungent kick of coffee coupled with a thin sweet layer of caramel foam? Learn to make this incredibly easy caffè macchiato to get your day started on a high note. You might find our guide on how to clean an old Moka pot helpful.
Ingredients:
- Half an ounce of medium-fine ground coffee blend
- Three ounces of hot water
- Half a cup of whole milk
- Cinnamon powder to garnish (optional)
Equipment:
- A Moka pot
- A milk frother (or a French press)
- A milk jug
- A thermometer
- A tall glass
- A saucepan
Method:
Step 1: Brew Coffee With The Moka Pot
Add ground coffee into the filter basket and gently tap the chamber to even it out. Add hot water to the lower chamber. Make sure it doesn’t exceed the safety valve.
Put the basket back in place. Screw on the upper chamber tightly and place the Moka pot on the stovetop over low heat.
Keep it going for five minutes until the coffee begins spilling into the upper chamber. Turn off the heat when bubbles appear, close the lid, and place the lower chamber in cold water to stop the coffee from brewing.
Step 2: Add Coffee Into The Cup
Pour coffee into the coffee cup. Use a spoon to taste the coffee before making the macchiato. It is perfect if your taste buds don’t pick up on any sourness or bitterness.
Step 3: Prepare The Milk
Heat the milk over low heat in a saucepan. Keep stirring occasionally and remove the saucepan from heat when the milk reaches 145°F. Froth the milk with a frother until foamy.
Step 4: Prepare To Serve
Pour half of the foam into the glass and let it rest until the foam slightly separates. Slowly pour coffee from the Moka pot down the side of the glass into the foam.
Add the rest of the foam on top and serve. Garnish the foam with cinnamon powder.
3. Creamy Moka Pot Cappuccino
Ditch fancy espresso makers and turn to your good old Moka pot to make a delicious mug of Italian cappuccino. Dust it with some chocolate or cinnamon powder to enhance the aroma – the choice is yours.
Materials Needed
Ingredients:
- Four ounces of hot water
- Four ounces of whole milk
- One ounce of medium-fine espresso blend
Equipment:
- A Moka pot
- A milk frother
- A thermometer
- A coffee cup
- A milk jug
- A saucepan
Method:
Step 1: Brew Coffee With The Moka Pot
Add ground coffee into the Moka pot basket and gently tap the chamber to even it out. Add hot water into the lower chamber until it the water level is just below the safety valve.
Assemble the filter basket into the two chambers. Screw them tightly and place the whole Moka pot on top of low heat. Keep brewing for five minutes with the lid open until the brew slowly spills into the upper chamber.
Turn off the heat when bubbles appear. Move the Moka pot to the sink and place the lower chamber in cold water to halt the brewing process.
Step 2: Pour Coffee Into The Cup
Slowly pour coffee out of the Moka pot into the cup and give it a taste. It’s good to go when the brew is not bitter or sour.
Step 3: Froth Milk
Heat whole milk in a saucepan over low heat and stir occasionally. Remove from heat when the milk reaches 145°F, then start frothing the milk until foamy.
Step 4: Prepare To Serve
Slowly add milk over coffee and serve immediately.
4. Moka Pot Iced Americano For The Summer
This easy iced coffee recipe is another thirst-quenching drink for the summer. Use the coffee and water in equal parts and top it with ice cubes. Your classic iced Americano will be ready in less than 15 minutes.
Materials Needed
Ingredients:
- Two ounces of medium-ground dark-roast coffee
- Two ounces of hot water
- Four ounces of room-temperature filtered water
- Ice cubes
Equipment:
- A Moka pot
- A tall glass
Method:
Step 1: Brew Coffee With A Moka Pot
Fill the filter basket with your ground coffee. Add hot water in the lower chamber and plug the basket back in. Seal it tightly with the upper chamber.
Keep the lid open and place the pot on top of low heat to begin brewing. The brewing process lasts for about five minutes.
Remove from heat when you see the coffee spill into the upper chamber and bubbles appear. Move the Moka pot to the sink and submerge the lower chamber in cold water to stop the coffee from brewing further.
Step 2: Prepare To Serve
Slowly pour coffee out of the Moka pot into the bottom of the glass. Fill the glass with ice cubes. Pour room-temperature filtered water on top of the ice to dilute the coffee and serve.
5. Sweet Moka Pot Cortado For A Slow Morning
Intense yet creamy and sweet, a cortado is a less-known version of espresso you can try to make at home with a Moka pot. All you need are steamed milk and a shot of strong coffee.
Materials Needed
Ingredients:
- Two ounces of whole milk at room temperature
- Half an ounce of medium-fine ground coffee
- Three ounces of hot water
- Chocolate syrup to taste
Equipment:
- A Moka pot
- A four-and–a-half-ounce glass
- A microwave
- A microwave-safe milk jug
Method:
Step 1: Heat Your Milk
Fill your jug with whole milk and place it in the microwave. Heat the milk for 45 seconds and turn it off. Keep the milk hot in the microwave while you brew coffee.
Step 2: Brew Coffee With The Moka Pot
Add ground coffee into the filter basket, then add hot water into the lower chamber. Assemble the basket back into the lower chamber. Seal it tightly with the upper chamber and keep the lid open.
Place the Moka pot on low heat on your stove and brew for five minutes. Remove from the heat when coffee starts to spill into the upper chamber, with bubbles appearing. Place the base of the Moka pot in cold water to halt the coffee from brewing further.
Step 3: Prepare To Serve
Take the milk out of the microwave and pour it into the glass, and pour the coffee directly into the milk. Add chocolate syrup and serve immediately.
6. Powerful Moka Pot Cuban Coffee
Is there anything better than sitting by a sun-kissed patio with some guava pastries and a warm mug of Cuban coffee on a Sunday morning? I want to round up our Moka pot recipes with a traditional Cuban brew.
Materials Needed
Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons of sugar
- One cup of water
- Half an ounce of medium fine-ground coffee
- Three ounces of hot water
Equipment:
- A Moka pot
- A coffee cup
- A small cup or jug
- A coffee spoon for stirring (or a whisker)
- A teaspoon
Method:
Step 1: Brew Coffee With The Moka Pot
Fill the base of your Moka pot with hot water and add ground coffee into the filter basket. Assemble these two parts together before screwing the upper chamber back on top tightly.
Open the lid and place the Moka pot on low heat for three minutes. Turn off the heat and set the Moka pot aside.
Step 2: Create A Paste For The Drink
Add sugar and one teaspoon of freshly brewed coffee into the jug. Place the Moka pot back on the stove to keep it brewing for two more minutes.
Mix the sugar and coffee vigorously with a whisker until they combine and create a brown paste. Remove the Moka pot from the heat and slowly pour coffee into the jug to create a paste.
Keep stirring hard to create a gorgeous foam, known as espuma, for the drink. Pour the mixture into the coffee cup and serve immediately.
7. Brew Tea In A Moka Pot
Other than a cup of coffee, you can also use your Moka pot to brew tea. Aim for varieties with a higher level of oxidation, such as black and rooibos teas. They perform better with high temperatures without losing the flavor profile and creating an unpleasant bitter brew.
Materials Needed
Ingredients:
- Half an ounce of loose-leaf tea
- Three ounces of hot water
- Sweetener or milk to pair with tea (optional)
Equipment:
- A Moka pot
- A teacup
- A blender
- A small container to store ground tea leaves
Method:
Step 1: Grind Your Tea
Add your loose-leaf tea into the blender and start blending, then pour everything into a container, and set it aside.
Step 2: Brew Tea With The Moka Pot
Add hot water into the lower chamber. Put the tea leaves in the filter basket and gently tap to even it out. Assemble the basket back into the lower chamber before screwing the upper part on.
Place the Moka pot over medium heat on the stove. Remove from heat when the tea starts dribbling out.
Slowly pour the tea into the teacup. Add sweetener or milk and adjust to your liking.
FAQs About Moka Pot Coffee
How Do You Make A Moka Pot Taste Better?
Use boiling water with salt to sterilize a stainless steel Moka pot. Then brew some strong dark roast coffee a few times to coat the interior of your Moka pot.
What Do I Do When The Moka Pot Is Whistling Or Gurgling?
Your Moka pot whistles for three reasons, either the high steam pressure cannot escape through the metal tube in the middle of the upper chamber, the safety valve is clogged, or the filter basket is overly filled.
Your Moka pot gurgles when the steam pressure is too high or if the bottom chamber and top chamber are not properly sealed.
What Is The Best Temperature For Moka Pot Coffee?
The Moka pot performs better with 104°F water to make sure it has enough time to boil water without scorching the ground coffee. On high heat, the steam will form too quickly and over-extract the coffee, leaving it bitter.
