Pistachio Mocha Recipe

Toast and grind pistachios

Preheat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the shelled pistachios and toast, stirring constantly, until they are fragrant and slightly darker, about 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool 2 minutes. Transfer to a food processor or spice grinder and pulse to a coarse paste (a few seconds). Do not over-process into a butter; you want a paste with small texture for flavor.

Make chocolate-pistachio sauce

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the cocoa powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and the 30 ml hot water. Whisk until a smooth chocolate syrup forms and the sugars dissolve (about 1–2 minutes). Add the ground pistachio paste and a pinch of sea salt. Continue stirring over low heat until the mixture is homogeneous and slightly thickened, about 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Keep warm.

Prepare 2 shots of espresso (approximately 60 ml). If you don't have an espresso machine, brew very strong coffee using 60 ml hot water and 2 heaping tablespoons of finely ground coffee. Keep the espresso hot.

Steam or heat milk

Combine the whole milk and optional heavy cream in a milk pitcher or small saucepan. Steam with a steam wand until the milk reaches about 60–65°C (140–149°F) and has velvety microfoam. If you don't have a steam wand, gently heat on the stove to about 60–65°C (do not boil), then froth with a handheld frother or vigorously whisk to create foam. If you prefer sweeter, stir in the optional 1 tsp sugar or syrup into the warm milk.

Combine milk and sauce

Pour 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) of the warm pistachio mocha sauce into a 12 oz (350–360 ml) cup. Pour the hot espresso over the sauce and stir thoroughly to combine (this emulsifies the sauce into the coffee).

Assemble the drink

Slowly pour the steamed milk into the cup over the espresso-sauce mixture, holding back the foam with a spoon. Once the cup is nearly full, spoon the foam on top.

Top with optional whipped cream, a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios, and a few chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder. Serve immediately with a spoon.