Moka pot coffee: unlock cafe-quality iced lattes at home with this $50 Italian staple
Long beloved in Italy, this humble stovetop brewer makes cafe-quality drinks for a fraction of the price
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Despite my Italian heritage, it took a temporary move to Rome to discover the magic of the moka pot. I instantly fell in love with this Italian coffee maker’s ability to brew a beverage on par with the $10 lattes found at my favorite cafes.
Recommended by the Guardian and now subject of an endless library of TikTok tutorials, people have praised the moka pot for steaming mugs of cafe-quality coffee more cheaply than an espresso machine (or a Nespresso machine).
“I use it because it’s practical, and the whole process feels like a ritual. It’s not just about taste. It’s the aroma filling the kitchen, the sound of the water, the sight of the coffee flowing out and the tactile experience of making it from scratch. The moka pot is a true multi-sensory experience,” said Matteo D’Ottavio, former UK brewers cup champion.
As warmer weather arrives, I’m happy to share that one overlooked use of this versatile coffee maker is its ability to make a killer cup of iced coffee.
I’ll show you how. And I’ve calculated how much money it saved me compared with buying one in a cafe.
Bialetti Moka Express Italian Stovetop Espresso Maker (three cup)
Bialetti Moka Express Italian Stovetop Espresso Maker (six cup)
Bialetti Moka Express Italian Stovetop Espresso Maker (three cup rounded design)
What is a moka pot?
A moka pot has three main components: a bottom chamber for water, a funnel filter in the middle for ground coffee and an upper chamber. It only requires a stovetop or induction plate.
As the water heats up, pressure pushes it through the ground coffee, and all the way into the upper chamber.
The pressure inside a moka pot isn’t high enough to produce an actual espresso shot: A standard espresso machine uses roughly 9 bars of pressure, whereas the moka pot uses 1.5 bars of pressure.
But it will still make a strong, quality brew.
How do you make iced coffee in a moka pot?
1. My perfect cup of iced coffee begins with fragrant, high-quality beans that are finely ground. One of my favorites is this whole bean coffee from Counter Culture Coffee, a B-Corp certified brand that emphasizes transparent sourcing.
2. For an intense beverage, opt for a ratio of one part coffee to two parts water (2-3 tbsp coffee grounds and one-quarter to one-third cup of water). If you’d like something less concentrated, try a ratio of 1:6 (2tbsp coffee grounds and a three-quarter cup of water)
Add the water to the bottom chamber of the moka pot and your grounds to the funnel.
3. Turn your gas to medium heat and let the coffee maker work its magic.
4. As your coffee brews, fill a 16oz glass halfway with ice cubes and add six to eight ounces of milk (depending on how creamy you want your coffee). You can froth your milk for a more cappuccino-like drink – after extensive testing, we’ve settled on the Nespresso Aeroccino 4 as best overall frother and the Aerolatte as our best budget pick. I recommend selecting a milk with a higher fat content for a luscious consistency.
5. Back to the moka pot. Once you hear a bubbling sound, you’ll know your coffee has finished brewing. Rather than adding it straight to your glass, you could transfer it to a mug and allow it to cool for five to 10 minutes.
6. Then simply pour it over the milk. And don’t forget the final step – a demure sprinkle of cinnamon.
How much money did I save?
Admittedly, this does not include the upfront cost of buying a moka pot or milk frother. But these are not overly expensive gadgets.
Starbucks grande iced latte with milk: $7.78 (after tax and tip)
My iced coffee:
Trader Joe’s Organic Soy Milk: $0.46 for a 6oz serving
Counter Culture Coffee: $0.93 per serving
Total savings: $6.39
What stovetops are safe for a moka pot?
The moka pot is compatible with gas and electric stovetops.
If you own an induction cooktop, you’ll need an adaptor to use a standard moka pot, like this one made by Bialetti. Alternatively, the brand also sells moka pots with stainless steel boilers, which are specifically designed for your induction cooktop.
How do I clean a moka pot?
A moka pot isn’t dishwasher safe and shouldn’t be cleaned with dish soap. After each use, simply rinse each part of your moka pot with hot water.
For a deeper clean, Bialetti suggests using a mixture of baking soda, white vinegar and lemon juice. And be sure that your moka pot is completely dry before putting it back together to avoid oxidation.
D’Ottavio recommends drying it right after use. “If residue is left in a humid environment over time, mold can develop – even in areas you can’t easily see,” he said.
Bialetti Moka Express Italian Stovetop Espresso Maker (three cup)
Bialetti Moka Express Italian Stovetop Espresso Maker (six cup)
Bialetti Moka Express Italian Stovetop Espresso Maker (three cup rounded design)
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