Through the years, there have been countless changes to the way coffee is enjoyed. From brewing techniques to aesthetics, the whole experience of making coffee looks pretty different from how it did back in the day. One of the most remarkable changes has been the introduction of several new coffee drinks like the latte — and did you know you can prepare one right at home?
To make a latte at home, finely grind your favorite coffee beans or use espresso-ground coffee to make a shot of espresso. Choose any flavor of milk you like for frothing. If you don’t have a frother use a french press. Well-frothed milk is essential for the smooth and velvety texture of your latte.
Making lattes at home is very easy. As you can see, all you need is espresso, frothed milk, and a little experience to make the perfect drink. Let’s look at the latte-making process in detail and how you can add different flavors to give it a unique flavor.
What Is a Latte?
Latte, or ‘caffe latte,’ is a type of coffee that’s made with a single or double shot of espresso, steamed milk, and a thin layer of frothed milk. The intense flavor of espresso is mixed with generous amounts of smooth, creamy milk to create a coffee flavor that’s nicely balanced.
The key to a good latte is the silky, soft layer of foamed milk on top, which gives it a beautiful appearance and enticing texture.
How Do You Make a Latte at Home?
It’s very easy and economical to make lattes at home. You just need espresso, milk, and maybe a little cocoa powder to garnish. Let’s break down this process into simple steps so that you can follow them easily to make this delicious drink at home:
1. Make the Espresso
The first thing you need is espresso. One shot of espresso is enough for a 12-ounce latte cup. The fastest and simplest way to make espresso is with a Nespresso machine (on Amazon).
If you don’t have a Nespresso machine, you can also use a stovetop espresso maker, like a Bialetti moka pot (on Amazon). Just put ground espresso in the pot, add water, and brew. Be sure to follow the brewing instructions carefully to avoid burnt or sour tasting coffee.
2. Heat & Froth the Milk
To prep the milk, we’re going to add heat and create form. While a frother will add the heat automatically, we have some other options below so you have some options.
First, if you want to make lattes a lot, you should invest in a simple milk frother like this Redmond Milk Frother (on Amazon). But if you’re not ready to make that level of commitment, don’t worry – you have some more options.
If you have a french press on hand, you can heat the milk up in it on the stovetop then use the strainer to churn it, causing bubbles and froth to form. Much of this froth will also be very smooth too. This is a great option.
For the simplest milk frothing hack: fill a jar halfway with milk, screw the lid and shake vigorously for at least a minute until the milk is frothy and almost doubled in volume. These bubbles will break quickly, so this foam is less stable and might not look as pretty as you’re used to, but it will work!
3. Add the Warm Milk to the Espresso
Next, take a coffee cup and pour your prepared shot of espresso into it. Add warm milk to the espresso while holding back the milk foam with the help of a spoon. You can pour it in to try some espresso art if you like too!
4. Add Garnish
Add as much milk foam as you want with a spoon and garnish your latte with a dash of cocoa powder or nutmeg, if desired. Your delicious at-home latte is ready!
If you want to spice up your drink, you can stir in some syrup to make it a flavored latte or a teaspoon of vanilla extract to give it a nice smell and flavor.
What Flavors Should You Add to a Latte?
There are multiple flavors that can be added to your latte to give it a unique taste. Here are some common options that latte drinkers love:
- Mocha: Mocha is one of the most popular coffee flavors and perfect for chocolate lovers. This flavor combines coffee, milk, and chocolate to make a drink that’s a favorite of coffee drinkers around the world.
- Hazelnut: Commonly found on café menus, the hazelnut latte is loved by many. Instead of using regular milk, add hazelnut milk (on Amazon) to your espresso. You can also add hazelnut syrup for more nutty goodness.
- Vanilla: The classic flavor of vanilla can be added to your latte cup for a pleasant taste and smell.
- Caramel: The sweet creaminess of caramel compliments the bitter taste of coffee perfectly. Just add some caramel syrup (on Amazon) to your latte and viola! Your caramel latte is ready.
- Chai: Chai is typically made with black tea and milk. There are other versions of this drink that include ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. Chai lattes can be hot, blended, or iced, and they contain less caffeine.
- Cinnamon: Another popular flavor that’s added to lattes is cinnamon. Its deep earthy notes produce a well-rounded and delightfully peppery drink.
- White Chocolate: If you want a latte with an added twist of rich chocolate flavor, then add a shot of white chocolate syrup (on Amazon) to your latte.
- Pumpkin spice: This is the perfect drink for cozy autumn evenings when a sweet treat is needed.
- Matcha: This finely ground green tea powder is not only delicious, but contains many health benefits as well. It gives your lattes a very distinct flavor.
- Pistachio: The cozy flavor of the pistachio latte makes it an ideal drink for winters. However, you can also enjoy it all year round.
- Gingerbread: If you like gingerbread cookies, then you’ll definitely love gingerbread coffee. Just add cinnamon, molasses, and ginger to your coffee and enjoy its lovely fragrance and delicious taste.
- Lavender: Why not add a floral flavor to your coffee by adding lavender syrup (on Amazon) to your latte? The subtle, floral notes make a creamy, calming, absolutely delicious latte that’s a little on the sweeter side.
- Smokey Butterscotch: The smokey butterscotch latte has a rich, sweet taste for those coffee drinkers who love to indulge their sweet tooth.
- Coconut: The refreshing fruit flavor of coconut adds a bit of tropical goodness to your latte cup. Whether you like it hot or cold, a coconut latte is a comforting drinking experience.
Lattes vs. Other Popular Coffee Drinks
Continuous experimentation over the years has resulted in a wide range of coffee drinks. The golden combination of milk and coffee is still there, but the ratio has been adjusted to make a variety of coffee drinks to suit different palates. These include:
Cappuccino
Cappuccino consists of three ingredients — espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam, all added equally. The thick layer of milk foam added on top of the cappuccino cup gives it a unique flavor and is perfect for making some incredible latte art. You can also add cinnamon, whipped cream, or chocolate as toppings.
Cortado
This Spanish espresso drink has become quite popular all over the world. It consists of espresso and steamed milk added in equal parts, with no added flavors or sugar.
This means one cup of Cortado has one shot of espresso and an equal amount of milk. This drink has a powerful espresso flavor that is cut by steamed milk, hence the name ‘Cortado,’ which means ‘cut’ in Spanish.
Flat White
Originating from Australia, the flat white is an espresso drink with a thin layer of steamed milk on top. It’s this micro-foamed milk that gives the flat white a more velvety and thicker consistency.