Skip the expensive chain's lattes and make your own at home! This easy recipe will show you how to make a latte step by step without ANY fancy equipment needed.
Start with a basic latte recipe and then let your imagination go wild to flavor up your latte exactly how you like! Make a vanilla latte, peppermint latte, mocha latte--you get the idea. And the best part about this recipe? You can use any type of milk you like--so dairy-free latte, non-fat latte, a rich decadent latte--the choice is yours!
I am willing to bet a large percentage of you reading this right now, will agree that a good cup of coffee is hard to beat. In fact, for most of us, myself included, that latte is not only a desire but has become most definitely a NEED to function most days.
While I would love to hit up a drive-thru of a fancy coffee shop every day, my wallet will NOT allow that, nor will my frugal nature. So I reserve visits to coffee shops to just special occasions.
But that does not mean that I reserve special coffee for special occasions!
No way!! I start each and every day with a Homemade Latte.
Key Ingredients
- Coffee: Espresso or strongly brewed coffee is essential for a flavorful latte. Decaffeinated works just the same.
- Milk: Any variety you like. Skim milk, whole milk, reduced-fat. Or for a Dairy-Free/Vegan Latte use non-dairy milk such as almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk. You can even use a flavored creamer for a rich, sweet, flavored latte.
Tools Needed
You only need one simple kitchen tool to make a perfectly frothy latte--a small kitchen whisk that fits inside your coffee mug. That's right--no fancy equipment is necessary!
I find an aluminum whisk works better than a silicone whisk.
How to Make a Latte
- Brew the coffee or espresso of your choice.
- While the coffee is brewing, heat the milk of your choice for 30-45 seconds in a microwave-safe coffee mug.
- Once the milk is heated, take a small whisk and vigorously whisk back and forth for 15-30 seconds until the milk is frothy.
- Pour the coffee into a mug. GENTLY, pour the frothed milk on top of the coffee.
- The foam will rise to the top of the mug, giving you a pretty close replication of a traditional latte.
Alternatively, you can heat the milk in a glass measuring cup and then froth. Pour coffee or espresso into a mug and then gently pour the frothed milk over the coffee. Spoon the remaining foam on top of your latte.
Flavored Homemade Lattes
I prefer plain lattes. However, many people prefer flavored lattes.
- Sweetened Latte--add 1-2 teaspoons your choice of sweetener to your milk of choice BEFORE heating milk.
- Vanilla Latte--add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract to milk before after heating milk but before you add coffee.
- Chocolate/Mocha Latte--add 1-2 tablespoons chocolate syrup to milk BEFORE heating milk.
Enjoy this Latte Recipe with
- Cinnamon Streusel Muffins--Tender, moist, and gluten-free muffins made with a delicious cinnamon streusel topping.
- Cream Cheese Danish--An easy, decadent cream cheese danish made with puff pastry.
- Quiche Lorraine--A classic quiche loaded with bacon and Swiss cheese.
- Breakfast Casserole--This hash brown breakfast casserole is a crowd favorite!
Even on the busiest days or on the tightest of budgets, you can indulge in your caffeine cravings with this simple Homemade Latte.
DIY Latte
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk ANY variety
- 6 ounces strongly brewed coffee any variety
Instructions
- Heat the milk for 30-45 seconds in your microwave in the cup you intend to drink your coffee from.
- Once the milk of your choice is heated, take a small whisk and vigoursly whisk back and forth for 15-30 seconds until the milk is frothy.
- Pour the coffee directly over the frothed milk or brew over the frothed milk.
- Alternatively, you can heat the milk in a glass measuring cup and then froth. Pour coffee or espresso into a mug and then gently pour the frothed milk over the coffee. Spoon the remaining foam on top of your latte.
Notes
- For a dairy-free/vegan latte, use non-dairy milk such as almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk.
- Sweetened Latte--add 1-2 teaspoons your choice of sweetener to your milk of choice BEFORE heating milk.
- Vanilla Latte--add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract to milk before after heating milk but before you add coffee.
- Chocolate/Mocha Latte--add 1-2 tablespoons chocolate syrup to milk BEFORE heating milk.
Nutrition
K Sibbald
So tasty! I like it better than the ones at shops because I used a coffee blend I really like with vanilla rooibos tea mixed in. I had no idea I could do this with just a whisk! I'm gloriously pleased with myself for avoiding a $200-300 machine I don't want to clean or store. 😁😁😁😁😁❤️
Ryan Dye
SO GOOD!! Definitely not AS good as Starbucks, but a whole lot cheaper. Tasty, easy, and cheap? Sign me up! I definitely recommend this.
Sarah
Hi! I had no luck frothing nonfat milk with a whisk. The blender made a couple of bubbles... but what really worked was adding a tablespoon of whipping cream, THEN blending! 😁
I liked a drop of almond extract better than vanilla.
Thanks for the recipe.
Gav
You should try adding Nutella. Wow amazing
Kristen Chidsey
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Ally
Hello! Wonderful recipe, I would just like to point out a little confusion under the Notes section; I'm not sure if for the vanilla latte I should add vanilla before or after heating the milk since it says "before after". Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks for pointing out my mistake Ally. I would add after heating the milk and will change that now.
Kate West
Wow! This was amazingly simple! I have a little handheld battery operated whisker that fits in the coffee mug, which helped froth the milk, but I love that you put the froth in first, then brew the coffee right on top and it was the perfect measurements for me!
Kristen Chidsey
It is a great way to start the day, isn't it?
Laura
A latte is the only coffee I'll drink, I'm not a massive fan of coffee otherwise. When I converted the liquid measurements into ml, I was doubting whether it would be too strong but oh my god! The perfect latte! I'll be definitely making more of these for autumn!!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! I am so glad you enjoyed so much Laura! Thanks for sharing your review!
Bella
Another great way to froth the milk is in a blender, if you have one! A few seconds in there and it’s all frothy 🙂
steven
Kristen Thank you .
Made Your Latte this morning .
Fast easy Love it.
Steven&Kathy
Kristen Chidsey
So happy to hear this made your morning. I hope you enjoy again and again.
Gina
I cannot believe I made this, I had to try it this morning. I used the whisk from my hand held mixer because that is all I had and it worked great. Starbucks Pumpkin Pie Spice Latte at home and I can have as many as I want. I should still purchase them and then put the money in savings 😆. Thank's for the great recipe
Kristen Chidsey
I am SO SO glad you tried this recipe and had success!! Enjoy your savings and your latte 😉
Stephanie
I normally hate coffee latte because the coffee shops make it too strong but in control of it at home. I really like it. Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
So glad you enjoyed this homemade latte!
Gianna
Awesome! Just like the seven-eleven coffee!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed Gianna!
Bill
Never knew it was that easy! Thanks much!