Skip the expensive chain 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 for 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
- 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.
- Sour Cream Coffee Cake: A delicious, cinnamon swirled light coffee cake.
- 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.
Phyllis
I just tried it using almond milk, strong Folgers coffee, some sugar and vanilla. I really like it. Mmmm. I didn't have much foam which is fine with me. I did throw some mini marshmallows on top which is also good. Thanks for your recipe.
Kristen Chidsey
Sounds delicious! I will say that I find Silk brand foams better than other brands of almond milk.
Phillip L
Scrumptious!!! Used 1 tsp of sugar before microwaving. 40s and an additional 20s in the microwave but foam wasn’t much. Still delicious!
Kristen Chidsey
Wonderful!
unkown
what is this?!? it is horrid!!!
im just kidding......BEST THING EVER! great to enjoy with geusts. and when i want time away from my siblings im make this and go outside. thanks for the drink! it was da bomb!bye bye!
Yoshi
worked out great for me!
Jean Nelson
Hi! I tried this today with Nestlé instant decaf and skimmed milk. It didn't work. I will try again. Can I use a small blender to froth the milk?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jean. I would be sure to whisk warmed milk really well and then top the coffee that is already combined and be sure the instant coffee is fully dissolved. Instant coffee has a different density than brewed coffee, so it can be a bit difficult to replicate a latte using instant coffee.
Noel
What may be the reason why mine is bitter
Kristen Chidsey
It probably has to do with the type of coffee you used. I really recommend grinding your beans for the best coffee experience. But even a good quality small bag of ground coffee will be better than a canister of coffee grounds
Alexandria
Brilliant, I have a flask I put my milk in and shake like mad, works the same in fact and many years ago tuppaware made a shaker for it and we called it frothy coffee
Cheryl
Thank you so much for sharing! I have spent way too much money for drive thru lattes, and I’ve never understood why people will sit in line for 20-30 minutes to get it!
Kristen Chidsey
I am happy to save you money and give you a great coffee to enjoy!
Landy Sanz
Wow, love to see the hack you did for frothing milk .I always try this hacks when I made latte at home .
Kristen Chidsey
So happy to inspire you and make your coffee a bit more enjoyable.