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Learn to make a homemade latte and save yourself time and money! With no special equipment needed, my simple process will walk you through how to make a barista-quality latte in minutes.
Easy Homemade Latte Recipe
I have been starting each and every day for decades with a homemade latte. And I want to help you indulge your caffeine cravings--while keeping money in your pocket.
Using nothing more than a good old fashioned coffee maker and a simple kitchen whisk, you can be sipping on a rich, foamy latte in less than 2 minutes!
Yes, that means that on EVEN the busiest of days and the tightest of budgets, you can and should enjoy a homemade latte. And once you see just how easy the process is, you will be enjoying homemade lattes for decades to come, just like me.
Happy Sipping! xo Kristen
What You Need to Make a Latte
A latte is a coffee drink made with espresso, steamed milk, and a layer of milk foam. And we can EASILY replicate that--even WITHOUT an espresso machine OR milk frother.
- Coffee: While you can certainly use espresso, strongly brewed coffee works just as well. Decaffeinated works just the same.
- Milk: Any variety you of milk or cream you like. Half and half, skim milk, whole milk, reduced-fat milk, almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk, etc. You can even use a flavored creamer (like my coconut vanilla creamer) for a rich, sweet, flavored latte.
- A Small Kitchen Whisk: I recommend using a whisk that will fit inside your coffee mug. And over the years have discovered aluminum whisks aerate the milk better than silicone whisks.
How to Make a Latte at Home
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Brew Coffee or Espresso. For strong coffee, I recommend using 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 ounces of water.
- Heat Milk. While the coffee is brewing, heat the milk of your choice for 30-45 seconds in a microwave-safe coffee mug or glass measuring cup.
- Whisk the Milk. Whisking milk after it heats will form bubbles, or aerate the milk, creating a thick milk foam that is crucial for a good latte. To do this, simply use a small whisk to whisk vigorously for 15-30 seconds until the milk forms large bubbles and becomes frothy.
- Add Coffee To Milk. Slowly pour the strong coffee or a shot of espresso into the mug over the frothed milk. The foam will rise to the top of the mug, giving you a pretty close replication of a traditional latte.
Alternative Method #1
No Heat Safe Mug?
If using a travel or non-heatable mug (like an Ember), heat and whisk your milk in a glass measuring cup. Pour coffee or espresso into your mug, then gently add the frothed milk and spoon foam on top.
Alternative Method #2
Using a Keurig?
When using a single brew coffee maker, like a Keurig, select strong brew and then brew the coffee directly over your frothed milk OR top with frothed milk.
How to Make a Flavored Latte
Start with a basic latte recipe and let your imagination go wild to flavor your latte exactly how you like! Make a peppermint latte, pumpkin spice latte, peanut butter mocha, or use one of the following suggestions to customize your latte yourself.
- Vanilla Latte: After heating the milk, add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract and whisk as directed. The vanilla extract will flavor the milk just as a flavored creamer would (without the added sugar, but of course, feel free to sweeten the latte as well.)
- Sweetened Latte: Add 1-2 teaspoons of sugar or honey to the milk and heat as directed. This will allow the sweetener to dissolve into the milk and add sweetness to the latte.
- Add Creamer: Feel free to add a splash of your favorite coffee creamer to your milk of choice before heating the milk. It will work to flavor and sweeten your latte.
- Mocha Latte: Once the milk has been heated, add 1-2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup. Froth as directed and enjoy a nice touch of chocolate in your latte.
Complete Your Coffee House Experience
While your homemade latte will pair beautifully with any breakfast recipe, below are a few of my favorite pairings that will make the coffee shop experience complete.
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Homemade Latte
Video
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup milk, any variety
- 6 ounces strongly brewed coffee or espresso, any variety
Instructions
- Heat ⅓ cup 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 vigorously whisk back and forth for 15-30 seconds until the milk forms large bubbles and is frothy.
- Pour 6 ounces strongly brewed coffee or espresso directly over the frothed milk or brew over the frothed milk. The milk will rise to the top of the mug.
- 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.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally shared in 2020, updated in 2025.
So, if anyone spends another dime on a pumpkin spice latte, it's throwing your money up in the air. I used maple syrup I purchased at an amish market that I keep in my freezer and wow! This is a "couch girlfriends hangout" drink to sip and slip into oblivion!!!
LOVE hearing you enjoyed, Candee! And thank you for sharing! I truly appreciate it.
Just tried a late’ wish you added the new pumpkin drink to your instructions group. How do I make a chocolate mint? I tried adding extract, but it was awful. I also tried fresh mint’s but I don’t like straining the bits of leaves out. Fresh mint season is almost over. I have started drying mine, I love tea with mint, use teabags for my mixture.
Thanks for the feedback regarding the pumpkin spice latte. For the chocolate mint, I would suggest adding 1-2 tablespoons of store-bought or homemade chocolate syrup mixed with 1 drop of peppermint extract. That is less than 1/16th of a teaspoon for reference.
I never knew Late’s were so easy to make! Thank You.
Hi Gail! So happy you enjoyed!
Good. I added Suclarose.
Great inexpensive homemade latte recipe. I used a whisk attachment for my blender which worked really well. I should’ve used a bigger glass measuring cup to whisk it in though because I forgot about it coming over the sides. Good thing I did in the sink. If I want a chocolate one, I think I’ll just put in a scoop of hot chocolate mix. It was easy and only 2 things to wash or stick in dishwasher. Thanks, Tracy
Wonderful Tracy! I think adding hot cocoa mix or chocolate syrup would make a fabulous chocolate latte.
You can also buy a cocktail shaker, those metal glasses that bartenders shake liquor in. Put the hot milk inside and shake for a good 30 seconds. Pour on top of coffee. You can add the coffee inside too and shake it together if you want.
Thank you for sharing that tip, it is a great idea!
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.
Sounds delicious! I will say that I find Silk brand foams better than other brands of almond milk.