How To Make Latte At Home: The Ultimate Homemade Latte Recipe
Welcome to this little corner of the internet where I’m now all about that latte life!
Why should only pro baristas have all the fun, right? You can ask yourself the question of how to make latte at home and Emergent Brew will give you the answers!
If you’re more of a visual learner, good news: Paddy & Scott’s made a great video on how to make a latte at home – and a perfect one!
Grab your favorite mug, fire up your espresso machine (or whatever brewing method you’re opting for), and let’s make that latte at home!
1. What is latte?
Before I explain how to make latte at home, we need to get one question out of the picture: what is latte?
Latte is considered a classic choice. The name “latte’ is short for “caffé latte”. This name comes from Italian, and it means “milk coffee”. Latte is a smooth, creamy espresso-based drink.
Lots of cafes around the world get creative with lattes, because you can combine it with other flavors, sweeteners, syrups or doing latte art on top of the cup of coffee. If you’re making latte at home, it’s a great drink not just for chilling and enjoying a good refreshing beverage, but also to experiment being a home barista.
2. Caffe latte vs other coffee drinks
How does latte compare to other types of coffee drinks?
When I mention latte, I’m talking about espresso-based drinks, and when it comes to these types of coffees, it’s all about the ratio.
Let’s break it down like this:
| Coffee Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Espresso | Pure, concentrated coffee shot. Intense, bold, lots of caffeine compared to a small package. |
| Cappuccino | One-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, one-third milk foam. |
| Flat White | Similar to latte, less milk, thin microfoam. |
| Macchiato | Espresso with a dash of steamed milk. |
| Americano | Espresso diluted with hot water. |
Now, the lattes, as I mentioned it earlier is more about the smooth, creamy experience. It’s got more milk than a cappuccino, it’s milder, not as intense as an espresso.
I like to call it my easy going friend who gets along with everyone.
3. Ingredients to make a latte at home
Now that I covered basics, you’re probably wondering: okay, okay, but what do I need to make a latte at home?
Here are the essentials to make a killer latte at home. It’s pretty simple stuff, but as with all things coffee – the devil’s in the details…
If you want to make a good latte, you need a good espresso first. This is your foundation, your coffee bedrock. And for that, you want the best coffee beans available on the market. Dark roast is a bit more traditional, but it’s your latte – use what you prefer!
Apart from the espresso, the milk is the most important addition to your latte. Whole milk is the classic choice for a creamy texture, but basically any milk works. If you want, you can even use plant-based milk to make a latte.
Often overlooked, but you also need good water for good espresso. Pay attention to this, because if your tap water isn’t good, use filtered water.
Sweeteners aren’t necessary, but they can be added after you’re done with your latte. More on them later.
And… that’s it!
Just coffee and milk at its core. A good espresso machine or at least a Moka pot and something to steam your milk will help, but that’s another conversation.
Ready for a great recipe?
4. How to make latte at home (without a machine)
Alright, let’s jump right in!
It’s a beautiful process if you ask me, and once you get it down, you’ll be enjoying great cafe-quality lattes at home.
By now, you already know this, but first, you’ll want to start with your espresso. If you’ve got an espresso machine, awesome. If not, no worries – a Moka pot or even a strong brew from a French press can work. Pull your shot or brew your strong coffee and let it sit in your serving cup while you work on the milk.
Now, let’s talk milk magic!
You’ll want to steam your milk to create that creamy, velvety texture that makes a latte so delightful. If you’ve got a steam wand on your espresso machine, you’re golden. If not, you can heat your milk in a saucepan and use a whisk or a handheld frother to create some foam.
The key is to heat the milk until it’s hot to the touch but not boiling – around 150°F/65°C if you want to get technical.
Once your milk is all steamed and frothy, it’s time to bring it all together!
Slowly, really slowly, pour the steamed milk into your espresso, holding back the foam with a spoon. As you near the top of the cup, gently spoon the remaining foam onto the surface. If you’re feeling fancy, you can try your hand at some latte art, but don’t stress if it doesn’t look Instagram-worthy – it’ll taste great regardless.
And there you have it – your very own homemade latte.
Want it stronger? Use a double shot of espresso.
Prefer it creamier? Add a touch more milk.
5. Homemade latte flavors: flavor your latte with syrups or sweeteners
If you’re chilling in the summer and what a flavory latte, you’ve got options!
Traditionally, you’d use whole cow’s milk, and it’s the go-to. It’s got a rich, creamy texture that froths up beautifully.
You can use alternatives like a 2% or skim milk: it’s less fat, but still tasty! They also foam up well too.
Non-dairy alternatives like soy, almond, oat, coconut – they’re all fair game. Oat milk is killing it lately on the market, and it froths up nice and has a subtle sweetness.
For the dairy-sensitive crowd, lactose-free milk behaves a lot like regular milk and is a great addition.
And when it comes to sweeteners of syrups, it’s your world!
| Sweetener Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Simple syrup | Dissolves easily in the hot espresso. Pro move. |
| Sugar | Classic. White, raw, brown – they all work. |
| Honey | Adds a nice floral note. |
| Flavored syrups | Vanilla, hazelnut, caramel – go wild. |
| Artificial sweeteners | If that’s your jam, go for it. |
Here’s a pro tip: if you’re using a flavored syrup, add it to the espresso before the milk. It’ll mix in better. 😉
6. Ultimate recipe to make a homemade latte with perfect froth milk
Let’s put all of this together. Here’s a recipe for you on how to make latte at home:
How To Make Latte At Home: The Ultimate Homemade Latte Recipe
Course: Brewing Guides15
minutesCraft café-quality lattes at home with this easy guide. Transform simple ingredients into creamy, delicious coffee drinks. Perfect for aspiring home baristas looking to up their coffee game.
Ingredients
- Equipment
Espresso machine (or Moka pot/French press)
Milk frother or steam wand
Coffee grinder
Milk pitcher
Serving mug
- Ingredients
Sweetener or flavoring (optional)
18-21 grams of espresso beans
6-8 ounces of milk (whole milk or alternative)
Instructions
- Grind your coffee beans to espresso fineness.
- Pull a shot of espresso (1-2 oz) into your serving mug.
- Slowly pour the steamed milk into your espresso, holding back the foam with a spoon.
- Add any sweetener or flavoring if desired, and give it a gentle stir.
- Finish by adding a small layer of foam on top.
- Sip and enjoy your homemade latte!
