And that’s it! Everything you need to know about how to make a latte at home. Let us know what questions you have in the comments below…and let’s get brewing! This espresso drink is a staple in our Home Barista Series, where we teach you how to make all your favorite coffee drinks in your own home. This latte comes out perfectly creamy and topped with frothy foam. How to make a latte at home? We’ve tested this recipe repeatedly so it comes out perfect every time. One special thing to note about a latte is the type of foam you want to get. You want the milk to get to an almost “wet-paint” like texture, which baristas call microfoam. It can be tricky to get to that texture without a steamer, so we’ll show you how to approximate it with some various tools you might have on hand.
Espresso roast coffee: The roast is important to get the right dark, bitter flavor. Make sure to use a fine grind on the espresso when you make it. Espresso machine, manual espresso maker, or Aeropress: There are several ways to make espresso. We use this espresso machine, which sits on a countertop. Or you can use a small manual espresso maker: it’s cheaper and portable! For the cheapest option, you can use an Aeropress, but it doesn’t have these same sweet, rich flavor (see this Aeropress Espresso recipe).
Can you make a vegan latte? Yes! The best non-dairy milk for a latte is oat milk: it froths up the best and has great flavor. Go to How to Froth Milk for some notes on the particulars of working with non-dairy milk. The downside? Espresso machines can be pricey. Here’s the espresso machine we use: it’s middle of the road price-wise and works great. If you want to make a perfect latte, this is the best way to do it. (Don’t have one? Keep reading.) Here’s how to steam milk for a latte with an espresso machine:
Hold the steaming wand just below the surface of the milk until it doubles in size. This makes foamy froth. Move the wand lower near the side of the pitcher to create a spiral vortex. This makes the silky smooth microfoam bubbles and wet-paint texture that’s characteristic of a latte. Steam until the milk reaches 150°F: Use a thermometer or judge by when your hand can’t hold the pitcher for more than a few seconds. Go to How to Steam Milk for more details.
Handheld milk frother. Don’t want to spring for an espresso machine? A handheld milk frother is cheaper and works well. It gets the milk extremely frothy, so it’s easy to make a macchiato or cappuccino. A perfect latte is a little trickier, but you can follow the tips below to get a great drink. French press. If you have a French press for making coffee, it’s also great for making foam! It makes a nice frothy foam with bubbles a little larger than the frother. Whisk. A whisk works too! This handy tool whips up the milk pretty well. However, it is a bit looser foam with larger bubbles, and this method generates a little less foam than the frother or French press.
Make the espresso using an espresso machine, espresso maker, or Aeropress. Steam the milk (espresso machine method): Use the notes in the section above to steam the milk and create microfoam. OR, heat the milk on the stovetop then froth it. A temperature of 150°F is perfect: that’s where the milk is hot to the touch but not simmering. Then froth using your desired method until the milk is frothed into small, even bubbles. Wait for 30 seconds to 1 minute to allow the foam to incorporate a bit into the milk so that the drink is creamy enough. Experiment to find the method that’s right for you. Everyone has different equipment and different desires for their latte. Play with the method until you find what’s right for you!
Use lavender syrup for a Lavender Latte. Use vanilla syrup for a Vanilla Latte. Add spices for a Pumpkin Spice Latte or Gingerbread Latte. Add ice for a Iced Latte. Use non-dairy milk for an Oat Milk Latte or Almond Milk Latte. Add chai tea for a Dirty Chai Latte.
The classic Tea Latte uses black tea and frothed milk make a warming drink. A cozy Chai Latte or Vegan Chai Latte bring in the flavors of Indian milk tea, masala chai. This Vanilla Chai Latte is a favorite.
More in our coffee series
Love coffee? Us too. Here are a few more staple methods, from espresso drinks to drip coffee: 5 from 3 reviews
Pourover Coffee The Chemex is the best for everyday pourover: here’s the master method! Americano This popular coffee drink smooths the bitterness of espresso with hot water. Macchiato A shot of espresso topped with a layer of frothy foam: the perfect drink! Flat White Another tasty variation of microfoam and espresso. Mocha Rich and chocolaty, with just the right topping of fluffy milk foam. Cortado or Gibraltar Perfectly balanced with equal parts espresso and milk. Cafe au Lait or Cafe con Leche Enjoy these French and Spanish spins on coffee and milk. Coffee Soda Grab a bubbly and bitter coffee soda! Cappuccino Creamy with just the right touch of foamed milk and bitter espresso. Cold Brew Coffee This cold brew coffee recipe is easy to make in just a few minutes of hands on time: then just wait overnight! Iced Coffee or Iced Espresso Better than a coffee shop…and cheaper?
