Latte Recipe: How to Make a Latte at Home
A latte is 2 shots of espresso and about 1 cup (8 ounces) of steamed milk, finished with a thin layer of foam. This latte recipe takes about 5 minutes and works with an espresso machine, a moka pot or strong brewed coffee, so you can make it with what you already own.
Below you will find the basic hot latte, how to steam or froth the milk, a version with no espresso machine, an iced latte, and the most popular flavors.
What You’ll Need
Handheld milk frother – makes foam in 20 to 30 seconds without a machine
Stovetop moka pot – strong coffee that stands in for espresso
Milk frothing pitcher – the right shape for steaming and pouring
Milk thermometer – takes the guesswork out of milk temperature
Latte mugs – a 10 to 12 ounce mug fits this recipe
Espresso roast coffee beans – a darker roast stands up to milk
Latte Ingredients
This makes one 10 to 12 ounce latte.
- 2 shots espresso (2 ounces), or 1/3 cup very strong coffee
- 1 cup (8 ounces) milk
- 1 to 2 tablespoons syrup or 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar, optional
Whole milk gives the creamiest foam. For dairy-free lattes, a barista-style oat milk froths more easily than a regular carton.
How to Make a Latte With an Espresso Machine
- Warm your mug with hot water, then empty it.
- Pull 2 shots of espresso into the mug. Stir in any syrup now so it dissolves.
- Pour cold milk into a frothing pitcher, filling it no more than halfway.
- Put the steam wand tip just below the surface of the milk and turn the steam on. Keep the tip near the surface for 3 to 5 seconds to add air. You should hear a soft tearing-paper sound.
- Lower the tip a little and tilt the pitcher so the milk spins. Keep steaming until the pitcher is almost too hot to hold, around 140 to 150 degrees F.
- Turn off the steam, wipe the wand, tap the pitcher on the counter and swirl it until the milk looks glossy.
- Pour the milk into the espresso, starting high and finishing low so a thin layer of foam lands on top.
If the espresso tastes sour or bitter before the milk goes in, fix that first with our guide on how to dial in espresso.
How to Make a Latte Without an Espresso Machine
You need strong coffee and a way to make foam.
- Brew 1/3 cup of strong coffee. A moka pot gets closest to espresso. With a drip maker or French press, use about double your usual grounds for the same water.
- Heat 1 cup of milk in a saucepan or the microwave until it steams, around 140 to 150 degrees F. Do not let it boil.
- Froth the milk with one of the methods below.
- Pour the coffee into a mug, stir in any sweetener, then pour in the milk and spoon the foam on top.
| Frothing method | How | Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Handheld frother | Hold the whisk just under the surface for 20 to 30 seconds | Light and airy |
| Jar with a lid | Fill a jar no more than half full of hot milk, close it, wrap it in a towel and shake for 30 seconds | Loose, large bubbles |
| French press | Pump the plunger up and down in hot milk for 20 to 30 seconds | Thick and creamy |
| Electric frother | Press the button and wait | Thick and consistent |
We compare the options in our guide to the best milk frothers for home baristas. For moka pots, see the best stovetop espresso makers.
Iced Latte Recipe
- Stir 1 to 2 tablespoons of syrup into 2 shots of hot espresso. Sugar and syrup dissolve in hot coffee, not in cold milk.
- Fill a 16 ounce glass with ice.
- Pour in 3/4 cup of cold milk.
- Pour the espresso over the top and stir.
For a layered version, see our iced caramel macchiato recipe. For cold foam on top, use our sweet cream cold foam.
Latte Flavors to Try
Add 2 tablespoons of syrup or sauce to the espresso before the milk goes in.
| Latte | What to add | Full recipe |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla latte | 2 tablespoons vanilla syrup | Vanilla syrup for coffee |
| Caramel latte | 2 tablespoons caramel sauce and a pinch of salt | Holiday coffee syrups |
| Brown sugar latte | 2 tablespoons brown sugar syrup | Brown sugar simple syrup |
| Lavender latte | 1 to 2 tablespoons lavender syrup | Lavender latte recipe |
| Pumpkin spice latte | 2 tablespoons pumpkin spice syrup | Pumpkin spice latte recipe |
| Gingerbread latte | 2 tablespoons gingerbread syrup | Gingerbread latte recipe |
Not a coffee drinker every day? The same method makes a chai latte or a matcha latte.
Latte vs Cappuccino vs Flat White
| Drink | Espresso | Milk | Foam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latte | 2 shots | About 8 ounces | Thin layer |
| Cappuccino | 2 shots | About 4 ounces | Thick layer |
| Flat white | 2 shots | About 4 to 5 ounces | Very thin, silky |
All three use the same ingredients. The difference is how much milk goes in and how much air is added to it. Recipes vary from shop to shop, so treat these as typical amounts.
Latte
Ingredients
Method
- Warm your mug with hot water, then empty it.
- Pull 2 shots of espresso into the mug. Stir in any syrup now so it dissolves.
- Pour cold milk into a frothing pitcher, filling it no more than halfway.
- Put the steam wand tip just below the surface of the milk and turn the steam on. Keep the tip near the surface for 3 to 5 seconds to add air. You should hear a soft tearing-paper sound.
- Lower the tip a little and tilt the pitcher so the milk spins. Keep steaming until the pitcher is almost too hot to hold, around 140 to 150 degrees F.
- Turn off the steam, wipe the wand, tap the pitcher on the counter and swirl it until the milk looks glossy.
- Pour the milk into the espresso, starting high and finishing low so a thin layer of foam lands on top.
Marcus’s Pro Tips
- Start with cold milk and a cold pitcher. It gives you more time to add air before the milk gets too hot.
- Stop at 150 degrees F. Hotter milk loses its sweetness and the foam falls apart.
- Sweeten the coffee, not the milk. Syrup stirred into espresso blends evenly.
- Use fresh beans. Milk softens coffee flavor, so a bold espresso roast works best. See our picks for the best coffee beans for espresso.
- Clean the wand right away. Wipe it and run a short burst of steam after every use so milk does not bake on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ratio of espresso to milk in a latte?
About 1 part espresso to 4 parts milk. For a home latte that means 2 ounces of espresso and 8 ounces of milk.
Can I make a latte with regular coffee?
Yes, if you brew it strong. Use about double the grounds for the same amount of water, or brew with a moka pot. Regular-strength coffee tastes thin once the milk goes in.
What milk is best for a latte?
Whole milk makes the creamiest, most stable foam. Among plant milks, barista-style oat milk is the easiest to froth.
How hot should the milk be for a latte?
Around 140 to 150 degrees F. Without a thermometer, stop when the pitcher is almost too hot to hold.
How much caffeine is in a latte?
A latte made with 2 shots of espresso has roughly 125 milligrams of caffeine, about the same as a strong mug of drip coffee. The milk adds none.
Do I need an espresso machine to make lattes at home?
No. A moka pot and a handheld frother make a good latte for very little money. If you are ready for a machine, see our guide to the best home espresso machines.
That is the whole latte recipe: strong coffee, warm milk and a little foam. Once you have the basic drink down, change the syrup and you have a new drink every week.
Marcus Webb writes about home coffee for BrewElevate. He researches and compares brewing gear, beans and recipes so home brewers can make a better cup without overspending. His rule: if he wouldn’t be comfortable buying it himself, it doesn’t make the list.
