The creamy latte has won the hearts of Americans all over the country. The question is, as much as we all love it, do you know how to make a latte?
The creamy latte has won the hearts of Americans all over the country. The question is, as much as we all love it, do you know how to make a latte?
This beloved espresso-based drink is literally a hug in a mug. For this reason, I think every coffee lover should know how to make a latte at home.
Today, I’ll walk you through crafting the perfect latte. So fire up that espresso machine, and let’s turn your kitchen into latte heaven!
Overview: What Is a Latte?
Before I tackle the question of how to make a latte, it’s worth knowing what it is and where it came from.
In essence, a latte is espresso and steamed whole milk with a thin layer of milk foam. As a former barista, I can also tell you that a latte is all about the perfect balance of ingredients and technique.
Latte is short for caffè latte in Italian, and means “milk coffee.” True, the Italians have been mixing coffee and milk for centuries. But the latte came into its own with the invention of the espresso machine.
However, there’s a twist to this story. The latte as we know it today is actually an American invention. Yep, you heard right! We took that Italian inspiration and ran with it! And the mastermind behind the modern American latte? Lino Meiorin.
In the 1950s, this Italian-trained barista working at the Caffe Mediterraneum in Berkeley, California, invented this coffee. He noticed that many customers found straight espresso too strong. As such, he added more steamed whole milk to suit the American palate.
Since its humble beginnings, the latte has come a long way. The 1990s third coffee wave introduced flavored syrups, and vanilla, caramel and hazelnut lattes came into being.
Later, as the new millennium dawned, the iced coffee revolution took over. At the same time, baristas mastered how to make a latte into an art form with intricate latte art.
Moreover, the rise of alt-milks had baristas churning out soy milk, almond milk and oat milk lattes in droves. In fact, coffee chains like Starbucks joined the bandwagon, launching delicious lattes with trendy twists.
Remember the early 2000s when the pumpkin spice latte and chai latte took over? What about the colorful 2017 unicorn latte craze? These trends have catapulted the latte into an American cultural icon.
Cappuccino vs Latte: What’s the Difference?
What about that other coffee shop favorite, the cappuccino? How does it differ from the latte? For starters, both these milky coffees start off with a shot or two of espresso. But that’s where the similarities end.
Let’s first look at the cappuccino. This coffee has a golden ratio of one-third espresso, one-third steamed whole milk and one-third milk foam. It took off in Italy in the early 1900s and has become one of the most popular coffees worldwide.
On the contrary, the process is more laid back and straightforward for a latte with its 1:2 coffee-to-steamed milk ratio.
For this reason, the cappuccino is stronger and more espresso-forward. In other words, it packs quite a potent caffeine punch. Furthermore, with cappuccinos you have options: Dry (more foam) or wet (more skim or whole milk).
What About Latte Macchiato?
At first glance, you might think that the latte and latte macchiato are twins. But look closer, and you’ll see they have unique personalities! As I mentioned earlier, the latte is one-third espresso and two-thirds steamed milk, with a thin foam layer.
With the latte macchiato, another of my favorites, things are slightly different. Steamed skim or whole milk goes in first, followed by carefully poured-in espresso. I would go as far as to say that a latte macchiato is a coffee parfait, each layer boasting different flavors.
Interestingly, the traditional latte started off Italian and ended up American! The latte macchiato, on the other hand, has remained steadfastly Italian.
You see, “macchiato” means “stained” or “marked.” This drink originated in 1960s Italy as a robust alternative to the kid-friendly “babyccino” (frothed whole milk with a touch of coffee). Clearly the Italians have no qualms with kids drinking coffee in small amounts!
Best Coffee Beans for a Latte
Let’s talk beans! Now, I can already hear you asking, “Can’t I use any espresso coffee bean to make my latte? After all, coffee is coffee!” The short answer is, no. The wrong bean can make or break your coffee. This is why.
For lattes, you should choose beans with a roast profile that can stand up to all that creamy milk. By this, I mean medium to dark roast espresso beans. Despite their bold flavors these beans still retain distinct flavor notes, which will make your coffee delicious.
Incidentally, our Coffeeness Espresso Blend fits these characteristics perfectly. It’s a medium roast, so it still retains its distinct hazelnut and caramel notes while being rich and full-bodied. What’s more, it’s direct-trade, sourced from ethical Brazilian coffee plantations.
For a bolder outlook, stretch your horizons with Sumatra Mandheling. These Indonesian coffee beans are earthy, full-bodied and impart a lovely syrupy sweetness.
Finally, why not experiment with espresso blends? If you do go down this route, look for Italian (or indeed American) blends with balanced chocolatey and nutty notes.
Coffeeness Signature Espresso Blend
High-quality beans through direct trade
Notes of Chocolate & Hazelnut
Easy on the stomach
Freshly roasted right in Brooklyn
Medium roast
Pro Tips:
Whichever coffee beans you choose, make sure they’re fresh!
Look for roast dates, not “best by” dates.
Remember, coffee is at its prime for a limited time: 3-14 days after roasting.
Best Milk for a Latte
What about milk? When thinking about how to make a latte, the milk you use is as essential as the coffee. It can take your latte from “meh” to super-delicious.
If you’re part of the dairy milk squad, whole milk is the MVP of latte milk! It’s reliable, delivers a rich flavor, creamy texture and foams up beautifully. The downside is it’s higher in calories. But, hey, where’s the harm once in a while?
Another dairy milk option is 2% milk. I find it provides a good balance of lightness and creaminess. In fact, it’s the Goldilocks choice for many latte lovers. So, too, is skim milk, which although is light in taste, has close to zero calories.
For the non dairy milk posse, oat and soy milk are excellent alternatives. They’re creamy, and have a good texture. Soy milk is also protein-rich.
If these aren’t your jam, almond milk has been in the game long enough to know the ropes. It imparts a lovely nutty taste to your coffee. The downside is that it doesn’t foam as well.
Lastly, if you’re on a tropical kick, why not go full-on plant-based milk and make a coconut milk latte? I love the unique flavor and creamy texture. Unfortunately, like soy milk, the strong taste might overpower your drink.
Ultimately, which milk you use for your latte, largely comes down to calorie and taste preferences.
Pro Tips:
Feel free to mix and match! Half whole milk, half oat? Go for it!
Fat = taste = foam. The higher your milk’s fat content, the better taste and the better the foam. It’s just plain science.
Always use fresh milk; old milk is like a bad toupee – it fools no one and leaves a bad taste.
Look for “barista” versions of alt-milks. They’re specially formulated to play nice with coffee and foam up better.
How to Make a Latte at Home
Alright, let’s get into how to make a latte. Brewing a killer latte is easier than you think, provided you have the right ingredients and equipment. Here’s what you’ll need to whip up one serving of a pro-level latte in your kitchen:
Ingredients
Coffee beans (freshly ground coffee for the best flavor)
8 ounces (240 milliliters) non-dairy or dairy milkÂ
Sugar, honey or maple syrup, to taste (optional)
Flavored syrups (optional)
Ground cinnamon or nutmeg, cocoa powder, for toppings (optional)
Equipment
Espresso machine with steam wand
Milk frother (if your espresso maker doesn’t have a steam arm)
Stainless steel milk jug
Milk thermometer
Coffee cup or glass, to serve
Note: instead of an espresso machine, you could also use a latte machine.
Method
First, grind coffee using an espresso grinder on a fine setting.
Then, fill your portafilter with this coffee.
Preheat your latte cup or glass with hot water or steam. After 30 seconds, pour this water out, lock in your portafilter and place your coffee cup directly under it.
Now, for your frothed milk. Steam fridge-cold milk using an automatic milk frother. However, if your semi-automatic espresso machine has a steam arm, use that.
Steam any milk you fancy. If you’re a fan of cow juice, whole dairy milk gives a creamy latte. Conversely, skim milk yields a stiffer, more stable milk foam. For you non-dairy folks, have at it with oat, almond, soy, macadamia or coconut milk.
To froth your milk, purge the steam wand to clear condensation, wipe it down clean and then steam. For a hot latte, heat the milk to 150-160 degrees Fahrenheit (65-71 degrees Celsius). Any hotter and you’ll scald the milk. Heat until the milk begins to go frothy and develop a light and airy texture.
Stop steaming when the pitcher feels hot to the touch. Then, gently tap the milk jug on a table or hard surface to remove large air bubbles.
You’re now ready to pull your espresso shot. Alternatively, brew strong coffee using a moka pot or French press. It won’t be the same, but it’ll still hit the spot. In fact, I would liken your finished coffee to more of a cafe au lait than a latte.
Remember, a latte should have more steamed milk than foam. The foam should integrate into the drink seamlessly, unlike in a cappuccino, which maintains a distinct foam layer.
How to Serve a Latte
Now, to my favorite part: assembling and serving your drink. I recommend using double-walled thermal coffee glass. This type of vessel maintains the ideal beverage temperature without the risk of burning your hands. Plus, you’ll be able to appreciate your handiwork as you sip your way through the layers!
To serve:
Gently tilt your coffee glass or cup at an angle.
Then, slowly swirling your milk pitcher, pour frothed milk onto the espresso from a height, gently steepening the cup’s angle.
When almost at the top of the coffee cup or glass, top the milk off with microfoam.
Feel free to add any flavors or toppings you like. Throw in flavored syrups, such as vanilla, caramel, hazelnut or almond for extra flavor.
If you prefer things sweet, add a small amount of sugar or maple syrup to your drink. You are the captain of your ship after all, so do you!
For toppings, a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg or cocoa powder does the trick.Â
Now, all that’s left to do is stir and enjoy.
And there you have it; the perfect homemade latte. I bet it’ll have you wondering why you ever waited in line for one!
Final Thoughts on How to Make a Latte
I hope after reading this, you have the know-how to make a latte! Remember, crafting the perfect latte is part science, part art and part, well, good ingredients and a passion for coffee.
Keep going even if your first attempts aren’t Instagram-worthy. In my early days, it took me ages to crack the perfect latte, so don’t give up!
Experiment with different coffee beans and play around with your milk choices. Before you know it, you’ll have it down.
Ready to become an at-home latte master? Give these tips a try and let me know how it goes. Drop a comment below with your latte-making victories or hilarious mishaps!
How to Make a Latte FAQ
Brew a shot of espresso or strong moka pot coffee. Then, steam milk until hot and frothy. Pour the espresso into a coffee cup and add the steamed milk. Top off the milk with a thin milk foam layer. Toppings, flavorings and latte art is optional.
Yes, you can make a latte-like drink with a regular coffee base. Use instant coffee or strong-brewed coffee from a moka pot or French press. It won’t have the flavor profile of an espresso-based latte but it is still delicious.
A latte’s composition and preparation is what defines it. It must have an espresso base of one or two shots, topped with steamed milk and a thin milk foam layer. Typically, the ratio is one-third espresso to two-thirds steamed milk.
The typical coffee-to-milk ratio for a latte is one-third espresso to two-thirds steamed milk. The exact ratio may vary depending on barista standards or customer preference. However, this 1:2 ratio is the accepted guideline.
