Homemade Vanilla Latte
Coffeehouse quality at home — with real vanilla
To make a vanilla latte at home, first make vanilla syrup: simmer equal parts sugar and water, then stir in real vanilla extract off the heat. Add one to two tablespoons of syrup to a double shot of espresso, then pour in steamed milk. It costs well under a dollar per cup.
Homemade Vanilla Syrup
Skip the artificial stuff. This takes 5 minutes and lasts a month.
- 01Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat.
- 02Stir until sugar dissolves. Do not boil.
- 03Remove from heat. Add 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract (or 1 split vanilla bean).
- 04Let cool. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
The Latte
- 01Pull a double shot of espresso (or brew 3oz of strong coffee via AeroPress or moka pot).
- 02Add 1-2 tablespoons of vanilla syrup to the hot espresso. Stir.
- 03Steam or heat 8oz of milk. Whole milk froths best; oat milk is the best dairy-free option.
- 04Pour steamed milk over the espresso-syrup mixture.
- 05Optional: dust with cinnamon or vanilla powder.
Variations
Iced vanilla latte: Pour espresso + syrup over ice, then add cold milk. Vanilla oat latte: Use oat milk for a naturally sweet, creamy result. French vanilla: Add a splash of hazelnut syrup alongside the vanilla. Skinny vanilla latte: Use sugar-free sweetener in the syrup and skim milk.
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Frequently Asked
- How do you make vanilla syrup for lattes?
- Simmer equal parts sugar and water until dissolved, then stir in real vanilla extract or vanilla bean off the heat. It keeps a few weeks in the fridge.
- Can I make a vanilla latte without an espresso machine?
- Yes. Use strong brewed coffee or a stovetop moka pot in place of espresso, then add vanilla syrup and steamed or frothed milk.
- Is a homemade vanilla latte cheaper than a café one?
- Much cheaper — a café vanilla latte runs $5-6, while the homemade version costs well under a dollar per cup.
Find the Right Beans
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