The 39 Best Latte Flavors, from Starbucks regular, seasonal and secret menu drinks to Dunkin Donuts and other unique latte flavors!
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What are Lattes?
Also known as caffè latte, they are a popular, rich, smooth and creamy type of coffee drink made with espresso (a very strong coffee) and lots of steamed milk.
You can have it steaming hot in fall/ winter or iced on a hot summer's day. You can even make it with cold brew coffee!
P.S. A cup of hot latte with cold whipped cream on top is delicious and so warming when it's cold out!
How to Make
Usually, lattes have 2 times the amount of steamed milk compared to espresso, topped with frothy milk foam for extra richness. Extra flavoring is added in the form of syrups or even powders.
The basic recipe for lattes is:
1 Cup = steamed milk + 1-2 shots of espresso + syrup/ powder/ sauce (optional) + frothy milk + latte art (optional)
For more detailed directions, scroll down for recipes.
Note: I recommend syrups over powders as you don't have to worry about dissolving and won't be left with gritty lumps at the bottom of your drink!
Expert Tips
Tip #1: Keeping a range of simple syrups on hand, such as pandan syrup, brown sugar simple syrup, lemongrass syrup, chai syrup and green matcha syrup, enables you to readily create a wide range of new flavors (as well as boba teas!). Simply stir them into your regular drink!
Tip #2: Hot lattes go very well with vanilla ice-cream: think affogato style!
Tip #3: If you're looking to be your own Starbucks barista, note that a Tall drink has 3 pumps of syup, a Grange 4, a Venti hot 5 and a Venti Iced 6. One Starbucks pump of syrup = about 1 Tablespoon of syrup.
FAQs
The bestselling ones at Starbucks are Caffe Latte (no syrup added) and Vanilla Latte. For other favorites, click through to my list of Best Latte Flavors.
Lattes contain more milk and thus usually have more calories and fat. As a result, cappuccinos also taste stronger.
Starbucks Regular Menu
Caffe Latte
This classic drink is made with 2 shots of espresso, 2% steamed milk topped by a layer of frothy milk. It's 1 of the most popular Starbucks drinks!
It can be easily turned into different drinks by adding different syrups such as:
Vanilla Latte
Add some vanilla syrup or vanilla extract and you get 1 of the most popular latte flavors, Vanilla Latte!
Tip: if you're out to impress, use vanilla beans! Infuse them directly in the steaming milk or simmer them with sugar and water to make vanilla simple syrup.
White Chocolate Latte
Add a pump of white chocolate sauce to your espresso and milk.
For an interesting sweet and sour drink, make White Chocolate Raspberry Latte by adding raspberry sauce too.
Caramel Latte
The toffee notes go so well with the bitterness of the espresso that Starbucks has even created a pre-packed version so that you can make creamy Caramel Latte at home!
Save money and make your own by pouring 1- 2 shots of espresso into frothed steamed milk, followed by caramel sauce. Mix and stir then serve with a brown sugar cookie on the side!
Salted Caramel Latte
I like using vegan gula melaka caramel to make my own vegan Salted Caramel Latte.
Caramel Brulee Latte
Recreate this 2009 Starbucks Secret Menu item using espresso, milk, and caramel brulée sauce. Don't forget to finish with whipped cream and caramel brulée topping!
Note: some people even add Banana puree or Banana syrup to make Banana Caramel Latte, but it's not to everyone's taste!
Alternatively, you can change the milk for more latte flavors!
Hazelnut Latte
Swap out the 2% milk for Hazelnut Milk and, for extra sweetness, add a pump of Hazelnut Sauce.
The toasted, nutty flavor complements the strong, bitter coffee taste very well!
Almond Milk Latte
Use Almond Milk instead of cow's milk- perfect for those on a plant-based diet!
Variation 1: stir some almond butter into the hot coffee before pouring in the foamy milk to make Almond Butter Latte.
Variation 2: Add almond syrup, coconut syrup and chocolate syrup to make an Almond Joy Latte!
Oat Milk Latte
Switch the dairy milk for oat milk- another popular flavor amongst vegans! Try this easy Matcha with Oat Milk Latte recipe!
Variation: Starbucks has an Oat Milk and Honey Latte- note that it's not vegan though, as honey is classified as an animal product.
Matcha Latte
This Matcha Drink is really easy to make with homemade matcha syrup.
Although the recipe is for a hot drink, you can serve this iced too. Simply add some ice cubes to the cup and preferably chill the matcha before pouring over the ice (to prevent them from melting.)
There's also a Vanilla-Matcha version, which has vanilla syrup in it.
Mocha Latte
This drink is perfect for chocolate lovers: it combines espresso, milk and chocolate sauce or chocolate syrup. Compared to a cappucino, a mocha is milkier, making it sweeter and more mellow.
You can elevate your drink by using dark chocolate. Don't forget to dust with chocolate chips and cocoa powder!
Tip: if you don't have a sauce or syrup, you can stir 3 Tablespoons of hot chocolate powder into the steamed milk before combining with the espresso.
P.S. You'd be surprised how well mocha goes with peanut butter!
Cold Brew Latte
White Chocolate Mocha Latte
Substitute with the chocolate sauce with white chocolate syrup.
For details, click below:
Cinnamon Dolce
A mix of 1 shot of espresso, 1 Cup of steamed milk and 1 pump of sweet Cinnamon Dolce syrup topped with sweetened whipped cream and cinnamon dolce sprinkles.
Note: The name Cinnamon Dolce refers to the fact that the cinnamon is mixed with brown sugar. For a healthier Cinnamon Latte, infuse the warm milk with a cinnamon stick instead of using cinnamon syrup then sprinkle cinnamon powder on the milk foam.
Blonde Vanilla
This beverage uses a less roasted coffee instead of espresso.
Starbucks Seasonal Menu
Toffee Nut Latte
This Christmas drink is sweet and nutty. Make 1 of the most beloved Starbucks drinks by adding Toffee Nut Syrup to your regular drink.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
This popular fall Latte was introduced by Starbucks in 2003. It consists of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves and pumpkin puree.
Note: if you like Pumpkin Latte, you'll love Spiced Chai Lattes such as Matcha Chai and Dirty Chai Coffee!
Variation: Cinderella Latte
Simply swap out half of the pumpkin sauce with white chocolate mocha sauce to make this Starbucks Secret Menu drink!
Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte
In this popular seasonal drink, steamed Almond Milk is paired with Starbucks Blonde Espresso and a Sugar Cookie flavored Syrup, topped by red and green sprinkles to get you in the festive mood!
A light drink, it's perfect for those who don't want their drinks overly sweet.
Chestnut Praline Latte
You can make this 2014 Starbucks seasonal latte with espresso, steamed milk, and caramelized chestnut praline syrup.
Spritz some whipped cream on top followed by a sprinkle of praline crumble.
Peppermint Mocha
Introduced in 2002, this is 1 of the bestselling latte flavors at Starbucks.
The following recipe is adapted from Starbucks original recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 shot espresso (or 1 fluid oz coffee)
- ½ Cup 2% milk (or vegan milk)
- 3 Tablespoons mocha sauce
- 2 Tablespoons peppermint syrup
- Whipped cream
- Toppings: red sugar sprinkles (if nostalgic for the drink's original look) or dark chocolate curls (the current topping.)
How to Make
- Heat the milk gently on the stove and whisk till frothy. (Takes 20-30 seconds or about 100 whisks.)
- Pour the mocha sauce and peppermint syrup into a heat-proof cup. Coat the walls to create a pretty drink.
- Pour in the espresso followed by the frothy milk.
- Spritz with whipped cream then follow by topping of choice.
Maple Pecan Latte
An easy DIY version is to mix espresso, steamed milk and maple syrup.
Eggnog Latte
The Peppermint isn't the 1st Starbucks holiday drink. That honour goes to the Eggnog Latte, introduced in 1986!
Starbucks Secret Menu
Matcha Chai Latte
Add 2 pumps of chai syrup to your Starbucks Matcha latte and you get Matcha Chai Latte.
If you're curious about how it tastes, you can make your own with the easy recipe below!
Gingerbread Latte
This Starbucks winter drink is the perfect beverage to snuggle up on the couch with when watching Christmas movies! The earthiness of the spices round out the bitter coffee flavor.
Add a syrup of ginger, cinnamon and molasses then dust with ginger and cinnamon powder. (If you're making your own simple syrup, ginger should be the dominant flavor note.)
Oatmeal Cookie Latte
All you need to make this Starbucks drink are oat milk, 2 pumps of mocha and 2 pumps brown sugar syrup.
Click the link for an easy homemade brown sugar syrup recipe.
Nutella Latte
This delicious nutty coffee drink is made using a Caffe Misto, added to 1 pump of Mocha Syrup and 1 pump of Hazelnut Syrup. (Unlike Caffe Latte which uses espresso, Caffe Misto uses drip coffee and consists of half drip coffee, half steamed milk.)
If you don't have mocha syrup and hazelnut syrup at home, try my easy 3-ingredient nutella recipe.
For an extra decadent finish, top with buttery caramel sauce.
French Toast Latte
This is actually a Starbucks Frappuccino flavor but you can easily make it into a latte.
Simply mix 1 shot of espresso, 1 Cup of steamed milk, 1 pump of Cinnamon Dolce Syrup and 1 pump of Hazelnut Syrup. Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg powder on top!
Pistachio Latte
This Starbucks special blends pistachio syrup, foamy steamed milk, and a double shot of espresso. Add whipped cream and pistachio crumbs or brown butter sugar topping for a sweet and delicious crunch.
Dunkin Donuts Inspired
When we think about Latte Flavors, we always talk about Starbucks, but Dunkin Donuts has some interesting flavors too!
For Tea Lovers
Black tea lovers, look no further than Chai Latte. This creamy Spiced Tea from India is delicious served hot, iced or blended.
Or pour in a shot or 2 of espresso to make Dirty Chai Latte!
Lavender Latte
For a floral summery drink, you'll first need to make Lavender Syrup.
Lavender Simple Syrup
- Simply add ½ Cup of dried lavender flowers to 1 Cup of water and 1 Cup of sugar in a pot.
- Bring to the boil, simmer for 2-3 minutes till all the sugar is dissolved then remove from the heat and allow to steep for half and hour.
- Strain and keep the liquid (the Lavender Syrup.)
This can be kept in the fridge in a sterilised container for 1-3 weeks.
Making Lavender Latte
Mix 1-2 shots of espresso with ½ cup of steamed milk and 1-2 tablespoons of the Lavender Simple Syrup from above and there you have your Lavender Coffee!
Alcoholic Lattes
Baileys Latte
Mix 1 Cup of steamed milk with 1.5 ounces of Baileys then use a whisk to froth it up. Pour in 1-2 espresso shots and (optional) vanilla flavor.
Sprinkle cocoa powder and chocolate shavings on top!
International Flavors
Peppermint Latte
Nothing says Christmas better than peppermint and hot chocolate!
Hojicha Latte
Some Starbucks outlets in Asia serve a Roasted Green Tea Latte. If you're curious about what it tastes like, here's the recipe for you to recreate your own!
Heukimja Black Sesame Latte
Turmeric Latte
Pour your shot of espresso into 1 Cup of foamy, steamed milk, followed by either 1 pump of turmeric syrup OR 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and sweetener.
The turmeric powder will turn your drink a beautiful, appetising golden color!
Coconut Latte
This tropical drink calls for 1 shot of espresso, 1 Cup of coconut milk (not coconut cream) and sweetener. I like to use gula melaka caramel sauce as it goes so well with the coconut.
Top with toasted dessicated coconut for extra flavor!
Variation 1: add butterfly blue pea flowers when heating the coconut milk for a beautiful naturally blue drink!
Variation 2: For Starbucks' Coconutmilk Latte, mix Blonde Espresso with Coconut milk and Cascara sugar.
Sweet Potato Latte
This is a popular Korean Latte that is similar to Pumpkin Spice, but uses sweet potatoes instead of pumpkins.
How to Make
- Steam and skin 1 small sweet potato then blend it into a puree.
- Add a shot of espresso and a cup of milk then blend till well-mixed.
- Pour the mixture into a pot and cook over medium-low heat till smooth. This will take 1-2 minutes.
- Sweeten to taste and finish with a sprinkle of brown sugar, cinnamon and ground toasted nuts (optional).
Tip: Use Asian sweet potatoes- look out for Korean and Japanese ones in particular- as they are sweeter.
Which of these popular Latte Flavors is your favorite for the cool fall weather? Let me know in the comments!
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