09.10.2020
Easy Fall Latte Recipes
Make cozy fall lattes at home: pumpkin spice, chai, turmeric, lavender, plus tips for frothing without a machine and making infused syrups.
- A latte is espresso plus steamed milk; a common ratio is about 2 oz espresso to 10 oz milk.
- You can froth milk without special gear using a mason jar, French press, or immersion blender.
- Make simple infused syrups with equal parts sugar and water, simmer with whole spices, then strain and refrigerate.
Autumn is paradise for food lovers. Grilling season still smolders on while we usher in fall baking, hearty soups, spicy chilis, and warm fall beverages. This time of year is synonymous with specialty lattes, especially making your own pumpkin spice lattes. Our test kitchen pulled together our favorite recipes and tips for creating your own lattes at home.
What is a Latte, Anyways?
A classic latte is made from espresso and lightly steamed milk. The drink’s full Italian name, “caffe e latte,” literally means coffee and milk. Most coffee shops make their recipe with two ounces of freshly brewed espresso and 10 ounces of steamed milk. Through the telephone game that is American cuisine, the word latte has come to define a variety of coffee or tea drinks made with steamed milk. We love all of these variations and the spices that make these drinks special.
Making Latte Foam Without a Machine
If you don’t have a machine to froth milk with, there are a few tricks for making silky latte foam at home. The simplest and most popular method is shaking warmed milk in a closed mason jar. You can also try a similar method with a French press, pumping the filter until the milk has a nice foamy head. Another alternative is to break out the power tools; an eggbeater or immersion blender work surprisingly well for whipping warmed milk into latte foam.
Customizing Coffee with Infused Syrups
Infused syrups are an excellent way to add flair to your morning latte. You can make your own infused syrup by combining equal parts sugar and boiling water. Dissolve the sugar completely in a small pot, bring to a simmer, add whole spices, and stir for one minute before removing from the heat. Once cooled, you can strain out the spices and use immediately. To use this syrup in a latte, gently stir the spiced syrup into your espresso before finishing with steamed milk.
Popular spices for coffee syrups are cinnamon sticks, star anise, vanilla bean, mace arils, cloves, ginger, and cardamom pods. You can find a few of our favorite syrup recipes below.
If you have any questions about making lattes, or have a latte recipe to share, email us at spices@thespicehouse.com, or leave a comment below!
Our Best Homemade Latte Recipes
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Easy Chai Latte
Turmeric Tea Latte
Lavender Blossom Latte
Hazelnut Mocha Latte
Rosewater Syrup
Vanilla Bean Syrup
Cinnamon Clove Syrup
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a latte?
A latte combines espresso and steamed milk to make a creamy coffee drink. A typical coffee shop pour is about 2 ounces of espresso to 10 ounces of steamed milk, though home versions vary.
How can I make latte foam without a frother?
Warm the milk first, then trap it in a closed mason jar and shake until foamy, or pump a French press up and down to build foam. An immersion blender or handheld eggbeater also whips warmed milk into a silky froth. Always warm the milk before frothing for best results.
Which milk works best for lattes, including vegan options?
Whole milk gives the richest texture. For non dairy, barista blends of oat or soy foam and feel closest to dairy. Almond milk froths less steadily. Use chilled milk and opt for labeled barista versions for better foam and creaminess.
How do I make an infused syrup for flavored lattes?
Use equal parts sugar and water, dissolve over heat, add whole spices, simmer briefly, then let the mixture steep as it cools. Strain out solids and store. Add the syrup to espresso, then top with steamed milk.
How long do homemade syrups keep and how should I store them?
Keep syrups in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. Simple sugar syrups usually last 2 to 3 weeks chilled. If you use fresh fruit or dairy in a recipe, use it sooner and refrigerate immediately.
Can I make a latte without an espresso machine?
Yes. Use a strong concentrate from a Moka pot, Aeropress, or a very strong drip coffee as an espresso stand in. Reduce the water to make the coffee more concentrated and use the usual milk ratio for the best balance.
How do I heat milk for a latte without scalding it?
Heat milk until it is steaming and you see small bubbles around the edge, roughly 140 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit. If you use the microwave, warm in short 20 to 30 second bursts and check often so it does not boil.
What spices and flavors work best in fall lattes?
Classic fall spices include cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, cardamom, and star anise. For floral notes try lavender or a small splash of rosewater. Start light, for example 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground spice per 12 ounce latte, and adjust to taste.
What exactly is a latte?
A latte combines espresso and steamed milk to make a creamy coffee drink. A typical coffee shop pour is about 2 ounces of espresso to 10 ounces of steamed milk, though home versions vary.
How can I make latte foam without a frother?
Warm the milk first, then trap it in a closed mason jar and shake until foamy, or pump a French press up and down to build foam. An immersion blender or handheld eggbeater also whips warmed milk into a silky froth. Always warm the milk before frothing for best results.
Which milk works best for lattes, including vegan options?
Whole milk gives the richest texture. For non dairy, barista blends of oat or soy foam and feel closest to dairy. Almond milk froths less steadily. Use chilled milk and opt for labeled barista versions for better foam and creaminess.
How do I make an infused syrup for flavored lattes?
Use equal parts sugar and water, dissolve over heat, add whole spices, simmer briefly, then let the mixture steep as it cools. Strain out solids and store. Add the syrup to espresso, then top with steamed milk.
How long do homemade syrups keep and how should I store them?
Keep syrups in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. Simple sugar syrups usually last 2 to 3 weeks chilled. If you use fresh fruit or dairy in a recipe, use it sooner and refrigerate immediately.
Can I make a latte without an espresso machine?
Yes. Use a strong concentrate from a Moka pot, Aeropress, or a very strong drip coffee as an espresso stand in. Reduce the water to make the coffee more concentrated and use the usual milk ratio for the best balance.
How do I heat milk for a latte without scalding it?
Heat milk until it is steaming and you see small bubbles around the edge, roughly 140 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit. If you use the microwave, warm in short 20 to 30 second bursts and check often so it does not boil.
What spices and flavors work best in fall lattes?
Classic fall spices include cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, cardamom, and star anise. For floral notes try lavender or a small splash of rosewater. Start light, for example 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground spice per 12 ounce latte, and adjust to taste.
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