The Best Vanilla Latte Recipe

Ever find yourself craving a latte, but don’t want to leave the house to get one? Or maybe you want to impress your guests with a homemade latte, but don’t know where to start? With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of know-how, you can create a perfectly frothy and flavorful latte in the comfort of your home—not to mention cut back on your coffee spending. Grab your favorite mug and let’s get started!

Ingredients

• 1 shot of espresso (or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee)
• 1 cup of milk (any type of milk can be used)
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla syrup (or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract)
• Whipped cream (optional)

Equipment

• Espresso machine or coffee maker
• Milk frother or whisk
• Coffee mug

Instructions

1. Brew one shot of espresso using an espresso machine or make a half-cup of strong coffee using a coffee maker.
2. While the espresso is brewing, heat the milk in a saucepan on medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Heat the milk until it is steaming hot, but not boiling.
3. Froth the milk using a milk frother or whisk until it is foamy and creamy. The milk should double in volume and form a velvety microfoam.
4. Add the vanilla syrup or extract to the milk and stir well.
5. Pour the espresso or strong coffee into a coffee mug.
6. Slowly pour the frothed milk over the espresso or coffee.
7. Spoon some of the foam on top of the latte.
8. Optional: top with whipped cream for added sweetness.
9. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade vanilla latte!

Notes

• If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use a stove-top moka pot or a French press to make strong coffee.
• If you don’t have a milk frother, you can whisk the milk vigorously by hand to create foam.
• You can adjust the sweetness of the latte by adding more or less vanilla syrup, or by using a different type of syrup, such as caramel or hazelnut.