Latte recipe: how to make a hot latte at home
Jack Donnell
At a glance
Make a hot latte with espresso and steamed milk. Get measured ingredients, frothing steps, equipment alternatives, and tips for a creamy coffee balance.
A hot latte combines espresso with a larger portion of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. This version starts with a double espresso and 3/4 cup of milk, making one small cafe-style drink. The milk softens the coffee flavor without adding syrup.
A latte is a useful starting point for learning milk texture: aim for glossy, flowing milk rather than a pile of stiff bubbles. You do not need latte art to make the drink taste balanced.
Latte recipe
Yield: 1 drink · Prep: about 2 minutes · Cook/brew: about 3 minutes · Total: about 5 minutes
Use these quantities as home starting points and adjust to taste. Times are estimates; allow extra time for an espresso machine to warm up. US volume measures are approximate metric conversions.
Equipment
Espresso machine, milk pitcher, steam wand or milk frother, and a 10–12 fl oz mug.
Ingredients
- 1 double espresso, about 2 fl oz (60 ml)
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) milk
Instructions
- Warm the cup. Rinse your mug with hot water, then empty it. Measure the milk into a pitcher with enough room for expansion.
- Prepare the espresso. Brew a double espresso using your machine’s recommended dose and yield. Pour it into the warmed mug.
- Texture the milk. Steam the milk according to your equipment instructions, introducing a little air at the start and then creating a gentle whirlpool. With a separate frother, warm and froth the measured milk using its instructions.
- Combine and serve. Swirl the pitcher to blend the foam into the milk. Pour into the espresso, holding back any large, stiff bubbles with a spoon. Serve immediately.
Tips and adjustments
Too foamy?
A latte needs a thin cap of foam. Introduce less air on the next attempt, or spoon excess foam aside before pouring.
Coffee tastes faint?
Use a little less milk before changing your espresso recipe. Keeping the coffee consistent makes the comparison easier.
No steam wand?
A countertop frother works. A moka pot can provide concentrated coffee, although the result is a brewed-coffee latte variation rather than espresso.
Common questions
Is a latte sweet?
Plain milk contributes its own flavor, but this recipe contains no added sugar or syrup. Add a measured teaspoon of syrup after tasting if you want a flavored version.
Can I use oat milk?
Yes. A barista-style oat drink is a practical option for frothing. Different brands produce different textures, so follow the carton and frother instructions.
More coffee recipes
Browse all coffee recipes or return to our recipe collection.
Further reading: Latte background. The measured preparation above is a Chroma home starting version.
Illustrative stock photo: Pexels, used under the Pexels license.