THE PERFECT LATTE IS SO EASY TO MAKE AT HOME
Skip the trip to the cafe, the perfect latte is easy to make right at home, even if you don’t have an espresso machine. There are a few tools, like a milk frother, that make things easier, but other than that, all it takes to make a cafe-style latte at home is a few kitchen tools and essentials. We’re providing steps for a few different methods of mastering this classic coffee drink at home, but no matter which method you use, this recipe is so simple that you’ll be trying your hand at latte art in no time.
How To Make A Latte At Home
INGREDIENTS
- Espresso: The best option for a latte is to use espresso, but a strongly brewed coffee will also work in a pinch. A Moka Pot is a great tool for both espresso and strong coffee, so it works great here.
- Milk: You can use any kind of milk that you prefer, but whole milk will give you the best results when it comes to steaming. With a little practice, non-dairy milks like oat or almond will froth up nicely as well!
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Whether using an espresso machine, a Moka Pot, or another method for brewing your espresso or strong coffee, you’ll want to do that first, so you can add in the steamed milk as soon as it’s ready.
To steam the milk using an espresso machine, simply pour your milk into a frothing pitcher and hold the pitcher under the steam wand so that the wand is inserted into the milk at an angle and just barely dips below the surface. Steam the milk for 1 to 2 seconds, then submerge the wand a little bit deeper, still at an angle, and continue steaming until the milk reaches 140°—you’ll know it has when the sides of the pitcher start to become too hot to handle.
If you don’t have an espresso machine and are using a milk frother, start by heating the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. You’ll want to heat it to 140°—hot to the touch but not hot enough to simmer—before pouring the milk into a frother pitcher. Then, insert the frother about ¾ of the way to the bottom of the pitcher and froth until foamy and thickened.
If you’re using a French press, make sure to choose a microwave-safe press. Pour the milk into the French press and insert the lid and plunger, then pump the milk repeatedly until doubled in volume. Remove the lid (and anything else metal) and place the press into the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds until the milk is sufficiently hot.
Then, pour your steamed milk into the mug with the espresso and enjoy!
The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.
Recipe Tips
- What if you don’t have a milk frother? While it’s certainly the best tool for the job, you can easily use an immersion blender to froth the milk or pour your warmed milk into a French press and pump it until it's nice and foamy. Both of those options will give you bigger foam than a typical latte, but they are still great to use when in a pinch!
- Take things a step further by adding flavored syrups. There are plenty of options for flavored syrups easily available for purchase, or you can make your own flavored simple syrups at home.
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Yields: 1 serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 shots (2-oz.) espresso or strongly brewed coffee
- 6 oz. milk
Directions
- Pour espresso into a coffee mug. If using a steam wand: Pour milk into a frothing pitcher and insert steam wand at an angle just barely below the surface. Steam for 1 to 2 seconds, then submerge wand a little deeper, still at an angle. Steam until sides of pitcher just start to become top hot to handle, or until milk reaches 140°.
- To use a milk frother: In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat milk to 140°. It won't be to a simmer, but hot to the touch. Pour hot milk into a frothing pitcher or tilt saucepan to the side and insert the frother about 3/4 of the way to the bottom and froth until foamy and milk has thickened and looks like melted ice cream.
- To use a French press: Pour milk into a large microwave-safe French press. Insert the plunger and lid of the French press and pump the milk until doubled in volume. Remove lid (and anything else metal) and microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, watching carefully to make sure milk doesn’t overflow.
- Pour steamed milk into espresso.
