Lattes are one of Starbucks’ most popular drink types, offering a creamy balance of espresso and milk that’s endlessly customizable. From classic flavors to seasonal and secret menu options, there’s a latte for every taste. In this guide, you’ll learn how to recreate Starbucks latte drinks at home, adapt them to suit your dietary needs, and explore 50 unique Starbucks-inspired latte drinks to try.
Copycat Starbucks Latte Drink Recipe
Base Ingredients:
- 2 shots (2 oz) of espresso or strong coffee
- 1 cup (8 oz) steamed milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1 tablespoon flavored syrup (optional)
- Optional toppings like whipped cream or spices
Instructions:
- Brew 2 shots of espresso or prepare strong coffee.
- Steam your milk until frothy and creamy.
- Add espresso to a mug and stir in the syrup of your choice.
- Pour the steamed milk over the espresso.
- Top with whipped cream or a dash of spices if desired.
Customizing Latte Drinks for Dietary Goals
Keto-Friendly Latte Adjustments:
- Replace regular milk with heavy cream diluted with water or unsweetened almond milk for a creamy, keto-friendly base.
- Use sugar-free vanilla or caramel syrups for flavor without the carbs.
- Skip sweetened whipped cream and opt for unsweetened heavy cream toppings if desired.
Low-Calorie Latte Swaps:
- Choose nonfat milk or low-calorie plant-based milk like almond or oat milk.
- Sweeten lightly with stevia, monk fruit, or a splash of vanilla extract instead of syrups.
- Minimize calorie-heavy toppings like whipped cream or caramel drizzle.
Vegan Latte Modifications:
- Stick with plant-based milks such as oat, soy, or almond for your latte.
- Use vegan syrups and avoid animal-derived toppings like regular whipped cream.
- Enhance flavor with natural additives like a sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa powder.
Dairy-Free Latte Tweaks:
- Opt for creamy non-dairy milks like coconut or macadamia nut milk for a rich texture.
- Check that your syrups and toppings are dairy-free.
- Experiment with frothing plant-based milk to match the velvety texture of dairy milk.
Sweet or Unsweetened Latte Preferences:
- Add sweetness with honey, agave, or maple syrup for a natural twist, or go unsweetened entirely.
- Enhance flavors naturally by infusing your milk with spices like nutmeg or vanilla pods.
- If going unsweetened, let the natural sweetness of plant-based milk shine through.
50 Starbucks-Inspired Latte Drinks
Hot Latte Drinks
- Classic Latte – Espresso and steamed milk with a thin layer of foam.
- Vanilla Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup.
- Caramel Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, and caramel syrup.
- Hazelnut Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, and hazelnut syrup.
- Cinnamon Dolce Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, and cinnamon dolce syrup.
- Toffee Nut Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, and toffee nut syrup.
- White Chocolate Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, and white chocolate syrup.
- Mocha Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup.
- Chai Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, and chai tea concentrate.
- Pumpkin Spice Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, and pumpkin spice syrup.
Iced Latte Drinks
- Iced Vanilla Latte – Espresso, milk, vanilla syrup, and ice.
- Iced Caramel Latte – Espresso, milk, caramel syrup, and ice.
- Iced Hazelnut Latte – Espresso, milk, hazelnut syrup, and ice.
- Iced White Chocolate Latte – Espresso, milk, white chocolate syrup, and ice.
- Iced Mocha Latte – Espresso, milk, chocolate syrup, and ice.
- Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte – Espresso, milk, cinnamon dolce syrup, and ice.
- Iced Toffee Nut Latte – Espresso, milk, toffee nut syrup, and ice.
- Iced Honey Oat Milk Latte – Espresso, oat milk, honey syrup, and ice.
- Iced Brown Sugar Latte – Espresso, milk, brown sugar syrup, and ice.
- Iced Coconut Milk Latte – Espresso, coconut milk, and ice.
Frozen Latte Drinks
- Vanilla Bean Latte Frappuccino – Blend espresso, milk, vanilla syrup, and ice.
- Caramel Latte Frappuccino – Blend espresso, milk, caramel syrup, and ice.
- Hazelnut Latte Frappuccino – Blend espresso, milk, hazelnut syrup, and ice.
- Mocha Latte Frappuccino – Blend espresso, milk, chocolate syrup, and ice.
- Cinnamon Dolce Latte Frappuccino – Blend espresso, milk, cinnamon syrup, and ice.
- Pumpkin Spice Latte Frappuccino – Blend espresso, milk, pumpkin spice syrup, and ice.
- White Chocolate Latte Frappuccino – Blend espresso, milk, white chocolate syrup, and ice.
- Salted Caramel Latte Frappuccino – Blend espresso, milk, salted caramel syrup, and ice.
- Chai Latte Frappuccino – Blend espresso, milk, chai concentrate, and ice.
- Matcha Latte Frappuccino – Blend matcha powder, milk, and ice.
Unique Latte Creations
- Honey Lavender Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, honey, and lavender syrup.
- Salted Caramel Mocha Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, and a sprinkle of sea salt.
- Almond Joy Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, chocolate syrup, almond syrup, and coconut syrup.
- Tiramisu Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, and tiramisu-flavored syrup.
- Peppermint White Chocolate Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, white chocolate syrup, and peppermint syrup.
- S’mores Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, chocolate syrup, and marshmallow syrup.
- Maple Pecan Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, maple syrup, and a sprinkle of pecans.
- Raspberry Mocha Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, chocolate syrup, and raspberry syrup.
- Coconut Almond Latte – Espresso, steamed coconut and almond milk, and a touch of sweetener.
- Banana Nut Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, banana syrup, and hazelnut syrup.
Secret Menu Latte Drinks
- Butterbeer Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, caramel syrup, and toffee nut syrup.
- Candy Cane Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, peppermint syrup, and white chocolate syrup.
- Black Forest Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, chocolate syrup, and cherry syrup.
- Nutella Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, hazelnut syrup, and chocolate syrup.
- French Toast Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, brown sugar syrup, and cinnamon.
- Rose Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, and rose syrup.
- Coconut Mocha Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, chocolate syrup, and coconut syrup.
- Caramel Apple Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, caramel syrup, and apple syrup.
- Lavender White Chocolate Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, white chocolate syrup, and lavender syrup.
- Peach Cobbler Latte – Espresso, steamed milk, peach syrup, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
9 Tips for Crafting the Perfect Latte
Master the Milk Froth:
For a latte’s signature creamy texture, froth your milk until it’s smooth with a thin layer of foam. Handheld frothers or stovetop steaming work well for non-dairy options.
Experiment with Espresso Strength:
Use a double shot of espresso for a bolder latte. For a lighter taste, blend one shot with an extra splash of milk.
Infuse Unique Flavors:
Steep cinnamon sticks, vanilla pods, or cardamom in warm milk before frothing to infuse subtle, aromatic flavors.
Make It Picture-Perfect:
Layer espresso over milk for an ombre effect or add a touch of latte art by swirling foam with a toothpick.
Pre-Chill for Iced Lattes:
Brew espresso in advance and chill it before assembling your iced latte to avoid watered-down flavors from melting ice.
DIY Seasonal Syrups:
Create custom syrups with simple syrup and natural ingredients like pumpkin puree, lavender, or fresh fruit extracts.
Plant-Based Milk Hacks:
If using plant-based milk, heat it gently to avoid separation, and froth it well for a smoother finish.
Don’t Forget the Toppings:
Sprinkle a dash of cocoa powder, nutmeg, or crushed nuts for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Play with Proportions:
Adjust the ratio of espresso to milk to suit your taste. Add extra foam for a more cappuccino-like texture or more milk for a creamier drink.
Lattes are endlessly customizable, making them the perfect canvas for creativity. Whether you’re craving a classic hot latte or a refreshing iced treat, these recipes and tips will help you master Starbucks-inspired drinks at home!