Sometimes the simplest of luxuries can bring so much joy to our daily routine. That’s why I’m excited to share with you my latest obsession: a delicious homemade Honey Latte Recipe. Trust me when I say that once you’ve tried this recipe, you won’t want to go back to your regular coffee shop latte!
I normally make this recipe hot, with cinnamon and vanilla, which is perfect for those cozy moments. But as the weather warms up, I’ve also adapted the recipe to make an iced latte that’s just as refreshing and delicious. And the best part? You only need simple ingredients to add a little extra to your daily coffee without breaking the bank!
WHAT IS A LATTE?
The word “latte” comes from the Italian caffè latte, which means “milk coffee.”
The standard ratio is approximately 1:3, which means that for every shot of espresso, you would use about 3 ounces of steamed milk.
Of course, this ratio can be adjusted depending on your personal preference. Some people like their lattes with a stronger espresso flavor, so they may opt for a double shot of espresso or use less milk in the mixture. On the other hand, if you prefer a milder flavor, you can increase the amount of steamed milk.
I'm not a coffee snob. The kind of coffee you use, whether it be espresso, drip coffee, instant, or brewed, is not super important; if it tastes good and makes a good latte, that's all that matters!
You can read my thoughts on Artisanal Coffee here!
Because Lattes are made using so much milk, it requires a really strong coffee for the best results, which is why an espresso shot is recommended for making a latte.
Coffee lovers suggest dark roast arabica beans as the best coffee beans for lattes. Robusta beans, though the second most sold bean on the market, has a very different flavor profile and is known for their bitter taste. You can counteract this by using light roasts and a little extra sweet honey.
Making a good espresso at home requires an espresso machine. Alternatively, an Aeropress or a Moka Pot. According to James Hoffman, both are great option for making espresso at home.
Using regular coffee risks producing a watery, weak latte.
However, using brewed coffee instead of espresso as the coffee base of a latte may not result in a ‘true latte‘; it will produce a coffee beverage that closely resembles a Café au Lait. This French beverage consists of equal parts regular strong coffee and steamed milk, resulting in a similar taste and appearance to a latte made with brewed coffee.
Honestly, I’m not a coffee snob. The kind of coffee you use, whether it be espresso, drip coffee, instant, or brewed, is not super important; if it tastes good and makes a good latte, that’s all that matters!
A milk frother is a utensil for making milk froth, typically to be added to the coffee (cappuccino, latte, etc.). It aerates the milk, creating a thick but light foam. Milk frothers were introduced through the use of espresso machines that contained a steam wand that would froth and steam milk.
When using a steamer, it is best to use cold milk and a chilled pitcher. It only takes about 20 seconds to both heats and froths the milk using a milk frother. I don’t have one of these, but it hasn’t stopped me from enjoying homemade latte and cappuccino!
There are a couple of ways to get a similar milk foam without a fancy machine, and I’ll go through these below.
A manual milk foamer – This one is similar to the one I have, and it has a rounded knob on top, which I find to be a crucial feature when manually foaming milk.
- A French press – Most homes have an Ikea French press stashed somewhere! I love mine as it’s made of stainless steel. Fifteen years of use has removed the outer coating, which was once a copper color, but it still functions as though it was new! If you’re planning to invest in a new French press, it’s really worthwhile sourcing one that is double-walled like this one.
You may need to give your French press an extra clean and take apart the small bits of the filter to make sure there are no coffee grinds hiding there that will taint the flavor of the milk. You can even give it a little soak in hot water with some baking powder to ensure no nasty flavors. Preheat the french press using hot water. This will help to maintain the temperature of the milk. - A battery-driven milk frother – I think I am the only one in my group of friends that doesn’t have one of these. They won’t develop the microfoam that the other tools can manage but doesn’t take up much space in a kitchen drawer and is a handy little contraption to jazz up your morning coffee in little to no time. These small battery-operated gadgets can be found at most kitchen supply stores and are relatively inexpensive. Simply heat up your milk, place the frother in the milk, and turn it on.
- If you don’t have any of the tools listed above, you can use a whisk to work up a froth – it won’t foam to the same extent but does aerate enough for a babyccino or to jazz up a hot chocolate or a coffee. Alternatively, you can use a mason jar, some oven gloves, and a little elbow grease to aerate the milk and create some foam.
Cosy Honey Latte Recipe
You will need:
An espresso maker, Aeropress or Moka pot for a true espresso.. but any coffee maker that can make strong coffee will do!
A milk frother or one of the above alternatives. I use a manual milk frother.
A food thermometer is really helpful – Using a pot on the stove rather than a microwave ensures that the temperature doesn’t go over 70°/ 160°F– the temperature at which milk begins to break down irreversibly, causing it to change in flavor and chemistry.
A small saucepan
A large coffee cup or heat-resistant glass
Ingredients
1 shot of espresso or extra strong coffee
1 cup of milk of choice
A generous pinch of ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 -1 teaspoon good quality honey
How to Make a Honey Latte
1. Heat some water to nearly boiling. Use the hot water to preheat your French press, manual milk frother if using, or mason jar if using.
2. Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Aim for 65°C / 140°F – A food thermometer is helpful but not essential. It’s tricky to gauge the temperature without one.
3. In the meantime, prepare the espresso and add the honey, cinnamon, and vanilla to the cup and stir well to combine.
4. Use a handheld frother or French press to create a silky foam with the warm milk. If using the lidded jar method, transfer your milk to the jar and place the lid on tight. Using oven gloves or a thick towel to protect your hands from the hot milk, shake the jar vigorously for a minute or two. The milk doesn’t need to be as foamy as it would if making a cappuccino.
5. Pour the foamy milk on top of the hot coffee. Add a drizzle of honey and a pinch of cinnamon on top of your lattes, and Voila!
Variations to try
Being Irish, I’m partial to an Irish coffee every now and then. Adding a dash of Jameson or your preferred whiskey will enhance the warmth and flavor of the coffee, creating an ideal coffee for a special occasion or a cozy after-dinner moment by the fire.
Cardamom is another wonderful spice that works beautifully with coffee. A tiny sprinkle on top of your cup of coffee is enough to add aroma without adding grittiness. Alternatively, you can add one or two whole, crushed cardamom seeds to your coffee as you brew.
If you prefer a stronger latte. you can of course, use a double shot of espresso. You can add as much honey as you like to adjust the sweetness of your latte according to your taste buds.
Iced Honey Latte Recipe
You will need:
A milk frother – or one of the above alternatives. Milk foams best when it is cold and makes a really creamy latte.
A tall glass
An espresso machine, Aeropress or Moka pot for a true espresso, a coffee machine that can make extra strong coffee
Ingredients
1 shot of espresso or extra strong coffee. You can also use cold brew coffee made in an Aeropress.
1 cup of milk of your choice
A generous pinch of ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 – 1 teaspoon good quality honey – you can use raw honey for this recipe if you add it to cold coffee.
5-10 ice cubes or crushed ice to fill a large glass
How to make an iced honey latte
1. Prepare your espresso shot and add the honey, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir thoroughly to combine and place in the refrigerator to cool slightly while you prepare the milk.
2. Foam the milk foam using one of the methods I mentioned above.
3. Add the ice to your glass, and pour over the frothed milk and espresso mixture.
Add a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon and serve!
Variations to try
Rum’s natural sweetness pairs so well with this iced latte! The darker the rum, the better.
Vegan Honey Latte
Both of these recipes can easily be made vegan by substituting regular milk with dairy-free milk. Oatmilk is my personal preference. Barista blends make the best foam!
You can also use vegan-friendly sweeteners like maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey or make your own Masala Syrup!
When you make your own latte at home, you have complete control over what goes into it. Coffee shops often add lots of sugar and artificial flavorings to their lattes, which can mask the natural taste of the coffee and can often be too sweet.
A homemade latte made with simple, wholesome ingredients like honey, milk, and espresso not only tastes better, but it’s also a healthier alternative to coffee shop lattes. You can adjust the sweetness and flavor to your liking and experiment with different types of milk and spices to create a personalized latte that perfectly suits your taste buds.
Plus, making your own latte at home is a great way to save money in the long run, allowing you to enjoy a treat without breaking the bank. So, ditch the additives and whip up a honey latte that’s both delicious and good for you!
If you enjoyed this recipe, I would love it if you would give it 5 stars and let me know in the comments below!
Hi, I’m Holly. Welcome to my site!
I love sharing my knowledge of foraging and simple, back-to-basics cooking so you’ll find some great recipes here, many inspired by my life in Sweden and my Irish roots.
I’m also a potter, passionate about connecting with other artists so you’ll also find inspiring interviews with fellow potters from around the world!
Whether you love pottery or simply looking for a new recipe, I hope you’ll find inspiration here!
Home-made Honey Latte Recipe With Cinnamon and Vanilla
Honey is one of those ingredients that adds so much flavor, not just sweetness like regular sugar. I love how it compliments the bitterness of strong espresso and the creamy texture of milk foam. This recipe can be made two ways, hot or iced, both are divine!
Ingredients
- 1 shot of espresso or extra strong coffee
- 1 cup of milk of choice
- A generous pinch of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla powder
- 1/2 -1 teasoon good quality honey
- 5 - 10 ice cubes if making Iced Honey Latte
Instructions
You will need:
An espresso maker, Aeropress or Moka pot for a true espresso.. but any coffee maker that can make strong coffee will do!
A milk frother, French press or Mason jar.
A food thermometer is really helpful.
1. Heat some water to nearly boiling. Use the hot water to preheat your French press, manual milk frother if using, or mason jar if using.
2. Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Aim for 65°C / 140°F – A food thermometer is helpful but not essential. It’s tricky to gauge the temperature without one.
3. In the meantime, prepare the espresso and add the honey, cinnamon, and vanilla to the cup and stir well to combine.
4. Use a handheld frother or French press to create a silky foam with the warm milk. If using the lidded jar method, transfer your milk to the jar and place the lid on tight. Using oven gloves or a thick towel to protect your hands from the hot milk, shake the jar vigorously for a minute or two. The milk doesn't need to be as foamy as it would if making a cappuccino.
5. Pour the foamy milk on top of the hot coffee. Add a drizzle of honey and a pinch of cinnamon on top of your lattes, and Voila!
For Iced Honey Latte:
1. Prepare your espresso shot and add the honey, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir thoroughly to combine and place in the refrigerator to cool slightly while you prepare the milk.
2. Now, it's time to create some milk foam using one of the methods I mentioned above.
3. Add the ice to your glass, and pour over the frothed milk and espresso mixture. Take some extra care to pour the coffee into the center of the glass to create a beautiful marble effect.
Add a drizzle of honey, and serve!
Notes
If you prefer a stronger latte. you can of course use a double shot of espresso. You can add as much honey as you like to adjust the sweetness of your latte according to your taste buds.
Both of these recipes can easily be made vegan by substituting regular milk with dairy-free milk. Oatmilk is my personal preference. Barista blends make the best foam!
You can also use vegan-friendly sweeteners like maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey.
If you enjoyed this recipe, your going to love this Irresistible Dark Chocolate Soup with Salted Butterscotch.
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