August 24, 2025

Homemade Vanilla Latte Recipe | Easy Café-Style Coffee

A vanilla latte is a comforting café classic made with rich espresso, silky steamed milk, and a touch of sweet vanilla.

It is, no doubt, one of the most popular flavored coffee drinks worldwide, loved for its smooth balance of espresso, creamy milk, and sweet vanilla.

Found in nearly every café menu, it’s a go-to choice for coffee lovers who want a touch of flavor without being overpowering.

While a vanilla latte at a coffee shop typically costs $4–$6, making it at home is both easy and much more affordable. Plus, you can customize it to your taste.

This homemade version is quick, easy, and brings that cozy coffeehouse flavor right to your kitchen, perfect for mornings or an afternoon pick-me-up.

Classic Vanilla Latte

CoffeeRecipeIdeas

A vanilla latte is a creamy coffee drink made with espresso, steamed milk, and a touch of sweet vanilla flavor. Simple, yet classy.

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Prep Time 3

Cook Time 5

Total Time 8

Course Drinks

Cuisine Italian

Servings 1

Calories 255 kcal

Equipment

Coffee maker – espresso machine, moka pot, French press, or drip coffee maker (for brewing espresso/strong coffee)
Milk frother – handheld frother, steam wand, French press (for frothing), or whisk
Small saucepan – if heating milk on the stove
Measuring spoons/cups – for vanilla syrup, sugar, and milk
Spoon – to stir and to hold back foam while pouring
Mug or latte glass – for serving

Ingredients

2 oz Freshly brewed espresso or 4 oz (1/2 cup) freshly brewed strong coffee
1 cup Whole milk or a substitute of your choice
1 tbsp Vanilla syrup
1 tsp Sugar or sweetener This is optional, and adjust the quantity according to your taste
Whipped cream for garnish (optional)
Cinnamon or cocoa powder for dusting (optional)

Instructions

Brew the Coffee: Brew a 2 oz. (1/4 cup) shot of espresso or brew a half cup of any of your preferred strong coffee. For the best flavor, use freshly ground coffee beans. If using a French press, let the coffee steep for about 4 minutes before plunging.
Heat the Milk: Heat 1 cup of whole milk (or your preferred milk substitute) in a saucepan or microwave until warm but not boiling.
Froth the Milk: To create a café-like texture, use a milk frother or whisk vigorously until the milk becomes creamy and foamy, but do not add it to the coffee yet.
Flavor the Coffee: Add the vanilla syrup to the hot coffee and stir well. If you like your latte sweeter, mix in the sugar or sweetener at this stage so it dissolves completely.
Combine the Coffee and Milk: Slowly pour the steamed milk into the coffee, holding back the foam with a spoon. Once most of the milk is in, gently spoon the froth on top for that signature latte look.
Garnish and serve: If desired, top with whipped cream and lightly sprinkle cinnamon or cocoa powder for extra aroma and visual appeal. Serve and enjoy immediately while hot.

Notes

About the ingredients:

Use a French press or an espresso machine for making espresso, or any coffee machine for making strong coffee.

I recommend using whole milk for creaminess. But if you desire a dairy or lactose-free option, then oat/almond/lactose-free milk is just fine.

Vanilla syrup can be store-bought or homemade.

Additional Nutritional Info

Here’s a calorie comparison chart for a 12-oz vanilla latte (2 shots of espresso + 2 tbsp vanilla syrup).

Calories are approximate:

Milk Type (8–9 oz steamed)	Milk Calories	Syrup Calories	Espresso Calories	Total Calories
Whole milk	~150	~100	~5	~255
2% milk	~120	~100	~5	~225
Skim milk	~80	~100	~5	~185
Oat milk	~120–130	~100	~5	~225–235
Almond milk (unsweetened)	~30–40	~100	~5	~135–145
Soy milk	~100	~100	~5	~205
Coconut milk (carton)	~45	~100	~5	~150