How to Make a Latte
Posted Apr 19, 2026
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Learn how to make the best latte at home with this easy latte recipe. With the perfect espresso to milk ratio, only three ingredients, and lots of tips for success, you can make a rich & frothy, café-quality latte in minutes, saving you lots of time and money.
If you love starting your morning with a smooth latte with a bold espresso flavor, you’re going to love how easy it is to make one at home!
With just 3 ingredients in mere minutes, you can make the best latte recipe that tastes like it came straight from your favorite coffee shop — no barista required (although you will need an espresso machine). Once you learn this method, your daily latte becomes less of a splurge ($$$), and more of a delicious pick-me-up you can enjoy anytime.
Because once I learned how to make a latte at home, I stopped going out for coffee as much. Instead, I make a latte myself – which saves so much money. Plus, you don’t have to leave the house, wait in line, or risk getting your order wrong – a total win!
But the best reason to make lattes at home? You get to customize them exactly the way you love. Prefer them extra creamy? Add more milk or use heavy cream (10/10 recommend). Want them stronger? Add in an extra shot of espresso. Need a little sweetness? Stir in some honey or sugar. You’ll be able to dial it in to make the perfect latte – for you!
Latte Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions
This latte recipe truly is highly customizable. There are many ways you can doctor up this base recipe to be exactly what you want!
- 2 Shots Espresso. I have this espresso machine and it changed my life. There are many more inexpensive espresso machines! You can add another shot if you like a super strong latte.
- ½ cup whole milk. I use a mix of half whole milk and half heavy cream if I’m wanting a richer latte. You can use any milk you prefer – 2%, coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, half and half or heavy cream.
- Honey or sugar. If you want to add sweetness to your latte, I suggest a 1-3 teaspoons of honey for the best flavor (and no refined sugar). You can use any sweetener of your choice. Or you can make this simple syrup!
- Adding flavors. You can add vanilla extract, a dash of cinnamon, your favorite flavored syrup, etc. to give it a unique spin.
How to Make a Latte
I’m going to walk through how to make a latte at home with lots of tips and step-by-step instructions to ensure your success! Don’t forget to watch the video for further guidance.
Begin by putting your sweetener of choice in a mug (be sure it fits in your espresso machine and is large enough to hold the volume of the milk and espresso – about 14 to 18 ounces).
I like to pull a shot over the sweetener because it helps stir and dissolve it easily.
Then, grind your espresso beans and tamp them down. I have this espresso machine and it’s the best. It’s more than paid for itself with how much coffee we drink and how little we go out for it now.
Next, brew two shots of espresso into your mug. I prefer to brew it directly into the mug like I mentioned above.
However if you don’t have a mug large enough, you can brew the espresso into a smaller mug and pour it into a larger one.
Then, froth the milk. There are a few ways I suggest frothing the milk. First, if your espresso machine has a milk frother you can do it there.
Second, use an electric frother. I love this because it froths the milk perfectly every time without adding water (like your espresso machine does), giving you a stronger latte. Plus, it can froth while the espresso is brewing, saving time!
Or use a handheld milk frother and froth the milk in a glass container. This is also a great option if you don’t want to add water to your milk while it’s frothing.
Then, however you decide to do it, once your milk is nice and frothy, pour it into the espresso shots in your mug and stir until it’s nice and creamy.
Serve
Drink the latte immediately so it’s nice and warm. I always drink my coffee after I’ve eaten breakfast – because I save the best for last obviously. It pairs so well with any and all of your favorite breakfast recipes.
Store
If you find yourself with unfinished lattes, you can store them in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Then, enjoy them as iced lattes later or reheat them in the microwave. No, the milk won’t be frothy. Yes, it will still taste good and you won’t waste ingredients.
Latte Recipe FAQS
A latte (short for caffè latte) is a drink made with espresso and steamed milk, typically topped with a small amount of milk foam.
Technically yes, but also no. You can use a machine like a Nespresso if you have one (this is how I started making lattes. years ago). Or brew strong (really strong) coffee. However, I recommend investing in even a simple espresso machine if you love making lattes at home.
Personally, I use half heavy cream and half whole milk because it makes the creamiest latte ever. However just about every and any form of milk works great, whole, 2%, half and half, heavy cream, coconut milk, oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, etc.
This is another scenario when a frother is almost necessary for a latte. You can try one of these methods:
– Shake the warm milk vigorously in a glass jar, or
– Blend the milk on high until smooth and frothy.
I personally think the ideal latte ratio is in this recipe – 2 shots of espresso with ½ cup milk (4 ounces).
There are so many ways you can sweeten a latte:
– Honey
– Brown Sugar
– Granulated Sugar
– Maple Syrup
– Flavored Syrups
Milk should be about 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius).
If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!
Latte Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 shots espresso
- ½ cup whole milk (4 ounces)
- 1 to 3 teaspoons honey (or sugar, to taste)
Instructions
- Measure desired amount of honey or sugar into a 12 to 16 ounce mug.
- Brew 2 shots of espresso into the mug.
- Use an electric or handheld frother to froth ½ cup milk.
- Pour the frothed milk into the espresso and stir.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- 2 Shots Espresso. You can add another shot if you like a super strong latte, or only use one for a lighter latte.
- ½ cup whole milk. I use a mix of half whole milk and half heavy cream if I’m wanting a richer latte. You can use any milk you prefer – 2%, coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, half and half or heavy cream.
- Honey or sugar. If you want to add sweetness to your latte, I suggest a 1-3 teaspoons of honey for the best flavor (and no refined sugar). You can use any sweetener of your choice. Or you can make this simple syrup!
- Adding flavors. You can add vanilla extract, a dash of cinnamon, your favorite flavored syrup, etc. to give it a unique spin.
- Espresso machine. I have this espresso machine and it changed my life. There are many more inexpensive espresso machines!
- Milk frother. I suggest this automatic milk frother. I use mine every day. Or you can use this handheld frother.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
