Sometimes simple is best. That’s what I love about this vanilla latte – it’s so simple, yet so good! The key to making any good latte is the quality of ingredients that you use. This coffee is easy to make, but the better the ingredients – the better the latte! Let’s start talking about what a latte is, what ingredients you need and then how to make it.

What is a vanilla latte?

A classic latte is made with hot espresso and topped with steamed milk. So the espresso is at the bottom and steamed milk is on top. There can be a layer of foam on top of the steamed milk, but I prefer whipped cream! The vanilla version has a few extras that make it sweet and creamy!

Vanilla Latte Ingredients

You only need 3 ingredients for this easy latte – the other 2 are optional. You will need:

• espresso
• milk
• vanilla syrup
• whipped cream
• caramel syrup

Espresso – There are a few options for espresso here. You can use a traditional espresso maker to pull a shot of espresso for this drink. You can also use instant espresso as well. If you have a Nespresso machine – that will work! If you don’t have any access to espresso, you can use hot coffee.

Milk – The beauty of making drinks at home is you can use whatever you like! Feel free to use your favorite milk in this latte. Whole milk is customary in lattes at coffee shops, but you can use any.

Vanilla syrup – Homemade vanilla syrup would make the best latte, but feel free to use any vanilla syrup. Think Torani brand syrups. I would suggest making homemade syrup if you plan on making your own homemade coffees often.

Whipped cream – This one is optional, but so good on top! Homemade whipped cream is my favorite but any type of whipped cream works for the toppings.

Caramel sauce – Ooey gooey caramel sauce is the perfect addition to this latte! You can add it to the top or the inside of the glass. I love my homemade caramel sauce (are you seeing a trend here?) but any caramel will work!

How to make a vanilla latte

Once you have all your ingredients gathered, you are half way to drinking a delicious vanilla latte! There are 3 main steps that are simple and quick.

Step 1: Make the espresso. Either pull a shot of espresso, make an instant shot of espresso or pour 1 cup of hot coffee in a glass or mug. I would add the vanilla syrup to the cup first and then give it a big stir after adding the espresso.

Step 2: Steam the milk. If you have an espresso machine, you can use your milk frother to steam the milk. If not, you can do it on the stove top! Gently warm the milk in a sauce pan over medium heat. Once it’s hot, use a whisk to vigorously stir until foamy. Pour the warm milk over the espresso.

Step 3: Top with whipped cream. Cover the steamed milk with whipped cream and then add a little caramel drizzle to the top. Sip and enjoy!

Vanilla Latte Tips and Tricks

This latte is simple to make and I would even say it’s beginner friendly, but I wanted to share some frequently asked questions and tips.

What type of coffee do I need for a latte? You will need either espresso or hot, strong coffee. The better the quality of the coffee, the better your latte will turn out.

You can use a high quality instant espresso in place of regular espresso. Be sure to use hot water when making the instant espresso. 

What vanilla syrup do I need? Store bought syrup such as Torani works great in this latte. You can also try homemade, which would improve the quality of your latte!

Looking to make an iced version? Try my iced vanilla latte!

Vanilla Latte

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Ingredients

• 1 cup hot, fresh brewed coffee
• 2 tablespoons vanilla syrup
• 1 cup of milk
• whipped cream and caramel for topping

Instructions

Mix together the vanilla syrup and hot coffee (or espresso).

Add the milk.

Top with whipped cream and caramel sauce.

Enjoy!

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