How to Make an Almond Latte (Easy Vegan Recipe)
Last updated on August 19th, 2025 at 02:01 pm
With so many flavors and variations, it’s easy to skip over some truly delicious ones.
That happened to me here on Coffee Voilà. I’ve shared recipes for all kinds of drinks, but I realized I forgot to mention one I make from time to time.
And honestly, it’s one of my favorites. Probably because I’ve always loved the taste of almonds.
I love almond cakes, almond cookies, even a handful of roasted almonds… you name it, I’m there. So naturally, bringing that nutty flavor into coffee makes sense.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to make an Almond Latte step by step, and give you simple tips so you can easily whip it up at home. So let’s start brewing!
What Is an Almond Latte?
An almond latte is really simple when you break it down: espresso (or strong coffee), almond milk, and a splash of almond syrup. That’s it.
But when those three come together, it tastes like something you’d expect from a fancy coffee shop menu. Plus, it’s one of the easiest DIY lattes you can whip up in under 5 minutes.
What I love is how versatile it is?
You can enjoy it steaming hot in the morning or iced in the afternoon when you need something refreshing. Furthermore, almond lattes are naturally dairy-free and vegan-friendly. So they’re perfect if you’re cutting back on dairy or want a lighter option than whole milk.
Notes: If you’re an almond fan, this drink feels like the ultimate treat. The nutty syrup amplifies the almond milk instead of clashing with it.
How to Make a Hot Almond Latte (Step-by-Step)
Equipment
- Espresso machine, moka pot, or French press
- Milk frother, French press (for pumping), or a mason jar with a lid
- Small saucepan or microwave-safe cup (for heating almond milk)
- Tall mug for serving
- Spoon for stirring
Ingredients
- Fresh espresso (or strongly brewed coffee, moka pot coffee, or instant espresso if that’s all you’ve got)
- Almond milk (barista-style almond milk froths better than regular. It's worth the extra buck, trust me)
- Almond syrup, you can buy it bottled (Torani or Monin are good brands) or make it at home with sugar, water, and almond extract.
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, or cocoa powder
Instructions
- Step 1) Brew your espresso or coffee: Make one or two shots of espresso using your machine. If you don’t own one, use a moka pot for that rich, concentrated flavor. Otherwise, French press coffee can work too. But keep it stronger than your normal brew so it doesn’t get lost under the milk.
- Step 2) Heat the almond milk: Pour about ¾ cup of almond milk into a saucepan and warm it over low heat until it’s steaming, but not boiling. Otherwise, it can taste a little “burnt.” If you’d rather keep it simple, the microwave works too. Just make sure to watch it closely so it doesn’t bubble over.
- Step 3) Froth the almond milk: If you’ve got a frother, go to town until it’s silky and has a nice foam layer. No frother? Pump it up and down in a French press or shake it like crazy in a mason jar (just be careful, hot liquid and loose lids are a messy combo).
- Step 4) Mix in almond syrup: Stir 1–2 tablespoons of almond syrup into your hot espresso. One tablespoon makes it subtle; two makes it taste like liquid marzipan candy. Adjust depending on your sweet tooth.
- Step 5) Combine and garnish: Pour the steamed almond milk over your coffee, then spoon the foam on top. Next, finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, cocoa, or nutmeg for that coffeehouse touch.
Notes
Personal tip:
I like to froth a little extra almond milk foam and save it in a small bowl. After sipping halfway through the latte, I scoop that foam back in.Tips for the Perfect Almond Latte
If you’ve ever made an almond latte at home and thought, “eh, this tastes a little flat,” don’t worry. I’ve been there too. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that can make your lattes consistently delicious.
1 – Barista Almond Milk
The fact is that not all almond milk is created equal. The regular cartons from the grocery store? They don’t froth well, and sometimes they even separate in hot coffee.
On the other hand, barista blends are made to handle heat and foam beautifully. A few I’ve had great luck with are Califia Barista Blend, Almond Breeze Barista, and Silk Barista Edition. Of course, they cost a bit more, but the difference in texture is night and day.
2 – Adjust Sweetness
Almond syrup is sweet. For this reason, I’d recommend starting with 1 tablespoon per latte. If you want that stronger, marzipan-like flavor, bump it up to 2 tablespoons.
3 – Less Milk
If you’re making your almond latte with brewed coffee instead of espresso, here’s a key adjustment: use less milk.
Espresso is concentrated, but regular coffee gets drowned out easily. I usually go half a cup of almond milk to keep the flavor balanced. Otherwise, you end up with a coffee-flavored almond milk instead of a proper latte.
4 – Homemade Almond Syrup
Store-bought almond syrup is convenient, but homemade is next level. It tastes fresher, richer, and you can control the sweetness.
I’ve even messed up the sugar-to-water ratio once, and it still turned out better than the bottled stuff.
Notes: If you’re curious, I’ve got a separate guide that walks you through how to make almond syrup at home.
5 – Pair Almond with Fruit Syrups
This might sound odd, but almond syrup pairs ridiculously well with fruity flavors. I tried blueberry + almond on a whim last summer, and it reminded me of a pastry with coffee, like a blueberry danish in a cup.
Also, blackberry works as well if you want something more tart. It’s not the “classic” way. However, experimenting with flavor combos is half the fun of making lattes at home.
Almond Latte: Nutrition Benefits
The reason is that almond lattes are so much lighter compared to the whole milk lattes you’d make at home or grab at a café. The flavor is still amazing, but nutritionally, it’s a win-win. Anyway, here are a few more details in case you’re curious:
| Benefit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Lower in calories than whole milk lattes | A standard almond latte can shave off 50–100 calories compared to using whole milk, depending on how much milk you use. |
| Dairy-free and vegan-friendly | Perfect if you’re lactose-intolerant, plant-based, or just trying to cut back on dairy without sacrificing your morning latte ritual. |
| Vitamin E + healthy fats | Almond milk is naturally a source of vitamin E, which supports skin health, and it has a small amount of good fats that give it that silky texture. |
| Can be made sugar-free | If you swap out standard almond syrup for monk fruit, stevia, or another sugar-free syrup, you’ve got yourself a low-carb almond latte that still tastes sweet. |
Last Thoughts
Have you tried making an almond latte at home yet? I’d love to hear how it turned out for you.
Did you discover any tricks, favorite syrups, or topping ideas along the way? Please, drop your experience in the comments. So we can swap tips and maybe inspire someone else’s next cup. And with that… voilà.
