How to Make a Hot Almond Latte (Step-by-Step)
Making a hot almond latte at home is easier than you might think. Basically, all it takes is a few ingredients, a little frothing, and five minutes of your time.
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.