A honey latte is a delicious blend of espresso (or strong coffee), steamed milk, and a touch of honey for natural sweetness.
It’s creamy, smooth, and lightly sweetened, making it the perfect cozy drink.
Whether you prefer dairy or plant-based milk like oat or almond, the honey latte can easily be customized to fit your preferences.
Plus, you can tweak the sweetness and spice it up with a dash of cinnamon for extra flavor.
This versatile drink is simple to make and can be enjoyed hot or iced, making it a year-round favorite.
Here’s how to make this delicious drink in a few easy steps!
How To Make A Honey Latte: At A Glance
- Step 1: Brew the Espresso or Strong Coffee
- Step 2: Heat and Froth the Milk
- Step 3: Stir in the Honey
- Step 4: Combine Espresso and Honeyed Milk
- Step 5: Add Optional Toppings
- Step 6: Enjoy!
What is a Honey Latte?
As mentioned earlier, a honey latte is a warm, creamy drink made with espresso (or strong coffee), steamed milk, and honey.
Unlike traditional lattes, often sweetened with sugar or flavored syrups, the honey latte uses honey as a natural sweetener, offering a subtle, rich sweetness.
Its popularity has grown, especially with Starbucks’ introduction of its honey oat milk latte, which features a similar combination.
Making a honey latte at home is simple and only requires a few ingredients: espresso, milk, and honey.
Using honey enhances the flavor and provides potential health benefits, like antioxidants and soothing effects.
Additionally, honey pairs well with various types of milk, making it easy to customize with dairy-free options like oat or almond milk.
Ingredients Needed
- Espresso or Strong Brewed Coffee: 2 ounces of espresso or about ⅓ cup of strong brewed coffee.
- Milk: 1 cup of your choice of milk (dairy, oat milk, almond milk, etc.).
- Honey: 1 tablespoon of raw or local honey for a natural, rich sweetness.
Optional Ingredients
- A pinch of cinnamon for a warm spice.
- ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract for added flavor depth.
- Whipped cream for topping (optional).
- A tiny pinch of sea salt to enhance flavors.
Tools and Equipment Needed
- Espresso Machine: Ideal for brewing a rich shot of espresso, the foundation of a honey latte.
- Aeropress or French Press: Great alternatives to an espresso machine for making strong, concentrated coffee.
- Milk Frother: Optional but recommended for creating creamy, foamy milk that enhances the latte’s texture.
- Milk Steamer: Useful for heating milk to the perfect temperature without scalding it, mimicking café-style steamed milk.
- Thermometer: Helps ensure precise milk heating, so you achieve the perfect frothy consistency without overheating.
How to Make a Honey Latte at Home
Making a honey latte at home is simple and only requires a few steps.
Here’s a breakdown of how to prepare this cozy drink.
Step 1: Brew the Espresso or Strong Coffee
Start by brewing your espresso.
If you have an espresso machine, use it to make a 2-ounce shot of espresso.
If you don’t, you can use a French press or an Aeropress to make a strong brew that mimics espresso.
Simply use more coffee grounds than usual to achieve a stronger flavor.
If using a drip coffee machine, brew double-strength coffee to match the espresso’s boldness.
Step 2: Heat and Froth the Milk
Next, heat 1 cup of milk (dairy or dairy-free options like oat or almond milk) on the stovetop until steaming, but not boiling.
If you have a milk frother, use it to create a creamy foam.
For an extra smooth texture, barista-style oat milk is a great option.
If you don’t have a frother, you can achieve frothy milk by shaking it in a sealed jar or whisking it vigorously on the stovetop.
Step 3: Stir in the Honey
Once your milk is hot and frothy, stir in 1 tablespoon of honey.
You can add the honey directly to the milk or stir it into your coffee first—it’s up to you.
Honey blends best when the milk is warm, ensuring even sweetness throughout your drink.
Step 4: Combine Espresso and Honeyed Milk
Pour your brewed espresso (or strong coffee) into a mug.
Then, slowly add the honey-sweetened milk over the coffee, stirring gently to combine.
The milk should blend smoothly with the coffee, creating a creamy consistency.
Step 5: Optional Toppings
If you’d like, you can top your honey latte with a bit of whipped cream, a drizzle of honey, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor.
These toppings are completely optional but can enhance the drink’s presentation and taste.
Nutritional Information
For a standard honey latte made with whole milk and honey, here’s an approximate breakdown of the nutritional values:
- Calories: 150-200 calories (varies based on milk and honey quantity)
- Sugar: Around 25-30 grams (mainly from honey and milk)
- Fat: 5-8 grams (from whole milk)
- Protein: 6-8 grams (from milk)
- Carbohydrates: 30-35 grams (includes the natural sugars from milk and honey)
If you use plant-based milk like oat or almond milk, the calorie and fat content may vary slightly.
For example, oat milk typically has more carbohydrates, while almond milk is lower in calories and fat.
Additionally, swapping honey for maple syrup or another sweetener will also affect the nutritional value.
Tips for Frothing Without a Frother
If you don’t own a milk frother, you can still get frothy milk.
One easy method is to heat the milk and then shake it vigorously in a sealed jar for about 30 seconds.
Another option is to whisk the milk while heating it on the stovetop, which creates a foamy texture without special tools.
Customizations and Variations
Dairy-Free Versions
If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly or dairy-free honey latte, you can easily swap out regular milk for plant-based options.
Oat milk is an excellent choice as it creates a creamy texture similar to dairy milk.
Almond milk is another popular option for a lighter taste, while coconut milk adds a subtle, tropical flavor.
Vegan Honey Latte
To make a completely vegan honey latte, simply replace the honey with maple syrup.
This substitution provides a similar sweetness while keeping the recipe entirely plant-based.
Maple syrup pairs well with both coffee and milk, delivering a warm, earthy flavor that complements the latte.
You can also experiment with agave syrup as another vegan-friendly sweetener.
Iced Honey Latte
For a refreshing iced version, brew a strong batch of cold brew coffee or chill your espresso after brewing.
In a glass, combine the cold coffee with honey (dissolved in a small amount of warm water for easier mixing) and your choice of cold milk.
Add ice cubes and stir until everything is well combined.
Spices and Flavors
You can easily enhance your honey latte with various spices and flavors.
A sprinkle of cinnamon adds warmth and depth, while a splash of vanilla extract rounds out the drink’s sweetness.
For a unique twist, try adding a hint of lavender syrup or even a dash of nutmeg.
These simple additions allow you to create a latte that’s tailored to your tastes, making each cup a little different from the last.
Health Benefits of Honey in Coffee
Using honey in your coffee offers more than just sweetness; it provides several nutritional and health benefits.
Honey, especially raw or local honey, is packed with antioxidants that help protect your body from free radicals, which can cause cell damage.
These antioxidants are known to support the immune system, helping your body fend off illnesses more effectively.
Additionally, honey is known for its soothing properties, making it a great natural remedy for sore throats and coughs.
It also aids digestion, thanks to its prebiotic qualities that help nourish good bacteria in your gut.
Raw or local honey is preferred over processed honey because it retains more of these beneficial nutrients.
Unlike processed honey, which may lose important enzymes and antioxidants during pasteurization, raw honey remains in its natural state, providing a richer flavor and more potent health benefits.
Local honey also has the added advantage of helping with seasonal allergies, as it contains small amounts of pollen that can help your body build resistance over time.
Conclusion
Making a honey latte at home is simple and versatile.
With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy a creamy, naturally sweetened drink tailored to your preferences.
Experiment with different flavors and find what you love.
So why not try it yourself and enjoy a delicious honey latte today?
Have fun!
FAQs
Can I make this recipe without an espresso machine?
Yes, you can use strong brewed coffee or alternatives like Aeropress to achieve a similar espresso-like flavor.
What are the best milk options for a honey latte?
Whole milk provides a creamy texture, but oat milk and almond milk are great dairy-free alternatives that still offer smoothness.
Is honey a good sweetener for coffee?
Yes, honey adds natural sweetness and also offers health benefits like antioxidants.
How can I make a honey latte vegan?
Simply substitute honey with maple syrup and use plant-based milk like oat or almond milk for a completely vegan option.
How can I froth milk at home?
You can use a milk frother, or if you don’t have one, shake hot milk in a sealed jar until frothy.
Both methods will give you the foamy texture you want for your latte.
