If you simply must start your day with a dose of caffeine, perfecting the art of the homemade vegan latte should be high-priority on your list. You’ll still get your brewed coffee or iced coffee fix. But unlike a traditional latte, with a vegan latte recipe, you’ll be serving up and sipping on a delicious pick-me-up sans the usual dairy and refined sugar that could be undermining your diet and lifestyle goals.
Plus, these iced lattes rely on wholesome ingredients and non dairy milk for sweetness and flavor. You’ll be reaping a whole host of potential health benefits based on your chosen recipe, too. Choosing vegan lattes might also help you stick to a restricted calorie diet and help you cut down on your saturated fat intake.1
Read on for a base recipe and technique and flavorful vegan riffs on trendier takes that taste just as good — if not better — than any high-end latte you’ll find at fancy coffee shops.
The Best Ever Dairy Free Latte
This basic latte recipe works for any kind of non-dairy milk. All you need to focus on is brewing your favorite coffee in your coffee maker and finding a way to froth your milk to get that characteristic light and creamy latte foam.
Ingredients
- ½ cup non-dairy milk of choice (almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, etc.)
- 6 oz brewed coffee (use fresh coffee grounds for best results — now’s your chance to support a good coffee program)
Instructions
- Warm up milk over medium heat. You can use a microwave for heating milk — just choose a microwave-safe cup and heat for about 45 seconds.
- Once warmed, whisk steamed milk vigorously in the cup until light and foamy (about 30 seconds). No need for a fancy milk frother (but by all means use it if you already have one) — a small wire whisk does the job well.
- Slowly pour the brewed coffee into the cup with frothed milk. Alternatively, you can spoon the froth over your mug of coffee for that coffeehouse look.2
Prefer A Flavored Or Sweetened Latte? Here Are Your Options
If you want a sweeter treat, here’s what you can do without resorting to refined white sugar.
- Add a couple of teaspoons of a natural sweetener to the dairy-free milk prior to steaming. You can use stevia, monk fruit, maple syrup, coconut sugar, or other vegan sweeteners.
- For a vegan vanilla latte, add a quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract to the warmed milk before whisking.3
- You can also blend in some pitted medjool dates and a tablespoon or two of nut butter for a richer, creamier vegan latte.4
If you’re ready to take your morning latte or afternoon pick-me-up a notch higher, why not try your hand at making vegan versions of popular coffee chain drinks? Read on for simple recipes for your favorite coffee house mocha latte, as well as seasonal hits such as gingerbread latte and pumpkin spice latte.
How Do You Make A Mocha Latte At Home?
This recipe requires vegan chocolate chips and whipped cream (like coconut whip) — both easy enough to source from larger grocery stores or even online.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup coconut milk (or other non-dairy milk of choice)
- 2 Tbsp vegan chocolate chips
- ½ Tbsp espresso powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp vegan whipped cream
Instructions
- Stir together milk and chocolate chips in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until chips are melted and incorporated into the milk.
- Whisk in the espresso powder and cinnamon until well-blended.
- Turn off heat, and stir vanilla extract in.
- Pour into your cup, and top with a dollop of vegan whipped cream.5
Make it even more decadent with a dusting of cocoa powder, more ground cinnamon, and/ or a couple of tablespoons chocolate syrup swirled on top.
How To Make A Vegan Gingerbread Latte
The warming spices combined with coffee make this beverage a fall favorite, but it’s worth enjoying all year round.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened non-dairy milk of choice
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cloves
- Stevia to desired sweetness
- 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
- 4 Tbsp very hot water
- ¼ cup non-dairy whipped cream (topping)
- A dash each of cinnamon and nutmeg for garnish (or use pre-made gingerbread spice mix)
Instructions
- Stir together milk, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and sweetener in a saucepan over medium heat. Watch it carefully — you want the mixture to get very hot, but not boil. Remove from heat.
- In a large mug, combine espresso powder and water. You can also use leftover espresso shots. If splitting the recipe, divide the espresso powder and water evenly into two smaller mugs.
- Place a strainer over the mugs with the coffee. Strain the hot milk mixture into the mugs. Stir well to incorporate.
- Top with a dollop or swirl of vegan whipped cream and a dusting of gingerbread spice.
- Serve hot. Any gingerbread latte leftovers will keep in the refrigerator and warm up beautifully (but they’re also pretty tasty cold or iced).6
How To Make A Sugar-Free Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte
If you love a cinnamon latte, you’re bound to enjoy this spiced coffee drink. It gets plus points for having real pumpkin in it, too.
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk of choice (almond milk works well here)
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup coconut milk, full-fat (optional)
- Stevia to desired sweetness
- 2 Tbsp vanilla extract
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or to taste)
- ⅔ cup strong black coffee
Instructions
- Combine milk of choice, pumpkin puree, coconut milk (if using), stevia, and vanilla in a small saucepan. Gently warm over medium heat — don’t let it boil.
- Remove from heat and use a small whisk to stir in the coffee and pumpkin pie spice. Keep whisking vigorously until drink is foamy.7
How Do You Make A Turmeric Latte?
Are you craving something tasty– but without coffee? A vegan turmeric latte is a nutritious drink that’s just as creamy as your usual coffee-based latte, but it doesn’t call for any espresso or caffeine. It instead uses golden milk (a healthy beverage made from ground or fresh turmeric). If you’re avoiding caffeine but still want a rich and creamy beverage to sip on, this turmeric latte might be for you.
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond milk
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Stevia
- A dash of black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Heat milk gently in a saucepan. Don’t let it come to a boil.
- Once hot, remove from heat and stir in the rest of the ingredients. Pour into a mug.
- Whisk or use a milk frother to achieve a light and frothy consistency.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or spice as needed. Serve hot.8
A Coffee Shop Experience Right In Your Kitchen
These recipes prove you don’t have to go far to enjoy a tasty latte, whether warm or iced. You might have all the ingredients and tools you need in your own kitchen right now. Just stock up on coffee grounds or espresso powder, a good selection of non dairy milk, and invest in a good whisk to get that trademark froth.
Learn More:
Check Out These Delicious Fruit Infused Water Recipes: Healthy Drink Options
The Surprising Truth About Drinking Coffee
How to Make Nut Milk (it’s easier than you think!)
Sources
1 http://tomorrows.kitchen/articles/benefits-plant-based-milk
2 https://amindfullmom.com/diy-latte/
3 https://amindfullmom.com/diy-latte/
4 https://detoxinista.com/instant-vegan-latte/
5 https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/278676/vegan-mocha-latte/
6 https://www.thespruceeats.com/vegan-gingerbread-latte-3371631
7 https://wholefully.com/vegan-pumpkin-spice-latte/
8 https://simpleveganblog.com/turmeric-latte/