Cafe Latte Recipe

Dose and tamp

Measure 18 g of freshly roasted espresso beans and grind to a fine espresso grind. Distribute grounds evenly in the portafilter and tamp with 30–40 lb (13–18 kg) of pressure to create a flat, level puck.

Brew

Brew the espresso using a machine set to extract ~40 ml in 25–30 seconds. Adjust grind size and dose as needed to hit timing and achieve a balanced shot. If using a manual espresso maker or AeroPress, aim for a concentrated 40 ml extraction.

Purge and steam wand prep

Purge the steam wand briefly to remove water. Fill a chilled metal pitcher with 240 ml whole milk (approximately 8 fl oz).

Steam milk

Place the steam wand tip just below the milk surface and turn on steam to introduce air for 3–5 seconds to create microfoam. Then submerge the wand slightly and position to heat milk to 60–65°C (140–149°F). Aim for smooth, velvety microfoam with small bubbles. Tap the pitcher on the counter and swirl to integrate foam and milk.

Pour

Pour the espresso into a warmed cup. Immediately pour steamed milk into the espresso, starting from ~2–3 inches above the cup to integrate, then move closer to create a small milk layer and optional latte art. Finish with a thin layer of microfoam on top. Dust with cocoa or cinnamon if desired.

Chill milk

Use cold whole milk straight from the fridge (240 ml).

Assemble iced latte

Fill a tall glass with ice cubes (about 6, or to taste). Pour cold milk over the ice. Brew a double shot of espresso (40 ml) and let it rest 10–20 seconds to avoid excessive heat. Pour the espresso over the milk and ice so it creates a layered look; stir if you want a uniform drink.

Add optional 15 ml simple syrup or flavored syrup to the cup before adding espresso (hot) or to the milk/ice (iced) and stir to combine. For vanilla, add 2 ml vanilla extract to milk before steaming (hot) or to cold milk (iced) and mix. Dust with 1 tsp cocoa powder or cinnamon on top if desired.

Serve hot latte immediately in a pre-warmed cup (about 300–350 ml capacity) or serve iced over ice in a tall glass. Taste and adjust sweetness. Use lower-fat milk for a lighter texture or plant-based milk (e.g., oat) but note steaming behavior and foam will differ.