Latte (12oz) Recipe

Time7m

Serves1

Make Latte (12oz) Recipe in just 7m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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1
Dose and tamp
Weigh 18 g of freshly ground espresso into a clean portafilter basket. Level the grounds, then tamp with firm, even pressure until the puck surface is smooth and flat.
2
Preheat and brew
Purge the group head briefly, insert the portafilter and start extraction immediately. Brew to yield approximately 36 ml of espresso (ristretto to short double) in about 25–30 seconds. Adjust grind if extraction time falls outside this range. Set the brewed espresso aside in a warmed cup.

3
Prepare pitcher and milk
Pour 8 oz (about 240 ml) whole milk into a chilled 12–20 oz stainless-steel steaming pitcher. Swirl briefly to remove large air bubbles and to coat the pitcher.
4
Stretch and texture milk
Purge the steam wand, then submerge the tip just below the milk surface and open the steam valve to introduce air for 2–3 seconds (you should hear a gentle tearing sound) to create microfoam. After initial stretch, submerge the wand deeper and position it to create a whirlpool; steam until the pitcher side becomes hot to the touch (between 60–65°C / 140–150°F). Aim for silky microfoam with no large bubbles.
5
Polish milk
Turn off steam, wipe and purge the wand. Tap the pitcher on the counter and swirl to break any remaining large bubbles and integrate foam with liquid milk. If milk is slightly cooler than desired, add the optional 0.5 oz warm milk and swirl to reach serving temperature (~65°C).

6
If using sweetener, add it to the warmed 12 oz serving cup. Pour the 36 ml espresso into the cup over the sweetener and gently stir to dissolve.
7
Hold the pitcher close to the cup and begin pouring the milk steadily into the center of the espresso. Start with the milk's liquid and then introduce more foam as the cup fills to create a thin, even layer of microfoam on top. Aim to pour about 8 oz of textured milk to reach 12 oz total volume.
8
Finish with a controlled wiggle or lift to create a simple latte pattern (heart or rosette) if desired. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or cocoa on top to garnish if you like.
9
Serve immediately. Enjoy while hot.