ESPRESSO + MILK FAMILY
Latte
A latte is a shot or two of espresso under a large amount of steamed milk with a thin layer of foam. It is the mildest and creamiest of the classic espresso drinks, and the default milky coffee.
- Cup size
- 10-12 oz
- Served
- Hot or iced
- Strength
- 2 / 5 (concentration, not caffeine)
- Caffeine
- ~126 mg typical
The caffeine comes from the 2 oz of espresso, not the milk or the cup size, so a bigger serving with the same espresso carries about the same amount.
WHERE IT SITS
In the cup
What's in a Latte
A latte is defined by milk. A modest amount of espresso goes in first, then a tall pour of steamed milk fills the cup, finished with only a thin cap of foam. Because the milk far outweighs the coffee, the espresso reads as a warm, mellow background flavor rather than a sharp one, giving the latte its famously smooth, comforting character.
That gentle balance is exactly why the latte is so popular and so adaptable. The wide surface of steamed milk is the canvas for latte art, and the mild base takes flavored syrups, spices, and alternative milks without a fight. Ordered plain, it is a soft, creamy cup; dressed up, it is the foundation of half the drinks on a modern cafe menu.
A latte also comes iced, poured over ice with cold milk instead of steamed, which keeps the same mild, milky balance in a longer, cooler form. Hot or cold, the latte is the drink to choose when you want plenty of milk and only a quiet hint of coffee.
- START HERELatte
- Cappuccino
- Espresso Macchiato
How it's built
- 2 oz espresso
- + 9 oz steamed milk
- + thin foam
- Latte10-12 oz
Ordering a Latte
At the counter
A latte comes in a tall cup, hot or iced, and it is the easiest of these drinks to make your own. The large pour of steamed milk is a mild backdrop that takes flavored syrups, spices, and alternative milks without a fight. Ask for an extra shot if you want more coffee to come through, or order it iced, poured over ice instead of steamed.
- Cup size
- 10-12 oz
- Served
- Hot or iced
Variations
Iced Latte
The iced latte is simply the cold version: the same espresso and milk poured over ice instead of steamed together. It drinks longer and lighter than the hot latte but keeps the drink's signature mild, milky balance, which makes it one of the most popular iced coffees.
Make it at home
Making a Latte at home
- Pull a shot or two of espresso.
- Warm a large pour of milk to a smooth, thin foam; a jar shaken hard stands in for a steam wand.
- Pour it over the shot, holding back a thin cap of foam. For an iced latte, skip the heat and pour the shot and cold milk over ice.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is a Latte?
A latte is espresso topped with a large amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam, served in a tall cup. The generous milk makes it the mildest and creamiest of the everyday espresso drinks, and it comes hot or iced.
What's in a Latte / what's the ratio?
A Latte is 2 oz espresso, 9 oz steamed milk, thin foam in a 10-12 oz cup - a little espresso under a lot of steamed milk, with only a thin foam layer.
Is a Latte strong?
On our concentration scale, a Latte rates 2/5. Strength here means how concentrated the coffee tastes - not how much caffeine is in the cup.
How is a Latte different from a Cappuccino?
A cappuccino uses the same espresso but far less milk, balanced by a thick, airy layer of foam in a smaller cup. That makes a cappuccino taste bolder and more coffee-forward, while a latte, with its large pour of milk, stays milder and creamier.
Is a Latte hot or iced?
Both. A Latte is served hot or over ice, whichever you prefer.
How much caffeine is in a Latte?
Around 126 mg is typical for a Latte, scaled from USDA's measured figure for espresso rather than measured in the cup. It is approximate - the real amount shifts with the beans, the roast, and the pour.