Delicious Maple Latte Recipe
The latte is a classic coffee drink we’ve come to know and love. However, sometimes the basics are boring, so it’s fun to switch things up a little. This maple latte recipe is uncomplicated and creates a beverage that’s both light and delicious.
Maple flavors remind us of fall and winter days, with cool, even chilly, weather. Maple syrup offers some sweetness while complementing the combination of espresso and steamed milk. In fact, if you normally doctor your latte with sugar, you shouldn’t need it with this recipe.
And, if you prefer a sweeter taste or richer texture, you can adjust the recipe to make it your own.
What’s so great about this drink? Let’s take a look:
What Is a Latte?
Before delving into maple latte’s specifics and whether you can put maple syrup in coffee, what exactly is a latte?
Also known as caffe latte, it’s a coffee drink that’s made from espresso and steamed milk. It’s light and airy, and it may have distinct layers or be somewhat mixed.
Its bottom layer is espresso, followed by steamed milk, with a small amount of milk foam on top. The typical ratio for ingredients is:
- One part espresso
- Two to three parts steamed milk
- Light layer of milk microfoam
Lattes can be any size, but 8-12 ounces is the norm. Yours might arrive with latte art, where microfoam can be used to draw a picture on top.
History of the Latte
So where did the latte originate from? If you’re familiar with espresso, you know that it originated in Italy. Hence, it’s no surprise that this coffee-drinking nation had a role in lattes, too.
Italian espresso is known for being very strong, and milk was added to appease tourists and foreigners by giving the brew a more tolerable taste. Much like with cappuccino, milk cuts some of those bold and bitter espresso flavors. The latte is thought to have been created in the late 1800s or early 1900s, although more specific time frames vary.
It’s considered a breakfast drink in most of Europe, as Europeans often prefer stronger coffee. In fact, many people claim that if you request a latte in Italy, you may only receive a glass of milk, rather than an espresso-based beverage. Lattes gained popularity in the US in the 1980s, and it remains a favorite in the coffee-drinking community.
How to Make a Maple Latte at Home
While there are numerous tweaks you can make with a homemade maple latte, its basic recipe is pretty standard. An espresso maker will do the best job for this.
What You’ll Need
Before getting started, you should gather everything you’ll need. It’s easier to have everything in the same place while you’re making your maple latte.
- 8-10 ounce cup or mug
- Milk steamer and frother
- Single or double shot of espresso
- 3-6 ounces of milk
- 1-2 tablespoons real maple syrup — not the fake stuff!
- Dollop of whipped cream
- Pinch of cinnamon
Step-by-Step Maple Coffee Recipe for Latte
Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients, you’re ready to make your maple syrup latte.
Step 1: Brew a single or double shot of espresso. While that’s brewing, heat and froth the milk.
Step 2: Pour the maple syrup into your cup or mug.
Step 3: Add the espresso atop the maple syrup, then stir well.
Step 4: Next, add steamed milk, holding back the foam until last.
Step 5: Pour a thin layer of milk foam as the beverage’s top layer.
Step 6: Garnish with a little whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon. While this is not the maple cinnamon latte we’ll discuss shortly, it’s a great flavor combination.
Tips
Dairy milk works best for steaming and frothing. Of course, you can use non-dairy milk, but the amount of foam may be disappointing.
Don’t have a milk frother or steamer? No problem.
- Using either a stovetop or microwave, heat your milk to around 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pour the milk into a glass jar with a lid, screw the lid on tightly, and shake.
The milk will froth, with foam rising to the top.
Variations
There are other variations of the maple coffee latte. Experimentation is always a good thing, right?
- Add cinnamon or vanilla to the espresso and maple syrup, before adding steamed milk. Maple cinnamon coffee will have a slightly different flavor profile.
- You can adjust the amount of maple syrup for sweetness. A touch less if it’s too sweet, a little more if you’re in need of a sugar fix.
- If you don’t have an espresso machine, you’re not out of luck. You can brew strong coffee using a French press or moka pot. It won’t be exactly the same, but it’ll still be delicious.
- Make an iced maple latte instead of a hot one. Just add ice to your cup or mug before the other ingredients.
Recapping
One of the great things about lattes is that there’s more than one way to make them. You can add other flavors, keep it small, or go large. The maple latte is just one example of how easy it can be to make a latte that’s perfect for you.
Just 1-2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup are enough to take a traditional latte to the next level. And chances are, if you already make espresso at home, you have everything that’s needed to make this tasty treat.
What’s more, even if you don’t have an espresso maker, you can substitute some strong coffee for the espresso and still enjoy the deliciousness. Our maple latte recipe won’t lead you astray.
Maple Latte Recipe FAQs
How Do You Get Maple Flavor in Coffee?
Maple syrup dissolves into coffee quickly, so it’s very easy to get that scrummy maple flavor into your java. While we prefer the maple latte, you can also use pure maple syrup as a substitute for sugar.
Is Maple Syrup Better than Sugar in Coffee?
Yes, pure maple syrup in coffee can be a healthier alternative to sugar. A study found that maple syrup contains antioxidants that can help keep your body healthy. These are similar to those found in coffee.
Is Maple Syrup Healthy?
Maple syrup does have a higher calorie count than sugar, but it also contains antioxidants and minerals that can protect the human body.
What Kind of Maple Syrup is Used for Coffee?
Pure maple syrup, not the processed kind, is best if you’re adding it to your coffee. It tastes and blends better with java.
What Is Maple Syrup Made of?
Pure maple syrup is just that. Deriving from the sap of maple trees, it’s boiled to reduce the amount of water contained — transforming it into a thicker syrupy consistency.
Will Maple Syrup Dissolve in Iced Coffee?
Yes, maple syrup will dissolve in iced coffee. Sweeteners in the form of syrups usually dissolve much better than granules, even in cold liquids.
Can I Put Maple Syrup in my Milk Frother?
We don’t recommend it. Maple syrup may leave a stickiness in your milk frother, making cleaning difficult. However, if you want to add maple syrup into your beverage, a better method is mixing it directly with the coffee or espresso, and then adding the milk.
