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Flavoured Hot Coffee

 

# Orange Zest Latte

 

Written by [Jay](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/authors/coffeejay/)

 

Category: [Flavoured Hot Coffee](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/flavoured-hot-coffee/)Tags: Orange Latte Citrus Dairy Hot Coffee

 

Active time: approximately 7 minutesYield: 1 serving

 

## Quick answer

**The recipe** infuses milk with a strip of orange peel. Avoid the white pith because it can bring a harsher **bitter** note, and strain the peel before frothing so no pieces enter the drink. Orange juice is not a direct substitute: its **acidity** can change how hot milk behaves.

## Key takeaways

- The recipe infuses milk with a strip of orange peel.

- Warm the milk with the peel only for the listed infusion, then taste the milk before pouring.

- Espresso ’s roast character can either contrast with or complement the orange aroma.

 

![Milk from a metal pitcher being poured into a cup of coffee.](https://www.coffeejay.com/assets/editorial/milk-pouring-for-latte-art.avif)

Milk from a metal pitcher being poured into a cup of coffee.

## Ingredients

 

- 60 ml espresso
 
- **180 ml whole milk**
 
- 1 strip washed orange peel without white pith
 
- 1 tsp sugar.

 

## Method

- Warm **the milk** with orange peel for 3 minutes and **strain**.

- Sweeten **the espresso** and add the frothed milk.

- Use zest, not acidic orange juice, in this hot **milk** drink.

 

### Keep the citrus aroma gentle

 

Warm the milk with the peel only for the listed infusion, then taste the milk before **pouring**. The citrus should lift **the espresso** rather than cover it. Use a washed orange and remove the peel in one strip, keeping the pith attached as little as possible.

 

## Pairing the flavor

 

**Espresso**’s **roast** character can either contrast with or complement the orange aroma. Start with the recipe as written, then adjust the infusion time on a later cup if you want more or less citrus. For another **bright** coffee drink, compare the [espresso tonic](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/guides/modern-coffee-variations/espresso-tonic/).

## Getting aroma from the peel

 

Orange peel contains aromatic oils that infuse into **warm milk**. Use a washed orange and peel only the colored outer layer; the white pith can add **a bitter** note. Strain the peel after warming so the milk stays smooth and the citrus does not continue to intensify while **the latte** stands.

 

### Why the recipe avoids juice

 

Orange juice is acidic and can affect **the texture** of hot milk. The peel provides citrus **aroma** without adding the same amount of liquid or acidity. Keep the espresso and milk **recipe** unchanged while you evaluate the orange infusion.

 

Serve warm and **stir** before sipping. If the citrus is subtle, infuse the peel carefully rather than adding juice; if it dominates, shorten the infusion in a future cup.

## Finishing the citrus infusion

 

Let the peel perfume the milk without leaving it in the cup. After straining, smell the milk before **pouring**; if the orange **aroma** is already clear, there is no need to add extra peel. The small strip gives fragrance while keeping the drink **creamy** rather than tart.

## A tip for serving

Use only the coloured outer peel and **strain** the milk. The white pith can taste **bitter**; adding orange juice changes both flavour and **texture**.

## Further reading

For background on [**espresso**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso) and [milk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk), see Wikipedia.

[Back to Flavoured Hot Coffee](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/flavoured-hot-coffee/) 

Written by [Jay](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/authors/coffeejay/). [Read our editorial approach](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/editorial-policy/).

This recipe is an editorial starting formulation, not a documented CoffeeJay kitchen test. Adjust flavour and quantities to your ingredients and equipment.

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