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Flavoured Hot Coffee

 

# Vanilla 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: Vanilla Latte Hot Coffee Dairy Sweet Coffee

 

Active time: approximately 5 minutesYield: 1 serving

 

## Quick answer

**Vanilla** syrups differ in **sweetness**, aroma, and thickness. Stir the listed amount into espresso while hot so it mixes before milk is added. If your syrup is especially sweet, taste the coffee base before adding anything else; the milk will soften it further.

## Key takeaways

- Vanilla syrups differ in sweetness, aroma, and thickness.

- Heat the milk according to your machine ’s instructions and create a thin, even layer of foam.

- Serve the latte as written, or use a milk alternative that steams well if that better fits your diet.

 

![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**
 
- **10 ml vanilla** syrup.

 

## Method

- **Stir** syrup into espresso.

- **Heat** and lightly froth the milk, then pour over the coffee.

 

### Steam the milk for a smooth pour

 

Heat the milk according to **your machine**’s instructions and create a thin, even layer of foam. Swirl the pitcher before pouring to recombine the liquid and bubbles. A clean **steam wand** helps prevent old milk residue from affecting the next drink.

 

## Make it suit your routine

 

Serve the latte as written, or use a milk alternative that steams well if that better fits your diet. Different products can change sweetness and **texture**, so try **a small amount** before changing the whole recipe. For comparisons, see [caramel latte](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/flavoured-hot-coffee/caramel-latte/) or [rose vanilla latte](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/flavoured-hot-coffee/rose-vanilla-latte/).

## Keep the espresso from getting lost

 

Vanilla syrup sweetens **the latte** and adds **aroma**, while milk softens the espresso. Stir the syrup into the coffee before pouring milk so it does not stay at the bottom. If the drink tastes more like sweet milk than coffee, reduce the syrup in a future serving or use an espresso whose flavor remains clear with milk.

 

### Texture and serving

 

Lightly froth the milk for a smooth pour and serve soon after steaming. A thin foam layer keeps the drink closer to **a latte** than **a cappuccino**. If you use a plant-based alternative, choose one that behaves well in hot drinks and expect its flavor to change the result.

 

For another **sweet** latte, compare [caramel **latte**](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/flavoured-hot-coffee/caramel-latte/); for a floral variation, see [rose vanilla latte](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/flavoured-hot-coffee/rose-vanilla-latte/).

### Adjusting the syrup for another cup

 

Syrup sweetness varies between brands. If the latte is too sweet, use less syrup next time while keeping **the espresso** and milk unchanged; if vanilla is barely noticeable, check that the syrup was stirred through the espresso. Record the change so you can repeat **the balance** you liked.

## 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.

## Related recipes

- [Rose Vanilla Latte](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/flavoured-hot-coffee/rose-vanilla-latte/)

- [Brown Sugar Ginger Latte](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/flavoured-hot-coffee/brown-sugar-ginger-latte/)

- [Caramel Latte](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/flavoured-hot-coffee/caramel-latte/)