Latte: elixir of the western hemisphere, a steaming cup of coffee, steamed milk, and foam bringing life to even the grumpiest of late risers. Comprised of espresso or strongly brewed coffee and milk, homemade lattes are deceptively simple to make. When one is in the mood for the drink but not the trip to a coffee shop, making it at home can be just the thing. A little more espresso, a lot more foamed milk—when making a latte at home you can adjust this recipe any way you like. Let the latte making commence…
Key Ingredients:
Espresso
Milk of choice (whole milk preferred)
First up: the coffee! Use a homemade espresso machine to make espresso yourself or use very strongly brewed coffee from any other coffeemaker. Use 1/3 -1/2 cups of espresso for the base (or more if the day is going to be a long one) Pour espresso into wide coffee cup.
Dairy Delight: Pour about 1-1 ½ cups of milk of choice (whole milk is best) into a jar with lid. With lid, securely fastened, shake jar for about 60 seconds, until milk is doubled in volume.
Microwave it: Put jar with milk in microwave for 30 seconds, uncovered. Foam should appear at top of jar. Alternatively, heat milk on stove until steam rises then foam using electric mixer or whisk (in which case pour milk into bowl rather than a jar), about 60 seconds.
The Assembly: Hold a spoon to the edge of jar with milk and foam and pour the warm milk into the espresso, keeping some foam back. When filled to desired amount, carefully pour remaining foamed milk on top of latte. Garnish with cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg etc. Voila—a DYI latte!