If you love creamy, slightly sweet coffee drinks with a bold espresso backbone, learning how to make a Spanish latte is a must. This popular café-style drink strikes a beautiful balance between strong coffee and silky sweetness, making it a favorite for those who enjoy indulgence without overpowering bitterness.
Unlike regular lattes that rely on plain milk, the Spanish latte uses sweetened milk to create a richer, more dessert-like experience—yet it remains elegant, smooth, and surprisingly easy to prepare at home.
Whether you’re recreating your favorite coffee shop order or exploring new brewing styles, mastering this drink will instantly upgrade your home barista skills.
What is Spanish Latte?
A Spanish latte is a milk-based espresso drink made with espresso and sweetened milk—most commonly sweetened condensed milk—then finished with steamed or hot milk. The result is a creamy, velvety coffee with a gentle sweetness that complements the intensity of espresso rather than masking it.
Originating from Spanish-influenced café cultures, the drink gained global popularity in the Middle East and specialty coffee scenes, where it’s often served hot or iced.
Compared to a classic latte, a Spanish latte is sweeter, fuller-bodied, and more comforting, making it ideal for coffee drinkers who prefer smooth, balanced flavors over sharp bitterness.
How to Make a Spanish Latte Step-by-Step
Making a Spanish latte at home is more approachable than you might think. The process follows a logical flow, and once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes second nature. Here’s how to craft this delicious drink from start to finish.
What You’ll Need – The Ultimate Spanish Latte Recipe
Before you begin, gather your Spanish Latte ingredients and equipment:
- Espresso – 1 shot (30 ml / 1 oz)
- Sweetened condensed milk – 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Whole milk – ¾ cup (180 ml)
- Optional garnish – ground cinnamon or cocoa powder (a light pinch)
- As for equipment, an espresso machine is ideal, but a moka pot, AeroPress, or even a French press can work.
- You’ll also want a milk frother, a steam wand, or a simple handheld frother (if the tool you have does not have it as an in-built feature) to create that signature creamy texture.
Notes: Whole milk delivers the creamiest texture, but you can substitute it with oat or almond milk if preferred. Adjust the condensed milk slightly (1½–2½ tablespoons) to fine-tune sweetness without overpowering the espresso.
Step 1: Prepare Your Condensed Milk Base
Start by spooning 2 to 3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk into your serving glass or mug. This is the foundation of your Spanish latte—the ingredient that sets it apart from standard lattes.
The amount you use depends on how sweet you like your coffee, so feel free to adjust. Some people prefer starting with less and adding more later, which is perfectly fine.
Step 2: Brew Your Espresso
Pull a double shot of espresso, which is typically about 2 ounces. If you’re using a moka pot or another brewing method, aim for roughly the same strength and volume. The espresso should be hot and freshly brewed—this isn’t the time to use leftover coffee from the morning pot. Pour the espresso directly over the condensed milk in your glass.
Step 3: Stir to Combine
Give the espresso and condensed milk a good stir. You’ll notice the condensed milk is thick and doesn’t dissolve immediately, so take a moment to really incorporate it.
The mixture should become a rich, caramel-colored liquid. This step is important because it ensures the sweetness is evenly distributed throughout your drink rather than settling at the bottom.
Step 4: Steam or Froth Your Milk
Heat about 6 to 8 ounces of whole milk until it’s steaming hot but not boiling—around 150-160°F is ideal. If you have a steam wand, create microfoam by positioning the wand just below the surface of the milk, creating a gentle whirlpool.
If you’re using a handheld frother or whisk, heat the milk first (stovetop or microwave works fine), then froth it vigorously for about 30 seconds until it’s creamy and has a light foam on top.
Step 5: Pour the Milk
Slowly pour the steamed milk over your espresso and condensed milk mixture. Pour from a slight height at first to help the layers mix naturally, then bring the pitcher or container closer to the glass as you finish. You want the drink to blend smoothly while maintaining a small layer of foam on top.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
If you want to add a final flourish, dust the top with a pinch of cinnamon or cocoa powder. Some people also like to drizzle a tiny bit of extra condensed milk on top for presentation, though this is purely optional. Your Spanish latte is now ready to enjoy.
The whole process takes about 5 minutes once you have your rhythm down, and the result is a creamy, sweet coffee drink that strikes a perfect balance between indulgent and energizing.
Now that you’ve mastered how to make a Spanish latte, it is time to delve deeper into the world of lattes. Perhaps, you may want to make your guests something spicier, bolder, and brilliant. Here at BfB, we ‘fuel your thinking.’
Compare: Types of Coffee Drinks
Types of Lattes
The latte has become a canvas for creativity in coffee culture, spawning countless variations that cater to different tastes, traditions, and preferences.
While the Spanish latte holds its own special place, it’s just one member of a diverse family of latte-style drinks.
Here’s a look at some of the most popular types you’ll encounter.
Caffè Latte (Classic Latte)
This is the original, the foundation upon which all other lattes are built. The classic Italian caffè latte is simply espresso mixed with steamed milk and topped with a thin layer of milk foam.
It’s meant to be smooth, milky, and let the espresso shine through without any added sweetness. When most people say “latte” without any qualifiers, this is what they mean.
Flat White
Hailing from Australia or New Zealand, depending on who you ask, the flat white is often confused with a regular latte, but there are subtle differences.
The drink uses a higher proportion of espresso to milk, creating a stronger coffee flavor, and features velvety microfoam rather than the airier foam you’d find on a traditional latte. The result is a more concentrated, silkier drinking experience.
Cappuccino
While technically in its own category, the cappuccino is closely related to the latte family. It uses the same ingredients—espresso, steamed milk, and foam—but in different proportions.
A cappuccino has much more foam and less steamed milk than a latte, creating distinct layers and a lighter, airier texture with a more pronounced espresso flavor.
Vanilla Latte
One of the most popular flavored variations, the vanilla latte adds vanilla syrup to the classic espresso and milk combination. It introduces sweetness and a warm, aromatic quality without overwhelming the coffee itself. The vanilla latte has become so mainstream that it’s a standard menu item at virtually every coffee shop.
Caramel Latte
Sweet, buttery, and indulgent, the caramel latte incorporates caramel syrup into the drink and often features a decorative caramel drizzle on top. It’s sweeter than a vanilla latte and has a richer, more dessert-like quality that makes it popular among those who prefer their coffee on the sweeter side.
Mocha Latte (Caffè Mocha)
For chocolate lovers, the mocha latte is the ultimate fusion of coffee and cocoa. It combines espresso with chocolate syrup or cocoa powder along with steamed milk, creating a drink that tastes almost like a liquid dessert. Many mochas are also topped with whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Matcha Latte
Breaking away from coffee entirely, the matcha latte uses finely ground green tea powder whisked with steamed milk. It’s become incredibly popular in recent years, offering an earthy, slightly sweet flavor along with a gentler caffeine boost compared to coffee-based lattes. Despite the name, there’s no espresso involved.
Chai Latte
Another non-coffee option, the chai latte blends spiced tea concentrate with steamed milk. The warming spices—typically cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves—create a cozy, aromatic drink that’s particularly popular in cooler months. Like the matcha latte, it’s a misnomer since there’s no actual espresso in the drink.
Iced Latte
Simply put, this is any latte served cold over ice rather than hot. The espresso is typically pulled directly over ice, then mixed with cold milk. Iced lattes have exploded in popularity, especially during warmer months, and can be made with any of the flavor variations mentioned above.
Oat Milk Latte (and Other Dairy Alternatives)
As plant-based diets continue to grow more popular, lattes made with alternative milks have become menu staples. Oat milk has emerged as a favorite because it froths well and has a naturally creamy, slightly sweet flavor that complements espresso.
Almond, soy, and coconut milk lattes are also common variations.
Which Latte Should You Choose?
With so many latte variations out there, the choice ultimately comes down to your personal taste and what you’re in the mood for.
If you prefer your coffee straightforward and want to taste the espresso clearly, a classic caffè latte or flat white might be your best bet.
For those with a sweet tooth, flavored options like vanilla, caramel, or mocha deliver that dessert-like satisfaction. And if you’re looking to avoid coffee altogether, matcha or chai lattes offer delicious alternatives.
But if you’re seeking something that balances sweetness with coffee flavor in a uniquely satisfying way, the Spanish latte deserves a spot in your regular rotation.
The drink’s creamy texture and gentle sweetness from the condensed milk make it approachable yet distinctive—different enough to feel special, but not so exotic that it’s intimidating to make at home.
Now that you know how to make a Spanish latte and understand where it fits in the broader latte landscape, you’re equipped to experiment and find your favorites. The beauty of these drinks is that there’s no wrong choice—just different moods, moments, and flavor preferences.
So grab your espresso, pick your milk, and start exploring. Your perfect latte is waiting to be discovered.