The caffè latte recipe
for your table
Place the cup under hot water for a few minutes or on the machine's cup warmer. In a cold cup, the milk immediately loses a few degrees, which takes away the foam's shine. Pour out the water and do not dry the cup.
Pull the espresso directly into the preheated cup: three centiliters in about twenty-five seconds. An espresso that runs much longer becomes bitter and disappears beneath the milk instead of coming through it. Stir in the sugar now, while the coffee is still alone in the cup.
Steam the milk until the pitcher becomes too hot to hold, around sixty-five degrees. Keep the steam wand just below the surface at first so it draws in air, then push it deeper so the milk starts swirling. You want fine, glossy foam no more than a centimeter thick, not large bubbles.
Tap the pitcher twice on the counter, swirl the milk once more, and pour it into the cup in one motion from the center. Keep the pitcher low at the end so the remaining foam settles on top as a thin layer. Only sprinkle a pinch of cocoa over it at the table.
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The story
Caffè latte literally means coffee with milk, and in Italy that is exactly what you get: a cup of milk with an espresso mixed in, at the bar, usually at breakfast. Ask for one in the afternoon and the barista will look at you. Outside Italy, the name has grown into a drink of its own with a fixed ratio: one espresso to roughly eight times as much milk, topped with a thin layer of foam. That is what distinguishes it from a cappuccino, which is all about a thick layer of foam. The Dutch koffie verkeerd comes closest, although it is more often made with filter coffee.
The right glass
A caffè latte belongs in a cup or glass of 30 to 35 centilitres with a handle. That size is no coincidence: one espresso with 25 centilitres of milk fits in it exactly, with a finger-width of room for the foam. A handle is convenient because the cup is filled almost to the rim and stays warm, while clear glass lets you see the layer of foam on top of the coffee and milk. A narrower, taller glass is used for a latte macchiato, where the layers need to remain separate. More models can be found among the cappuccino glasses.
RCR Caffè Stackable Cup 35 cl (6 pieces)
La Rochère Flore Mug 30 cl (4 pieces)
Both sets together € 63,90.
The right tools
For a caffè latte, in addition to the glass, use a jigger to measure the espresso and milk, and a long bar spoon to stir the sugar right down to the bottom. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 2 bar tools together € 58,85.
Which shot belongs in a caffè latte?
A caffè latte is alcohol-free on its own, but a splash of liqueur turns it into an after-dinner drink. In Italy, Amaretto and sambuca are the two most commonly added. On each drink page, you can read the alcohol percentage, what it tastes like, which cocktails it pairs with and which glass you need.
Variations & twists
It works perfectly with steamed oat milk, although the foam will be somewhat coarser. A flat white is the same coffee served in a smaller cup, with less milk and a thinner layer of foam; you make a koffie verkeerd with filter coffee instead of espresso. If you add syrup, pour it into the bottom of the cup before the espresso runs in, otherwise it will remain at the bottom. Looking for more inspiration? Browse more than 100 cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
Serve it in the preheated cup on a saucer with a small spoon, and place a glass of water alongside it, as is customary in Italy. Drink it within ten minutes, because after that the foam disappears and the milk becomes bland. Sprinkle the cocoa on top only at the last moment.
Good to know
The difference between a latte macchiato
With a caffè latte, the espresso goes into the cup first, followed by the milk, so everything blends into one color. With a latte macchiato, the milk goes into a tall glass first, and the espresso is carefully poured through it, creating three visible layers. The same ingredients, a different order and a different glass.
The difference between cappuccino and koffie verkeerd
A cappuccino has roughly equal amounts of milk and foam and is served in a cup holding 15 to 20 centiliters. A caffè latte has much more milk and just a thin layer of foam, in a cup holding around 30 centiliters. Koffie verkeerd is the Dutch version, with roughly half coffee and half hot milk, traditionally made with filter coffee instead of espresso.
Why the milk must not boil
Above seventy degrees, the flavor of milk changes: it becomes watery and starts to smell like boiled milk. Steam until the pitcher is too hot to hold and then stop. Milk that has already been steamed cannot be frothed again; you will get large bubbles instead of a glossy layer.
Which milk foams best
Whole milk produces the firmest foam because fat and protein work together to hold the bubbles. Semi-skimmed milk also works, but produces a lighter layer. Among plant-based varieties, oat milk usually performs best; soy curdles more quickly with hot espresso. Use the milk straight from the refrigerator; that gives you more time to incorporate air.
How much coffee goes in it
One espresso of three centiliters per cup. Two shots do not make it better, only more bitter, because the extra coffee can no longer be balanced by the milk. If you want it stronger, use the same espresso in a smaller cup; that is essentially a flat white.
Frequently asked questions
What is a caffè latte?
A caffè latte is an espresso with plenty of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam, served in a cup or glass of about 30 centiliters. The ratio is roughly one part espresso to eight parts milk. The name simply means coffee with milk in Italian.
What is the difference between a caffè latte and a latte macchiato?
The order and the glass. With a caffè latte, the espresso goes into the cup first and the milk is poured through it, making it one color. With a latte macchiato, the milk goes into a tall glass first and the espresso is poured through it, creating three layers.
What is the difference from koffie verkeerd?
Koffie verkeerd is the Dutch version: roughly half coffee and half hot milk, traditionally made with filter coffee and without a layer of foam. A caffè latte is made with espresso and does have a thin layer of milk foam. In practice, they are quite similar and the names are used interchangeably.
Which glass or cup do you use for a caffè latte?
A 30- to 35-centiliter cup or glass with a handle. It holds one espresso with twenty-five centiliters of milk, leaving room for the foam. For a latte macchiato, use a taller, narrower glass in which the layers remain visible.
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