Super Simple Vanilla Latte
To me, vanilla latte equals endless cash and calories, but at the same time, it’s my guilty pleasure. Yet, sometimes it just becomes too much – it feels like all my money is spent at coffee shops! At one point, I thought to myself that there must be an easy way to get vanilla-flavored latte done at home.
And by that, I didn’t mean the usual sachets that promise to deliver the same taste but don’t; I actually meant making a healthy and yummy vanilla latte from scratch – I’ll take that any day; it’s a classic. So, keep reading to find the ins and outs of my sip coffee substitute vanilla latte recipe to end up with a healthier, cheaper, and tailored-to-taste homemade latte!
Ingredients
First things first, here’s what you’ll need to have at home before getting started with making your homemade vanilla latte. The list of ingredients is super simple, but it’s better to have them ready beforehand so that you don’t feel like the process is a headache.
- 12 oz. brewed sip coffee substitute
- ¼ – ½ milk or cup cream of your choice
- 1 tbsp maple syrup, honey, or sweetener of your choice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Simple, right? Now let’s get into the actual recipe!
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Latte
After you prep the ingredients, you start getting into the nitty-gritty of making your favorite coffee shop vanilla latte, and here’s how:
Heat the Sip Coffee Substitute and the Milk
The first thing you want to do is heat your sip coffee substitute in a small saucepan. Then, do the same for the milk until it’s hot.
On the note of milk, feel free to use full milk, skimmed milk, or even half-and-half milk in this recipe. I go for half-and-half, but it’s a matter of personal preference!
Whisk in Your Vanilla Extract and Sweetener
Once your sip coffee substitute and milk are all set, remove them from the heat and then whisk in the vanilla extract and sweetener.
That’s It!
Yes – you read it right. I can imagine that you were expecting more steps, but that’s actually it! See how easy to make it is? Pour your vanilla latte into your favorite coffee cup. Then, sip and enjoy your Starbucks-like cup of coffee! If you’re in the mood to pamper yourself, you can add some whipped cream to the top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although this is among the super easy to follow recipes, you may still have some lingering questions, and that’s perfectly fine – vanilla lattes are worth it. Below, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions I’ve gotten:
What Is Sip?
Sip is a caffeine-free, all-natural blend consisting of three simple ingredients: organic roasted carob powder, organic roasted chicory powder, and organic roasted dandelion root powder. People who don’t tolerate strong brewed coffee, Nespresso espresso, coffee in general, or those looking to cut caffeine.
In a nutshell, sip serves as a substitute for coffee, being a healthy and tasty alternative and at the same time enabling the person to enjoy the warmness of a satisfying drink while maintaining their balanced lifestyle.
How to Brew Sip Coffee Substitute?
The steps are as straightforward as those of vanilla latte. For each 6 oz. of water, you’ll add 1-2 heaping teaspoons of sip coffee substitute to your coffee press or tea strainer, depending on your preference. You could also add or lessen the water quantity based on your preferred coffee strength.
Then, you just pour hot water (not necessarily boiling) into your pot or cup and keep on stirring gently. After that, let it stand for approximately 10-15 seconds and press the plunger down or remove the strainer.
How Can I Steam Milk at Home?
Good question! My favorite part about my Starbucks vanilla latte was always the steamed milk inside the latte. It was always on-point and so tasty. I played around and experimented with different ways, and I found that either a milk frother or immersion blender is what does the trick.
After I heat the coffee substitute and the milk, I use my milk frother to foam it up before adding the rest of the ingredients.
What’s in a Starbucks Vanilla Latte?
Generally, a Starbucks vanilla latte contains vanilla syrup, espresso, and steamed milk.
How Much Caffeine Is in a Vanilla Latte at Starbucks?
Approximately 85-170mg, depending on the type you opt for.
Are Lattes Sweet?
It depends on the different recipes and how you tailor them to your own liking. In general, lattes are made using steamed milk along with espresso. Espresso isn’t exactly a sweet drink, but with the addition of mocha, caramel, chocolate, vanilla, or any coffee syrup, they can end up being as sweet as other drinks. So, the sweet part of any coffee drink boils down to your ingredients.
Is a Vanilla Latte Bad for You?
Unfortunately, it could be, yes. Since it’s made of just three ingredients, you’d expect it to pass as a healthy drink, or at least not a harmful one. However, it contains approximately 250 calories and 6 grams of fat, which is a lot. Not to mention the sugar, of course, which is around 35 grams. In some cases, its calories even go as high as 380 if it’s a large one.
Should I Use Vanilla Syrup?
I wouldn’t. I know vanilla syrup comes in sugar-free versions, but it’s still unhealthy even when that’s the case. It’s incredibly high in sugar and artificial colors and flavors, so you won’t be getting any nutritional benefits, and you’ll be defying the purpose of the recipe. I always prefer to use vanilla extract instead, and it does the job perfectly, in my opinion!
Is It Okay to Use Vanilla Extract in Coffee Drinks?
Absolutely! I’ve been using it in my vanilla latte recipe for some time now, and it never fails me. I love to sweeten my latte, but I hate relying on sugar or processed creams, which is why I gave vanilla extract a shot in the first place.
If you’re hesitant, give a few drops of pure vanilla extract a try, and believe me, you won’t regret it! Actually, it’s been referred to as a “brain superfood” for how it boosts mental performance, enhances your mood, and elevates your brain health. Not to mention, vanilla on its own is known for its stomach ache relief abilities and the magic it does with digestive issues and pain.
So, what can possibly go wrong with having some delicious vanilla extract added to your vanilla latte? However, always remember that vanilla extract is by no means a substitute for vanilla syrup – make that distinction clear so that you don’t get disappointed.
Can I Make Iced Vanilla Latte at Home?
Absolutely, and using the same recipe, by the way! I love iced coffee during the summer, almost as much as I love my vanilla latte in the winter.
All you’ll need to do is serve the drink on ice. In other words, you’ll add as much ice as you want (I pop a couple of ice cubes) to a tall glass (or whichever cup or glass you prefer to drink in), pour in the vanilla latte you just made, and enjoy your iced vanilla latte! Simple as that.
Just make sure you leave some time for your latte to cool down. If you can’t wait, you could also refrigerate it for as long as needed. That’ll be much faster!
Tip: If you’re using coffee and not sip coffee substitute, I would advise you to make your brewed coffee stronger than the usual to prevent your coffee from being too “watery” since the ice is likely to melt. Of course, this could impact the flavor. Another option would also be to make coffee ice cubes ahead of time if you’re already planning on this particular drink.
Final Words
To me, this vanilla latte recipe is such a pick-me-up one! We need more of it in our everyday lives, don’t you think? It’s quick with absolutely no prep time, easy, tasty, and just what you need to start your day on a good note. And the best part is? You get to do so in just 10 minutes or even less!
If you try this everyday vanilla latte recipe, let me know what you think of it and share your twists on it so that we could all forget about the Starbucks menu!
