I spent way too much money at Starbucks before I figured out I could make their vanilla cinnamon latte at home. Every morning on my way to work, I’d stop by and drop five bucks on my daily fix. My husband kept joking that we should just buy Starbucks stock.
The thing is, I thought these coffee shop drinks were too complicated to make myself. Turns out, a vanilla cinnamon latte is just coffee, steamed milk, vanilla syrup, and a dash of cinnamon. No fancy equipment needed—just a regular coffee maker and a small saucepan to warm the milk.
Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Cinnamon Latte
- Quick and easy – This homemade latte takes just 10 minutes to make, so you can skip the coffee shop line and enjoy your favorite drink at home.
- Budget-friendly – Making your own latte costs a fraction of what you’d pay at Starbucks, and you can make it whenever you want.
- Simple ingredients – With just three basic ingredients, this recipe uses items you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Healthier option – Using unsweetened almond milk and sugar-free vanilla syrup means you can enjoy your latte without all the extra calories and sugar.
- Customizable to your taste – You can easily adjust the sweetness and flavor strength to make it exactly how you like it, something you can’t always do at coffee shops.
What Kind of Almond Milk Should I Use?
Any unsweetened almond milk will work great for this latte, whether it’s shelf-stable or refrigerated. I’d recommend going with a brand that has a creamy texture rather than watery consistency – brands like Califia Farms or Silk tend to froth better and give you that coffee shop experience at home. If you only have sweetened almond milk on hand, just reduce or skip the vanilla syrup to avoid making your latte too sweet. For the best froth, make sure your almond milk is cold before you start steaming or frothing it.
Options for Substitutions
This simple latte recipe is super flexible and works great with different ingredients you might have on hand:
- Unsweetened almond milk: Any milk works here! Try oat milk, coconut milk, regular dairy milk, or soy milk. Each will give you a slightly different flavor and texture, but all taste great.
- Sugar-free vanilla syrup: Regular vanilla syrup works perfectly if that’s what you have. You can also make your own by mixing 1 tablespoon regular sugar with 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, or use maple syrup for a different twist.
- Espresso shots: No espresso machine? No worries! Use 1/2 cup of strong coffee instead, or make concentrated coffee using 3 tablespoons of ground coffee with 1/2 cup hot water. Instant coffee works too – just use 2 teaspoons dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water.
- Cinnamon: While the recipe calls for cinnamon, you can skip it if you don’t have any, or try other warm spices like nutmeg or a pinch of cardamom for a different flavor profile.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making this copycat latte is overheating the almond milk, which can cause it to curdle or develop an unpleasant taste – aim for steaming hot but not boiling, around 150-160°F if you have a thermometer.
Another common error is adding the vanilla syrup to hot milk instead of mixing it with the espresso first, as this helps the flavors blend better and prevents the syrup from clumping.
If you don’t have an espresso machine, strong coffee works as a substitute, but use about 1/2 cup of very concentrated coffee instead of the two shots to maintain that rich coffee flavor.
For the smoothest texture, froth your almond milk gently with a whisk or milk frother rather than shaking it vigorously, which can make it separate and look less appealing.
What to Serve With Starbucks Vanilla Cinnamon Latte?
This cozy latte pairs perfectly with classic coffee shop treats like blueberry muffins, banana bread, or a buttery croissant for a nice morning pick-me-up. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, try it with cinnamon rolls or coffee cake since the vanilla and cinnamon flavors will complement each other beautifully. For a lighter option, almond biscotti or oatmeal cookies are great for dipping right into your latte. You could also enjoy it alongside some fresh fruit and yogurt if you want to balance out the sweetness with something a bit healthier.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: This latte is definitely best enjoyed fresh and hot right after making it. If you have leftovers, you can store it in the fridge for up to 2 days in a covered container, but the texture and flavor won’t be quite the same as when it’s freshly made.
Make Ahead: You can prep the almond milk and vanilla syrup mixture ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to a week. When you’re ready for your latte, just heat up the milk mixture and add your fresh espresso shots for the best taste.
Warm Up: If you need to reheat a cold latte, warm it gently on the stove over low heat while stirring, or use the microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals. It won’t have that perfect frothy texture anymore, but it’ll still taste good and give you that caffeine boost you need.
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Total Time | 10-20 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 40-60
- Protein: 1-2 g
- Fat: 2-4 g
- Carbohydrates: 2-4 g
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tbsp sugar-free vanilla syrup
- 2 fl oz espresso (2 shots)
Step 1: Brew the Espresso
- 2 fl oz espresso (2 shots)
Brew a double shot of espresso using your espresso machine.
Alternatively, you can prepare a strong brewed coffee if you don’t have an espresso machine.
Step 2: Froth the Almond Milk
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tbsp sugar-free vanilla syrup
Pour the unsweetened almond milk into your frothing machine.
Add the sugar-free vanilla syrup.
Turn on the frother and froth the milk according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches your desired foaminess and temperature.
I like to heat the milk to just under boiling for a smooth texture.
Step 3: Combine Espresso and Frothed Milk
- brewed espresso (from Step 1)
- frothed almond milk and vanilla syrup (from Step 2)
Pour the brewed espresso (from Step 1) into a mug.
Slowly pour the frothed almond milk (from Step 2) over the espresso, using a spoon to hold back the foam if you want to create latte art or simply a thicker foam topping.
Step 4: Serve the Skinny Vanilla Latte
Top your latte with a dollop of foam if desired.
Serve hot and enjoy your homemade Skinny Vanilla Latte!
Dairy-Free Starbucks Vanilla Cinnamon Latte
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tbsp sugar-free vanilla syrup
- 2 fl oz espresso (2 shots)
Instructions
- Brew a double shot of espresso using your espresso machine. Alternatively, you can prepare a strong brewed coffee if you don't have an espresso machine.
- Pour the unsweetened almond milk into your frothing machine. Add the sugar-free vanilla syrup. Turn on the frother and froth the milk according to the manufacturer's instructions until it reaches your desired foaminess and temperature. I like to heat the milk to just under boiling for a smooth texture.
- Pour the brewed espresso (from Step 1) into a mug. Slowly pour the frothed almond milk (from Step 2) over the espresso, using a spoon to hold back the foam if you want to create latte art or simply a thicker foam topping.
- Top your latte with a dollop of foam if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade Skinny Vanilla Latte!
