If you've ever mixed a spoonful of honey into your morning coffee, you know how well the two flavors work together. This recipe takes that simple idea a step further, using homemade syrup to make a sweet, silky honey latte you can enjoy hot or iced - no Starbucks run required. All it takes is about 5 minutes and 4 simple ingredients!
Homemade lattes are such an easy, inexpensive way to treat yourself throughout the week, and when it comes to doing things from scratch, it really doesn't get easier than this honey latte recipe. It's got that rich espresso flavor, the perfect amount of creaminess, and a slightly floral sweetness thanks to honey simple syrup. It's so good - and so simple to whip up - that I can guarantee it'll become a new go-to!
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Recipe Highlights
- Better than the coffee shop: Missing the Starbucks honey latte? This homemade version recreates that same cozy, honey-sweetened flavor whenever the craving hits.
- 4 simple ingredients: All you'll need is espresso, milk, cream (technically optional, but highly recommended), and honey syrup. If you haven't made the syrup yet, don't worry! Honey and water are all that's required.
- Easy 5-minute prep: Brew espresso, froth your milk, and combine; that's all there is to it!
- Natural sweetness: If you're trying to cut back on your use of refined sugars or artificial sweeteners, you'll love the fact that this latte gets all of its sweetness from pure, natural honey.
- Dairy-free friendly: Turn this into a dairy free honey oat latte by swapping the milk and cream for barista oat milk.
- Endless options: Add lavender, cinnamon, or vanilla to make it your own, and serve it hot or iced depending on your mood.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Espresso: See the equipment section below for more on brewing espresso at home. If that's not an option, strongly brewed coffee works as a substitute, or cold brew if you're making an iced version.
- Milk: I prefer whole milk in my lattes for the smoothest, creamiest flavor, but any milk you like will work here.
- Heavy cream: This is an optional addition, but similar to a breve latte, I love the creaminess it adds!
- Honey syrup: The beauty of using this (versus plain honey) is how easily it blends into coffee, especially in an iced latte. It only takes about 5 minutes to make and keeps well for several months. For a latte with a more pronounced honey flavor, make your syrup using a 2:1 ratio of honey to water. This concentrated syrup will be sweeter, so adjust the amount you use in your latte to taste.
For ingredient quantities, see the recipe card below!
Helpful Equipment
To make this honey latte you'll need two things: a way to brew espresso and a way to froth your milk.
For espresso, your options range from a Nespresso machine (convenient, beginner-friendly, and less expensive upfront) to a more robust espresso machine like the Delonghi Magnifica Start I currently use.
For frothing, a built-in steam wand is ideal if your machine has one. If not, an inexpensive handheld frothing wand paired with milk warmed in the microwave gets the job done just as well. For a true DIY option, microwave the milk in a mason jar and simply give it a good shake. If you're making an iced latte, you can skip the frothing altogether.
For a more detailed breakdown of espresso and frothing options at different price points, head over to my brown sugar latte post.
How to Make a Honey Latte
- Step 1: Brew your espresso directly into a 12 ounce mug and stir in the honey syrup.
- Step 2: Warm and froth the milk and cream using your preferred method - a steam wand, freestanding frother, or handheld wand used with pre-warmed milk all work great.
- Step 3: Pour the warm milk mixture into the espresso, holding back the foam with a spoon. Then, scoop the foam on top.
- Step 4: Give your latte a quick stir and enjoy!
Recipe Tip
Everyone likes their lattes a little differently, so feel free to adjust the quantities of espresso and syrup to suit your preferences. As written, this latte is neither overly strong nor milky. For a stronger cup, try adding an extra ounce of espresso (and vice versa for a milder drink). If you prefer a sweeter drink, add an extra 1-2 teaspoons of honey syrup.
Recipe Variations
- Honey Lavender Latte: Add a tablespoon of dried lavender buds to your honey syrup while it heats on the stove, and then let the mixture steep for about an hour before straining. (If you're a lavender fan, you'll also love my lavender vanilla iced coffee recipe!)
- Honey Cinnamon Latte: Using the same concept as above, add two cinnamon sticks to your honey syrup as it cooks. Don't forget to garnish your latte with extra cinnamon!
- Honey Vanilla Latte: Make your syrup with the addition of a vanilla bean, or simply stir in a tablespoon of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste after removing it from the heat.
- Honey Oatmilk Latte: Swap cow's milk for barista oat milk, which is specifically formulated to be richer and creamier than standard oat milk. Skip the heavy cream to keep it fully dairy-free!
- Salted Honey Latte: Add a pinch of fleur de sel or flaky sea salt to your milk and cream before steaming and frothing it. Finish with an extra sprinkle on top!
- Iced Honey Latte: Make this latte - including any of the variations above - over ice for a refreshing warm-weather treat. No need to steam the milk beforehand, though cold frothing works great if you prefer a little foam.
Recipe FAQs
A honey latte is an espresso-based drink made with steamed milk (just like a traditional latte) and naturally sweetened with honey.
Yes! Although a true latte is made with espresso, strongly brewed coffee works as a substitute in a pinch, and cold brew is a great option if you're making an iced version.
You can, but honey syrup blends into coffee much more easily than straight honey, especially in an iced latte where cold liquid makes it harder to dissolve. The syrup only takes about 5 minutes to make and is worth the extra step! That said, if you do use plain honey, keep in mind that it'll be sweeter and more concentrated than the syrup, so start with just 2 teaspoons in your latte.
Absolutely! The syrup keeps well in the fridge for several months, so you can make a batch ahead of time and have it ready whenever a latte craving strikes.
Quite a few! Lavender, cinnamon, and vanilla are all great choices - see the recipe variations section above for details on how to incorporate each one.
Sweet Treats to Pair With This Recipe
Complete the coffee shop vibes by pairing this creamy honey latte with any of these homemade treats!
Have you made this recipe?
If so, I'd love to hear your feedback; you can leave a rating and review in the comments section below! It's also so helpful if you help spread the word by sharing this post on your favorite social media channel. If you happen to snap a photo of what you've baked, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me (@brighteyedbaker) so I can give you a shoutout!
Recipe Card
Honey Latte Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 fluid ounces espresso
- 4 teaspoons honey syrup
- 5 ¼ fluid ounces milk preferably whole milk, or oat milk for a dairy free variation
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
Instructions
- Brew your espresso directly into a 12 ounce mug and stir in the honey syrup.4 fluid ounces espresso |4 teaspoons honey syrup
- Warm and froth the milk and cream using your preferred method - a steam wand, freestanding frother, or handheld wand used with pre-warmed milk all work great.5 ¼ fluid ounces milk |1 tablespoon heavy cream
- Pour the warm milk mixture into the espresso, holding back the foam with a spoon. Then, scoop the foam on top.
- Give your latte a quick stir and enjoy!
Notes
Ingredient Notes:
- If needed, substitute espresso with strongly brewed coffee, or cold brew for an iced version.
- Heavy cream can be omitted, but will make your latte extra silky!
- For a latte with a more pronounced honey flavor, make your honey syrup using a 2:1 ratio of honey to water. This mixture will be sweeter, so adjust the quantity to taste. You can also substitute 2 teaspoons of plain honey for a hot latte.
To Make Without a Milk Frother:
- Warm your milk in the microwave or on the stove just until bubbles form on the surface. Then pour it into a mason jar, seal, and shake until a layer of froth forms.
To Make an Iced Honey Latte:
- Prepare the recipe as written, swapping the 12 ounce mug for a 16 ounce glass filled partway with ice. Omit steaming the milk and cream, but feel free to cold froth the mixture if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate per serving, calculated using standard ingredients. Actual values may vary based on brands used, measurement methods, and more.
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to hear from you - leave a rating and review!
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