Give your morning coffee a tropical upgrade with my easy Coconut Latte recipe! This naturally dairy-free and vegan coconut milk coffee drink is bursting at the seams with creamy, coconutty goodness. And if your pre-coffee energy levels are low, don't worry! You'll only need 5 short minutes and 6 simple ingredients to make this.
You know that feeling when you really need a vacation, but there isn't one in sight? Or even those days when the routine just feels TOO routine? When that happens to me, I like to treat myself to something small but out of the ordinary, and when you love coffee like I do, a coffee shop-style latté is always a good way to do that.
This one feels like something you might order on vacation in Hawaii - a creamy latte with coconut milk that pairs perfectly with a slice of coconut mango bread or (for a mid-day pick-me-up) a couple of chocolate-dipped keto coconut balls. It's bold, rich, and just the right amount of sweet, with a distinctly coconutty flavor that's perfect for summer mornings. If your go-to order is a Starbucks coconut milk latte, you'll definitely want to add this homemade version to your rotation!
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Why You'll Love This Coconut Milk Latte Recipe
- Real Coconut Flavor - Some coconut lattes are just basic lattes sweetened with artificially-flavored syrup - aka they barely whisper coconut. With a hard-hitting trifecta of coconut milk, sweetened condensed coconut milk, and a dash of coconut extract, this creamy latte SCREAMS it. A touch of warm vanilla and cinnamon only intensify the yumminess!
- So Quick & Easy - Making this summer-y sipper takes just 5 minutes-less time than it'd take you to order at a café.
- Naturally Dairy Free - Coconut milk is a non dairy milk, so this latte is great for anyone looking to minimize their dairy consumption!
- Budget-Friendly - The average coffee shop drink costs around $5 before tip and tax - sometimes more. This homemade coco latte costs just a fraction of that! As a bonus, you can customize it to your liking without an upcharge.
Recipe Ingredients
- Canned Light Coconut Milk - Using unsweetened coconut milk that comes in a can ensures a beautiful foamy latte top. Since it's very calorie-dense, I like to use the "light" kind, but full-fat definitely works too! If you use refrigerated, carton-style coconut milk, I recommend you opt for a barista blend; if you don't, you may not end up with the creamiest consistency.
- Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk - If you love Thai iced coffee and Iced Spanish lattes, chances are it's at least partially because of the sweetened condensed milk. Using this vegan version helps to add both sweetness and extra coconut flavor. Can't find it? You can make your own or swap in regular sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, maple syrup, or coconut sugar.
- Coconut Extract - For an intensely coconutty flavor! Aim for coconut extract made with real coconut. Or, if you don't have any and you're in the mood for a boozy latte, try adding a shot of coconut rum!
- Vanilla Extract - You know the saying "if it grows together, it goes together?" Nothing could be more true of this than vanilla and coconut. Feel free to swap in an equal amount of vanilla paste for a slightly fancier vanilla bean coconut milk latte.
- Ground Cinnamon - This is optional, but I've found that a pinch of cinnamon really rounds out the flavors in this coffee drink; the warmth pairs perfectly with the rich java notes!
- Espresso - For a true latte, espresso is the way to go. If you don't own an espresso machine, feel free to swap in strongly brewed coffee; a French press is great for brewing a bold cup! On a hot summer day, you can also use cold brew coffee concentrate to make an iced coconut latte!
How to Make a Coconut Latte
- Warm & Froth. Combine the plain coconut milk, sweetened condensed coconut milk, coconut extract, vanilla extract or paste, and cinnamon in a milk frother to heat and froth. If you don't have a frother, warm the mixture in a small saucepan over medium heat, just until bubbles start to form on the surface. Then, froth with a stick-style frother, whisk rapidly, or shake in a covered mason jar to create a thin layer of froth.
- Pour the milk mixture into your coffee mug of choice.
- Brew the espresso (or coffee) and pour over the warm milk in your mug.
- Garnish as desired with whipped cream, a dash of cinnamon, or a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes before serving. Enjoy!
Iced Latte Variation & Other Adaptations
The benefit of being your own barista is that you can always tweak this coconut milk latte recipe to suit your tastes perfectly! Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
- Keto-Friendly Coconut Cream Latte - For a "bulletproof coffee" version, use full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream to up the fat content. You can even add a bit of unrefined coconut oil! To keep the carbs low, omit the condensed milk and sweeten with erythritol or the sugar-free sweetener of your choice.
- Coconut Iced Latte - If iced coffee is your bread and butter, I see you and I've got you! Rather than heating and frothing the coconut milk mixture, blend it. (I like to use my Nutribullet, but an immersion blender would work well too!) Blending does a great job of cold-frothing the mixture, and also eliminates any pesky chunks of hardened coconut cream in the coconut milk. Once that's done, add the espresso (or cold brew concentrate, if you'd prefer), and add ice last! You can also use coffee ice cubes to prevent any flavor dilution.
- Spiked - Give your coconut latte an adults-only twist by adding a tipple of coconut rum, spiced rum, or coffee liqueur.
Recipe Tips
- Grocery shopping for this recipe? You'll typically find most of the ingredients (everything but the espresso!) in the baking aisle of your local grocery store.
- Use canned coconut milk for the best froth-ability. When you open it for the first time, you'll likely notice that the coconut cream and water have separated. Blend it or whisk it to smooth it out before using, and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Prefer cow's milk rather than coconut milk in coffee? Feel free to make this latte with regular milk (I always recommend whole milk for the creamiest mouthfeel) and add an additional ¼ teaspoon of coconut extract so you don't miss out on any flavor.
- Go big on the garnishes! A dollop of dairy-free whipped cream would make this latte twice as good. You can also add a sprinkle of toasted and sweetened coconut flakes or - if you're serving this iced - a coconut rim! My coconut margarita recipe has all the details you'll need to make this happen.
Serve This Coconut Latte With…
FAQs
Absolutely! Frothing coconut milk is the same as any other milk-just toss it in a pitcher-style milk frother or use a stick-style frother. Keep in mind that it won't create quite the same froth as traditional milk. If you find that yours isn't giving you the foam you desire, I recommend:
- Using full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. More fat means more stable bubbles.
- Adding a small pinch of xanthan gum to the milk while it's frothing. It helps to stabilize the milk so it can hold air.
- Opting for a "barista blend" sold in a carton, which is specifically made for creating creamy coffee concoctions!
I always recommend using a brand of canned coconut milk that lists coconut as the first ingredient (or second, if you're using a light variation) and contains as few additional ingredients as possible. Native Forest, Thai Kitchen, and Arroy-D are all great options!
More Coffee Shop Worthy Recipes
Here are a few of my other go-to coffee recipes that make me feel like I'm at my favorite cafe!
Recipe Card
Coconut Latte
Ingredients
- 6 fluid ounces canned light unsweetened coconut milk whisked until smooth
- 4 teaspoons sweetened condensed coconut milk
- ¼ teaspoon coconut extract
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- dash of ground cinnamon
- 4 fluid ounces espresso or strong coffee
- dairy-free whipped cream, ground cinnamon, or toasted coconut flakes optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the plain coconut milk, sweetened condensed coconut milk, coconut extract, vanilla extract or paste, and cinnamon in a milk frother to heat and froth. If you don't have a frother, warm the mixture in a small saucepan over medium heat, just until bubbles start to form on the surface. Then, froth with a stick-style frother, shake vigorously in a mason jar, or whisk rapidly to create a thin layer of froth.6 fluid ounces canned light unsweetened coconut milk |4 teaspoons sweetened condensed coconut milk |⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste |dash of ground cinnamon |¼ teaspoon coconut extract
- Transfer the milk mixture into your coffee mug of choice.
- Brew the espresso (or coffee) and pour over the warm milk in your mug.4 fluid ounces espresso or strong coffee
- Garnish as desired with whipped cream, a dash of cinnamon, or a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes before serving.
Notes
Ingredients Notes and Substitutions:
- When opening a jar of canned coconut milk, the water and cream/fat will be separate. Whisk or blend the contents before using, and store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Full fat coconut milk can also be used.
- You can also make this latte with regular cow's milk. Increase the coconut extract to ½ teaspoon to maintain the coconut flavor.
- Coconut sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, or traditional sweetened condensed milk can be used as a substitute for sweetened condensed coconut milk.
Iced Variation:
- Rather than frothing the milk mixture, blend it in a Nutribullet or other blender; this will ensure that the coconut milk is completely smooth and will also create foam. Stir in espresso/coffee and then add ice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate per serving, calculated using standard ingredients. Actual values may vary based on brands used, measurement methods, and more.
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