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A simple, lightly sweetened homemade latte that’s perfect for staying caffeinated and cool all summer long. Homemade cinnamon milk infused with real vanilla bean is shaken until frothy, then poured over a double shot of espresso sweetened with honey. Creamy, ice-cold, and perfectly sweet. Best of all, it comes together in just minutes.
One of my favorite drink recipes I’ve ever shared is probably not what you’d guess. It’s not one of my cocktails. It’s my Iced Brown Sugar Latte with Shaken Espresso.
I had so much fun creating that recipe, and I’ve made it countless times since sharing it. It’s one of the few recipes of my own that I actually remake regularly.
Over time, even though I love that sweet brown sugar syrup, I found myself craving a latte I could make every day. Something a little less sweet, a little simpler, and a little more like the coffee I naturally gravitate toward.
More often than not, I drink my coffee black, usually with a couple of espresso shots added. My dad taught me early on how to drink black coffee, and it really stuck with me. I am definitely his daughter.
But I still love a fun latte. They’re pretty and cozy, and make even the most ordinary morning feel a little more special. Whenever I travel, I always make a point to try the local coffee shops, but the lattes almost always end up being much sweeter than I prefer.
At home, I’ve been making this honey latte instead. It’s incredibly simple. Just milk infused with vanilla and cinnamon, shaken until frothy, then poured over espresso sweetened with honey. Nothing complicated, nothing over the top, but it’s the kind of drink you’d easily pay good money for at your favorite coffee shop.
Instead, make it at home. My guess is you already have milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and honey in your kitchen. Just add espresso or strong brewed coffee, and you’re ready to go.
Ingredients
- Whole milk or milk of your choosing
- Vanilla paste or vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
- Warm espresso or black coffee
- Honey
Tools Needed
You’ll need either a blender or a handheld milk frother for this latte. Then all that’s left is a tall glass and plenty of ice.
A clear glass is ideal for iced lattes. Watching the cinnamon vanilla milk swirl into the honey-sweetened espresso is one of the best parts. It’s simple, but it feels a little special every time.
The Steps
Step 1: Make the Cinnamon Milk
This cinnamon milk is what takes a simple iced latte and makes it feel special.
Combine the milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of flaky sea salt. You can use whatever milk you enjoy most. Whole milk creates the creamiest latte, but oat milk, almond milk, goat milk, or your favorite dairy-free milk all work beautifully.
Blend or froth everything together until smooth and foamy. A handheld milk frother is quick and easy, but a blender works just as well.
Don’t skip the salt. It enhances the vanilla and cinnamon and helps balance the sweetness from the honey.
Step 2: Sweeten the Espresso
Brew your espresso and, while it’s still warm, stir in the honey.
This step is important because honey dissolves much more easily into warm coffee. If you wait until the espresso is cold and poured over ice, the honey tends to sink to the bottom, especially if you’re using raw honey.
Give it a good stir, shake it in a jar, or froth it together until completely smooth.
Step 3: Mix and Swirl
Fill a glass with ice and pour in the honey-sweetened espresso.
Slowly pour the frothy cinnamon milk over top and watch the layers swirl together. Give everything a gentle stir, then take a sip and adjust the sweetness if needed. A drizzle of extra honey works well if you prefer it a little sweeter.
This simple homemade latte is lightly sweetened, perfectly creamy, and easy to make whenever the craving strikes. It’s the kind of coffee that feels a little fancy but comes together in just minutes — perfect for slow summer mornings, afternoon pick-me-ups, or anytime you want your daily coffee to feel a bit more special.
