When you hear the word “latte,” what immediately comes to mind? If it’s a steaming cup of coffee and milk with a little foam, you’re half right.
The word “latte” is Italian for “milk.” If you order a latte in Italy, expect to get a lovely glass of milk instead of a creamy coffee drink. A “caffe latte” is literally Italian for “milk coffee.” Which means that coffee does not own the latte franchise. It’s time to move beyond coffee lattes, folks—bean there, done that!
Tea lattes are growing in popularity. Whether you order one in a retail establishment or make one in the comfort of your own home, there are many ways to enjoy these delicious, as-decadent-as-you-want-them beverages.
Let’s Make a Latte!
Making a tea latte is simple—there’s really no way you can screw it up (unless you scorch the milk). BTW, the difference between a latte and a cappuccino is the amount of steamed v. frothed milk. A cappuccino has more froth, less steamed milk. If that’s your preference, go ahead and make it that way. We call those a cappuTEAno!
What you need:
- Tea (we’ll talk about some great choices for lattes in a minute)
- Milk—you can use anything from fully leaded whole milk all the way down to skim. If you are cow-intolerant, use soy, almond, oat or your favorite non-dairy alternative. Just so you know, some milks take to frothing better than others.
- A steamer or a saucepan to heat the milk.
- A frother (optional). A French press can also be used. Or a whisk if you’ve been working out.
- Any desired sweetener such as sugar, sugar substitute or brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg or other spices.
Hot Tea Latte
- Take 4 tsp. of loose tea
- Brew in 8 oz. of hot water
- Stir in sugar to your taste (we use four sugar cubes)
- Top with 8 oz. steamed milk
If you’d like to have a thin layer of froth on top, reserve some of the heated milk to froth with a frother, French press (pump the press up and down to create the froth) or incorporate some vigorous manual whisking.
Prefer yours iced? No problem!
Iced Tea Latte
- Take 4 tsp. of loose tea
- Brew in 8 oz. of hot water
- Stir in sugar to your taste (we use four sugar cubes)
- Top with 8 oz. cold milk
- Pour over ice
To impress your friends (and yourself), finish off your masterpiece with latte art, those beautiful hearts and more that you gaze at in amazement. You can find how-to videos on YouTube.
One super-easy way to create a tea latte at home is with our Golden Milk Powder. Just add milk and your desired sweetener/spice to quickly create a rich and spicy drink.
With ingredients like turmeric, ginger, coconut, black pepper and chicory root powder, this beverage is a truly unique treat that also provides some health benefits.
Which Teas Should I Use?
While your preferred tea can be used, you should choose a tea that won’t be overpowered by the milk, like a more delicate white tea would be. Some good choices include:
Earl Grey or Earl Grey Supreme
An Earl Grey with milk is actually called a London Fog. Which brings us to…
Earl Grey with a twist and a great choice.
The spices in chai make it a perfect tea for lattes. Try our Chocolate Chai Supreme in a latte—you won’t be disappointed!
Matcha teas are wonderfully suited for lattes. Their robust flavor and smoothness make the perfect pairing with steamed milk. Whether you go with a classic like Matcha Iri Genmaicha or something less traditional like Very Berry Matcha, you’re in for a treat.
A latte so lovely, your taste buds will swipe right.
The South African herbal tea makes a lovely latte with a red hue. Choose from several Harney rooibos blends, including African Autumn, Rooibos Chai, or Paris Herbal.
This antioxidant-laden tea is a wonderful choice for a latte that is both tasty and beneficial.
Do you have a Harney tea that you like a latte in lattes? Share your tea latte tips in the comment section!
15 comments
Krystina
Organic breakfast tea latte is delicious! H&S organic breakfast tea is so smooth and delicious. Really good with a pump of vanilla syrup.
Organic breakfast tea latte is delicious! H&S organic breakfast tea is so smooth and delicious. Really good with a pump of vanilla syrup.
Raechel Green
I’ve been making tea lattes for many years & I like putting in a little flavored extract in since I don’t like the added sweetness of flavored syrups. I put vanilla &/or coconut extract in my matcha green tea latte & london fogs.
I’ve been making tea lattes for many years & I like putting in a little flavored extract in since I don’t like the added sweetness of flavored syrups. I put vanilla &/or coconut extract in my matcha green tea latte & london fogs.
Mary
Funny…I just created this with Paris and a sprinkle of cinnamon before I read this post. Thought I was being so original!
It was delicious and my new afternoon treat.
Funny…I just created this with Paris and a sprinkle of cinnamon before I read this post. Thought I was being so original!
It was delicious and my new afternoon treat.
Diane
I can’t do dairy, but am def going to try my favorite hot cinnamon with oat milk!
I can’t do dairy, but am def going to try my favorite hot cinnamon with oat milk!
KR
I like using the Victorian London fog blend with some sugar and a few extra buds of lavender for lattes.
I also rather like using Harney’s Russian Country with a few orange pieces snagged from the herbal hot cinnamon spice; it’s a very warming combination! Though with that blend I only use 2 tsp of the smoked black tea for the 16 oz of liquid,heh.
I like using the Victorian London fog blend with some sugar and a few extra buds of lavender for lattes.
I also rather like using Harney’s Russian Country with a few orange pieces snagged from the herbal hot cinnamon spice; it’s a very warming combination! Though with that blend I only use 2 tsp of the smoked black tea for the 16 oz of liquid,heh.
Sylvia Veal
Just tried it with the Hot Cinnamon Spice – my favorite tea. Thanks Debbie for more specific instructions in your post. That helped me a lot! So yummy.
Just tried it with the Hot Cinnamon Spice – my favorite tea. Thanks Debbie for more specific instructions in your post. That helped me a lot! So yummy.
Chris
I’ve been experimenting. Bangkok, Tower of London, and Soho all make a pretty good latte.
I’ve been experimenting. Bangkok, Tower of London, and Soho all make a pretty good latte.
Leslie
As a diabetic, sugar is out for me; but hot cinnamon spice and 1% milk (frothed in a French press and sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon) make a lovely, almost decadent, drink. Thanks for this idea
As a diabetic, sugar is out for me; but hot cinnamon spice and 1% milk (frothed in a French press and sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon) make a lovely, almost decadent, drink. Thanks for this idea
Lynne Conway
What would the tea bag equivalent be to 4 tsp? I only have cinnamon spice in sachets. Help me think this through, I would think one serving of tea with all those tea bags, even diluted by 8 oz. Milk, would be way too much caffeine for a normal person. I want to get into the capputeano thing but don’t want to be overthinking using tea for 3 servings just for me! Thank you all!
What would the tea bag equivalent be to 4 tsp? I only have cinnamon spice in sachets. Help me think this through, I would think one serving of tea with all those tea bags, even diluted by 8 oz. Milk, would be way too much caffeine for a normal person. I want to get into the capputeano thing but don’t want to be overthinking using tea for 3 servings just for me! Thank you all!
Lorraine
Thanks so much for this suggestion…as a very little girl I was taught by my Great Grandmother to drink hot green tea with sugar and warm milk – a latte before we knew of such things ! I’m anxious to try it using a frother 😁.
Thanks so much for this suggestion…as a very little girl I was taught by my Great Grandmother to drink hot green tea with sugar and warm milk – a latte before we knew of such things ! I’m anxious to try it using a frother 😁.
Holly L Neerman
Scottish Morning with demara sugar and full-fat cow or soy milk is a great waker-upper!
Scottish Morning with demara sugar and full-fat cow or soy milk is a great waker-upper!
Debbie
I made my first tea latte using chai years ago. Since then, Hot Cinnamon Spice and Victorian London Fog became my favorites for tea latte. More recently, I have enjoyed New England Breakfast and Florence, both excellent with the steamed milk. I use a teaspoon of maple syrup for sweetener, and 4 ounces skim milk steamed in the microwave, then frothed and poured on top. Excellent treat!
I made my first tea latte using chai years ago. Since then, Hot Cinnamon Spice and Victorian London Fog became my favorites for tea latte. More recently, I have enjoyed New England Breakfast and Florence, both excellent with the steamed milk. I use a teaspoon of maple syrup for sweetener, and 4 ounces skim milk steamed in the microwave, then frothed and poured on top. Excellent treat!
Gerri Barron
I have made the chocolate chai latte at home. YUM OH
Never thought about going ice or the cinnamon spice.
I have made the chocolate chai latte at home. YUM OH
Never thought about going ice or the cinnamon spice.
Barbara W Brown
I’m a tea latte fan! Matcha. London Fog. Hot Cinnamon Spice. All my favorites!!! If you haven’t tried one of these, please do yourself a favor and try one, even a black tea latte is a lovely way to pass an afternoon with a good book.
I’m a tea latte fan! Matcha. London Fog. Hot Cinnamon Spice. All my favorites!!! If you haven’t tried one of these, please do yourself a favor and try one, even a black tea latte is a lovely way to pass an afternoon with a good book.
Rasheda
Thank you for this post! I love tea and I love lattes and hate coffee. Excited to make some of these recipes at home!
Thank you for this post! I love tea and I love lattes and hate coffee. Excited to make some of these recipes at home!