Spanish Latte: Recipe & How to Order It

Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by brewthatcoffee

Curious about the Spanish latte? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to dive into what the Spanish latte is, how to make it, how to order it, the origin, and nutrition information. Get excited because this is one delicious coffee drink!

The Spanish Latte is a delicious drink with a sweet taste and bright color. It is usually made of espresso, steamed milk, and sweetened condensed milk. What makes it stand out from other lattes?

For one thing, the colors are brighter than those of typical lattes, which gives them more personality. The sweetness of the condensed milk also contrasts nicely with the bitterness of coffee to make this a fantastic treat for any time of day!

Spanish Latte Explained

The Spanish latte is made up of espresso (or strong brewed coffee), steamed milk, and sweetened condensed milk.

Espresso is a coffee drink made by forcing pressurized hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. This produces a thick, rich coffee with a lot of body and a deep flavor.

Steamed milk is milk that has been heated to just below boiling point. It is soft and silky with a frothy layer on the top.

Sweetened condensed milk is made by slowly heating sweetened milk to remove water content while leaving behind the sugar. This thick, sticky milk sits in the fridge for around two months, but if you’re trying to make a Spanish latte right now, you can use regular milk and add a spoonful of sugar to it.

Depending on who makes it, many Spanish lattes come with cinnamon, espresso powder, or cocoa powder. This adds an additional layer of flavor and delight.

What does it taste like?

The Spanish latte is a sweet, creamy coffee with a bright orange color. The sweetness of the condensed milk is balanced out by the bitterness of the espresso and makes for a delicious drink any time of day!

Spanish Latte vs. Regular Latte

A traditional latte combines one part espresso with two parts milk. The Spanish latte is a bit more involved than this. You will need two espresso shots, milk, sweetened condensed milk, and cinnamon for the Spanish latte.

As far as texture goes, the Spanish latte is much creamier than the traditional latte. So if you are looking for something a bit more indulgent, try one out.

Origin of the Spanish Latte

The Spanish latte has a unique flavor that isn’t found in other lattes. It originated in Spain and was initially called the café con Leche, which translates to “coffee with milk.” Some sources say that Angel Camacho created this drink in the early 1900s.

Unfortunately, no one knows for sure who created the Café con Leche or when it was first made. It is trendy in Spain, where it originated, and in other Spanish-speaking countries. If you live in Florida, there is a good chance you will see it on the menu in local coffee shops.

Spanish Latte Recipe

Iced Spanish Latte Recipe

How to Order a Spanish Latte at Starbucks/Coffee Shops

Ordering a Spanish latte at your local coffee shop is usually pretty straightforward, meaning you can call it by its name.

Starbucks, on the other hand, is another story.

Option #1: A regular menu drink that is a bit similar to the Spanish latte is the Caffè Misto. After receiving your drink, you can sprinkle some cinnamon on top.

Option #2: The espresso macchiato is another good choice. For this drink, you’ll want to get the doppio size. That way, two espresso shots are added to your drink. I recommend asking your barista to add a sweetener since Spanish lattes tend to be sweet. Like the first option, garnish with some cinnamon.

Option #3: The last option is to order a cappuccino and then garnish with cinnamon.

It’s challenging to get the Spanish latte right at Starbucks since they do not have condensed milk. I personally find condensed milk to be one of the most essential parts.

The Havana Cappuccino at Peet’s Coffee

Another coffee chain that I believe has the closest drink to a Spanish latte is Peet’s coffee. They have what they refer to as a ‘Havana Cappuccino.’ This delicious cappuccino features a hand-pulled espresso forte and condensed milk mixed together. Steamed milk and cinnamon are added on top.

If possible, I recommend finding a local coffee shop that already has the Spanish latte on its menu. It’ll be worth it; trust me!

Caffeine, Calories, and Sugar in a Spanish Latte

Here is the nutritional information for a typical Spanish latte, along with the variations I listed above for Starbucks lovers. Keep in mind that the nutritional information for the Spanish latte is a rough estimate.

It will ultimately come down to the type of milk you choose, the amount of sugar, and other ingredients you end up adding. For the most accurate calorie count, read the back of product packaging and measure well.

Drink Name	Calories	Sugar (g)	Caffeine (mg)
Caffè Misto	110	10	150
Espresso Macchiato (Doppio)	15	0	150
Cappuccino	140	12	150
Spanish Latte/Havana Cappuccino (Peet’s Coffee) – Medium	250	32	N/A
Iced Havana Cappuccino (Peet’s Coffee) – Medium	240	30	N/A

Final Thoughts

A Spanish latte is a delicious and unique drink that you should try and experiment with at home! The best way to make it is with an espresso machine. However, if you’re in a pinch, you can use a Moka pot or Aeropress as well.

The sweetener used in this recipe (sweetened condensed milk) is best for this drink. Condensed milk gives the latte such a pleasant creamy texture.

There are lots of add-ins you can use in the Spanish latte, and I personally love adding cinnamon or cinnamon sugar. However, if you feel like other flavors, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and other spices work great.

Try this recipe out at home and see how you like it! And don’t forget to let us know what you think in the comments below. Enjoy!

Love indulgent drinks? Try out one of these popular chocolate drinks from Starbucks.