This Lavender Latte is a lightly floral coffee drink made with espresso, steamed milk, vanilla, and homemade lavender simple syrup. Once the syrup is ready, the latte takes about five minutes to prepare with just four main ingredients, plus optional food coloring.
It is the kind of drink I would enjoy on a quiet Saturday morning while reading a book or sitting outside in the garden. Serve it hot when you want something warm and relaxing, or pour it over ice for a refreshing spring or summer drink. It is especially delicious with Lemon Poppy Seed Scones or Lavender Lemon Cookies.
Jump to:
- Quick Answer
- What Makes This Lavender Latte Special
- Ingredient Notes
- Step-by-Step Directions
- Pro Tips
- Substitutions and Variations
- Storage and Freezing
- What to Serve With a Lavender Latte
- Lavender Latte FAQs
- More Lavender Recipes and Guide
- Lavender Latte Recipe
- Lavender Latte with Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup
Quick Answer
A lavender latte combines espresso or strong coffee with milk, vanilla, and lavender simple syrup. The homemade syrup gives the drink a lightly sweet floral flavor, and the latte can be served hot or iced. Begin with 1 tablespoon of syrup so the lavender complements the coffee without overpowering it.
What Makes This Lavender Latte Special
This recipe feels like a coffeehouse treat, but it is simple to make at home. The lavender syrup can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, so you can make a latte in about five minutes whenever you want one.
You can also adjust the drink to your taste. Use espresso or strong coffee, choose your favorite dairy or non-dairy milk, and add as much or as little lavender syrup as you like. One batch of syrup is enough for several drinks and can also be used in tea, lemonade, sparkling water, and mocktails.
Ingredient Notes
Culinary Lavender: Use dried culinary lavender that is clearly labeled food-grade and intended for cooking. Lavender sold for crafts, decorating, or fragrance may have been treated with products that are not safe to consume.
Lavender can quickly become too strong, so measure it carefully. One tablespoon is enough to flavor this batch of syrup.
Granulated Sugar: Regular granulated sugar creates a smooth syrup with a clean flavor. Other sugars can be used, but they may change the color and taste of the finished syrup.
Espresso or Strong Coffee: One shot of espresso gives the drink a traditional latte flavor. If you do not have an espresso machine, substitute 1/2 cup of strongly brewed coffee.
Milk: Use any milk you enjoy. Whole milk makes a rich, creamy latte, while oat milk is a good dairy-free choice and usually froths well. Almond milk creates a lighter drink, and coconut milk will add a noticeable coconut flavor.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla softens the floral flavor and complements both the lavender and coffee.
Food Coloring: Food coloring is completely optional and is only for appearance. Homemade lavender syrup is usually clear, pale yellow, or light amber – not purple. If you want a lavender-colored drink, add only one or two drops of purple food coloring to the milk.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Add the water and sugar to a small saucepan. Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Step 2. Add the culinary lavender and gently simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
Step 3. Cool completely and transfer to a clean glass bottle or airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Step 4. Heat the milk until hot but not boiling. Stir the vanilla and optional food coloring into the milk. Froth if desired.
Step 5. Add the espresso and 1 tablespoon of lavender syrup to a mug and stir.
Step 6. Pour in the warm milk and spoon the foam over the top.
Taste and add more lavender syrup if desired.
Serve immediately.
Pro Tips
Start with 1 tablespoon of lavender syrup. You can always add more after tasting the latte.
Keep the syrup at a gentle simmer. Boiling it too hard can reduce it too quickly and make the lavender flavor harsh.
Do not steep the lavender longer than necessary. Oversteeping can make the syrup taste bitter or soapy.
Strain out all the lavender buds so the syrup stays smooth and clear.
Do not boil the milk. Overheated milk can develop a cooked flavor and may not froth as well.
Let freshly brewed espresso cool for a few minutes before making an iced latte so it does not immediately melt the ice.
Write the preparation date on the syrup container before refrigerating it.
Substitutions and Variations
Iced Lavender Latte: Stir the espresso, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon of lavender syrup together. Fill a glass with ice, pour in the coffee mixture, and add 3/4 to 1 cup of cold milk. Stir and add more syrup if desired.
Dairy-Free Lavender Latte: Use oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk. A barista-style oat milk usually gives the creamiest texture and foam.
Decaf Lavender Latte: Use decaffeinated espresso or strong decaf coffee for a drink you can enjoy later in the day.
Honey Lavender Latte: Use 2 teaspoons of lavender syrup and 1 teaspoon of honey. Taste and adjust the sweetness before serving.
Lavender Matcha Latte: Replace the espresso with prepared matcha, then add the lavender syrup and milk. Serve it hot or over ice
Storage and Freezing
Store the cooled lavender syrup in a clean, airtight glass bottle or jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Discard it if you notice mold, bubbling, cloudiness, an unusual odor, or any other sign of spoilage.
The syrup may also be frozen in an ice cube tray. Once the cubes are solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe container. The individual portions are convenient for iced coffee, tea, or lemonade.
A prepared hot latte is best enjoyed immediately. An iced latte can be refrigerated for several hours, although the ingredients may separate. Stir it before drinking.
What to Serve With a Lavender Latte
Lavender pairs especially well with lemon, berries, vanilla, Earl Grey tea, and white chocolate. Try your latte with:
- Lemon Poppy Seed Scones for a bright lemon flavor that balances the floral latte.
- Lavender Lemon Cookies for a pretty spring pairing that carries the lavender flavor through both recipes.
- White Chocolate Raspberry Scones for a special brunch or afternoon treat.
- Strawberry Scones for a spring or summer breakfast.
- Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies for a buttery cookie with a subtle tea flavor.
- The Best Lemon Bars for a sweet and tangy dessert pairing.
This latte is especially nice on a quiet Saturday morning, during an afternoon reading break, or while sitting in the garden. It would also be lovely for Easter, Mother’s Day, a spring brunch, a tea party, or a bridal or baby shower.
Lavender Latte FAQs
A lavender latte is lightly sweet and floral, with warm vanilla and coffee flavors. The lavender should be subtle rather than perfumey or soapy. Starting with 1 tablespoon of syrup gives you more control over the final flavor.
Yes. Substitute 1/2 cup of strongly brewed coffee for the espresso. Coffee made with a French press, moka pot, pod machine, or concentrated instant coffee can also work.
Natural lavender syrup is normally clear, pale yellow, or light amber. The purple color in many coffeehouse drinks usually comes from food coloring or another colorful ingredient. The color does not indicate how much lavender flavor the syrup contains.
The syrup may contain too much lavender, or the lavender may have simmered or steeped too long. Measure one level tablespoon, keep the syrup at a gentle simmer, and strain it after the 10-minute steeping time.
More Lavender Recipes and Guide
If you enjoy lavender, try my Lavender Lemonade or learn more in my Beginner’s Guide to Lavender Tea.
Until next time, keep life sweet – one cup at a time.
Lavender Latte Recipe
Lavender Latte with Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 1 shot espresso or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lavender simple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1 to 2 drops purple or lavender food coloring
Instructions
Lavender Simple Syrup
- Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Add the culinary lavender and gently simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
- Cool completely and transfer to a clean glass bottle or airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Lavender Latte
- Heat the milk until hot but not boiling.
- Stir the vanilla and optional food coloring into the milk. Froth if desired.
- Add the espresso and 1 tablespoon of lavender syrup to a mug and stir.
- Pour in the warm milk and spoon the foam over the top.
- Taste and add more lavender syrup if desired.
- Serve immediately.
