Who knew there was such a thing as Spanish Latte? It may not look uniquely Spanish but the dash of cinammon at the end is enough to transport you back to the streets of Spain.
When I was discovering the different types of coffee that was unique to try, I thought to give this Spanish Latte a go.
I was surprised by how simple the recipe is. Yet, the taste of this coffee is delightfully creamy with a hint of sweetness.
If you want to try this coffee yourself, read on as I will give you an easy yet tasty Spanish latte recipe.
What Is Spanish Latte?
Similar to the other lattes from places where coffee is famous, in Italy, for instance, a Spanish latte or Cafe con Leche is a shot of espresso mixed with warm milk. So, what makes Spanish latte different?
Unlike the regular latte, the usual Spanish latte recipe uses sweetened condensed milk as its sweetener. You will also need to add sugar for extra sweetness.
While other lattes use steamed, frothed milk, Cafe con Leche uses scalding milk.
The Spanish latte is usually sweeter than other lattes, making it perfect for people who love sweet, creamy brews.
A Brief History Of Spanish Latte
Adding condensed milk to coffee has always been a thing done in the coffee scene. If you’ve ever tried Cafe Canario or Vietnamese coffee, you know how good espresso and condensed milk are when combined.
As the name suggests, Spanish latte and the first Spanish latte recipe came from Spain. It uses a strong brew to balance the sweetness of the sugar and condensed milk.
This coffee is popular in the Philippines, districts of Cuba, and Florida, where people often drink it while eating breakfast.
How Does Spanish Latte Differ From Other Types Of Coffee?
The usual Spanish latte recipe is easy to follow. Yet this coffee blend has distinct differences from other lattes and any other coffee types.
Coffee
A Spanish latte recipe usually uses two shots of espresso. But if you do not have an espresso machine, you can use fresh dark roast coffee of high quality.
Finely ground your dark roast coffee beans so you can extract all the flavours. This way, you can make the finest espresso or espresso substitute.
Water
The water you use for making espresso can make or break your entire Spanish latte recipe. An excellent Spanish latte should use high-quality water to prevent unwanted tastes from developing.
So, it is ideal to use bottled or filtered water to ensure the quality of your coffee. Tap water may have a special taste or a high mineral content, so I do not suggest using it for pulling your espresso.
Milk
You can use any milk for your Spanish latte. You can even use non-dairy milk like oat milk or almond milk if you are lactose intolerant.
However, the best Spanish latte recipe uses 2% milk. Adding texture to your milk by foaming it can also improve your Spanish latte.
Condensed Milk
An authentic Spanish latte recipe uses sweetened condensed milk. Apart from the condensed milk, you also need to add sugar for extra sweetness.
Spanish Latte Recipe
Spanish latte may sound fancy, but the recipe is straightforward to follow. In fact, you only need five ingredients to make a Spanish latte at home:
- 2 shots of espresso or dark roast coffee
- 5 ounces textured hot milk
- 1 ounce sweetened condensed milk
- sugar (the amount depends on the level of sweetness you want)
- Dash of cinammon
Step 1: Prepare your espresso
Use finely ground coffee to pull two shots of espresso. If you do not have an espresso machine, you can brew a strong dark coffee using finely ground beans.
Step 2: Heat and texture your milk
After preparing your milk, the next thing you will do is to heat your coffee until it is scalding. As mentioned, a Spanish latte differs from other latte recipes as it uses hot milk instead of steamed.
Step 3: Mix the ingredients
After preparing your coffee and milk, get a heat-proof glass and add an ounce of sweetened condensed milk into it. You may also want to add some sugar if the condensed milk’s sweetness is not enough for you.
But if you do not have a sweet tooth, you can cut the sugar from your Spanish latte recipe.
Next, add your coffee base to the glass and the textured milk at the top of all the ingredients.
Finally, give your Spanish latte a good stir to dissolve the condensed milk. Mixing the condensed milk should be easy since you are using hot milk for your Spanish latte. Top it up with cinnamon and you’re good to go!
Now that the ingredients are all mixed up, you can enjoy your Cafe con Leche with your favorite snack!
Spanish Latte Over Ice
Drinking a hot cup of coffee when the weather is hot can be less enjoyable. So, if you want to enjoy your Spanish latte on a hot summer day, you can add ice to it!
Prepare your Cafe con Leche the regular way but use a bigger cup to hold the ice. You may also want to add more sugar since the latte will lose its sweetness as the ice melts.
Some Final Thoughts While You Enjoy Your Spanish Latte
Cafe con Leche is a simple yet delicious drink, thanks to the intricate way that you need to make your coffee base. It is also perfect for any time of the day as you can serve it hot or cold.
If you tried making a Spanish latte at home, please tell us your thoughts about it! You can drop any comments or questions in the comment section, and we’ll be happy to help!