How to Make a Latte Without a Machine

Skip expensive coffee shop lattes and make them at home! With this easy recipe I will show you how to make a latte at home without any fancy machine or tools needed!

I love having a good homemade dairy free latte in the morning. Without needing to go to a coffee shop.

Which is why I have spent countless hours figuring out how to make the perfect latte at home without an espresso machine.

What is a latte?

The term “latte” is the shortened form of “caffe latte” which is Italian for coffee with milk. So it’s a coffee drink made with espresso, steamed milk and a thin layer of frothed milk on top which is called a microfoam. 

As an option you can have it sweetened with your choice of flavoured syrup. My favourite way to sweeten it is with maple syrup or a bit of honey because then it’s refined sugar free!

Ingredients needed

• Milk: Barista blend oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk or for used whole milk (for a dairy option). For dairy free milk, oat froths the best.
• Espresso substitute: Coffee brewed at double strength or a homemade espresso substitute (no machine required). 
• Optional sweetener: Maple syrup, vanilla simple syrup, honey or sugar mixed in with your milk.
• Tools Needed: Jar with a lid or a French press to make frothy milk. A way to boil water or make brewed coffee.
• A small strainer to strain your homemade espresso. And a small saucepan or a heat proof container to heat your milk in.
• Coffee Beans: In America, espresso is generally made with an Arabica or Robusta bean, that is a dark roast coffee bean and is finely ground. Regular coffee beans or ground coffee to make your coffee base.

How to Make: Espresso Substitute or Strong Coffee

I have read many articles on how to make lattes without a machine. And not one tells you the quantity of coffee grounds it actually takes to make “strongly brewed coffee”.

Don’t worry I have 2 methods for you to try, double strength coffee and an espresso substitute. Both are equivalent to a double shot of espresso.

You can make espresso (substitutes) with a moka pot or an aero press. Both great options but they require extra equipment.

Method 1: Espresso Shot Substitute

To make an espresso substitute use pre ground coffee or grind your coffee beans on a medium grind setting. Then using a small cup that holds at least 1/2 cup of water.

• Measure: 2 ½ tablespoons of grounds into cup.
• Boil Water: Bring to boil and let it sit about 20 seconds before using (will prevent burning your coffee). 
• Steep Grounds: Pour ½ cup of hot water over the grounds and let them steep for 4 minutes. After 1 minute, stir and let steep 3 more minutes.
• Strain: Pour over a fine mesh strainer let sit for a bit to let any coffee grounds settle
• Use: Pour it into the bottom of your latte mug, be careful to not pour the last bit of thick liquid into your cup.

Method 2: Strong-Brewed Coffee

All espresso drinks need a good strong taste, and you can achieve this with your coffee machine. Simply brew it twice as strong as what you normally would. I use 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds for one cup of brewed coffee.

• Measure: 2 tablespoons of grounds into coffee filter and add 1 cup water.
• Brew Coffee: Once brewed use as your espresso base.

How To Steam & Froth Your Milk

I like to use the stovetop or the microwave to heat my milk. Warm milk until it is just about to or starts to steam lightly. Never bring it to a boil since overheating your milk can denature it. Causing it to not hold froth and to even taste funny.

Stovetop: 

Place your milk in a small saucepan on the stovetop. Cook it over medium heat until heated and starting to steam. Gently stir throughout to make sure it doesn’t burn.

Microwave: 

Pour your milk into a glass container like a mug or a mason jar. Microwave for about 1.5 minutes. I microwave mine for 1 minute, then stir or swirl the milk in the jar and put it back in for 30 seconds. This prevents the milk from overheating and denaturing.

Froth Milk With French Press or Jar

The easiest way to froth milk without any fancy tools is to use a jar with a lid. I find the best way is to use a french press or a pump frother.

A jar creates enough froth but the bubbles are larger. While a press creates a lot of foam and nice small bubbles. For more frothing options read this article.

I use about 3/4 to 1 cup of milk to froth milk without a steam wand.

French press: 

• Add hot milk to pitcher
• Press the plunger up and down for about 30-60 seconds or until your milk has an inch of foam.
• Pour into espresso base. Try using the pour spout on the press pitcher to make some latte art.

Mason Jar: 

• Pour milk into a glass jar
• Close with a lid and shake vigourously for 30-60 seconds. 
  This creates a nice amount of foam to sit on top your latte.
  I use the same jar to heat my milk in the microwave that I shake it in.
  If the milk is too hot, use a tea towel to hold the jar while you shake it.

How to make a latte without a machine

• Prepare strong coffee or espresso substitute 
• While coffee or espresso is brewing, heat milk of choice
• Froth milk by shaking vigorously in a jar with a lid for 30ish seconds. Or you can pour the milk into the French press and pump the plunger up and down for 30-60 seconds until milk has doubled in size.
• Pour espresso substitute or strong coffee into a mug, then pour the frothed milk on top. Foam rises to top creating a perfect homemade latte.
• Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the top of your latte to make it extra special.

Flavoured Homemade Lattes

In order to sweeten a latte, you need to add 1-2 tablespoons of syrup to your milk before heating and frothing it. If you like a sweeter latte use more like 3-4 tablespoons. I’ve included a few easy recipes for you to try out with your homemade lattes!

Vanilla Latte: Add 2 tablespoons of honey and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Or add about 2 tablespoons of vanilla syrup to your milk before steaming it.

Maple Latte: Add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup to your milk before heating.

Mocha latte: In order to make a mocha latte without a machine, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons maple syrup or sugar to 1 cup oat milk. Steam and make sure to whisk in the cocoa powder and syrup.

Dairy Free Tea Lattes

A tea latte is made with tea bags steeped in hot water and steamed milk and a thin layer of milk foam. I know some coffee lovers may not drink tea lattes, but I adore them. Here are some of my favourite dairy free tea lattes: