Warm, nutty, and cozy, this amaretto latte is a comforting indulgence for brunch, a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or even a post-dinner treat. The rich aroma of espresso and nuts, with a hint of cinnamon, topped off with silky homemade whipped cream, is sure to satisfy.
Vermont's winters are often long, cold, and gray. Sometimes, I need something to help me through the dreariest of days, like upgrading my usual Americano to a flavorful, boozy latte.
🥰 Why you'll love this latte recipe
- It's indulgent, comforting, warm, and delicious. Need I say more? If you want even more coffee indulgence, pair this with a piece of my cherry tiramisu.
- It makes a wonderful treat for a cold winter's day that's sure to warm you up.
- Amaretto adds a tasty, nutty sweetness that elevates the standard latte.
Need some more warm and satisfying recipes? Try this Honey Citrus Mint Tea, unique Hot Buttered Rum, filling Beef and Stout Hotpot, and rustic Cauliflower Potato Leek Soup. Or browse all of my comfort food recipes.
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☕ Ingredients
Here's everything you need to make an amaretto latte.
- Espresso: This latte requires two shots (2 ounces) of freshly brewed espresso. You can make it with your favorite coffee beans. I often use beans from Dean's Beans, an organic coffee roaster in Massachusetts.
- Milk: Use whole milk or your preferred alternative. Some milks are better than others for steaming and creating a nice foam. Here's a good ranking of the best dairy and non-dairy milks for frothing.
- Amaretto liqueur: Any brand of amaretto will do the job. Of course, some are better than others. I use whatever I have on hand.
- Ground cinnamon: A sprinkle of cinnamon for garnishing the latte.
- Heavy cream: To make this latte extra special, top it off with whipped cream. You can make your own using heavy cream or use store-bought. I love Cabot's whipped cream, made with milk from New England dairy farmers.
- Almonds: Roughly chopped and toasted almonds make a crunchy topping that complements the latte's nutty amaretto flavor.
See the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
🍫 Substitutions & Variations
- Non-alcoholic version: Instead of amaretto liqueur, use an amaretto flavored syrup, such as Monin's. Or, if you have the time, here's an easy way to make your own.
- Amaretto coffee cocktail: If you don't have a way to make espresso and want to use coffee instead, replace the espresso with 8 ounces of hot, freshly brewed coffee.
- Frangelico latte: For a hazelnut flavored latte, use Frangelico as an Amaretto substitute.
- Iced amaretto latte: Just serve the beverage over ice. You can also add amaretto to a cold espresso cocktail, like this cold-brew martini.
- Chocolate amaretto latte: Stir an ounce of chopped dark or milk chocolate into the hot espresso until melted before adding the amaretto.
♨️ Instructions
How to make an amaretto latte.
- Step 1: Roughly chop the almonds and toast them in a pan over low heat for 405 minutes or until fragrant
- Step 2: Whip the heavy cream and sugar until thick peaks form.
- Step 3: Brew the espresso.
- Step 4: Froth the milk.
- Step 5: Add the amaretto to the espresso.
- Step 6: Pour in the steamed milk.
- Step 7: Spon the whipped cream over the latte.
- Step 8: Top it with the toasted almonds and some cinnamon.
✨ Top Tip
In order to keep the drink hot, toast the almonds and whip the cream before you prepare the espresso and steam the milk.
🫖 Equipment Options
You can prepare your espresso and steamed milk for this latte recipe in a few ways. Here are my suggestions:
- Espresso machine: An espresso machine is the best way to make a good latte. They use steam pressure to push hot water through finely ground coffee and create a heavily concentrated espresso. But if you don't have an espresso machine, there are other options.
- Moka pot: Like espresso machines, Moka pots use steam pressure to create a strong espresso-like coffee. However, they are much simpler and more affordable. The coffee won't be as strong as espresso, but it is close, and it is what I have used to make espresso drinks at home for years.
- Milk frother: If you don't have an espresso maker with a milk frother, then a simple, inexpensive milk frothing wand will do the trick.
- French press: This is a great way to create a strong coffee (or even make espresso). I also love to use my French press to froth milk, so you can use it to prep both your coffee and milk.
🙋🏻♀️ FAQ
Amaretto's nutty vanilla sweetness pairs beautifully with the roasted notes of coffee and espresso beverages.
It depends. You can make an amaretto latte with a flavored sweet syrup or by using amaretto liqueur. This recipe uses the liqueur and includes alcohol.
An amaretto latte is rich, sweet, and nutty.
You can add many kinds of alcohol to your coffee, such as Irish cream, Kahlua, amaretto, and Frangelico.
🍪 Pairing
What to serve with this homemade amaretto latte.
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📖 Recipe
Amaretto Latte
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 large latte 1x
Description
Warm, nutty, and cozy, this amaretto latte is a wonderful indulgence for brunch, a mid-afternoon pick me up, or a post dinner treat.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons almonds, chopped
- 3 ounces heavy cream
- Ground coffee beans
- 8 ounces of milk, your favorite variety
- 1 ounce amaretto liqueur
- Cinnamon, for topping
Instructions
- Toast the almonds. Add the chopped almonds to a small pan. Heat over a low flame for 3-4 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant.
- Whip the cream. Put the cream in a bowl and whip it with a whisk or mixer until thick.
- Make the latte. Pull two shots (2 ounces of espresso) using your preferred method. Steam the milk until thickened and frothed.
- Assemble the drink. Pour the espresso in the bottom of a mug. Add the amaretto liqueur. Pour in the milk and top with the whipped cream. Garnish with the almonds and some ground cinnamon.
Notes
Use more or less heavy cream and milk, depending on the size of your mug.
Try it with freshly brewed coffee instead of espresso.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Cuisine: Italian
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