Easy Maple Latte with Real Maple Syrup

If you’re looking for a cozy fall drink besides pumpkin spice, then a warm homemade Maple Latte may be the drink for you.

This simple maple latte recipe brings together pure maple syrup, shots of brewed espresso and creamy steamed milk.

It definitely gives off home-cooked breakfast vibes and it’s super simple to make.

Maple Syrup in Coffee

Real maple syrup (not pancake syrup) is a delicious way to sweeten and flavor coffee, tea and cocktails.

The fact is, maple syrup is a simple syrup just like all the others we pour and pump into our favorite beverages—with one exception.

Maple syrup is made with real maple sap, straight from the tree. Most other flavored store-bought coffee syrups are not pure.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• A maple syrup latte has just three ingredients, but you can elevate it with whipped cream and your favorite spice or crunchy toppings.
• Making a maple spice latte at home is a real cost-saver compared to coffeeshop prices. And it’s super easy to make in your own kitchen—hot or iced.
• You can make an individual cup or wow your guests with it. I love to serve it to holiday guests, especially around Thanksgiving.

Maple Latte Ingredients

It only takes 3 ingredients to make a basic maple latte, but I like to turn it into a decadent coffeeshop-worthy beverage with some toppings, as well.

Here’s what you need.

• Pure Maple Syrup
• Brewed Espresso
• Milk
• Whipped Cream
• Cinnamon Sugar

Pure Maple Syrup: The only way to make a maple latte is with 100% pure maple syrup.

Typical pancake syrup contains high fructose corn syrup, coloring and artificial flavors.

For a latte with real maple flavor through-and-through, definitely skip the breakfast stuff and get a bottle of the real thing.

Brewed Espresso: To make a maple latte with strong coffee flavor, use your favorite brewed espresso roast.

My favorite is Starbucks dark espresso roast. It has notes of molasses and caramel which pair perfectly with maple.

My Breville Barista Express espresso machine has a built in coffee grinder (a must!), so I get whole beans.

TIP: Buy bags of coffee directly from Starbucks to earn lots of Rewards Stars to use toward free drinks.

But, if you have a Nespresso machine, I recommend getting Starbucks dark roast espresso pods for the Vertuo line or dark roast espresso capsules for the original Nespresso.

Steamed Milk: For a nice and creamy maple latte, use 2% or whole milk. For a super-creamy latte you could even steam up some half-and-half.

To make a vegan maple latte, feel free to use a plant-based milk such as oat or almond.

For this warm latte recipe, I recommend getting the barista edition which is formulated to get foamy.

Whipped Cream: Whipped cream on top of a maple syrup latte is obviously optional, but wow, is it good.

I always use the real Starbucks whipped cream recipe for all my lattes (and actually all my desserts, too). The secret to why it’s so irresistible is that it’s sweetened with vanilla syrup.

Cinnamon Sugar: To top off the maple latte, sprinkle on your your favorite fall-flavored ground spice like cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice.

You could even put a little cinnamon sugar on top just like my copycat Starbucks cinnamon dolce latte recipe.

How to Make a Maple Latte

This recipe makes a 16 ounce maple latte and can be made directly in a mug that size or larger.

1. Add maple syrup to mug.
2. Steam milk to 160°F. (See tips below.) Set aside.
3. Brew the espresso, then pour shots over the maple syrup, followed by the steamed milk and foam.
4. Top the maple latte with whipped cream and sprinkle on your favorite spice topping.

Detailed recipe and instructions are in recipe card at bottom of post.

Tips for Steaming Milk for a Maple Latte

Properly steamed milk is a must for making the best at-home maple syrup latte—or any latte.

What you’re going for is a silky milk texture with microfoam (super tiny bubbles) that’s about 160 °F.

The temperature really matters, since it’s just right for bringing out the milk’s sweetness, but not so hot that it scalds it.

Here are three methods for steaming milk:

1. Use the steam wand on an espresso machine. At first keep the wand just below the surface of the milk to add in air. Once the milk is spinning in a circle, lower the wand and keep it there until the milk is 160 °F. Use an inexpensive milk thermometer or pitcher with thermometer indicator.
2. Use an electric milk frother. If you make a lot of lattes and hot coffee beverages at home, I highly recommend investing in a Breville electric milk frother (or one with similar features). What I love about it is, it has a 3 cup capacity and a temperature setting dial.
3. Heat milk on stove and use a handheld milk frother. For this method be sure and use a milk thermometer. Once the milk is heated, carefully pour it into a small pitcher and aerate it until it’s foamy.

To complete the steamed milk preparation, tap the pitcher on the counter to knock down any large bubbles. Then, swirl it around until it looks like wet paint.

Top a Maple Latte with Maple Syrup-Flavored Whipped Cream

For maple flavor from first sip to last, top your maple latte with homemade maple syrup whipped cream.

Just make homemade whipped cream with heavy cream as you normally do, but substitute real maple syrup for the regular sweetener.

Iced Maple Latte Recipe

When I think of fall, I gravitate towards hot drinks.

But the truth is, iced coffee beverages are just as popular. In fact, did you know that iced beverage sales at Starbucks out-do their hot counterparts?

So if you’re in the mood for an Iced Maple Latte, you’ll love that it’s even easier to make than the warm version. Here are the steps.

1. In this order, add maple syrup, brewed espresso and cold milk in a glass.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Top with whipped cream and spices.

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