If you’ve been scrolling through coffee TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen the Spanish Latte everywhere. That gorgeous layered drink with sweetened condensed milk? It’s been blowing up, and for good reason—it’s ridiculously delicious.
The best part? You don’t need to find a specialty cafe or pay $7 for one. I’m going to show you exactly how to make an authentic Spanish Latte at home in less than 5 minutes.
What Makes Spanish Latte Different?
Unlike a regular latte made with steamed milk, a Spanish Latte uses sweetened condensed milk as the base sweetener and creates a unique caramel-like flavor profile. The condensed milk doesn’t just sweeten—it adds this incredible creamy, almost dulce de leche taste that regular sugar can’t replicate.
The traditional ratio is 1 part espresso, 1 part sweetened condensed milk, and 3 parts steamed milk. This creates that perfect balance of strong coffee flavor with just the right amount of sweetness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 shots espresso (2 oz) or 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 6 oz whole milk (2% works, but whole milk is creamier)
- Optional: Pinch of cinnamon or cocoa powder for garnish
How to Make Spanish Latte (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prepare Your Espresso
Pull 2 shots of espresso using your espresso machine. Don’t have one? No problem—use a moka pot or brew 1/4 cup of very strong coffee (double your normal coffee-to-water ratio).
Step 2: Add Sweetened Condensed Milk
While the espresso is still hot, pour 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk into your serving glass. The heat from the espresso will help it dissolve properly.
Step 3: Pour Espresso and Stir
Pour your hot espresso over the condensed milk and stir vigorously for 10-15 seconds. You want the condensed milk completely dissolved—no clumps at the bottom.
Step 4: Steam Your Milk
Steam 6 oz of whole milk to about 150-160°F. If you don’t have a steamer, heat milk in microwave for 60-90 seconds and froth with a handheld frother or whisk vigorously.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Pour the steamed milk over your espresso-condensed milk mixture. For that Instagram-worthy presentation, pour slowly to create layers. Top with a light dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder.
Hot vs Iced Spanish Latte
Both versions are incredible, here’s how to make each:
Hot Spanish Latte (Traditional):
- Use steamed hot milk
- Creates beautiful latte art potential
- Best for cold weather
- More espresso-forward flavor
Iced Spanish Latte (Summer Favorite):
- Mix hot espresso with condensed milk first
- Let it cool for 2 minutes
- Pour over ice-filled glass
- Top with cold milk (no steaming needed)
- Creates gorgeous layers
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using regular milk instead of condensed milk
This completely changes the drink. Sweetened condensed milk is what gives Spanish Latte its signature flavor. If you substitute regular milk + sugar, it won’t taste the same.
2. Not stirring the condensed milk enough
Condensed milk is thick. If you don’t stir it properly with the hot espresso, you’ll end up with a sweet glob at the bottom and bitter coffee on top.
3. Using weak coffee
The sweetness of condensed milk needs strong espresso to balance it. Weak coffee will just taste like sweet milk.
4. Overheating the milk
Don’t boil your milk! Keep it under 160°F. Overheated milk tastes burnt and won’t create good microfoam for latte art.
Flavor Variations
Once you master the classic, try these twists:
- Vanilla Spanish Latte: Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to the condensed milk
- Cinnamon Dolce: Mix 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon into the condensed milk
- Mocha Spanish Latte: Add 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
- Caramel Spanish Latte: Drizzle caramel sauce on glass walls before adding drink
- Coconut Spanish Latte: Use coconut condensed milk instead
Spanish Latte vs Regular Latte
| Feature | Spanish Latte | Regular Latte |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetener | Sweetened condensed milk | Sugar/syrup (optional) |
| Flavor Profile | Caramel-like, rich, sweet | Mild, coffee-forward |
| Milk Ratio | 1:1:3 (espresso:condensed:milk) | 1:3 (espresso:milk) |
| Sweetness | Always sweet | Customizable |
| Origin | Spain/Latin America | Italy |
Cost Breakdown
Making Spanish Lattes at home is incredibly cost-effective:
| Item | Cafe Price | Homemade Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish Latte (16 oz) | $6-8 | ~$1.25 |
| Sweetened Condensed Milk (can) | N/A | $2.50 (makes 10-12 drinks) |
| Espresso Beans (per drink) | N/A | $0.60 |
| Milk (per drink) | N/A | $0.40 |
Pro Tips from Baristas
- Warm your glass first – Pour hot water in, let sit 30 seconds, dump out. Keeps drink hot longer.
- Use quality espresso beans – The condensed milk amplifies both good and bad coffee flavors. Check our guide to quality coffee beans.
- Adjust sweetness – Start with 2 tbsp condensed milk, adjust to taste (1.5-3 tbsp range)
- Save leftover condensed milk – Pour into ice cube trays, freeze. Pop out cubes as needed!
- Perfect your grind size – Fine grind for espresso gives you that strong base you need
FAQ
Can I use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk?
No! Evaporated milk is unsweetened. Sweetened condensed milk is what makes this drink special. They’re not interchangeable.
How many calories are in a Spanish Latte?
About 220-250 calories for a 12 oz drink (varies based on milk type and condensed milk amount).
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! Use coconut sweetened condensed milk and oat milk or almond milk for steaming. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Why is it called “Spanish” Latte?
Despite the name, it’s actually more popular in Southeast Asia and Latin America. The exact origin is debated, but the use of condensed milk traces back to Spanish colonial influence.
The Bottom Line
Spanish Latte is hands-down one of the easiest fancy coffee drinks to make at home. Once you try it with real freshly roasted beans, you’ll understand why it’s gone viral.
The sweet, creamy, caramel-like flavor from the condensed milk creates something completely different from your standard latte—and that’s exactly why people are obsessed with it.
