Cinnamon Dolce Latte Recipe

Hey coffee lover! If you're craving that signature Starbucks drink without leaving your kitchen, this cinnamon dolce latte recipe is exactly what you need. This cozy beverage combines rich espresso with sweet cinnamon dolce syrup and steamed milk, creating a warm hug in a mug that rivals any coffee shop version.

The best part? You'll learn how to make your own cinnamon dolce latte recipe using simple ingredients you probably already have. Whether you want an iced cinnamon dolce latte recipe or hot version, this guide covers everything. No fancy equipment required; just pure coffee magic!

Why This Cinnamon Dolce Latte Recipe Wins Every Time

The cinnamon dolce latte recipe has become a fan favorite since Starbucks introduced it years ago, and for good reason. This starbucks cinnamon dolce latte recipe combines the warmth of cinnamon with buttery brown sugar notes, creating a flavor profile that feels like autumn in a cup; even when it's not fall. Unlike other coffee drinks that can taste artificial or overly sweet, this recipe cinnamon dolce latte strikes the perfect balance between spice, sweetness, and bold espresso.

What makes this dolce cinnamon latte recipe truly special is its versatility. You can serve it hot on cold mornings, turn it into an iced version for afternoon pick-me-ups, or even make it dairy-free without sacrificing flavor. Plus, learning how to make the cinnamon dolce syrup at home means you control the sugar content and quality of ingredients. This homemade coffee drink pairs beautifully with breakfast pastries, makes a great afternoon treat, and impresses guests every time.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Recipe Variations & Substitutions
• Equipment Recommendations
• Storage & Meal Prep Tips
• The Secret to Coffee Shop Quality
• FAQ
• Your New Morning Ritual Awaits
• Related
• Pairing
• Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Ingredients

For the Cinnamon Dolce Syrup:

• Water
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

For the Latte:

• Espresso or strong brewed coffee
• Milk
• Cinnamon dolce syrup
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Cinnamon stick (optional)

Substitutions: For a vegan dairy-free cinnamon dolce latte, use oat milk or almond milk. Replace brown sugar with coconut sugar for a lower glycemic option. If you don't have an espresso machine, use ½ cup strong brewed coffee instead.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

1. Combine water and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat
2. Stir constantly until sugar dissolves completely (about 3 minutes)
3. Add ground cinnamon and whisk thoroughly to prevent clumps
4. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low
5. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
6. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt
7. Let cool completely, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a jar

Step 2: Brew Your Espresso

1. Pull 2 shots of espresso using your espresso machine
2. If using a Moka pot, brew according to manufacturer instructions
3. For French press method, use 2 tablespoons finely ground coffee with 2 ounces hot water
4. Let espresso sit for 30 seconds to cool slightly before building your latte

Step 3: Steam and Froth the Milk

1. Pour milk into a steaming pitcher or microwave-safe container
2. If using a steam wand, position it just below the milk surface
3. Steam until milk reaches 150-160°F and doubles in volume
4. For stovetop method, heat milk in a saucepan while whisking vigorously
5. Use a handheld frother for 30 seconds to create foam

Step 4: Assemble Your Cinnamon Dolce Latte

1. Add 2-3 tablespoons of cinnamon dolce syrup to your favorite mug
2. Pour in the hot espresso and stir to combine with syrup
3. Slowly pour steamed milk over the espresso, holding back foam with a spoon
4. Spoon the foam on top for that coffee shop presentation
5. Top with whipped cream if desired and dust with ground cinnamon
6. Garnish with a cinnamon stick for the full experience

Pro tip: For an iced cinnamon dolce latte recipe, pour espresso and syrup over ice, add cold milk, and stir well before topping with cold foam.

Expert Cooking Tips

Making the perfect cinnamon dolce latte recipe requires a few insider tricks:

• Don't skip straining the syrup ; those cinnamon bits create a gritty texture. A fine-mesh sieve catches all the sediment.
• Temperature matters for milk ; keep it between 150-160°F. Overheating above 170°F scalds the milk and creates a burnt taste.
• Start with less syrup than you think ; begin with 2 tablespoons and adjust to your taste preference.
• Use fresh ground cinnamon ; old spices lose their potency. Check if your cinnamon still has a strong aroma.
• Whole milk creates the best foam ; the fat content helps create stable, creamy microfoam.
• Make extra syrup and store it ; it keeps for 2 weeks refrigerated, making morning lattes quick and easy.

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

One of the best things about this cinnamon dolce latte recipe is how easily you can customize it to match your dietary needs or flavor preferences. Here are some tried-and-true variations:

Dietary Modifications:

• Diet/Skinny version ; use sugar-free sweetener in the syrup and skim milk to cut calories significantly while keeping the cinnamon flavor
• Vegan option ; substitute oat milk or soy milk for dairy, and use maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a plant-based sweetener
• Keto-friendly ; replace brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or erythritol, and use heavy cream instead of regular milk
• Dairy-free ; almond milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk all work beautifully in this recipe

Flavor Twists:

• Brown sugar cinnamon latte ; double the brown sugar and reduce cinnamon slightly for a sweeter, less spicy version
• Cinnamon vanilla combo ; add an extra teaspoon of vanilla extract to the syrup for a smoother flavor
• Spiced latte upgrade ; include a pinch of nutmeg and cardamom in your syrup for a chai-inspired twist
• Caramel cinnamon fusion ; drizzle caramel sauce inside your mug before adding the latte
• White chocolate addition ; add 1 tablespoon white chocolate sauce for an indulgent dessert drink

Equipment Recommendations

You don't need a professional coffee bar setup to make an incredible cinnamon dolce latte recipe. Here's what works best:

• Espresso machine ; the gold standard for authentic taste, but a Moka pot or AeroPress works great too
• Milk frother ; handheld frothers cost under $20 and create professional-quality foam in seconds
• Small saucepan ; essential for making your homemade syrup; any 1-2 quart pot works perfectly
• Fine-mesh sieve ; removes cinnamon sediment from syrup for smooth texture
• Glass storage jar ; keeps syrup fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks
• Kitchen thermometer ; helps achieve perfect milk temperature every time
• Steaming pitcher ; if you have a steam wand, this makes the process much easier

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Making this cinnamon dolce latte recipe part of your routine is easy with proper storage:

Syrup Storage:

• Refrigerator ; store syrup in an airtight glass jar for up to 2 weeks
• Freezer ; pour syrup into ice cube trays and freeze for up to 3 months; pop out one cube per latte
• Shake before use ; natural settling occurs, so give the jar a good shake

Batch Preparation:

• Make syrup in bulk ; double or triple the recipe and store in multiple jars
• Pre-measure portions ; use small containers with 2-3 tablespoons of syrup each for grab-and-go convenience

FAQ

Your New Morning Ritual Awaits

Now you have everything you need to make an amazing cinnamon dolce latte recipe right in your own kitchen. This cozy coffee drink saves you time and money while delivering that signature coffee shop taste you love.

Ready to expand your homemade coffee menu? Try our Brown Sugar Iced Coffee for another sweet treat, or dive into our indulgent Oreo Iced Coffee Recipe when you want dessert and coffee in one drink. Drop a comment below and let me know how your cinnamon dolce latte recipe turned out!

Life's too short for bad coffee; make it count! ☕
; Emily

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Cinnamon Dolce Latte Recipe: