Dada Cooking

Recipes

Spanish Latte

Stir sweetened condensed milk into steamed or cold milk and pour strong espresso over it, floating it on ice for the iced version; about 10 minutes for 2.

A Spanish latte is a smooth, sweet espresso drink made with sweetened condensed milk stirred into steamed or cold milk. It takes its name from the Spanish habit of sweetening coffee with condensed milk, and it has become a favourite on Malaysian café menus, especially served iced with the coffee floating on top in a dark layer. You need strong coffee and good condensed milk, nothing else.

Two glasses of iced Spanish latte with a dark espresso layer floating over creamy milk and ice Start cooking mode

Ingredients

  • 120 ml espresso (4 shots), or very strong brewed coffee
  • 60 ml sweetened condensed milk
  • 300 ml fresh milk
  • 2 handfuls ice cubes, for the iced version

Method

  1. Make the espresso, or brew strong coffee with 4 tbsp ground coffee and 150 ml just-boiled water for 4 minutes, then strain.
  2. For a hot latte, warm the condensed milk and milk in a small pan, whisking, until steaming and about 60–65°C. Froth it with a milk frother or whisk hard for 30 seconds.
  3. Pour the hot milk into 2 cups and slowly pour in the espresso. Stir before drinking.
  4. For an iced latte, put 30 ml condensed milk in each glass, stir in 150 ml cold milk until smooth, then fill the glasses with ice.
  5. Slowly pour the espresso over the back of a spoon onto the ice, so it floats in a dark layer on top. Stir before drinking.

Tips

  • Sweetness: start with 20 ml condensed milk per glass and add more to taste.
  • Oat or soy milk: both work well. Use a barista-style version for a better foam.
  • No espresso machine: a moka pot gives the closest result. Strong instant coffee (2 tsp in 60 ml hot water per glass) also works.
  • Decaf: use decaffeinated espresso for an evening drink.

Questions

What is a Spanish latte?

A latte sweetened with condensed milk instead of sugar or syrup. It is creamier and sweeter than a regular latte.

What is the difference between a Spanish latte and a regular latte?

A regular latte is espresso and steamed milk with no sugar. A Spanish latte adds sweetened condensed milk, which gives a rich, caramel-like sweetness.

Can I make a Spanish latte without an espresso machine?

Yes. Use a moka pot, very strong brewed coffee, or 2 tsp instant coffee dissolved in 60 ml hot water per glass.

How do I get the layers in an iced Spanish latte?

Stir the condensed milk into the cold milk first, fill the glass with ice, then pour the espresso slowly over the back of a spoon so it floats on top.

Is this Spanish latte halal?

The recipe is pork-free and lists no alcohol. It is not halal-certified: check that the condensed milk carries halal certification.

A Dada Cooking original recipe. Quantities are metric first, with US amounts in brackets.