How To Make A Latte Without An Espresso Machine (Instant Coffee Version)

TutorialsRecipe
Written By Rob McGee

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With the right tools, you can make a latte at home that rivals your local coffee shop — without an espresso machine.

The secret is microfoam. It’s that light, silky milk that you just can’t create without a high pressure steam wand … until now.

The DREO BaristaMaker Milk Frother can make amazing microfoam and that’s what I’m using today. Full disclosure: DREO did contract me to make a couple Youtube videos, but this blog post was not part of the contract. I’m just a fan.

Plus, we’ll share some tips for crafting latte art that'll win over even your most hard-to-impress friends.

But also support your local coffee shop.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Latte Without an Espresso Machine

First, let’s get our gear together. I’m going to show you how I make this with a scale but I’ll also give you the cup/teaspoon measurements.

You’ll need:

Step 1: Make Your Espresso Base

First let’s make our espresso. Using your scale measure 5 grams of espresso (2 level teaspoons) to your latte cup.

Add 30 grams (2 tablespoons) of hot water to the cup. This is mimics a double shot of espresso.

Step 2: Make Your Microfoam

Put the fan impeller attachment in the frother — this is DREO’s secret weapon for frothing microfoam.

Add your milk of choice to the pitcher of the BaristaMaker milk frother. There’s a marking inside the pitcher that says “latte art” inside. If you’re using an 8 ounce cup, stop just after the lower line. For 12 ounce cups, fill it to the upper line.

Press the milk button on the frother. I like whole milk but if you like alt-milk, the BaristaMaker has a setting for that.

Press the drink button next. Sure, you could go for a cappuccino or a flat white, but let’s do the latte today.

Press start. This will take 3 minutes and 30 seconds.

Step 3: Pour Your Latte Art

Latte art takes practice. So don’t beat yourself up if you don’t match your local barista’s skills right off the bat.

  1. Tilt your latte cup to about 30°

  2. Swirl your milk pitcher to integrate the foam and from about 4 inches above the espresso, pour a thin stream of milk

  3. Stop pouring when the milk reaches the edge of the cup and drop the pitcher down very close to the espresso and milk mixture and pour while also pushing the pitcher toward the back of the cup. You should see a blog of milk come out. This is the bottom stack of your tulip.

  4. Lift the cup and move it back slightly. Repeat step 3. Do this, progressively moving backward until you have 5 stacks of your tulip.

  5. On the 5th stack after the blob comes out raise your pitcher and keep a thin stream of milk pouring into the mug. Pull that stream through each of the stacks, which will make a leaf shape from each of the sides of the stacks.

Conclusion

Making a silky, beautiful latte at home without an espresso machine is easier than you think. Check out the review I did of the DREO BaristaMaker Milk Frother — the appliance that makes it possible to get a café-quality microfoam and latte art in your own kitchen.

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Until next time… Peace. ✌️