Most Popular Types Of Lattes: The Ultimate Guide To Flavors

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types of lattes

If you’ve ever walked into a coffee shop and checked out the menu, you’ve almost certainly noticed that there are multiple types of lattes on the board.

With so many options at just one coffee shop, how many different types of lattes actually exist? 

Well, while there’s no definitive number, I’ve searched high and low and put together a guide to some of the many different types of lattes out there and what they’re like. 

Let’s check it out!

Types Of Latte Flavors

Classic lattes don’t contain anything aside from steamed milk and espresso. However, you can mix them up a bit by getting creative and adding flavors and syrups to them!

In fact, there are tons of different latte flavors around the world. 

Different cultures enjoy using different syrups and add-ins to make unique lattes. 

Despite the fact that you can find some pretty quirky flavors, some are more common than others. 

Here are a few of the most common (and most delicious) types of latte flavors out there. 

Caramel Latte

caramel latte coffee

Caramel lattes are sweet coffee drinks made with caramel syrup, espresso, and steamed milk. They’re often topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce. 

Despite the fact that they include syrup, caramel lattes usually aren’t too high in calories. 

They usually contain about 300 calories, which is only about 70 calories more than a regular latte. 

Mocha Latte

The mocha latte, more often just called a mocha, is a latte with chocolate sauce in it. Mochas are one of the most popular types of lattes out there.

Mocha lattes typically contain whipped cream on top and sometimes feature chocolate drizzle as well. 

Some mochas are actually made with melted chocolate instead of chocolate sauce. 

This drink usually contains about 400 calories per serving. However, this can vary based on the size and whether the drink contains sauce, chocolate, or whipped cream.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

pumpkin spice latte

Pumpkin spice lattes gained major popularity when a Starbucks employee named Peter Duke came up with the drink back in 2001

Since then, the drink has only risen in popularity as a fall-themed drink.

Pumpkin spice lattes contain pumpkin syrup, milk, and espresso.

You can also make them at home using pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spices, vanilla extract, and sugar. 

Cinnamon Latte

Cinnamon lattes are made using espresso, cinnamon syrup, and steamed milk. 

Most coffee shops make their own cinnamon syrup in-house. But, if you don’t want to use sweetener, you can make this latte by adding cinnamon sticks to a classic latte. 

Cinnamon lattes actually have a few health benefits thanks to this spice. They’re said to help with digestion and to have anti-bacterial properties. 

Pro Tip: if you like this latte, you might enjoy Spanish lattes, which contain cinnamon! 

Vanilla Latte

vanilla latte

Vanilla lattes are the most popular and classic types of lattes. These are made by adding a dash of vanilla syrup to your classic latte. 

Vanilla lattes tend to be pretty subtle since the flavor isn’t overpowering. 

If you like coffee but don’t want a super-strong drink, a vanilla latte is a good way to go.

Hazelnut Latte

Hazelnut lattes aren’t as common in the US, but they’re quite popular in Germany. This is largely due to the fact that Germany is a major hazelnut exporter. 

You can make a hazelnut latte by adding hazelnut syrup to your drink. 

You can also use hazelnut milk to add an extra touch of nuttiness to your beverage!

Pistachio Latte

pistachio latte

Starbucks debuted its pistachio latte early in 2022 offering both a simple pistachio latte and a pistachio mocha.

Pistachio lattes, like most flavored lattes, are made using a pistachio flavored syrup. These drinks taste reminiscent of pistachio gelato and are quite smooth and sweet. 

If you order a pistachio latte from Starbucks you’ll wind up with a drink containing about 320 calories. 

Coconut Latte

Coconut lattes are lattes that contain coconut syrup or coconut extract. These lattes can be hard to find in US coffee shops, but they’re very common in South American cafés.

Coconut lattes aren’t to be confused with coconut milk lattes. 

Coconut milk lattes don’t contain extract or syrup. Instead, they’re made using coconut milk in place of cow’s milk. 

Lavender Latte

lavender latte

Lavender lattes are another popular and common latte out there. They’re made by adding lavender syrup to a latte. 

Lavender is said to have calming properties, which may be one reason why so many people enjoy it in their coffee. 

Drinking coffee is already a relaxing habit, so when you add lavender to the mix, you get a great beverage for winding down at night.

Chai Latte

Chai lattes actually don’t contain any coffee, but that’s not to say they aren’t delicious!

Chai is a special type of tea, made out of ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and black tea leaves. 

To make chai lattes, baristas brew a cup of chai tea. Alternatively, they use chai tea concentrate. 

Then, they add steamed milk and simple syrup to the drink for a spicy and cozy twist on your classic latte. 

Pro tip: if you ask for a dirty chai you’ll receive a chai tea latte with a shot of espresso in it! It’s a great way to mix the best of both worlds – tea and coffee in one beautiful beverage. 

Gingerbread Latte

gingerbread latte

If you like gingerbread cookies then you’ll love gingerbread lattes!

Starbucks comes out with a gingerbread latte every year around the winter holidays. They make their own, signature gingerbread syrup which they add to their lattes. 

If you want to make one at home, however, you can add ginger, molasses, and cinnamon to your latte. They taste just like a gingerbread cookie!

Turmeric Latte

Turmeric lattes are often called Golden milk lattes. Turmeric lattes originated in India and have taken off in the United States in recent years. 

What’s interesting (and different) about these lattes is that they don’t typically contain sugar. 

All they are is a standard latte with a teaspoon of turmeric added to the milk. They have a slightly spicy and nutty flavor and aren’t at all sweet. 

They can be a little bit different for people who haven’t tried them before. If you’re trying one for the first time, I’d recommend having a backup coffee in case you don’t like it. 

French Toast Latte

french toast latte

French toast lattes may not be as common as some of the other flavors on this list, but they’re still delicious!

To make the French toast latte, you’ll need to add both vanilla syrup and hazelnut syrup to your latte. 

If you want to make it at home, you can make it with a brown sugar-based simple syrup, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla paste. 

Add all that to your latte and you’ve got a delicious French toast latte!

White Chocolate Latte

White chocolate lattes are sometimes called white chocolate mochas. 

These lattes usually contain a thick, white chocolate-flavored syrup as well as espresso and steamed milk. 

Many cafés also top white chocolate mochas with whipped cream. 

White chocolate lattes taste sort of like lattes made with condensed milk. They’re very sweet but aren’t as heavy as a standard mocha. 

FAQ

Have you still got some unresolved questions about the different types of lattes? 

I completely understand.

Here are a few frequently asked questions about lattes to clear up any last-minute questions. 

What Flavors Latte Does Starbucks Have?

Starbucks is famous for having tons of different flavored lattes. And, they’re constantly coming out with new flavors!

Now, while some of these are only available seasonally, the lattes that Starbucks offers include:

  • Pumpkin Spice Latte
  • Pistachio Latte
  • Mint Mocha
  • Gingerbread Latte
  • Eggnog Latte
  • Caramel Brulee Latte
  • Cinnamon Dolce Latte
  • Starbucks Reserve Latte
  • Starbucks Reserve Hazelnut Bianco Latte
  • Blonde Vanilla Latte
  • Starbucks Reserve Dark Chocolate Mocha
  • White Chocolate Mocha
  • Vanilla Soy Latte

How to Make a Flavored Latte?

Lattes can be made with syrup, extracts, or powder flavorings. All you have to do is add your chosen flavor to the drink. It’s best to add it to the espresso because when you pour the milk into the cup, the flow of the liquid will mix the three ingredients together. 

What is a Classic Latte?

A classic latte is a latte that doesn’t contain any additional syrups or toppings. This drink is made of a shot (or more) of espresso, 300 ml of steamed milk, and a dash of milk foam on top. Usually, it’s made with hot milk, but there is also a cold version of the drink – an iced latte.

Final Thoughts

So, what do you think? Are you ready to try one of these types of lattes?

In all honesty, these are only a few of the many types of lattes. 

The list of flavors could go on indefinitely, and with baristas becoming more and more creative, it does!

Whether you want to try one of these lattes or get creative and invent your own, this is a super versatile drink.

Next time you go to order a standard latte, ask about the flavors at your local coffee shop. Or, get creative and use this recipe to whip up your own at home!

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Jessica Fleming-Montoya
Jessica is a seasoned caffeine-addict who spent 3 years behind the bar. Her early coffee days took her from the commercial Starbucks scene in urban DC all the way to helping launch a craft coffee shop in California. Today she prefers sharing her years of coffee capers through media, although you’ll find she does it with a trusty cup of coffee by her side.