Bored of Your Regular Latte? Try These 14 Alternatives!

The latte is one of the most popular coffee based drinks known to man! The creamy, velvety, smooth texture of steamed milk, hot aromatic espresso all topped off with a thin layer of foam is to die for! Latte art is a whole other phenomenon that sets the drink apart from its rivals. 

But, if you are a latte lover and want to try something different, where do you turn? Well, I’ve put together a list of fantastic alternatives to the regular latte that any coffee lover can try! 

What is a Latte? 

A cafe latte is a milky coffee based drink that combines a double shot of espresso, with approximately 8 oz of steamed milk and a thin layer of milk foam to top it all off. This gives the latte a distinctly smooth texture and a natural sweet nutty flavor thanks to the steamed milk. 

It is easy to see why lattes are so popular. Not only are they incredibly well balanced, delicious drinks, but they also serve as the perfect base for customization!

As we will explore later on in this article, there are a number of great latte alternatives to try if you are bored of the regular version. However, they all follow the same formula of combining fluffy, silky smooth texture with bold flavors! 

How is a Latte Made? 

Despite the latte being such a popular drink, it is actually quite straightforward to make! Simply pull a nice strong double shot of espresso and add to your serving glass or cup. Then, steam your milk until it is nice and smooth with plenty of micro foam bubbles, making sure there is a small layer of foam on top. 

Then, pour the milk and foam over the double shot of espresso to combine, even giving your steaming jug a little wiggle to add some of your own latte art if you fancy! 

If you want a more detailed look at how to make an amazing latte from home, check out my article explaining exactly how to do it here. 

Latte Alternatives You Should Try

So, if you are bored of your regular latte order at your local coffee shop and want to try something different, you’ve come to the right place! Here are 14 alternatives that every latte lover should try!   

1. Flavoured Lattes

One of the easiest and most delicious upgrades you can make to your regular latte is to add flavored syrups! These come in sugar free varieties too, which helps reduce the calories, but adding flavors like caramel, vanilla or toffee can take your latte to a whole new level! 

Some of the most popular latte syrup flavors include: 

• Mint
• Toffee
• Caramel
• Vanilla
• Hazelnut
• Butterscotch
• Pumpkin Spice
• Gingerbread
• Chocolate
• Honey
• Amaretto
• Almond

If you are looking to try out flavored coffee syrups for yourself, check out these options on Amazon. 

2. Chai Latte

Chai lattes originated in India and actually are traditionally consumed as tea rather than coffee. Chai is a great coffee alternative as it has a fragrant aroma, combining a delicious blend of sweet spices and pairs really well with steamed milk.

Chai lattes offer a great alternative to a traditional espresso based latte, as the warm, comforting blend of herbs and spices are sweeter and less bitter than regular coffee. 

The key spices in chai are cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom, ginger, star anise and cloves.

3. Matcha Tea Latte

Another healthy alternative to your regular latte is a matcha tea latte. Matcha is a Japanese green tea that has a darker, more vibrant green color than regular green tea. Matcha has a distinctly earthy flavor so it still offers that bitterness that regular espresso possesses. 

Matcha tea is used in a wide range of applications, from desserts and ice creams to food colorings and confectionery. 

Matcha is also very healthy and is therefore a great alternative to your standard latte order! 

Check out my post here for more detail on what matcha is and how to make the perfect matcha coffee alternative! 

4. Breve Latte

Another popular alternative to a standard cafe latte is the breve latte. The breve latte sees regular milk switched out and replaced with half and half (half milk and half heavy cream). 

This gives the latte uneven smoother consistency that makes it more luxurious to drink. A breve latte is more calorific than a standard latte though, so consume in moderation!

The addition of half an half makes the steamed milk even more frothy, so you get a soft cotton candy like froth sitting on top of your favorite drink! 

Check out my article that takes a closer look into breve lattes here! 

5. Chicory Latte

Chicory has been used as a replacement for coffee for decades, despite this not being a particularly well known fact! Chicory lattes offer a more nutty, earthy and woody taste when compared to a regular espresso based latte. 

This makes for the perfect alternative to your regular cup of milky coffee, since there is enough of that earthy, savory coffee-like flavor for it to taste familiar, but just enough difference to feel like you’re drinking something new!

Chicory also has a number of health benefits associated with it, including reduced inflammation, improved gut health and lower cholesterol. 

Check out my article where I go deeper into the benefits of drinking chicory coffee here!  

6. Unicorn Latte

A strange but delicious take on the traditional latte is the Unicorn latte. This unique blend of colors and flavors looks like something from a fairytale! 

The Unicorn latte combines milk, honey, pink or blue matcha powder, vanilla extract and sprinkles to create a bizarre but sweet and delicious latte alternative. 

To learn more about how the Unicorn latte is made, check out this post by Diana from The Chic Life from April 2017 “Healthy Unicorn Latte Recipe”. 

7. Rooibos Latte

Rooibos lattes are made from the African herb, which translates to ‘red bush’. This naturally caffeine free tea-like herb makes a great tasting latte that is a great alternative to a regular latte. 

Rooibos lattes are usually made with steamed milk and topped with cinnamon for an extra warm spiced sensation. 

For more information on how to make a great Rooibos latte, check out this article from Jee Chloe from Oh How Civilized from April 2018, “The Best Rooibos Latte”. 

8. Coconut Milk Latte

Another way to make your regular latte more interesting is to change the type of milk you use. 

Coconut milk has a natural sweetness and thickness that makes it even more creamy and delicious than regular milk! This is made even better when heated and mixed with the sharp bitterness of a double espresso! 

For the perfect, easy coconut milk latte recipe, check out this post by Kate MacDonnell of Coffee Affection from January 2023 “How to Make a Coconut Milk Latte (Easy Recipe!)”. 

Other Delicious Milk Alternatives Include: 

• Oat Milk
• Soy Milk
• Almond Milk
• Pea Milk
• Hemp Milk
• Cashew Milk
• Hazelnut Milk. 

9. Mushroom Latte

Whilst the sound of Mushroom coffee may not be particularly appealing, don’t judge a book by its cover! 

Mushroom coffee is actually pretty delicious, especially when combined with copious amounts of frothy, steamed milk! Mushroom coffee has a distinctive earthiness that makes it a great substitute for the real thing. Mushroom coffee is also a nootropic, making it one of the healthiest coffee alternatives thanks to its ability to improve mental focus. 

To find out more about how mushroom coffee works and how to use it, check out my article on the topic here! 

10. Turmeric Latte 

Turmeric is a brightly colored spice that is used a lot in traditional Indian cooking. It has numerous health benefits and actually makes a great latte too! 

Turmeric lattes are easily recognizable thanks to their bright golden color and distinctive taste. I have always thought that turmeric actually tastes quite irony, so many turmeric latte recipes add sweeter herbs and spices like cinnamon, sugar, ginger and vanilla to balance it out. 

For a great turmeric latte recipe, check out this article by Sophie Goodwin from BBC Good Food, “Turmeric Latte”. 

11. Spiced Hot Chocolate Mocha

A winter warmer that serves as a nice festive alternative to the latte is a spiced hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is equally as delicious as frothy coffee but is sweeter and richer to taste. 

Typical spices to pimp up your hot chocolate include cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and cloves. You can also add an espresso shot to make this a great winter treat, that will also perk you up in the morning. 

For a more detailed look at a great spiced hot chocolate recipe, take a look at this article by All Recipes from October 2022, “Spiced Hot Chocolate”. 

12. Malted Milk Latte 

Another latte alternative that throws out the regular milk for a quirky substitute is the malted milk latte. 

This thicker, creamier take on the regular latte has a unique flavor profile that is well worth a try. Malted milk powder is used to give your latte a delicious blend of sweet and savory, which is perfect for those looking for that familiar coffee taste, but want to try something a bit out there. 

If you’re looking for a simple, easy to follow malted milk latte recipe, check out this one by Food52’s Emily C from February 2016 “Malted Milk Latte”. 

13. Yerba Mate Latte

Yerba Mate is incredibly popular in South America and has a number of health promoting benefits. It comes in the form of a traditional tea leaf and is used to make lattes that have an earthy flavor and creamy texture. 

Since Yerba Mate has a relatively strong, bitter flavor that is similar to leafy greens, it is usually paired with sweeter flavors like honey, sugar and vanilla as well as milk to balance it out. 

If you want a straightforward Yerba Mate latte recipe, check out this one by Lindsey Goodwin of The Spruce Eats from April 2022 “Yerba Mate Latte Recipe”.

14. Iced Latte

And of course I couldn’t round off a post about different variations of the standard latte without mentioning the ever popular iced latte. This drink combines ice cubes, a double shot of espresso, cold milk and flavored syrup to create a delicious, refreshing coffee sensation that is perfect for a hot summer’s day!

If you want more information about iced lattes and how to make them from the comfort of your own home, then check out my post on this topic here!

Summary 

Overall, lattes come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and flavors, so there’s no need to get bored drinking your same old order from Starbucks! 

Many different flavors, ingredients and brewing methods can be applied to the latte recipe, making it one of the most versatile forms of coffee out there. 

I hope this article has helped open your eyes to a number of different latte alternatives! 

Related Questions 

What is Similar to a Latte But Has Less Milk?

A flat white is the most similar drink to a latte that contains less milk, since it still uses steamed milk with microfoam and is topped with a thin layer of foam, which can be designed using latte art. 

Is There a Non-Coffee Latte? 

There are many forms of latte that offer the same creamy, sweet taste but do not contain actual coffee in them. Things like chicory lattes, chai lattes and matcha lattes are incredibly popular alternatives to traditional espresso based lattes.