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This cardamom latte recipe has the bright and warming flavors of cardamom syrup and the bold flavor of your favorite espresso. And you can make it in a matter of minutes without ever stepping foot in a coffee house!

Two glasses of iced cardamom lattes sit on a wooden countertop. There are cardamom pods sprinkled on the countertop and a small dish of ground cardamom in the background.

Growing up with a live-in Italian grandmother meant we took coffee very seriously. I had my own tiny coffee mug by the tender age of 7. Of course, it was decaf for me, but having coffee so deeply ingrained in my identity means I’ve created some seriously fun coffee-based beverages.

The best part about this recipe, which is inspired by my cardamom-infused syrup, is that it can be served hot or iced. Talk about versatility. I prefer my coffee cold, but please don’t tell my relatives in Southern Italy. 😉 I’ve got you covered in the recipe card whether you want to enjoy this coffee hot or cold.

why this cardamom latte recipe works:

☕️ cozy & comforting. Cardamom has a bright yet warm flavor profile to it. It’s a member of the ginger family, so it brings a wonderful depth to espresso!

⏱️ ready in minutes. If you have all the ingredients needed, you can make this specialty coffee in a matter of minutes. Even if you don’t have a batch of cardamom simple syrup ready to go, you can make it while you’re getting ready for the day!

🤌 uniquely elevated. Cardamom is a flavor that is sometimes reserved for baking and cooking, but it works perfectly in beverages, too. Once you try this homemade latte you won’t be able to stop making cardamom everything!

🛒 ingredients

A labeled ingredient shot of the ingredients used to make a cardamom latte. The ingredients sit on a wooden countertop.
  • cardamom simple syrup – you will need to whip up a batch of this quick cardamom simple syrup recipe to make this latte. Trust me, it’s worth the time. This simple syrup is made using whole green cardamom pods, which has a lighter, brighter flavor profile than black cardamom.
  • espresso – you’ll need one double shot of espresso per drink. For the best flavor, make sure to freshly brew your espresso. Check the substitutions and variations section of this post for ideas on how to use alternatives to espresso, including strongly brewed coffee & cold brew.
  • milk of choice – this recipe calls for dairy milk, specifically whole milk, but you can use whatever milk you prefer. Most dairy milks will froth well for lattes, providing a dense foam that lasts longer than a few minutes. The key to a latte is the proportion of milk to espresso.
  • ice – if you’re serving this latte cold, you’ll need a full cup of ice, to the brim! Because the espresso will be a little warm, you can expect some ice to melt. Use larger ice cubes so that the espresso doesn’t get watered down, or you can even throw in a few espresso ice cubes to keep things extra caffeinated.

See the recipe card for the exact quantities.

🍳 instructions

This section of the post details making iced cardamom lattes. Instructions for making a hot latte are in the recipe card! 😉

Making a double shot of espresso using an espresso machine.

Step 1: Brew a double espresso according to your espresso machine’s manufacturer’s instructions. Allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the other ingredients.

A hand from out of frame pours milk into a measuring glass.

Step 2: Add cold milk to a mixing glass.

A hand from out of frame adds cardamom simple syrup to a measuring glass that has been filled with milk.

Step 3: Pour the cardamom simple syrup into the mixing glass with the milk.

Frothing milk and cardamom simple syrup in a mixing glass using a handheld milk frother.

Step 4: Using a hand frother, mix the cardamom simple syrup with the milk until it’s nice and frothy.

A hand from out of frame pours slightly cooled espresso into a glass filled with ice cubes.

Step 5: Slowly pour your espresso into the glass with ice.

Topping iced espresso with cardamom milk that has been frothed.

Step 6: Carefully layer the cardamom milk foam on top of the iced espresso. The key to getting distinct layers is pouring slowly!

Hint: You can garnish this latte with a light dusting of ground cardamom powder for an extra boost of flavor!

A hand from out of frame sprinkles ground cardamom onto an iced cardamom latte.

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💡tips & tricks for getting it right

🍽️ serving tips

  • Serve this latte at an autumn or winter breakfast or brunch alongside more fall favorites like pumpkin coffees!
  • This latte can be prepared hot or iced, so let your guests decide!
  • If you are making a large batch of iced lattes, you can froth the milk and cardamom syrup in a blender, then top each drink with the foam.

Choose your glass

  • You can use any glass you like, depending on the size of the drink you’d like to make.
  • This recipe makes a beverage that is 6 ounces in liquid volume, but the milk and simple syrup foams up. So, you’ll need a glass that can hold up to 8 ounces if you serve it hot, and up to 10-12 ounces if you pour it over ice.

Garnish

  • A garnish is totally optional, but if you are serving this for guests it can be fun to give a flavor clue with a light dusting of ground cardamom.
  • You can also garnish this latte with a dollop of whipped cream for an extra-indulgent treat!

ℹ️ troubleshooting tips

Even though this is a fairly easy recipe, things can still go wrong! Try these troubleshooting tips if you get into a bind:

  • no froth or foam – if your drink didn’t froth up well, check the ingredient label of your milk. Temperature can also affect foaming. Non-dairy milks, in particular, are more difficult to froth. The addition of the syrup also impacts the amount of foam you may get because of the added sugars. Check out the guide to different types of milk below for more info!
  • not enough flavor – if you want a stronger cardamom flavor, use up to 2 ounces of simple syrup. This will also make your beverage sweeter, so you may want to add a bit more milk to balance it out.
  • too sweet – for a more mild sweetness, cut the amount of syrup to 1/2 an ounce.

⚖️ scaling tips

It is easy to scale this recipe up if you’re serving lattes to a crowd! Espresso is best enjoyed shortly after brewing it, but I won’t tell the coffee purists if you won’t. 🤐

You can make a large batch of espresso ahead of time and allow it to chill in the fridge. Then, you can whip up a large batch of cardamom foam in a blender to serve everyone at the same time!

🔆 top tip

Use milk with a higher fat content for the best foaming. A hand frother is a super convenient way to get barista-quality foams at home!

If you don’t have one, you can also use a cocktail shaker or a mason jar with a lid! You can also just stir it all together if you don’t care about the milk foaming.

♻️ substitutions & variations

Missing an ingredient? No problem. Check out these tried-and-true substitutions, or comment below with your question. I’m here to help you troubleshoot!

  • ground cardamom & simple syrup – if you don’t have a batch of cardamom simple syrup ready to go, you can use a combination of regular simple syrup and ground cardamom. Use a generous pinch of ground cardamom per ounce of simple syrup, about 1/8 tsp. DO NOT USE BLACK CARDAMOM in place of green cardamom. Black cardamom has a much different flavor profile because it has been smoked. This type of cardamom is usually used in savory cooking because of the smokey notes.
  • dairy free milk – while this recipe uses dairy milk, you can use the milk of your choice. Keep in mind that dairy free milks can froth differently than milks made from dairy. This doesn’t really impact the flavor as much as it does presentation. As long as you know and love the milk-alternative you use, you can easily swap out the milk based on you or your guest’s dietary restrictions. Personally, I love making flavored lattes using oat milk, cashew milk, or even coconut milk!
  • cold brew or cold brew concentrate – no fancy equipment to make espresso? No problem! You can use cold brew, strongly brewed drip coffee, or even instant espresso! I also love making cardamom-infused cold brew by crushing a handful of cardamom pods and mixing them with the ground coffee before brewing it. Use an equal amount of cold brew concentrate or strong coffee to espresso. If you are using cold brew that has been diluted, you will want to increase the amount to 3 ounces from 2 ounces.
  • cardamom rose latte – cardamom has a slight floral note to it, so it is often paired with other floral flavors like rose petals or rose water. You can add in a few teaspoons of rose water to your latte, or you can do a 1/2 and 1/2 mix of cardamom simple syrup and rose simple syrup! Top with ground cardamom and rose petals for a show-stopping presentation.

🧰 equipment needed & storage tips

  • espresso maker – espresso makers can range from $20 to over $1,000 so there’s a lot of wiggle room depending on your budget. I have (and love) the Breville Barista Pro espresso machine, but I have also used the Bialette stainless steel stovetop espresso maker for coffee recipes. I opt for the stainless steel over the aluminum because aluminum can impart a metallic taste when preparing very acidic foods, and coffee is pretty acidic. If you don’t have an espresso maker, you can also visit your local coffee shop and buy a few espresso shots to use at home!
  • handheld milk frother – a handheld frother is super convenient when making homemade coffee beverages. It’s a quick and easy way to whip up a cold foam for one! If you are making a hot latte, you’ll want to use a steam frother like this one.
  • drinking glass – use whatever glass you have on hand for your cardamom latte.
  • straw – for iced coffee beverages, a straw is a must! I love using straws by GIR Co because they are silicone and can be washed easily in the dishwasher.

🫙 storage tips

Like other homemade coffee beverages, it is best to enjoy this cardamom latte shortly after it is made.

It is best to enjoy this latte shortly after preparing it, but if you can’t finish it all before 3pm you can stash it in the fridge for up to 48 hours (because who can sleep drinking espresso after 4?!).

Prepping for a party or gathering? You can make the simple syrup and cardamom milk ahead of time, but it is best to brew the espresso right before serving.

💬 q+a

What does cardamom taste like?

Green cardamom has a sweet, bright, floral taste that also tends to be warming in flavor. Depending on the kind of cardamom, it is also sometimes described as being similar to eucalyptus. Black cardamom is more savory and smokey, because of how it is harvested. Therefore, it is best to use green cardamom in sweet and savory foods, and only black cardamom in savory foods.

Do I need to make cardamom simple syrup to make this recipe?

Yes! Trust me, it’s worth it. Once you make your simple syrup, you can enjoy it in so many beverages throughout the week. You will never be able to buy store-bought sodas or lattes again.

Can I make a latte using cold-brew coffee?

Yes, absolutely! You can use cold brew, cold brew concentrate, or strongly brewed drip coffee for this latte recipe.

If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
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I read every single comment! I also love connecting on social media, so snap a pic and hashtag it #myrecipeforfun and tag me on Instagram, TikTok, or pin this recipe on Pinterest!

Two glasses of iced cardamom lattes sit on a wooden countertop. There are cardamom pods sprinkled on the countertop and a small dish of ground cardamom in the background.

Easy Cardamom Latte (with Homemade Cardamom Syrup)

This cardamom latte recipe has the bright and warming flavors of cardamom and the bold flavor of your favorite espresso. It can be served hot or over ice.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Coffee
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cardamom, espresso, iced coffee, latte
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 141kcal
Author: Lindsey Neumayer

Equipment

  • 1 espresso machine
  • 1 glass measuring cup
  • 1 drinking glass of choice
  • 1 handheld frother or milk steamer
  • 1 drinking straw

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces espresso freshly brewed
  • 1 ounce cardamom simple syrup add more for extra sweetness & flavor
  • 4 ounces milk of choice dairy milk or non-dairy
  • ice if making iced latte

Instructions

For an Iced Latte

  • Brew a double espresso according to your espresso machine’s manufacturer’s instructions. If you are making a cold latte, allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the other ingredients.
  • Fill your preferred glass with ice.
  • Add milk to a mixing glass.
  • Pour the cardamom simple syrup into the mixing glass with the milk.
  • Using a hand frother, mix the cardamom syrup with the milk until it’s nice and frothy.
  • Slowly pour your espresso into the glass with ice.
  • Carefully layer the cardamom milk on top of the iced espresso. The key to getting distinct layers is pouring slowly!
  • Serve with a straw and garnish with a sprinkling of ground cardamom! You can also drizzle on extra cardamom syrup if you like!

For a Hot Latte

  • Brew a double espresso according to your espresso machine’s manufacturer’s instructions. Place the espresso into a coffee mug that can hold at least 8 ounces of liquid.
  • Add the cardamom simple syrup to the milk of your choice, and froth it using a milk steamer. Alternatively, you can heat the milk and syrup mixture then use a hand frother.
  • Carefully layer the cardamom milk on top of the espresso.
  • Garnish with a light dusting of ground cardamom, layered carefully on the foam, or add a dollop of whipped cream and a cardamom pod.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Substitutions & Variations

cold brew – If you do not have an espresso maker, you can use strongly brewed coffee or cold brew coffee.
ground cardamom & simple syrup – if you don’t have a batch of cardamom simple syrup ready to go, you can use a combination of regular simple syrup and ground cardamom. Use a generous pinch of ground cardamom per ounce of simple syrup, about 1/8 tsp. DO NOT USE BLACK CARDAMOM in place of green cardamom. Black cardamom has a much different flavor profile because it has been smoked. This type of cardamom is usually used in savory cooking because of the smokey notes.

Nutrition Information

Servings: 1
Calories: 53mg
Total Fat: 53mg
Saturated Fat: 53mg
Trans Fat: 53mg
Cholesterol: 53mg
Sodium: 53mg
Carbohydrates: 53mg
Fiber: 53mg
Sugar: 53mg
Protein: 53mg

The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.

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