Latte

Espresso & steamed milk, thin foam cap — with the no-machine, jar-froth way

1 latte · 5 min

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~2 oz espresso — 1–2 shots, or strong moka-pot / double-strength coffee
¾ cup milk (whole froths best; any milk works)
optional: sugar, vanilla, or a flavored syrup

What you need

~2 oz espresso — 1–2 shots, or strong moka-pot / double-strength coffee

¾ cup milk (whole froths best; any milk works)

optional: sugar, vanilla, or a flavored syrup

Pull the coffee. Make ~2 oz of strong coffee — 1–2 espresso shots, a moka pot (the best no-machine stand-in), or a small double-strength Aeropress/drip. Pour it into your cup.
Heat the milk — steaming, not boiling. Warm ¾ cup milk on the stove or in the microwave until hot to the touch and steaming, ~150°F, but not bubbling.
Froth it (no wand needed). Jar trick: pour the warm milk into a jar half-full, lid on tight, shake hard 30–60 sec, then microwave 30 sec so the foam rises and sets. (Or use a handheld frother, a French press plunger pumped up and down, or a fast whisk.)
Build it. Pour the steamed milk into the espresso, holding the foam back with a spoon, then spoon the foam on top. Sweeten or add a splash of vanilla/syrup if you like.

Steps — tap one to keep your place

1. Pull the coffee. Make ~2 oz of strong coffee — 1–2 espresso shots, a moka pot (the best no-machine stand-in), or a small double-strength Aeropress/drip. Pour it into your cup.

2. Heat the milk — steaming, not boiling. Warm ¾ cup milk on the stove or in the microwave until hot to the touch and steaming, ~150°F, but not bubbling.

3. Froth it (no wand needed). Jar trick: pour the warm milk into a jar half-full, lid on tight, shake hard 30–60 sec, then microwave 30 sec so the foam rises and sets. (Or use a handheld frother, a French press plunger pumped up and down, or a fast whisk.)

4. Build it. Pour the steamed milk into the espresso, holding the foam back with a spoon, then spoon the foam on top. Sweeten or add a splash of vanilla/syrup if you like.

Low salt — salt at the end and taste as you go; broth, cheese, and canned goods already bring salt.