Take your coffee to the next level with this creamy pistachio latte. It's the perfect blend of the bold and robust flavors of rich espresso with the deliciously nutty flavor of pistachios. And this creamy drink tastes just like your favorite Starbucks version!
Don't be surprised if it becomes your go-to drink for your morning cup or your afternoon pick-me-up!
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Table of Contents
Homemade Coffee Drinks
There's nothing wrong with a black coffee or even coffee with creamer, but sometimes you just want something extra fun! When those cravings nag at you, this pistachio latte hits the spot. Keep reading to learn how to make a pistachio coffee at home.
If you can't get enough coffee (like me) and enjoy making homemade coffee drinks, you've got to whip up a S'mores Coffee, 'cause who doesn't like chocolate and coffee, a Pumpkin Spice Latte, perfect for fall, or this adult milkshake Hummer Cocktail that makes happy hour something to look forward to. They are rich, sweet, and will definitely perk you up!
What is a Pistachio Latte?
This latte is a delightful nutty twist on the classic latte. It combines bold espresso, pistachio flavor, and creamy milk. The result is a drink that's both comforting and indulgent, perfect for a cozy morning at home or a sweet afternoon treat.
Why You'll Love This Pistachio Latte Recipe
When you make a copycat Starbucks pistachio latte at home, you'll save money. This recipe is less expensive than getting it at the coffee shop.
You'll also love how easy this is to customize. If you want it sweeter, just add more sugar. If you want it creamier, add more steamed milk. Need more kick? Add more coffee. It's a simple recipe with a lot of room for creativity.
Ingredients
This copycat Starbucks pistachio latte recipe has a few components: pistachio syrup, browned butter, espresso, and milk. The list of ingredients is simple and each step is easy to prepare.
Pistachio syrup:
- Sugar
- Water
- Salt
- Roasted unsalted pistachios
- Almond extract
Browned butter:
- Butter, either salted or unsalted - cube it to make for more even cooking
Latte:
- Freshly brewed espresso
- Milk
How to Make a Pistachio Latte
To make pistachio coffee syrup:
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, and pistachios.
- Bring to a boil then simmer for 10 minutes.
- Allos to cool slightly then strain into a bowl. And don't throw out those pistachios! See how to make candied pistachios with the leftover nuts.
- Once strained, add almond extract to the syrup and stir. Set aside.
Preparing the browned butter:
- In a light-colored skillet, heat cubes of butter over medium heat, stirring often.
- Cook until the butter turns a golden brown and the solids sink to the bottom. Do not stop stirring. Once you see the foam begin to dissolve and the solids begin to form on the bottom of the pan, remove the skillet from the heat and pour the butter into a bowl or jar to stop the cooking process. If left in the hot skillet, the butter will burn. DO NOT STRAIN OUT THE SOLIDS AS THAT IS WHERE MOST OF THE FLAVOR IS.
To make the latte:
- Brew a double espresso into a mug. You can also use cold brew espresso or very strong coffee.
- Add 2 tablespoons of pistachio syrup.
- Add ½ tablespoon of browned butter. This tends to even out the sweetness and add a slightly nutty, caramelized flavor.
- Stir.
- Foam milk and pour into pistachio-flavored espresso. Serve as is or garnish with crumbled cookies, ground pistachio nuts, or make it even more indulgent with whipped cream.
How to Garnish
There are a few ways to garnish a pistachio coffee with a tasty topping. Here are some ideas:
- Caramel sauce
- Crushed shortbread cookies - this is what Starbucks does.
- Finely chopped pistachios
- Whipped cream
Recipe Variations
If you're looking to mix things up, try one of these delicious variations on the classic pistachio latte:
- Iced Pistachio Latte: Simply chill the espresso and milk before mixing, then serve over ice.
- Decaf Pistachio Latte: Use decaf espresso instead of regular espresso.
- Dairy-free Pistachio Latte: Substitute cow's milk with plant-based milk such as almond milk, oat milk, or pistachio milk.
- Vegan Pistachio Latte: Use a dairy-free milk alternative and vegan butter or omit the butter altogether.
What to Serve with a Pistachio Latte
If you really love pistachios then there's nothing better than serving this nutty coffee drink with more pistachio treats:
- Pistachio Biscotti
- Pistachio Brownies
- Pistachio Cake
- Pistachio Shortbread Cookies - crumble these for a garnish!
Frequently Asked Questions
Starbucks uses pistachio syrup in their current pistachio latte. It is a simple syrup made with pistachios to infuse pistachio flavor into the syrup. A former version had pistachio sauce but that version was discontinued.
The number of pumps of syrup in a Starbucks pistachio latte depends on the size of the drink. A tall typically 3 pumps, a grande has 4 pumps, and a venti has 5 pumps.
Yes, you can make a pistachio latte without espresso. You can use strong brewed coffee as a substitute. The key is to have a strong coffee flavor that can stand up to the rich, nutty flavor of the pistachio.
While pistachio nuts have a wonderful flavor, they don't dissolve in liquid, which means they won't blend smoothly into your latte. For the best flavor and texture, it's recommended to use pistachio syrup.
A Starbucks pistachio latte with crushed shortbread cookies on top does contain gluten because the cookies are not gluten-free. A Starbucks pistachio latte without crushed shortbread cookies on top is gluten-free.
More Delicious Recipes with Coffee
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Equipment
Ingredients
Pistachio Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup roasted unsalted pistachios, chopped
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Browned Butter
- ¼ cup butter salted or unsalted
Latte
- 2 oz. fresh espresso aka double espresso
- 2 Tablespoons pistachio simple syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoons browned butter
- 6 ounces milk
Instructions
- Note: The pistachio simple syrup and browned butter can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature prior to adding to hot espresso.
Pistachio Simple Syrup
- In a medium saucepan, heat sugar, water, salt, and pistachios. Bring it to a boil then lower to a simmer.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly then strain into a jar.
- Stir in almond extract. Set aside. (you will only use a small portion of the simple syrup. The remainder will keep up to 2 weeks in the fridge)
Browned Butter
- Cube the butter and place in a light colored skillet. Heat over medium heat stirring as butter melts. Cook until it turns a golden brown color. Let solids settle to bottom then remove from heat and pour into a container.
Pistachio Latte
- Make a double espresso in your espresso machine. If you don't have an espresso machine you can use refrigerated espresso such as cold brew espresso. For a warm latter, heat jarred espresso before adding syrup and butter.
- Add 2 Tablespoons pistachio simple syrup and 1-½ teaspoons browned butter to hot espresso. Stir to blend.
- Foam milk and add to espresso.
- Totally optional - sprinkle crushed cookies or chopped pistachio nuts on top. Serve immediately.
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