This simple Cinnamon Dolce Latte recipe makes it easy and convenient to make this Starbucks favorite at home any time you want. Made with simple ingredients, this cozy coffee drink can be made throughout the colder months at a fraction of the cost!
Warming up with a hot cup of coffee on a chilly morning is the best way to start the day, especially when that coffee is infused with delicious cinnamon flavor.
Cinnamon Dolce Latte is one of my favorite drinks to treat myself with at Starbucks throughout the colder months. This seasonal drink is perfectly sweet and infused with cinnamon flavor.
It is simply delicious.
Which is exactly why I had to figure out a way to make this sweet cinnamon latte at home so I could enjoy it anytime I want!
You truly can’t beat enjoying this Starbucks copycat recipe from the comfort of your own home, especially since you can do so while still dressed in your jammies!
I am no stranger to recreating my favorite Starbucks drinks at home and similar to my other holiday favorites (Gingerbread Latte and Peppermint Mocha), the secret to making the perfect flavored coffee drink at home is by starting with a delicious, flavor-infused simple syrup. It is incredibly easy to do too.
Then all you need to do is add it to espresso or a strong cup of coffee with some frothed milk and you are sipping on your season favorite in no time!
I can’t think of a more perfect way to start the day…except maybe enjoying it with a slice of Cinnamon Coffee Cake!
How to make Cinnamon Simple Syrup
If you haven’t made a simple syrup before, I am here to tell you it is incredibly easy to do.
Essentially, a simple syrup is equal parts water and sugar that are simmered on the stove until the sugar dissolves, leaving behind a syrup. While simmering, other ingredients can be added to the syrup to infuse flavor.
In the case of this sweet cinnamon syrup recipe, cinnamon sticks are added to the syrup, creating a cinnamon dolce syrup (dolce means sweet in Italian).
Note: Full instructions are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Can you make latte recipes at home without an espresso machine or milk frother?
This homemade cinnamon dolce latte recipe (or pretty much any copycat starbucks recipe) can be made at home without any fancy equipment. The good news is no espresso machines or even milk frother is needed to make this popular seasonal drink.
No espresso machine? No problem. I don’t have one myself and instead I use very strong brewed coffee in my latte recipes. Another alternative is to use instant espresso powder to make your espresso.
No milk frother? While I did purchase a milk frother since I make lattes pretty often, you don’t actually need one to make this delicious coffee drink at home. To froth your milk without a milk frother, add the milk to a saucepan and whisk it while warming it up. The milk will begin to froth and you can then add this foamy milk to your latte. You can also skip frothing the milk altogether and simply add warm milk to your latte.
Ingredients in this Cinnamon Dolce Latte Recipe
- Sugar – Both brown sugar and white sugar are used in the homemade cinnamon syrup. You can also substitute coconut sugar, if you wish.
- Cinnamon – Whole cinnamon stick is used in the cinnamon dolce syrup recipe. Ground cinnamon is also used as a garnish to add a sprinkle of cinnamon to finish the latte.
- Vanilla extract – Adds more flavor and makes an extra delicious latte.
- Coffee – Espresso is traditionally used in the Starbucks version of this recipe. However, strong coffee can be used if you do not have an espresso machine. I personally don’t have an espresso maker so I opt for strongly brewed coffee. Alternatively, you can use instant espresso powder as well.
- Milk – You may use your favorite milk of choice for this recipe. Whole milk, 2%, skim, etc. will all work. Plant-based milks like oat milk, coconut milk, almond milk, and soy milk can also be used. Keep in mind that other milk alternatives may not froth up as much as whole milk but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a delicious latte anyways.
- Whipped cream – for garnish.
Note: Ingredient quantities and full instructions are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
How to make this Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte
- Prepare the cinnamon syrup. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add all of the syrup ingredients except the vanilla extract. Simmer together for 5-7 minutes, whisking often. Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla. Let it cool. Once cooled, remove the cinnamon sticks and transfer to a mason jar or other container. Store in the fridge.
- Combine the coffee and syrup. Pour the espresso shots or hot coffee into a coffee mug. Then add 2 tablespoons of cinnamon syrup and stir it together.
- Froth the milk. In a milk frother (or in a mug using a handheld milk frother), froth and heat the milk (if your frother does not warm the milk, warm the milk first on the stove top). Pour the frothed milk into the mug.
- Garnish. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with some cinnamon. Enjoy!
Pretty easy, huh? There really is no need to get out of your pajamas and hit up the coffee shop. It is that easy to be your own Starbucks barista at home!
Can you prep cinnamon dolce syrup in advance?
The great thing about simple syrups is that they can be made ahead of time and stores in the fridge.
To do this, simply follow the instructions for making the cinnamon dolce syrup in the recipe card. Then let it cool completely. Once cooled, transfer it to a glass mason jar or similar container with a secure lid and store it in the fridge. Flavored syrups will last 1-2 weeks stores this way.
This sweet latte with its warm cinnamon spice is one of my favorite ways to warm up and start my day off right on a chilly morning.
I hope you enjoy this delicious and easy cinnamon dolce latte recipe as much as we do!
-Cathy
Looking for more flavored coffees to brew up at home? Check out these different coffee recipes:
Gingerbread Latte
Peppermint Mocha
Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
Caramel Frappuccino
Cinnamon Dolce Latte Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Syrup (makes enough for 4 lattes):
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 sticks cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
To make a cinnamon dolce latte:
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon syrup*
- 1/3 cup strong-brewed coffee or espresso
- 1 cup milk
- whipped cream for garnish
- ground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
To make the cinnamon syrup:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add all of the syrup ingredients except the vanilla extract. Simmer together for 5-7 minutes, whisking often. Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla. Let it cool.
- Once cooled, remove the cinnamon sticks and transfer to a mason jar or other container. Store in the fridge.
To make one latte:
- Add 2 tablespoons of cinnamon syrup* and the espresso/hot coffee to a mug. Stir together.
- In a milk frother (or in a mug using a handheld milk frother), froth and heat the milk (if your frother does not warm the milk, warm the milk first on the stove top). Pour the frothed milk over the coffee and syrup mixture.
- Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with some cinnamon. Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the amount of syrup to suit your preferences.
- Note: nutritional information is approximate and does not include the garnishes.
Note: Metric ingredient measurements are provided as a courtesy using a third-party calculator and are rounded to the nearest unit. The recipes provided on this site have not been tested with metric measurements and their accuracy cannot be verified.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is based on third-party calculations and is an estimate only. Accurate nutritional facts will vary based on the particular brands used, portion sizes, measurement accuracy and more.
