Easy Red Velvet Latte
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy
It’s as delicious as it looks, trust me! This Easy Red Velvet Latte is a vibrant pink latte that you can quickly whip up for your loved one for a special breakfast in bed!
Love is in the air, and what better way is there to show love than to prepare an Easy Red Velvet Latte?
I kid you not that this really is an easy special latte recipe, as you’ll soon see below! This incredible red velvet latte brings the goodness of your favourite cake into a warm cup! If you adore red velvet and want more Valentine’s Day recipe inspiration, then you gotta try out my Red Velvet Pancakes recipe!
Our Red Velvet Latte totally ticks off all the boxes! It’s simple and delicious and you won’t need too many ingredients! As we approach the big day of love, you may want a theme of romantic recipes to think of how to pamper your special someone! I know it’s called Valentine’s DAY, but I think it’s always a good time to express your love with food and drink! If you want more details on how having a theme can spark your creativity, check out my top 5 tips to explore your potential in the kitchen, Make Cooking Fun!. This delicious and romantic red velvet latte recipe is the perfect occasion to put your heart in a cup as part of your Live to Cook one-month challenge! Get started on your cooking journey for free by signing up for my newsletter so you never miss a recipe and get these useful resources!
Check out the video at the bottom of this post to see how this romantic and cozy Red Velvet Latte comes together in a flash! If you’re not already, I’d appreciate it if you subscribe to my YouTube channel! Please hit the bell button so you’re notified when all of my video recipes go live to complement the written ones. Let’s get brewing!
DoeS Starbucks Make a Red Velvet Latte?
I live in Canada, so Starbucks in Canada (nor in the US) makes a red velvet latte. However, I got the inspiration for this drink from Starbucks Asia. I saw this item is available in Hong Kong, South Korea, and the Philippines, as part of the holiday menu. It was available as a hot latte, iced, or as a frappuccino. The concept was so good that I just had to take it back with me to my home so I don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to enjoy it!
What You’ll Love about Homemade Red Velvet Latte
Simple: It’s such a beautiful drink that you wouldn’t think it’s really easy to make! All you need is to brew coffee and combine your red velvet sauce (which I’ll get to soon!), garnish, and there you go!
Fast: When I first made this Red Velvet Latte I couldn’t believe how speedy it is! As mentioned in the previous point, it’s a pretty simple process to get the red velvet latte together, but simple isn’t always quick! However, in this case we have the best of both worlds!
Few ingredients: Only a handful of ingredients are needed to make your very own Red Velvet Latte! You probably have most of them already, and they should all be easy to find!
Valentine’s Favourite: Valentine’s Day will be two weeks away at the time of writing this! I don’t know about you, but I love seeing all the red when Valentine’s Day rolls around. If your significant other is a latte lover, then save your money and a trip to the coffee shop and surprise them with this latte to start the special day!
tips for a Delightful Red Velvet Latte
If you can find Red Velvet Oreos for this recipe, that will be the best pair for this latte.
The best alternative to a freshly made espresso is to prepare coffee using a French press. This results in a richer, stronger coffee since the coffee has the chance to steep and release more flavour, when compared to coffee made from a filtered method.
If you want the pretty whipped cream swirls, then you need to serve this immediately after topping or let the drink cool slightly. The heat would cause the whipped cream to start to melt.
What Milk Should I use For RED VELVET LATTE?
In Starbucks Asia, the drink is actually labeled as a Red Velvet Oat Latte, meaning that oat milk is the default base for the drink. I tried oat milk drinks a couple of times, including the actual red velvet latte when I had visited the Philippines (I had the frappuccino!). I’m sorry, but I just don’t like oat milk! I find the taste too… oaty. I prefer the taste of good old simple cow’s milk. You can pretty much use any milk you want so that you enjoy the drink and want to keep making it again and again!
Ingredients for Homemade Red Velvet Latte
Get the FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD by scrolling to the bottom of this post or press the “Jump to Recipe” button for all ingredient quantities and to save the recipe instructions for later. You can also scale the recipe based on how many servings you want to make! By default, this will make enough for two 16 oz (grande size at Starbucks) glasses. If you have smaller or larger cups or want to make Red Velvet Latte for a crowd, then you can scale the recipe with the card, and all individual quantities will automatically adjust for you!
Milk: I’m using whole cow’s milk for this recipe. If you want to make it authentic like Starbucks Asia, then you can use oat milk. Feel free to use whatever milk you like, keeping in mind that taste and texture will differ. Whole cow’s milk makes the drink nice and creamy.
Sweetened condensed milk: You can use a store-bought canned one or use your homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk (this recipe is lactose-free for those who are lactose-intolerant!). Don’t substitute with evaporated milk because you won’t get a thick and sweet syrup.
Cocoa powder: Chocolate is an essential ingredient for a red velvet cake. A little bit really goes a long way in this drink, and it adds a little more body to your drink! When I first tested the recipe, I actually forgot the cocoa powder. I really noticed the difference adding it makes! Don’t worry about ruining the red colour of your drink, the amount we’ll use is so small that it shouldn’t take away from the gorgeous pink colour of our Red Velvet Latte.
Red food colouring: Pretty essential for a red velvet drink! You’ll just need a few drops to get the desired colour! Of course, add as much or as little as you’d like!
Whipped cream: Gotta have whipped cream to make this a truly special latte! I love using the canned whipped cream for a sturdy and fluffy effect. If you want to replicate the thick texture of Starbucks’ whipped cream, you’ll want to make Homemade Whipped Cream in a whipped cream dispenser. I would like to invest in one some day, but for now I’m without it. If you would like this drink to be dairy-free, then go ahead and use a dairy-free whipped cream.
Coffee: Your favourite coffee will work well in this recipe. I’m using a Dulce de Leche ground coffee here. It smells incredible and the flavour nicely complements the cocoa and red velvet goodness we’re going for!
Water: Enough water to brew your coffee.
Red velvet Oreo: This is for the red velvet cookie topping that is part of the Starbucks’ Asia red velvet latte. Fun fact is that I actually brought these over from the Phillippines! I really liked these cookies because their cream filling is actually a cream cheese filling, and that really adds to the authenticity of a red velvet drink! I don’t think you can regularly buy red velvet Oreos unless it’s a special edition. That’s no problem! Feel free to use any red velvet cookie. If you have leftover red velvet cupcakes, pancakes, or a cake, then you can crumble it up and use those pieces for garnish!
How to make Decadent red Velvet Latte
On the stovetop or microwave, heat up the milk, mix often and make sure you don't bring the milk mixture to a boil. Just heat gently until it is steaming.
In a separate bowl, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, a splash of milk, red food colouring and cocoa powder. Whisk well until you have a smooth red mixture.
Add to the milk and whisk well to combine.
Once the milk is steaming, use a frother to froth up the milk, alternatively, you can whisk aggressively to froth.
In the meanwhile prepare the espresso in your coffee/espresso machine. If you don't a machine, you can use a french press to prepare the coffee. For the french press, add 4 Tbsp of your favourite coffee and then add a splash of water, heated to around 200 F.
Let the coffee bloom for 30 seconds and then add the rest of the water. Cover the french press with the included lid and let the coffee steep for 3-4 minutes. Then, push the plunger for the french press down halfway, before lift it back up, and then gently all the way back down.
Crush the red velvet cookies until crumbly and set aside for now.
Once the milk is heated through and the coffee/espresso is ready, pour the milk in your serving cup, filling it about halfway and then pour in the coffee to fill up the cup. Top with the whipped cream and sprinkle with crushed red velvet cookies.
Can I make Red Velvet Latte In the Microwave?
Sure, why not! It’s a nice shortcut since you don’t have to wait for your stove to get hot, and it will be more convenient if you’re making only a single portion. Simply heat the milk in a microwave-safe cup first, then mix in the red velvet syrup and proceed with the rest of the recipe!
Can I make a Decaf Red Velvet Latte?
Definitely! You can simply substitute the coffee with decaf coffee and the taste of the drink won’t be affected. That means you can make this for the evening or for someone who is sensitive to caffeine!
Can I make this Red Velvet Latte Iced?
Yes for sure! You’ll follow all the steps described here to make your red velvet syrup and to make the milk mixture over the stove. Then, you’ll add ice cubes into a shaker. Pour the brewed coffee or espresso into the shaker cup, then add the milk mixture. Shake it up and pour into your serving glass, then garnish as described in this recipe!
Watch How to Make Easy Red Velvet Latte here:
If you liked this recipe please let me know in the comments. Tag your post on social media using #cookingwithanadi and mention me @cookingwithanadi. Thank you!
Easy Red Velvet Latte
Ingredients
- 1 Cup milk, plus more if needed
- 3 Tbsp condensed milk (store-bought or homemade)
- 1-2 tsp red food colouring
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 Cup strong coffee or 2 servings espresso
- whipped cream (store-bought or homemade), as needed
- 2-3 red velvet cookies
Instructions
- On the stovetop or microwave, heat up the milk, mix often and make sure you don't bring the milk mixture to a boil. Just heat gently until it is steaming.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, a splash of milk, red food colouring and cocoa powder. Whisk well until you have a smooth red mixture. Add to the milk and whisk well to combine. Once the milk is steaming, use a frother to froth up the milk, alternatively, you can whisk aggressively to froth.
- In the meanwhile prepare the espresso in your coffee/espresso machine. If you don't a machine, you can use a french press to prepare the coffee. For the french press, add 4 Tbsp of your favourite coffee and then add a splash of water, heated to around 200 F.
- Let the coffee bloom for 30 seconds and then add the rest of the water. Cover the french press with the included lid and let the coffee steep for 3-4 minutes. Then, push the plunger for the french press down halfway, before lift it back up, and then gently all the way back down.
- Crush the red velvet cookies until crumbly and set aside for now.
- Once the milk is heated through and the coffee/espresso is ready, pour the milk in your serving cup, filling it about halfway and then pour in the coffee to fill up the cup. Top with the whipped cream and sprinkle with crushed red velvet cookies. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories
244.38Fat (grams)
10.56 gSat. Fat (grams)
5.39 gCarbs (grams)
30.66 gFiber (grams)
0.34 gNet carbs
30.32 gSugar (grams)
25.14 gProtein (grams)
7.46 gSodium (milligrams)
132.49 mgCholesterol (grams)
27.12 mgNutrition info is an estimate.
Follow me
Meet Anadi
Welcome to Cooking With Anadi. This platform is all about making cooking exciting and finding new ways to bring classic flavours and recipes at your service. Join me in my personal journey in the world of cooking. Hope you have a great ride!
