Maple Tahini Iced Latte

Name: Maple Tahini Iced Latte
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 60 ml / 2 oz Espresso; 15 ml / 1 tablespoon Tahini; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Maple Syrup; 180 ml / 6 oz Oat Milk; 1 pinch Sea Salt (optional); Enough to fill the glass Ice Cubes

Ingredients Instructions

This is a contemporary twist on the classic iced latte, combining rich espresso with the creamy, nutty, and slightly savory flavor of tahini. Maple syrup provides a balanced sweetness that complements the roasted notes of both the coffee and sesame. It creates a complex and deeply satisfying beverage, perfect for those looking to explore new flavor combinations in their coffee routine. The result is a surprisingly sophisticated and delicious drink.

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Maple Tahini Iced Latte is classified as a modern coffee drink. It falls into the category of innovative café beverages that experiment with non-traditional ingredients, moving beyond classic coffee preparations.

Serving

Serve this non-alcoholic drink cold in a standard Highball or Collins glass filled with ice. The serving size is about 12 ounces, making for a substantial and refreshing beverage.

Serving size

Approximately 350 ml / 12 oz

Alcohol content

0% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Highball

Glass treatment

None

Backstory

The use of tahini in sweet applications, inspired by Middle Eastern desserts like halva, has grown in popularity in modern Western cuisine. Blending it into coffee is a recent café innovation that started gaining traction in the late 2010s. This creation offers a unique dairy-free creaminess and a complex nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of maple and the bitterness of espresso, showcasing global culinary fusion.

Origin

This drink is a product of modern café culture, likely originating in North America or Europe in the late 2010s. There is no single point of origin, but rather it emerged from the trend of incorporating savory and globally-inspired ingredients into coffee beverages.

Maple Tahini Iced Latte

This drink is commonly known as the Maple Tahini Iced Latte, though it is sometimes simplified to Iced Tahini Latte. The name Maple Sesame Iced Coffee is also used, highlighting the key flavor components derived from tahini (sesame paste).

Original name

Maple Tahini Iced Latte

Alternative names

Iced Tahini Latte
Maple Sesame Iced Coffee

Characteristics overview

This drink has a rich, creamy texture and a nutty, roasty flavor profile balanced by sweetness from maple and a savory hint from tahini. The aroma is a delightful mix of coffee and toasted sesame, leading to a smooth, lingering finish.

Flavor

Nutty, Roasty, Sweet, Creamy, Earthy, Savory

Aroma

Coffee, Toasted sesame, Maple

Taste balance

Sweet, Bitter, Savory

Aftertaste

Lingering, Nutty, Smooth

Fizziness

None

Color appearance

Opaque, Light brown, Creamy tan

Texture

Creamy, Smooth, Rich, Velvety

Seasonality

Refreshing, All-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense, with a noticeable creaminess and a balanced interplay between sweetness and bitterness. It is completely non-alcoholic and has no carbonation.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need a double shot of espresso, tahini, maple syrup, and oat milk. A pinch of sea salt is optional but recommended to elevate the flavors.

Espresso60 ml / 2 oz
A freshly brewed double shot is best. Alternatively, use 60 ml / 2 oz of very strong brewed coffee.
Tahini15 ml / 1 tablespoon
Use a good quality, runny tahini for easier mixing. Note: Tahini is made from sesame seeds, which is a common allergen.
Maple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
Adjust to your desired sweetness. Pure maple syrup is recommended.
Oat Milk180 ml / 6 oz
Barista-style oat milk works well for a creamier texture. Any milk or milk alternative can be used.
Sea Salt1 pinch(optional)
Helps to enhance the flavors.
Ice CubesEnough to fill the glass
Standard cubed ice works perfectly.

Ice type

Cubed

Mixing equipments

Basic coffee-making equipment is required, along with a small bowl and a whisk or frother to create a smooth tahini-espresso base before assembling the drink.

Espresso machine or coffee maker to brew coffee
Small bowl or shaker for mixing
Whisk or milk frother to combine ingredients

Instructions

The process involves brewing espresso and whisking it with tahini and maple syrup until smooth. This mixture is then poured over ice, topped with oat milk, stirred, and garnished.

1. Brew a double shot of espresso or make 60 ml (2 oz) of very strong coffee.

2. In a small bowl, combine the hot espresso, tahini, maple syrup, and the optional pinch of sea salt.

3. Whisk vigorously or use a milk frother until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and fully combined with no lumps.

4. Fill a highball glass to the top with ice cubes.

5. Pour the espresso-tahini mixture over the ice.

6. Slowly top with the cold oat milk.

7. Stir well to combine all the ingredients in the glass.

8. Garnish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds on top before serving.

Garnishing

A simple sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds makes for an elegant garnish that complements the drink's primary flavor and adds a slight textural contrast.

Toasted sesame seeds, sprinkled on top

Dietary Information

This drink contains caffeine but is alcohol-free. When made with oat milk and pure tahini, it is vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, and nut-free, though it does contain sesame.

✕ Contains alcohol

✕ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✓ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink is moderately caloric, with around 250 kcal per serving. Its carbohydrate and sugar content come primarily from the oat milk and maple syrup.

Calories

Approximately 250 kcal / 1046 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Approximately 25g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Approximately 15g

Sugar level

Occasions

This versatile iced latte is perfect as a morning pick-me-up or a delightful afternoon treat. It's also an excellent and sophisticated choice for a brunch menu or simply for enjoying a relaxing moment at home.

Morning pick-me-up
Afternoon treat
Brunch
Relaxing at home

Pairing suggestions

This latte pairs beautifully with treats that share its Middle Eastern flavor inspiration, such as baklava or halva. It also goes well with simple, buttery shortbread cookies or naturally sweet Medjool dates, which complement its nutty and sweet profile.

Shortbread cookies
Baklava
Halva
Medjool dates

Maple Tahini Iced Latte: A Modern Twist on Iced Coffee

The Maple Tahini Iced Latte is an inventive and delicious non-alcoholic coffee drink that stands out for its unique flavor profile. It masterfully balances the bitterness of espresso with the nutty, savory notes of tahini and the gentle sweetness of maple syrup. The result is a wonderfully creamy, rich, and refreshing beverage suitable for any time of day. It's a perfect example of modern café culture's creative spirit, offering a sophisticated alternative to a standard iced latte.