Toffee Nut Latte

The Toffee Nut Latte is a delightful and popular coffeehouse beverage that combines rich, full-bodied espresso with smooth, steamed milk and a sweet, buttery toffee nut-flavored syrup. It's often topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of toffee nut bits for extra texture and flavor. This drink offers a perfect balance of coffee bitterness, sweet confection, and nutty undertones, making it an indulgent treat for any time of day.
Toffee Nut Latte

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Toffee Nut Latte is classified as a coffee drink, specifically falling under the latte category. Lattes are characterized by their composition of espresso and a significant amount of steamed milk. This beverage is a flavored variant of the classic café latte.

Serving

Served hot in a large latte mug, this is a non-alcoholic beverage with a comforting warmth. The typical serving size is around 12 ounces.
Serving size
~350 ml / 12 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Hot
Glass type
Latte Mug
Glass treatment
Pre-warmed mug is recommended

Backstory

The Toffee Nut Latte was popularized by major coffee chains like Starbucks as a seasonal holiday beverage. Its combination of warm, comforting flavors of toffee and toasted nuts quickly made it a festive favorite. Over time, its popularity grew so much that it became a year-round staple in many cafes and a popular flavor for home baristas to recreate.
Origin
While not tied to a specific country, the Toffee Nut Latte emerged from modern American and European coffee culture in the early 21st century. It was popularized by global coffee shop chains as part of their expanding menu of flavored lattes.

Toffee Nut Latte

The name "Toffee Nut Latte" is widely recognized, though it's sometimes simplified to "Toffee Nut Coffee". The "Buttery Toffee Latte" variation emphasizes the rich, buttery flavor profile of the toffee syrup. The core components remain espresso, steamed milk, and toffee nut syrup.
Original name
Toffee Nut Latte
Alternative names
  • Toffee Nut Coffee
  • Buttery Toffee Latte

Characteristics overview

The drink has a sweet, buttery, and nutty flavor profile with a rich coffee aroma. It's smooth and creamy in texture, best enjoyed as a warming, comforting beverage during cooler seasons.
Flavor
sweet, buttery, nutty, toffee, caramel, roasted coffee
Aroma
toasted nuts, caramel, buttery, coffee
Taste balance
sweet-forward, mild bitterness
Aftertaste
sweet, creamy, lingering nutty finish
Fizziness
none
Color appearance
light brown, creamy beige, opaque
Texture
smooth, creamy, velvety
Seasonality
warming, comforting, autumnal, wintery

Flavor intensity & Experience

This drink is characterized by high sweetness and creaminess, with a mild bitterness from the espresso to balance it out. It is a non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverage.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You'll need a double shot of espresso, steamed milk, and toffee nut flavored syrup. Optional but recommended garnishes include whipped cream and toffee nut sprinkles.
  • Espresso60 ml / 2 oz
    A freshly brewed double shot is best.
  • Milk240 ml / 8 oz
    Whole milk creates the best foam, but oat or almond milk are great dairy-free alternatives.
  • Toffee Nut Syrup22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Adjust quantity to your preferred sweetness level.
  • Whipped CreamTo taste(optional)
    For garnish.
  • Toffee Nut Sprinkles1 pinch(optional)
    Can be substituted with crushed toffee bits or chopped nuts.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

An espresso machine with a steam wand is essential for brewing the coffee and creating the steamed milk texture. You will also need a latte mug for serving the final drink.
  • Espresso Machine with Steam Wand: For brewing espresso and frothing milk.
  • Latte Mug: For serving.

Instructions

The process involves brewing espresso, mixing it with toffee nut syrup, and then pouring steamed milk over it. Finally, top with whipped cream and sprinkles before serving hot.
1. Brew a double shot of espresso (about 60 ml / 2 oz) directly into your latte mug.
2. Add the toffee nut syrup to the espresso and stir gently to combine.
3. Steam the milk (about 240 ml / 8 oz) until it's hot and has a velvety microfoam texture. Be careful not to scald the milk.
4. Pour the steamed milk into the mug over the espresso mixture, holding back the foam with a spoon initially, then topping the drink with the remaining foam.
5. Garnish with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of toffee nut topping, if desired.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Garnishing

The latte is typically finished with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of toffee nut pieces. This adds a layer of creamy texture and enhances the nutty flavor.
  • Whipped Cream: A generous swirl on top.
  • Toffee Nut Sprinkles: A light dusting over the whipped cream.

Dietary Information

This drink contains caffeine and is typically made with dairy and nut flavorings. It can be adapted to be dairy-free and vegan by using plant-based milk and omitting dairy whipped cream.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✕ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A standard Toffee Nut Latte with whole milk and toppings is moderately high in calories and sugar. The nutritional content can be significantly reduced by using skim or plant-based milk and omitting the whipped cream.
Calories
Averagely 250-350 kcal / 1046-1464 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 35-45 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 30-40 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This comforting drink is perfect for a chilly morning, an afternoon pick-me-up, or as a sweet dessert substitute. It's particularly popular during the autumn and winter months as a cozy, warming treat.
  • Morning Coffee
  • Afternoon Break
  • Dessert Drink
  • Cozy Winter Day

Pairing suggestions

This sweet latte pairs wonderfully with simple, buttery baked goods like biscotti or shortbread that complement its nutty and caramel notes. It also goes well with flaky pastries like croissants or a slice of classic coffee cake for an indulgent breakfast or afternoon snack.
  • Biscotti
  • Shortbread Cookies
  • Croissants or other pastries
  • Coffee Cake

Toffee Nut Latte: A Cozy and Buttery Coffee Embrace

The Toffee Nut Latte is a beloved coffeehouse creation, perfect for those who enjoy a sweet, flavored coffee experience. It masterfully blends the boldness of espresso with the comforting sweetness of buttery toffee and toasted nuts, all enveloped in creamy steamed milk. While often associated with the holidays, its delicious flavor profile makes it a delightful treat any time of the year. Easy to customize, it can be adapted to suit various dietary needs without sacrificing its signature cozy appeal.