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How I Created the Perfect Lavender Latte (Without an Espresso Machine!)

Jessica Koloian
Apr 25
3 min read

Since the Lavender Latte trend started, I’ve been hooked, ordering one every chance I get at any coffee shop that serves them. There’s something about those two dreamy words together—Lavender Latte—that always draws me in. I don’t even glance at the rest of the menu. I just have to try it.

But here’s the thing: as consistently as I’ve ordered this seemingly heavenly drink, I’ve been left underwhelmed. The lavender flavor often feels so earthy and intense, almost like I’m chewing on the plant itself instead of enjoying a smooth, aromatic drink. It’s always been a bit of a letdown.

Then, I decided to get creative. I recently brewed up some French Vanilla coffee (yes, brewed, not espresso, which is part of my “hack” that makes this recipe doable without needing an expensive machine). I was in the mood for something new, so I added a single drop of lavender essential oil to my milk before frothing it. The result? Perfection. It was exactly what I had been hoping for all along in a Lavender Latte—smooth, fragrant, and balanced.

I realized what made the difference. You see, I’ve always added agave syrup to my coffee before pouring in whole milk. I heat the milk in the microwave for about 30 seconds, then froth it up to create that creamy texture. When I started experimenting with essential oils, I added them to the milk after microwaving. I dropped the lavender essential oil in, then froth it. The result was this perfect balance of flavors, and the sweetness from the agave complemented the lavender beautifully.

Now, here’s where the hack comes in. Since I’m using brewed French Vanilla coffee, the base is already sweet, so it naturally enhances the lavender without adding any bitterness or earthiness. Plus, it doesn’t require a fancy espresso machine—just a good coffee maker and a few ingredients you probably already have at home! It’s one of those small changes that elevates your whole coffee routine without breaking the bank or the need for high-tech gadgets.

When I’m making my morning latte, I can easily control the sweetness level by adjusting how much agave I use. The beauty of using essential oils for flavor is that they don’t add any sweetness, so the flavor and sweetness remain separate. That’s the key difference. With syrups, both the sweetness and flavor increase together when you add more pumps. But with essential oils? You get just the right amount of flavor without making it overwhelmingly sweet.

One drop of lavender is usually perfect for that dreamy, aromatic touch, though I’ve noticed that if I accidentally add two drops, it still tastes just as good. One experiment I made was adding the essential oil before microwaving, and I found that it didn’t infuse the milk as strongly as it did when added afterward. So now I always wait until after the milk is heated to add the drop of lavender—lesson learned!

Ultimately, using French Vanilla coffee as the base really adds richness to the lavender flavor, while the smoothness of the coffee balances the floral notes. This method has become my go-to hack for the perfect Lavender Latte, no fancy equipment required. You just need a little creativity, a love for cozy flavors, and the right ingredients!

RECIPE

Lavender Latte

Ingredients