Coconut Latte Recipe (Hot & Iced) — Easy Home Barista Guide

A coconut latte is one of the best dairy-free espresso drinks you can make at home. It’s rich, subtly tropical, and naturally slightly sweet — without any of the bitterness that sometimes comes from plain oat or almond milk. If you’ve ever had a Starbucks coconut milk latte and thought “I could make this better,” you’re right.

This guide covers everything: the best coconut milk to use, how to froth it (yes, it froths), hot and iced recipes, and five variations worth trying.

What Is a Coconut Latte?

A coconut latte is a shot of espresso combined with steamed or frothed coconut milk. It’s essentially a standard latte with coconut milk swapped in for dairy. The result is slightly lighter in body than a whole milk latte, with a delicate coconut flavor that complements espresso’s roasty notes — especially darker roasts.

Unlike oat milk or almond milk lattes, coconut milk has a higher fat content that makes it creamier and better at blending with espresso without separating.

Coconut Milk, Cream, or Creamer? What to Use

Not all coconut products behave the same way in a latte:

Best pick: Barista-edition carton coconut milk is specifically formulated to steam well and not separate. Full-fat canned coconut milk gives the richest result but requires shaking vigorously and thinning with a small splash of water.

Avoid light coconut creamer if you want actual latte texture — it’s too thin to froth properly.

Hot Coconut Latte Recipe

Makes: 1 serving (10–12 oz) Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 shots espresso (2 oz / 60 ml)
• 8 oz barista coconut milk (or canned, shaken well)
• Optional: 1–2 tsp simple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar

Instructions

1. Pull espresso. Aim for a 1:2 ratio: 18g coffee in, 36g espresso out in 25–30 seconds.
2. Steam coconut milk. Heat to 140–150°F (60–65°C) using a steam wand or milk frother. Coconut milk froths best at slightly lower temperatures than dairy — stop just before it gets too airy. You want velvety microfoam, not stiff foam.
3. Add sweetener to the cup if using, then pour espresso over it.
4. Pour steamed coconut milk over the espresso, holding back foam with a spoon if you want a distinct latte layer, or swirling together for a more unified drink.
5. Finish with a light dusting of toasted coconut flakes if you want the toasted coconut latte variation (see below).

Without an espresso machine: Use 3 tbsp strong Moka pot coffee, 2 tbsp AeroPress concentrate, or a double shot of Nespresso.

Without a steam wand: Use a battery-powered milk frother, French press pumping method, or heat coconut milk in a saucepan and froth with an immersion blender. Full instructions in our how to froth milk guide.

Iced Coconut Latte Recipe

Makes: 1 serving (14–16 oz) Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 shots espresso (2 oz / 60 ml) — brewed hot, then cooled slightly
• 8 oz cold coconut milk (barista or light canned, shaken)
• 1 cup ice
• Optional: 1 tbsp simple syrup, maple syrup, or coconut sugar syrup

Instructions

1. Pull espresso and let it cool for 2–3 minutes (or pour over 2–3 ice cubes to flash-chill).
2. Fill a tall glass with ice.
3. Add sweetener to the glass if using, then pour in cold coconut milk.
4. Pour espresso over the coconut milk — it will naturally layer and mix as you sip.
5. Stir to combine, or leave layered for the visual effect.

Make it stronger: Use 3 shots if you want the coconut flavor to stay present over ice, since ice dilution can mask espresso.

How to Froth Coconut Milk Perfectly

Coconut milk is one of the trickier plant milks to froth, but barista versions handle it well. Key tips:

• Shake the carton before pouring — fats can settle in plant milks and cartons
• Start cold — cold coconut milk steams more evenly than room-temperature
• Keep temperature under 155°F — coconut milk can separate at higher temperatures, leaving a greasy layer
• Use a thin pitcher — helps you feel the temperature and control steam pressure
• Use low pressure to incorporate air slowly, then high pressure to create microfoam texture

If your foam keeps separating, switch to a barista-edition brand. Not all coconut milks are formulated for steaming — grocery store “cooking” coconut milk from a can will not steam into proper microfoam.

Sweetness Guide

Coconut milk has a natural sweetness, so you may not need any added sugar:

Milk Comparison: Best Dairy-Free Milks for Lattes

Starbucks Coconut Milk Latte Dupe

Starbucks uses their proprietary Starbucks Coconut Milk Blend, which includes cane sugar in the formula. To replicate the flavor at home:

• Use barista coconut milk (So Delicious Barista Series is closest)
• Add 1 tbsp vanilla syrup (their coconut milk is sweetened; grocery barista milks aren’t always)
• For an exact Starbucks Iced Coconut Milk Latte: 2 shots espresso + 8 oz Califia Farms Barista Blend + 1 tsp vanilla syrup + ice

5 Coconut Latte Variations

1. Toasted Coconut Latte Toast 2 tbsp shredded coconut in a dry pan until golden. Use as garnish on the foam. Adds a roasty, caramelized coconut aroma that transforms the drink.

2. Coconut Mocha Latte Add 1 tbsp chocolate sauce (or cacao powder + simple syrup) to the cup before adding espresso. The chocolate-coconut combination is a classic pairing.

3. Coconut Matcha Latte Replace espresso with 1 tsp ceremonial-grade matcha whisked into 2 oz hot water. Add steamed coconut milk. The tropical-earthy combination works surprisingly well. See our matcha latte recipe for full matcha prep details.

4. Coconut Vanilla Latte Add 2 tsp vanilla syrup to hot coconut milk before steaming. Makes the flavor sweeter and more dessert-like.

5. Coconut Brown Sugar Latte Stir 1 tbsp brown sugar into the espresso while hot (it dissolves fully). The brown sugar’s molasses notes pair beautifully with coconut milk’s natural sweetness. Add cinnamon for a spiced version.

Frequently Asked Questions

For other dairy-free latte recipes, see our vanilla latte recipe, matcha latte recipe, and honey latte recipe. For milk frothing technique for any plant milk, read our how to froth milk guide.