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the traditional latte macchiato recipe & a gingerbread syrup

In Italy, when you go to a coffee bar, you can choose between a myriad of coffee alternatives, including a latte macchiato.

HOW TO ORDER LATTE MACCHIATO

When you finally get a place at the bar, you must lift your hand, ticket at hand, and say out loud what you want: a cornetto – plain, with jam, Nutella, or honey – and a latte macchiato. Then put down the ticket on the bar, and place a coin or two from the change: a tip for the barista – and a way to speed up the service.

latte macchiato recipe

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The traditional Italian Latte Macchiato

“Macchiato” means stained: milk is spotted with a few tablespoons of coffee. This gives the drink a beige color and a delicate, both tint and flavor.

There is a little secret to getting a perfect Latte Macchiato at home, the one with foamed milk…

latte macchiato recipe served in a glass
latte macchiato recipe in a glass
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latte macchiato recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Author Claudia Rinaldi

Ingredients

  • 2-3 tablespoons of espresso coffee
  • 3/4 cups of milk
  • sugar or honey

Instructions

  1. Make an espresso coffee.
  2. Heat the milk in a saucepan.

  3. Pour it into a mason jar, lid tightly, and shake - wrap it in a cloth if it's too hot - for a few seconds. You can also leave it in the pan and use a hand blender to foam the milk.

  4. Pour the milk into a tall glass and add a few tablespoons of espresso.

  5. Add sugar or honey to your taste, mix and enjoy.
latte macchiato recipe served in a glass cup with snowflakes decor
latte macchiato recipe with decorated sugar cubes

THE GINGERBREAD LATTE MACCHIATO

Italians would kill me for posting this recipe. A traditional Latte Macchiato should have nothing but milk, coffee, and a sweetener. 

But I love Christmassy stuff, so here’s a recipe for a make-ahead Gingerbread syrup.

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Gingerbread Latte Macchiato Recipe

Course latte macchiato recipe
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2
Author Claudia Rinaldi | Gourmet Project

Ingredients

for the syrup

to finish the latte

  • 4 tablespoons espresso coffee
  • 2 cups milk I used hazelnut milk and it was delicious!

Instructions

  1. Place water and the rest of the syrup ingredients in a small pot, bring them to a boil on a high heat, lower the heat and let simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until you get a "syrup" consistency.
  2. Make an espresso and heat milk.
  3. Foam milk in a jar or with a hand blender.
  4. Pour milk in a tall glass or mug. Spot it with a few tablespoons of espresso.
  5. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the syrup, depending on how sweet you want your Latte.
  6. Mix and enjoy!

Enjoy your latte macchiato, traditional, or fancy!

Claudia