Hot Almond Milk Latte with Variations (Low-Calorie Delicious Drink)

A latte can taste so much better when it’s guilt-free like this hot almond latte is. Instead of going to a coffee shop to pay several dollars for a high-calorie, sugar-sweetened latte, try making your own latte at home for less than $1 a serving and less than 50 calories per cup.

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The trick is to choose your ingredients carefully. Coffee is nearly calorie-free, and unsweetened almond milk has 40 calories per cup. Skip sugar-sweetened flavored syrups and large amounts of honey or sugar to avoid excessive amounts of added sugar. The other flavors in your latte will be more noticeable that way.

Tips for the Basic Recipe

• You can use a shot of espresso instead of strong brewed coffee
• You can froth the almond milk using a frother before adding it to the coffee
• For a sweeter beverage, add sweetener of choice. Stevia and monk fruit are natural low-calorie options.
• For a high-protein latte, use unsweetened soy milk or skim milk instead of almond milk. You’ll add 50-60 calories and 7-10 grams of protein.

Variations on the Basic Recipe

• Mocha Latte: Stir in 1-3 teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa powder (baking cocoa) and dust the top of your beverage with a sprinkle of cocoa powder before serving.
• Cinnamon Latte: Stir in ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon extract and/or serve with a cinnamon stick.
• Peppermint Latte: Add 4-5 leaves of fresh mint before serving and dust with cocoa powder.
• Chai Spice Latte: Add cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger powder before serving.
• Vanilla Latte: Stir in ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract and (optional) serve with a vanilla bean pod.
• Dirty Chai Latte: Add a tea bag to a basic latte or chai spice latte. Steep it in the mug with the coffee and almond milk.
• Pumpkin Spice Latte: Add ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice or ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and a dash each of nutmeg and cloves, plus (optional) 1-2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree.

Optional Toppings

Toppings can quickly add calories, fat, and sugar to your latte, but there are lots of low-calorie choices, too. Here are some examples. 

• Cocoa powder (unsweetened baking cocoa)
• Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or ginger
• Cinnamon stick or vanilla bean
• Vanilla, peppermint, or almond extract
• Ground coffee bean
• 1-2 teaspoons of sprinkles or mini chocolate chips

If you choose higher-calorie options like crumbled cookies, marshmallows, whipped cream, and caramel or fudge drizzle, be sure to be mindful of portions and to log them with your drink. 

Basic Recipe for Almond Milk Latte

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
• ½ cup of strong brewed coffee
• (Optional) sweetener to taste

Instructions: 

1. Reheat the coffee if it’s not freshly brewed and hot. Add it to a mug.
2. Heat the unsweetened almond milk. Pour it over the coffee.
3. Stir in sweetener if desired.

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Nutrition information: 40 calories; 2.5 grams of fat; 160 mg sodium; 2 grams of carbohydrates; 1 gram of protein

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