✔ Updated · new 5-minute cinnamon dolce syrup, grande-size amounts, hot and iced versions
A cinnamon dolce latte is espresso and steamed milk sweetened with a buttery brown sugar cinnamon syrup, topped with whipped cream and cinnamon sugar. Here's my copycat version, with a syrup that takes 5 minutes and lasts all week.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Simmer the syrup for just 5 minutes. Cook it longer and it thickens into a sticky caramel once it's cold.
Why You'll Love This Copycat
- A real cinnamon syrup made with brown sugar and a cinnamon stick, so it tastes warm, not dusty.
- Grande-size amounts, two shots and 2 tablespoons of syrup, about what a coffee shop uses.
- Hot or iced, dairy or plant milk, sweet or light: it all works.
What Is a Cinnamon Dolce Latte?
Dolce means sweet in Italian, and that's exactly what this latte is: espresso and steamed milk with a brown sugar cinnamon syrup, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. It's been a fixture on the menu at the Starbucks near us for as long as I can remember.
The syrup is the whole secret. My copycat version simmers granulated and brown sugar with a cinnamon stick for 5 minutes, which gives that warm, slightly toasty flavor without any artificial taste.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Use a cinnamon stick in the syrup. Ground cinnamon alone can taste dusty and settles at the bottom. The stick gives a cleaner, warmer flavor, and the little bit of ground cinnamon adds color.
- Strong coffee works. No espresso machine? Brew 1/2 cup of extra-strong coffee, a moka pot shot or 2 teaspoons instant espresso in 1/4 cup hot water. Regular-strength coffee gets lost under the milk.
- Don't scald the milk. Milk tastes sweetest at 150°F to 160°F. Past that it starts to taste flat and cooked, and it won't hold foam.
- Adjust the sweetness. 2 tablespoons tastes like the coffee shop. I usually use 1 1/2 tablespoons in mine, and a tall (12-ounce) latte only needs 1 1/2 tablespoons anyway.
- Store the syrup in the fridge. Keep it in a clean, sealed jar for up to 2 weeks. I keep mine in the fridge door all fall and use it in oatmeal, on pancakes and over vanilla ice cream too.
Cinnamon Dolce Latte (Starbucks Copycat)
1
latte (16 oz)5
minutes10
minutes360
kcal15
minutesA copycat-style take on the Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte: two shots of espresso and steamed milk sweetened with a quick homemade brown sugar cinnamon syrup, finished with whipped cream and a cinnamon sugar topping. Makes one 16-ounce latte, plus extra syrup for the week.
Ingredients
- For the Cinnamon Dolce Syrup (about 1 1/4 cups)
1 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch fine salt
- For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- For One Latte
2 ounces espresso (2 shots), or 1/2 cup very strong coffee
2 tablespoons cinnamon dolce syrup
1 1/4 cups whole or 2% milk
1/4 cup whipped cream
Directions
- Make the Syrup
- Add the water, both sugars, cinnamon stick, ground cinnamon and salt to a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Simmer gently for 5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Take it off the heat, stir in the vanilla and let it cool. Remove the cinnamon stick and pour the syrup into a clean jar.
- Make the Latte
- Mix the topping sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
- Brew 2 shots of espresso (or 1/2 cup very strong coffee) straight into a 16-ounce mug and stir in the cinnamon dolce syrup.
- Steam the milk to about 150°F to 160°F, until hot and foamy but not boiling. No steamer? Heat it in a saucepan or the microwave, then froth with a handheld frother or by shaking it in a lidded jar.
- Pour the milk into the mug, holding back the foam with a spoon, then spoon the foam on top. Finish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of the cinnamon sugar.
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Iced, Lighter and Dairy-Free Versions
- Iced cinnamon dolce latte: espresso and syrup over ice in a 16-ounce glass, topped with 3/4 cup cold milk.
- Lighter: use 1 tablespoon syrup, 2% or skim milk and skip the whipped cream.
- Dairy-free: oat milk steams and foams best; almond milk is lighter and a little nutty. Use coconut whipped cream on top.
- Caramel twist: add 1 tablespoon caramel sauce with the syrup for a caramel cinnamon latte.
- Decaf: use decaf espresso or decaf instant espresso. The flavor is nearly the same.
More Starbucks Copycats to Try
Love a coffee shop latte at home? Try my Starbucks vanilla latte, snickerdoodle latte or caramel macchiato, or browse all our Starbucks copycat recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in a Starbucks cinnamon dolce latte?
It's espresso and steamed milk sweetened with cinnamon dolce syrup, a brown sugar and cinnamon flavored syrup, then topped with whipped cream and a cinnamon sugar topping. A grande has 2 shots of espresso. This copycat uses the same build with a homemade syrup.
What does a cinnamon dolce latte taste like?
It tastes like a sweet, creamy latte with a warm cinnamon flavor and a soft brown sugar, almost buttery note, a bit like the inside of a cinnamon roll. It's sweeter and spicier than a plain latte but less rich than a mocha.
Is a cinnamon dolce latte the same as a brown sugar cinnamon latte?
They're close cousins. A cinnamon dolce latte uses a brown sugar cinnamon syrup in a hot latte with whipped cream. Brown sugar oat milk drinks are usually iced and shaken with oat milk. You can make either at home with this syrup.
Can I make an iced cinnamon dolce latte?
Yes. Stir 2 tablespoons of syrup into 2 shots of espresso, fill a 16-ounce glass with ice, add the espresso and top with 3/4 cup cold milk. Skip the whipped cream or add cold foam, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
How long does cinnamon dolce syrup last?
Homemade cinnamon dolce syrup keeps for up to 2 weeks in a clean, sealed jar in the fridge. If it turns cloudy, smells off or grows mold, throw it out. Stir or shake it before using, since a little cinnamon settles at the bottom.
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