Starbucks flat white coffee combines rich, dark espresso and steamed milk for a delightful coffee drink. It’s what all coffee fanatics should try if they want to switch up their coffee game.
The dark brown caramel color on top of the drink makes you want to slurp it down immediately. But, you don’t need to go to Starbucks to enjoy this classic coffee drink. By the time you read this article, you’ll know exactly how to make one yourself, at home.
Let’s begin.
How to Make Starbucks Flat White Coffee
It’s the perfect drink for people who want milk in their coffee without the extra froth that accompanies steamed milk.
A lot of people like to compare this coffee drink to other drinks out there, such as cappuccino.
Even though they are seemingly similar beverages, the flat white is a different thing. In cappuccinos, there’s plenty of fluffy, rich foam and usually hot water, whereas in flat whites there’s pure espresso and much less foam, or a thin layer of microfoam.
Cortado is another coffee beverage that often gets compared to the flat white. They are both made of milk and espresso, but the cortado is half steamed milk, half espresso. Also, the milk in the cortado doesn’t have a frothy or foamy texture, so it’s silkier and smoother than the other.
On the other hand, the flat white has a more velvety texture thanks to the layer of microfoam.
The flat white is often compared to late as well. The main difference between these two coffee beverages is how the milk is prepared and poured. Also, Starbucks usually uses 2% milk to make lattes and more milk than the amount used in flat whites.
You might have noticed the separation between the steamed milk and foam in both, cappuccinos and lattes. On the other hand, the microfoam in flat whites has a silky texture throughout.
Starbucks uses very strong espresso or ristretto and creamy milk froth to make this delectable coffee drink. Even though it’s made of just two ingredients, espresso and milk, you need to know a few things to make it look and taste like the classic Starbucks beverage.
Ristretto espresso shots contain less water than standard espresso but the same amount of coffee. That’s why you get a smaller but more concentrated shot with a sweeter and richer flavor.
All in all, it takes just two ingredients and a little bit of skill to prepare your homemade flat white, but once you learn the method, you’ll make it over and over again.
Starbucks Flat White
Course: DrinksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy1
servings5
minutes2
minutes152
kcalSome drinks taste that much better when you don’t have to pay for them and that’s definitely the case with this Starbuck’s copycat version of their flat white.
Ingredients
1 cup 1 milk, steamed (preferably whole milk)
2 2 shots of espresso, or 3 ounces
Sugar (optional)
Directions
- Prepare 3 ounces of espresso or 2 shots and pour them into the cup.
- If you want a sweeter flat white, add sugar to the espresso.
- Steam one cup of milk and froth it for at least 60 seconds using a milk frother, or until it creates a microfoam. If you don’t have a milk frother, feel free to use a mason jar with a lid. Pour the milk into the jar, close it, and shake vigorously.
- Pour the hot microfoam over the espresso until there’s a dot of foam on top.
- Drink your homemade flat white while hot.
Notes
- The secret to making an epic flat white is the consistency of the milk and the right equipment. Basically, you need frothy milk that goes over the hot espresso, and an espresso machine. This will give you the signature flat white coffee flavor you desperately want.
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Nutrition Facts
1 servings per container
Serving Size1 servings
- Amount Per ServingCalories152
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 8g 13%
- Saturated Fat 4g 20%
- Cholesterol 24mg 8%
- Sodium 116mg 5%
- Potassium 416mg 12%
- Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
- Sugars 12g
- Protein 7g 15%
- Vitamin A 11%
- Calcium 6%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Tips and Tricks
To get the right foam, use either a jar or a milk frother. If you’re using a jar, make sure you heat the milk before shaking it vigorously.
A milk frother will do the job for you and give you the best foam for a flat white. If you’re using one, make sure you move it in slow circles at the bottom, and once it thickens bring it closer to the surface of the milk.
According to Starbucks, whole milk is the right one for this recipe if you want to get the creamiest textured foam and the right volume. You’re done when the milk has doubled in volume.
So, to make the perfect flat white you need to have two basic ingredients: really good espresso and a thick, velvety microfoam with no large bubbles. The blending of these two ingredients gives the beverage a wonderful dark brown caramel color.
If you want your flat white to have a great taste and flavor, use the best-tasting espresso, or your favorite blend. That’s because the taste of this two-ingredient beverage depends on the taste of the espresso you choose. You don’t want to use flavored syrup.
Choose recently roasted and freshly ground coffee beans for ultimate flavor. Even though dark or medium-dark roast beans are recommended, you can also use medium roast.
The typical serving of this copycat Starbucks flat white contains two shots of espresso which equals four tablespoons of espresso.
It doesn’t contain sugar since the beverage is a simple combination of steamed milk and espresso, but you can add some if you want your coffee sweeter. Dissolve the sugar in the espresso before adding the steamed milk.
This trendy beverage is typically served in a ceramic cup with a saucer.
Conclusion
What’s better than wrapping yourself with a warm blanket while enjoying a delectable coffee that happens to be an ideal combination of good espresso and a creamy microfoam? Not much.
With these step-by-step instructions and useful tips and tricks, you can make yourself a delicious flat white in just a few minutes. You’re welcome!
