Pistachio Latte Recipe – Just 4 ingredients (+ VIDEO)

With classic nutty pistachio flavor, steamed milk, and hot espresso, this pistachio latte recipe is just as delicious as the one you can buy from Starbucks!

Why you’ll love this homemade pistachio latte

Easy to prepare in minutes, in the comfort of your own home.
Enjoy it cold in the summer or hot in the winter. Each sip will elevate your breakfast or afternoon snack with soft notes of maple and warm vanilla sugar.
The fluffy whipped texture is unbelievably rich, creamy and indulgent, without the accompanying upscale coffee shop price tag.
This simple latte recipe includes dairy free, gluten free, low carb, and vegan options. Customize the base to fit your own personal preferences.

Also try this copycat Starbucks Frappuccino Recipe

Step by step recipe video

Easy pistachio latte ingredients

The pistachio drink calls for just four ingredients plus optional sweetener.

Milk of choice – While you can technically use any milk and still get tasty results, some milks are much superior when it comes to producing the thickest, creamiest lattes.

In general, whole milk or nondairy oat milk are preferred among professional baristas because they foam well and yield a thick frothy top. The high protein content of soymilk also produces a velvety foam good for latte art.

Low calorie almond milk, skim milk, or rice milk may separate and are best for iced lattes or for times when you do not mind if the topping is not quite as whipped and cloud-like. Full fat coconut milk does not froth well, but it still turns out a rich texture and decadent dessert flavor.

Unlike other homemade pistachio latte recipes, this one needs no sweetened condensed milk.

Coffee – Use one fourth cup of hot strong brewed coffee or espresso. Decaf coffee works too.

Pistachio butter – The easiest option is to buy jarred pistachio butter or pistachio cream at the grocery store. Or save money by making your own pistachio butter in a high speed blender.

Vanilla – Look for pure vanilla extract as opposed to imitation vanilla flavoring, as this will give you the most natural vanilla flavor. If using vanilla milk, you may wish to omit the extract.

Sweetener – If you like sweetened coffee drinks, feel free to add a tablespoon or two of pure maple syrup, honey, granulated sugar, pistachio syrup, or sweetener of choice. For a keto or sugar free latte, omit the sugar or use your favorite no sugar substitute.

How to make the best pistachio latte (hot or iced)

Hot Pistachio Latte

Add the milk, pistachio butter, and optional sweetener to a small saucepan. Heat over medium just until hot. If you own a cooking thermometer, it should read 150° Fahrenheit or 65° Celsius.
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Use a whisk or a milk frother to blend up the hot milk until small bubbles form.
Let the foam settle, then pour over a mug of hot espresso. Garnish as desired, and serve.

Iced Pistachio Latte

Whisk the pistachio butter and optional sweetener into cold milk until smooth.
Fill a glass with ice. Pour the chilled milk mixture over the ice.
Pour strong brewed coffee or espresso over everything, and serve immediately.
Or for a refreshing frozen pistachio latte, whisk all ingredients (omit the ice) and pour into an ice cube tray or a shallow container. Freeze until solid, then blend in a high speed blender until slushy like a blended Frappuccino. Enjoy!

Coffee shop barista tip

If you want to be fancy like a true café barista, spread pistachio butter or paste on the sides of a glass mug.

Leave half of the milk mixture unfrothed so it will be heavier and thus sink to the bottom of the latte, giving you a beautiful green and chocolate layered look.

Recipe flavor variations

The cozy version: I love sprinkling the top with roasted crushed pistachios and a healthy pinch of ground cardamom.

Dubai pistachio drink: For a luxurious Dubai chocolate latte, decorate your homemade coffee beverage with thick chocolate syrup and pistachio sauce.

White chocolate matcha: Whisk a teaspoon of sifted matcha powder into two ounces of hot water. Use this instead of the espresso, for a lower caffeine and coffee free latte. Finish with shaved white chocolate.

Brown butter: To create a surprisingly similar copycat Starbucks pistachio latte, brown two teaspoons of butter or plant based butter before heating the milk. This caramel flavored option pairs nicely with brown sugar as the sweetener.

5 Minute Pistachio Latte (Homemade Starbucks Drink)

1. Combine milk, pistachio butter, and sweetener in a saucepan. Stir to combine, then heat over medium just until hot. (If you have a cooking thermometer, it should read 150°F (or 65°C).
2. Turn off the heat, and stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Blend the mixture with a whisk or milk frother until small bubbles form.
4. Pour hot espresso or strong brewed coffee into a mug. Once the milk foam settles, slowly pour it over the coffee. Garnish and serve.