Short answer
A cafe latte is a milk coffee made from one or two shots of espresso, a large amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. It tastes mild and creamy, and is served in a tall glass or a large cup.
A cafe latte is a coffee drink made from espresso, a large amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam on top. A cafe latte is milder and creamier than a cappuccino or a flat white, because the milk outweighs the coffee, and it is usually served in a tall glass or a big cup.
Where does the name cafe latte come from?
The name cafe latte comes from the Italian caffe latte, which means “coffee milk”. In Italy it is a breakfast drink made at home, often with a moka pot, and it is not usually ordered in a cafe.
Italian cafes understand a “latte” as a glass of milk, which is why English speakers abroad ask for a caffe latte. The tall glass version served in the UK, Australia and North America developed in cafes and is the one most people mean today. The exact origin of the layered glass latte is disputed, and several cities claim it.
What goes in a cafe latte?
A cafe latte has three parts: espresso, steamed milk and a small cap of foam. Nothing else is needed, though cafes often add flavoured syrups on request.
- Espresso: one or two shots, about 30 to 60 ml in total.
- Steamed milk: about 150 to 250 ml, heated to around 60 to 65 °C so it is sweet and not scalded.
- Foam: a layer about 1 cm thick, smooth enough to pour latte art.
Whole milk gives the creamiest result, and semi-skimmed gives a lighter cup. The coffee is the same espresso used in every other drink at the counter.
How is a cafe latte made?
A cafe latte is made by pulling espresso into a glass or cup, steaming milk until it is hot and silky, and pouring the milk into the coffee. The whole process takes about two or three minutes.
- Pull one or two shots of espresso into a warm glass.
- Pour cold milk into a steaming jug, filling it to just below the spout.
- Steam the milk while adding a little air for the first few seconds, then submerge the wand to swirl it.
- Stop at about 60 to 65 °C and tap the jug to remove large bubbles.
- Pour the milk into the espresso in a steady stream and finish with a thin layer of foam.
At home, a moka pot or a strong filter brew, plus milk warmed in a pan and whisked, gives a good approximation.
What does a cafe latte taste like?
A cafe latte tastes smooth, creamy and mild, with the roasted coffee flavour in the background. The steamed milk gives a gentle natural sweetness.
Because the drink is mostly milk, a latte suits people who find a flat white or a cortado too strong. Flavoured versions, such as vanilla or caramel, add syrup on top of this mild base.
Cafe latte vs other milk coffees: what is the difference?
A cafe latte has more milk and less foam than a cappuccino, and more milk than a flat white. The table shows the usual differences, though cafes set their own recipes.
| Drink | Espresso | Milk | Foam | Typical size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cafe latte | 1 to 2 shots | Lots of steamed milk | About 1 cm | 250 to 350 ml |
| Cappuccino | 1 to 2 shots | Less milk | Thick, about 2 cm | 150 to 180 ml |
| Flat white | 2 shots | Steamed milk | Very thin microfoam | 160 to 180 ml |
| Cortado | 1 to 2 shots | About equal to espresso | Almost none | 100 to 120 ml |
| Latte macchiato | 1 shot | Milk first, then espresso | Foam on top | 250 to 300 ml |
The difference between a latte and a latte macchiato is the order: in a macchiato the espresso is poured into the milk, giving visible layers.
Hot, iced or flavoured: what are the variations?
A cafe latte can be served hot, iced or flavoured, and it can be made with any milk. These are the most common versions.
- Iced latte: espresso and cold milk poured over ice.
- Flavoured latte: vanilla, caramel or hazelnut syrup added to the espresso.
- Chai latte and matcha latte: spiced tea or green tea powder in place of the coffee.
- Decaf latte: made with decaffeinated espresso.
What size and strength is a cafe latte?
A cafe latte is usually served in a 250 to 350 ml glass or cup, and it holds one or two shots of espresso. The size changes the amount of milk far more than the amount of coffee.
A small latte with one shot has a mild flavour. A large latte with two shots tastes stronger but is still milky. Many cafes in the UK offer regular and large sizes, while some serve a single standard glass. If you want a stronger coffee flavour, ask for an extra shot. If you want a lighter drink, a smaller size keeps the milk and coffee closer in balance.
How do you order a cafe latte?
Ask for a latte, choose your milk and say whether you want it hot or iced. In the UK, “latte” and “cafe latte” mean the same drink in nearly every cafe.
- Milk: whole, semi-skimmed, oat, soy and almond are the most common options.
- Shots: ask for an extra shot or a decaf shot if you want to change the strength.
- Syrup: vanilla and caramel are the usual flavours, added before the milk.
- Temperature: ask for it extra hot if you drink slowly, though very hot milk can taste burnt.
- To stay or to go: a glass suits sitting in, and a lidded paper cup suits takeaway.
How do you make a cafe latte at home?
At home, make a cafe latte by brewing strong coffee and topping it with hot milk that has been whisked or frothed. An espresso machine gives the closest result, but it is not needed.
- Brew 50 to 60 ml of strong coffee in a moka pot, an AeroPress or a small espresso machine.
- Warm about 200 ml of milk in a pan until it steams, without letting it boil.
- Froth the milk with a handheld frother or a whisk until it looks glossy and slightly thickened.
- Pour the coffee into a tall glass, then add the milk, holding the foam back with a spoon before spooning it on top.
If the milk starts to bubble at the edges, it is already too hot, and it will taste flat. A thermometer is not essential, since milk at about 65 °C is hot to hold for a second or two but not painful.
Is a cafe latte on the menu at Kuna Cafe & Bakery?
The recorded menu for Kuna Cafe & Bakery, a corner cafe on Elm Row in Edinburgh, names coffee, cappuccino and speciality tea, and does not list a cafe latte by name. No prices are published, and the independent guide checked the listings in November 2026.
Because the cafe serves coffee with milk, as the cappuccino shows, a latte may be possible, but that is not confirmed anywhere. It is best to ask at the counter. The menu page lists what the guide could verify, and the hours and location page has the opening times.
Common questions
Is a latte the same as a cafe latte?
In the UK and most English-speaking countries, yes. In Italy, asking for a latte gets you a glass of plain milk, so travellers say caffe latte. Cafe latte is simply the full English version of the name.
How many shots of espresso are in a latte?
Most cafes use one or two shots, with two being common in medium and large sizes. The shots are the same size as in any espresso drink, so a bigger latte usually means more milk rather than more coffee.
How much milk is in a cafe latte?
A typical cafe latte holds about 150 to 250 ml of steamed milk on top of the espresso, with a layer of foam about one centimetre thick. The exact amount depends on the cup size.
Can a latte be made with plant milk?
Yes. Oat, soy, almond and coconut milks all steam, though they foam differently. Oat and soy milks are the easiest to steam smoothly, and many cafes keep at least one of them for latte orders.
For the address, opening hours and menu, see Kuna Cafe & Bakery in Edinburgh.
This article is general information from an independent guide, not from Kuna Cafe & Bakery itself. For the store’s current details see hours and location.