Making your own lattes at home is the only way to get them exactly the way you want- and the French Vanilla Latte is no exception. While cafes may make similar drinks artificially using mixes and syrups, we wanted to explore 5 different French Vanilla inspired drinks that use more natural ingredients, are relatively easy to make, and are quite delicious!

Table of Contents
Classic French Vanilla Latte
Ingredients
Vanilla Syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
Latte
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp vanilla syrup (made above)
- 2 shots espresso
Instructions
Syrup
- Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Stir and let boil for 2-3 minutes or until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the vanilla bean and scraped seeds.
- Leave to cool before removing the vanilla bean.
- Transfer to a small bowl or jar.
Latte
- Steam the milk and vanilla syrup together.
- Pour 2/3 of the milk into a latte cup while using a spoon to retain the microbubbles.
- Add the espresso.
- Top with the remaining milk and froth.
Video

Lactose-Free, Refined Sugar-Free French Vanilla Latte
Ingredients
Vanilla Syrup
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 vanilla bean, split seeds scraped
Latte
- 2 shots espresso
- 1 tbsp vanilla syrup
- 1 cup oat milk
Instructions
Syrup
- Combine the maple syrup and water in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Stir and let boil for 3-5 minutes or until the maple syrup has fully dissolved.
- Add the vanilla bean and scraped seeds.
- Leave to cool before removing the vanilla bean.
- Transfer to a small bowl or jar.
Latte
- Pour the espresso and vanilla syrup into a latte cup.
- Steam the oat milk.
- Pour 2/3 of the milk into the cup while using a spoon to retain any froth.
- Top with the remaining milk and froth.

Coffee-Based French Vanilla Latte
Ingredients
Vanilla Syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
Latte
- 1/2 cup strong coffee
- 2 tbsp vanilla syrup
- 1 cup whole milk
Instructions
Syrup
- Heat the water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Do not boil.
- Stir as you add the brown sugar to the water. Let cook for 3-4 minutes or until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the vanilla bean and scraped seeds.
- Leave to cool before removing the vanilla bean.
- Transfer to a small bowl or jar.
Latte
- Pour the coffee and vanilla syrup into a latte cup.
- Steam the milk.
- Pour 2/3 of the milk into the cup while using a spoon to retain any froth.
- Top with the remaining milk and spoon the froth on top of the latte.

Pumpkin French Vanilla Latte
Ingredients
Vanilla syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
Pumpkin Puree
- 1 lb pumpkin
Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
Latte
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 tbsp pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp vanilla syrup
- 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 2 shots espresso
Instructions
Vanilla Syrup
- Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Stir and let boil for 2-3 minutes or until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the vanilla bean and scraped seeds.
- Leave to cool before removing the vanilla bean.
- Transfer to a small bowl or jar.
Pumpkin Puree
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut off the stem of the pumpkin then halve
- Remove the seeds and pulp.
- Cut into quarters.
- Roast for 45 minutes or until fork tender.
- Remove the skins and discard.
- Process the roasted pumpkin until smooth.
Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Combine the ingredients in a small bowl.
Latte
- Add the milk to a small saucepan with the pumpkin puree, vanilla syrup, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Heat over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes or until the milk is hot.
- Vigorously whisk until the milk is foamy.
- Pour the espresso into a latte cup.
- Add the foamed milk and dust with pumpkin pie spice if desired.
Video
Notes

Bourbon French Vanilla Latte
Ingredients
Vanilla Syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
Latte
- 2 shots espresso
- 1 shot bourbon
- 2 tbsp vanilla syrup
- 1 cup whole milk
Instructions
Syrup
- Heat the water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Do not boil.
- Stir as you add the brown sugar to the water. Let cook for 3-4 minutes or until all the sugar dissolves.
- Add the vanilla bean and scraped seeds.
- Leave to cool before removing the vanilla bean.
- Transfer to a small bowl or jar.
Latte
- Pour the espresso, bourbon, and vanilla syrup into a latte cup.
- Steam the milk.
- Pour 2/3 of the milk into the cup while using a spoon to retain any froth.
- Top with the remaining milk and spoon the froth on top of the latte.