If you've spent any time on TikTok, Instagram or your favourite local coffee shop lately, you've probably come across the Spanish latte. Despite its name, many people are surprised to discover that it's not actually a traditional Spanish recipe!
So, what is a Spanish latte, why is it so popular and can you really find it in cafés across Spain? Let's dive into everything you need to know about this creamy, sweet and delicious coffee drink. ☕❤️
A Spanish latte is a coffee drink made with espresso, milk and sweetened condensed milk. The condensed milk adds a rich, creamy texture and a sweet caramel-like flavour that makes it different from a classic latte.
While many people associate it with Spain 🇪🇸, the drink is actually more popular in countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East, where speciality coffee shops have helped make it famous.
That said, the ingredients are very familiar to Spanish people. Leche condensada (condensed milk) has been used in Spain for decades in desserts, cakes and even coffee drinks, so it's easy to see where the name comes from.
At first glance, they look almost identical. Both contain espresso and milk, but the key difference is the addition of sweetened condensed milk.
| ☕ Normal Latte | ☕ Spanish Latte |
|---|---|
| Espresso + steamed milk | Espresso + steamed milk + condensed milk |
| Mild sweetness | Much sweeter |
| Light and creamy | Rich and velvety |
| No added sugar by default | Sweetness comes from condensed milk |
A traditional latte lets the flavour of the coffee shine through, while a Spanish latte offers a dessert-like experience that's perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. 🍰
That depends on your taste!
If you normally drink black coffee or cappuccinos without sugar, you may find a Spanish latte surprisingly sweet.
However, many people love the balance between the bitterness of the espresso and the creamy sweetness of the condensed milk. The amount of condensed milk can also be adjusted, so you can make it as sweet—or as subtle—as you like.
If you're making one at home, start with a small amount and add more until it tastes just right. 👌
One of the best things about a Spanish latte is how easy it is to prepare.
☕ 2 shots of espresso
🥛 200 ml of milk
🍯 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk
🧊 Ice cubes (optional for an iced version)
1️⃣ Brew the espresso.
2️⃣ Add the condensed milk to your cup and stir gently.
3️⃣ Pour in the espresso and mix well.
4️⃣ Steam the milk until smooth and creamy.
5️⃣ Pour the milk over the coffee mixture.
6️⃣ Enjoy immediately! ☕ 😋
For an iced Spanish latte, simply fill a glass with ice cubes before adding the ingredients and use cold milk instead of steamed milk. 🧊
The answer is simple: both are delicious!
A hot Spanish latte is comforting during colder months and feels like a cosy treat on a rainy afternoon. 🌧️☕
An iced Spanish latte, on the other hand, has become a social media favourite. Served over ice with beautifully layered coffee and milk, it's refreshing, photogenic and perfect for warm weather. 📸🧊
Many cafés even top it with cinnamon, cocoa powder or whipped cream for an extra indulgent touch.
Because it contains sweetened condensed milk, a Spanish latte is naturally higher in calories than a regular latte.
The exact number depends on the recipe, but a typical serving usually contains between 180 and 300 calories.
If you'd like a lighter version, you can:
🥛 Use semi-skimmed or skimmed milk.
🍯 Reduce the amount of condensed milk.
🌱 Choose a plant-based milk alternative.
Remember, it's a treat to enjoy from time to time rather than an everyday necessity!
Here's where things get interesting.
If you walk into a traditional café in Madrid, Seville or Valencia and ask for a Spanish latte, the waiter might not know exactly what you mean. 😅
Instead, Spain has its own unique coffee culture with drinks that locals order every day.
You might hear:
☕ Café con leche – Coffee with milk.
🥛 Cortado – Espresso with a splash of milk.
☁️ Manchado – Mostly milk with just a little coffee.
🧊 Café con hielo – Espresso served with a separate glass of ice so you can make your own iced coffee.
Some speciality coffee shops now serve Spanish lattes, but they are still far less common than these traditional options.
If you're visiting Spain, learning a few coffee-related words will make ordering much easier.
☕ Café – Coffee
🥛 Leche – Milk
🍯 Leche condensada – Sweetened condensed milk
🧊 Hielo – Ice
🥄 Azúcar – Sugar
🍪 Galleta – Biscuit
🥐 Croissant – Croissant
🧈 Tostada – Toast
🥖 Pan – Bread
🧃 Zumo de naranja – Orange juice
Knowing these words can turn a simple coffee order into a great opportunity to practise your Spanish. 🇪🇸
Breakfast in Spain is often simple but delicious.
Many people enjoy a café con leche with toast and olive oil 🫒, tomato on toast 🍅 or freshly baked pastries 🥐.
In southern Spain, especially in Andalusia, it's common to order tostada con tomate y jamón, while others prefer churros dipped into thick hot chocolate on weekends. 🍫
The idea of sitting at a terrace café, enjoying breakfast while watching the world go by, is one of the country's favourite daily rituals.
Part of its success comes from social media. 📱
The beautiful layers of coffee, milk and condensed milk look fantastic on Instagram and TikTok, making it one of the most photographed coffee drinks around.
But it's also incredibly accessible. You don't need expensive equipment or unusual ingredients—just espresso, milk and condensed milk.
Its sweet flavour makes it appealing even to people who don't normally enjoy strong coffee, helping it reach a much wider audience.
One of the reasons the Spanish latte has become so popular is the huge number of videos shared on TikTok and other social media platforms. ☕✨
Creators around the world are showing their favourite versions of this creamy coffee, from beautifully layered iced Spanish lattes 🧊 to extra-indulgent recipes made with plenty of sweetened condensed milk 🍯.
If you'd like to see a Spanish latte being prepared and served, take a look at this viral TikTok video:
👉 Watch here: Spanish latte
Watching short videos like this is also a great way to learn coffee-related vocabulary in context and discover new ideas for making your own Spanish latte at home. 🏡☕
Who knows? After watching it, you might be tempted to make one yourself! 😍
If you're planning a trip to Spain, don't be afraid to step away from international coffee chains and try what locals actually drink.
Ask for a café con leche, enjoy a cortado after lunch or cool down with a refreshing café con hielo on a hot summer afternoon. ☀️
You might discover that Spain's traditional coffee culture is every bit as delicious as the viral Spanish latte.
And who knows? You may even end up with a new favourite drink. ❤️☕
The Spanish latte may not be as traditionally Spanish as its name suggests, but it has certainly earned its place among the world's favourite coffee trends.
Whether you prefer it hot or iced, sweet or slightly less indulgent, it's an easy recipe to recreate at home and a fun way to explore another side of coffee culture.
And if you ever find yourself in Spain, why not try both? Order a local café con leche one day and make your own Spanish latte the next. You might be surprised by which one wins! 🇪🇸☕✨
You've just learned all about the Spanish latte, from its sweet flavour to Spain's traditional coffee culture. Now it's time to put your knowledge to the test!
Choose the correct answer in Spanish and see whether you're a coffee beginner or a true café expert. ☕✨
Good luck... and no cheating! 😉
We'd love to hear from you!
☕ Have you ever tried a Spanish latte? What did you think of it? 🍯 Do you prefer sweet coffee or strong coffee?
👇Answer these questions in the comments and share your coffee experiences.