It is hard to beat a warm cinnamon latte when the day feels long. This copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte brings that same cozy café feeling right into your own kitchen. In my opinion, it is pure comfort in a mug, and it feels especially nice when you want something sweet, creamy, and a little special without leaving home.
The heart of this drink is a homemade cinnamon dolce syrup made with 2 cups water, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 5 cinnamon sticks, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Then, for one latte, you will use 1 tablespoon cinnamon dolce syrup, 2 ounces espresso (2 shots), 1 cup 2% milk, steamed and frothed, 2 tablespoons whipped cream, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 cinnamon stick if you want a stirrer. The flavor is sweet, gently spiced, creamy, and smooth, with a cozy vanilla-cinnamon finish that tastes very close to the café version.
The method is simple, and that is one reason I love this recipe. First, you simmer the syrup ingredients for about 25 minutes, then cool and add the vanilla. After that, you pour a little syrup into a mug, add hot espresso, and stir. Next, you steam and froth the milk, pour it over the coffee, and finish with whipped cream and cinnamon. The syrup keeps well, so you can make several lattes over the next couple of weeks. If you do not have an espresso machine, you can still make it with strong brewed coffee or espresso powder.
This drink is perfect for chilly mornings, slow weekends, and quiet evenings when you want something soothing. It also works well for brunch, holiday mornings, or any time you want to treat yourself to a homemade coffeehouse drink without the drive-through line.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte
- Easy to make at home: The steps are simple, and the syrup does most of the flavor work for you.
- Budget-friendly: One batch of syrup makes many lattes, so you save money over store-bought drinks.
- Warm and comforting: Cinnamon, vanilla, and creamy milk make every sip feel cozy.
- Flexible: You can use espresso, strong coffee, or even espresso powder if needed.
- Great for make-ahead prep: Since the syrup keeps in the fridge, you can build a latte fast on busy mornings.
Cinnamon Stick Tips
Cinnamon sticks are the key ingredient that gives this copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte its deep, cozy flavor. For the best syrup, choose sticks that smell strong and sweet when you open the package. If the sticks look dry and faded, they may not give much flavor. Also, try to use fresh cinnamon sticks that are fragrant and firm. While the syrup simmers, the sticks slowly release their flavor, so do not rush this part. In addition, if you want a stronger cinnamon taste, let the syrup sit a few extra minutes before straining. That said, do not leave the sticks in the syrup too long after cooking, because the flavor can become sharp instead of smooth.
Options for Substitutions
- Milk: Swap 2% milk for whole milk, skim milk, oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk.
- Espresso: Use double-strength brewed coffee if you do not have an espresso machine.
- Sweetener: Replace part of the granulated sugar with coconut sugar for a deeper flavor.
- Vanilla: Use vanilla bean paste if you want a richer vanilla note.
- Whipped cream: Skip it, or use dairy-free whipped topping.
- Ground cinnamon garnish: Use a light dusting of cinnamon sugar instead of plain cinnamon for extra sweetness.
Watch Out for These Mistakes
One common mistake is boiling the syrup too hard for too long. If the heat is too high, the sugar can cook down too quickly and the syrup may turn thicker than you want. Instead, bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer gently. That way, the cinnamon flavor gets time to bloom without burning the sugar.
Another issue is adding the vanilla too early. Vanilla can lose some of its nice flavor if it cooks too long. So, make sure you let the syrup cool for about 30 minutes before stirring it in. This small step helps keep the vanilla bright and sweet.
Also, do not skip cooling the syrup before you pour it into a jar. If the jar is not clean and dry, or if the syrup is still very hot, moisture can shorten its shelf life. For the best results, use a dry container and store it in the refrigerator right away. Then, use a clean spoon each time you scoop some out.
Finally, watch the milk temperature. If you overheat it, the latte can taste flat or even a little scorched. Warm and frothy is what you want. If you do not have a steamer, whisk the milk hard or shake it in a jar, then warm it gently. That still gives you a nice café-style drink.
What to Serve With Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte?
This cinnamon latte pairs well with simple baked goods and light breakfast foods. Try it with a slice of banana bread, a warm blueberry muffin, buttered toast, or a soft scone. In addition, shortbread cookies, coffee cake, or apple slices with peanut butter make a lovely side. Because the latte is sweet and rich, it tastes best with something mild, buttery, or lightly fruity.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep the cinnamon dolce syrup in a clean, dry jar or bottle in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. Always use a clean spoon, and shake or stir before using if needed.
Freeze: You can freeze the syrup for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Leave a little space at the top, because liquids expand as they freeze. For easier use, freeze in small portions.
Reheat: For the syrup, warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat, or microwave it in short bursts until just warm. For the latte, reheat the coffee and milk separately if needed, then combine them. However, for the best taste, it is better to make the latte fresh.
Recipe Info
- Preparation Time: 5 minutes plus 30 minutes cooling
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Servings: 1 serving
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 180 to 220 kcal
- Protein: 7 to 9 g
- Fat: 6 to 9 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 to 32 g
Ingredients
-
For the cinnamon dolce syrup (makes about 3 cups; enough for many lattes):
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 5 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
-
For one latte:
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon dolce syrup
- 2 ounces espresso (2 shots)
- 1 cup 2% milk, steamed and frothed
- 2 tablespoons whipped cream
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cinnamon stick, for a stirrer (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cinnamon Syrup
Combine the water, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon sticks in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat so it simmers gently for 25 minutes. During this time, the cinnamon will infuse the syrup and give it that classic sweet-spiced flavor.
Step 2: Finish the Syrup
Remove the cinnamon sticks from the pan. Let the syrup cool for about 30 minutes, and then stir in the vanilla extract. This helps preserve the smooth vanilla taste and keeps the syrup from feeling too cooked.
Step 3: Store the Syrup
Pour the finished syrup into a clean, dry jar or bottle. Let it cool fully before sealing the container. Once chilled, store it in the refrigerator so it stays fresh and ready for your next latte.
Step 4: Build the Latte Base
Pour 1 tablespoon of cinnamon dolce syrup into a tall, heat-safe mug. A clear mug is nice because it lets you see the pretty layers, but any sturdy mug will work. Next, add the hot espresso and stir until the syrup fully dissolves.
Step 5: Add the Steamed Milk
Steam and froth the milk until it is hot, smooth, and lightly foamy. Then, pour the milk over the espresso while holding back the foam with a spoon. After that, spoon the foam on top for that café-style finish.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Top the latte with whipped cream and a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon. If you like, add a cinnamon stick for stirring. Serve it hot and enjoy it right away while it is creamy, sweet, and fresh.
Step 7: Use Your Syrup Later
Keep the leftover syrup in the refrigerator and use it within about 2 weeks. If you do not have an espresso machine, use double-strength brewed coffee or espresso powder in hot water. Also, if you do not have a milk steamer, warm the milk and whisk it hard or shake it in a jar until frothy.
Conclusion
This copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte is sweet, creamy, and full of cozy cinnamon flavor. Best of all, it uses simple ingredients, and the syrup makes it easy to enjoy a café-style drink at home any time you want. Since the recipe is flexible, you can make it with espresso, strong coffee, or a simple kitchen whisk. So, if you are craving a warm treat, give this latte a try, then come back and share how it turned out. If you enjoy homemade coffee drinks, you may also want to explore more easy latte and syrup recipes next.
Print
Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Simmering, Steaming
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A cozy and sweet cinnamon latte that brings the café experience right to your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 5 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon dolce syrup (for one latte)
- 2 ounces espresso (2 shots)
- 1 cup 2% milk, steamed and frothed
- 2 tablespoons whipped cream
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional, for stirring)
Instructions
- Combine the water, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon sticks in a medium saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer gently for 25 minutes.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks from the pan and let the syrup cool for about 30 minutes.
- Stir in the vanilla extract to preserve its flavor.
- Pour the syrup into a clean jar and refrigerate.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of the cinnamon dolce syrup into a heat-safe mug.
- Add hot espresso and stir until the syrup dissolves.
- Steam and froth the milk until hot and foamy.
- Pour the milk over the espresso, spooning the foam on top.
- Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Serve hot.
Notes
Store the cinnamon dolce syrup in a clean jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can freeze the syrup for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
