Home made lattes ?

[imsayin]

Does anyone make their own lattes? What do I need to do this? Costs?

Thanks.

 

[bavaria]

$1 milk frother from IKEA.

Brew espresso strength coffee in coffee maker, or better yet use a French press (plastic and metal ones are under $15 at CostPlus Worldmarket, or travel size at Starbucks)

Preferably use Lavazza or other good quality espresso.

Heat milk in microwave or on stove top to just under boiling. Froth with milk frother. Add to cup already containing brewed espresso.

The taste to me is far better than Starbucks and of course far cheaper.

You can also purchase a Moka pot http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_pot but no idea where they sell those in America. Initial cost outlay is higher, but this is how most of Italy makes their drinks

 

[TinkrLiz]

I don't have a milk frother. I heat my milk on the stove top in my smallest stainless steel pan (not non stick so I don't have to worry about scratching it). As it heats up I whisk the heck out of it with this small wire whisk that I have and the milk froths right up. It's not a regular whisk, it's the mini whipper from papered chef: http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_products/catalog/product.jsp?productId=244&categoryCode=KW (no I don't sell it and this link it not to any particular consultant's site - it's just to the Pampered Chef site)

I make really strong coffee in my french press, sweeten it with splenda, pour the frothed up milk into my cup, then the coffee, give it a little stir.... Ta Da!

 

[CherylA]

I don't know if the moka pot is a brand but that kind of expresso pot is sold all over America. I actually bought mine at Ikea, right next to the $1 frother I think I paid 15 bucks or so. Also any kitchen store should have them I've even seen them at Bed Bath and Beyond and you might even be able to find them somewhere like Target.

I was making my own lattes at home for a while, i've gotten away from it now. My favorite is the Cinnamon Dolche Latte from starbucks. Did you know you can buy the syrup they use to make their flavored lattes? It was 10 or 12 dollars for the big bottle of it. I've used almost half of it in 6 months. They taste just like starbucks when I use this

$1 milk frother from IKEA.

Brew espresso strength coffee in coffee maker, or better yet use a French press (plastic and metal ones are under $15 at CostPlus Worldmarket, or travel size at Starbucks)

Preferably use Lavazza or other good quality espresso.

Heat milk in microwave or on stove top to just under boiling. Froth with milk frother. Add to cup already containing brewed espresso.

The taste to me is far better than Starbucks and of course far cheaper.

You can also purchase a Moka pot http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_pot but no idea where they sell those in America. Initial cost outlay is higher, but this is how most of Italy makes their drinks

 

[bavaria]

Here is my frother (well, it is the IKEA store brand). It uses battery power

http://www.amazon.com/Typhoon-35928...?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1225745752&sr=8-12

the also sell the MokaExpress I see on Amazon for $19,95

http://www.amazon.com/Bialetti-Express-3-Cup-Stovetop-Percolator/dp/B0000CF3Q6/ref=pd_sim_hg_2

I make my drinks like this when travelling around the world and use my French press (most hotels outside America do not have in room coffee makers)

But for $25 outlay one can have excellent, inexpensive coffee drinks - and like Cheryl points out, one can also control the ingredients (Plus Starbucks does not sell alcoholic espresso beverages.... )

 

[semo233]

I found this on crock pot cooking 365, but have not tried it as yet. I don't care about the froth, so this sounds really good to me:

CrockPot Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

--2 cups milk (I used 1%)
--2 T canned pumpkin
--2 T white sugar
--2 T vanilla (not a typo. it asks for tablespoons)
--1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
OR: 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp cloves, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, and a teeny tiny pinch of ground ginger
--1/2 cup brewed espresso or 3/4 cup strong brewed coffee

--garnish with whipped cream (optional)

The Directions.

This will make enough for 2 people to have a big mug with a bit leftover. If you are having friends over, adjust the recipe accordingly. I used a 4-quart crockpot, but as small as a 1.5 quart will work with these amounts.

Add the coffee/espresso and milk to the crockpot. Whisk in the pumpkin, spices, sugar, and vanilla.

 

[Praying Colonel]

We bought this Gaggia espresso machine a couple of years ago. It was on sale for $179, so we got a good deal but it was still pricey, as you can see. DW said she'd swear off Starbucks if we got it. Well, about half of the time she makes her own, and the other half she does Starbucks. I guess we'll have the machine paid off in another 5 years, at that rate.

 

[Disneychix]

In the Kraft free magazine there's a recipe this month for lattes using instant coffee and milk. I'll have to look it up at home.

To be con't...

 

[tinkerbell13]

I also use Toriani Vanilla Syrup(sugar free for me) that I get for less than $5 at Smart and Final(does everyone have those stores?).
They have tons of flavors!

 

[DawnM]

I have a KitchenAid Proline Espresso Machine.

It really depends on how good of a cup you want to make. Some people aren't as picky.

Coffeegeek.com has a lot of info.

Dawn

 

[bavaria]

It really depends on how good of a cup you want to make. Some people aren't as picky.

I do enjoy a quality coffee, thank you very much.

My extremely expensive Philips machine made nowhere near as good a coffee beverage as my french press combination described above.

Expensive does not always equate better.

 

[DawnM]

I like French presses too.....I was actually referring more to lattes and espressos, which the OP had questioned.

Although, I have heard the Mukka stovetop works quite well for the price.

Dawn

I do enjoy a quality coffee, thank you very much.

My extremely expensive Philips machine made nowhere near as good a coffee beverage as my french press combination described above.

Expensive does not always equate better.

 

[bavaria]

I'm not sure if you actually read my post - one CAN make lattes using a French press for a lot cheaper.

Since this is the Budget Board I assume that not everyone is interested in an espresso machine, but looking for most effective alternatives.

 

[crisi]

Even the french press is more expensive than my cheap way - which you certainly can't be a purist to do. Milk in the microwave and instant expresso powder.

I like French Press coffee, but it makes DIFFERENT coffee than a steam espresso machine (and a good steam espresso machine makes different coffee than a cheap one due to the pressure).

If you want to mimic the Starbuck's lattes - you'l need a industrial espresso machine or one that can get to industrial steam pressure - they are usually $1000+ (and usually a lot of counter space). I'd use a French Press before I'd use any sub-$300 espresso machine - they just don't have enough steam pressure to keep the espresso from getting bitter.

 

[DawnM]

That is not a latte, that is a strong cup of coffee with some frothed milk. I just want to state the difference.

http://www.1stincoffee.com/what-is-espresso.htm

I'm not sure if you actually read my post - one CAN make lattes using a French press for a lot cheaper.

Since this is the Budget Board I assume that not everyone is interested in an espresso machine, but looking for most effective alternatives.

 

[crisi]

I'm not sure if you actually read my post - one CAN make lattes using a French press for a lot cheaper.

Since this is the Budget Board I assume that not everyone is interested in an espresso machine, but looking for most effective alternatives.

Not by the traditional definition of latte. A latte is steamed milk and espresso. Espresso is made by forcing steam through grounds. A french press soaks grounds in water - it isn't even the seeping of a drip coffee maker (which makes a third taste in coffee).

You can make something that tastes similar to a latte - but its the difference between a poached egg and one soft boiled. Similar in taste, but not the same.

 

[bavaria]

I can assure you that the quality and taste of the beverage I make is far superior to what I purchase at a Starbucks in America. The quality of the ingredients is key, as is the skill of the person making the beverage. I don't use instant powdered espresso, and I don't buy most of the coffee in American shops. Nor do I purchase the premade 'pods' that many here have discussed in past. I specifically mentioned Lavazza as an option to the OP.

A MokaExpress is another solution I offered; they are used by millions of Italians to prepare a quality beverage.

Some people aren't as picky

The post I quoted implied that those of us offering lower priced alternatives do not have a quality palate and is frankly insulting to those of us who offered up solutions to the OP. The majority of what I buy in America in coffee bars as 'espresso beverages' has no comparison to what is prepared in Italy and elsewhere in Europe.

The reality is that a $300 machine will still not produce a quality drink if quality ingredients are not used.

 

[dakcp2001]

Can we just get back to the OP question, please? Stop bickering pleaseeeeee.

I would suggest checking craigslist for an espresso machine if your looking for one. Krups makes a really nice one. (99ish new at BB&B)

I had the inkling to start making my own lattes, and purcahsed the Krups espresso machine, the milk frother accessories, the Espresso grinds, and the flavored syrup (all at Bed bath & Beyond, except sugar free flavor syrup from marshalls). It was approx 150-ish total up front for all of the stuff, and it did make a tasty latte! It was messy so I didnt stick to it very long. It was a bit of a pain to get it all together and still get out the door on time in the morning!

Oh yeah, and the to go cups I get at BJ's its like 9 bucks for a sleeve of like 100 hot cups with covers, and they are nice for hot chocolate too.

 

[DawnM]

I will still suggest you go to CoffeeGeek.com for suggestions. Those guys really know their stuff and can save you $$ in the long run if you really want to make quality lattes.

Dawn

 

[crisi]

Can we just get back to the OP question, please? Stop bickering pleaseeeeee.

The bickering is bringing up an important point - does she want to make an espresso based latte - or does she want to make a milk and coffee drink. There are lots of ways to make inexpensive milk and coffee drinks (I really do like Medaglia D'Oro instant espresso powder in milk - which is about as cheap as you can get - although I suppose Folgers Crystals would be even cheaper).

If what she is looking for is a cheap espresso machine - www.coffeegeek.com and www.home-barista.com are both good sites for reviews.