Nothing quite hits the spot on a cold winter day like sipping a hot drink while curled up under a cozy blanket. And if your beverage of choice happens to be a cup of coffee? That’s even better.
If you’re looking for a new addition to your roster of cold weather coffee drinks, consider the smooth and sweet smoked butterscotch latte.
This drink tastes familiar, boasting flavors and aromas that are a lot like the Werther’s Original hard candies your grandmother probably carried around in her purse and the smoky bonfires you and your friends used to gather around on Saturday nights. Combine those with a good dark roast coffee, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a sweet winter treat.
MORE ABOUT THE DRINK
Though we’re sure butterscotch lattes existed prior, Starbucks Coffee unveiled their version of the drink in 2016. It became a customer favorite, and though the coffee franchise briefly removed it from its offerings, the beverage made its return in 2020.
Starbucks’s combination of milk, smoked butterscotch sauce, espresso, and butterscotch sugar is available hot, iced, or as a frappuccino, which is great news for the avid java drinker who likes to switch it up from time to time. What may not be such great news is the fact that this flavor is seasonal. So, unfortunately, you won’t be able to enjoy it when it’s not wintertime…unless you make your own at home.
HOW TO MAKE A PERFECT BUTTERSCOTCH LATTE
YOU’LL NEED:
- 1/4 cup of strong brewed coffee
- 3/4 cup of half-and-half
- 3 teaspoons of butterscotch syrup
- 1/3 teaspoons of sugar
- 2-3 drops of liquid smoke
- A saucepan
THE PROCESS:
Step 1:
The first thing you’ll need to do is brew your coffee, of course! Strong coffee is key here, so make sure you choose a quality brand and roast. If you’d like, you can also use a shot of espresso instead.
Step 2:
While your java is brewing, heat the half and half in a saucepan over a medium flame, and let it simmer until it’s steaming.
Step 3:
Next, pour butterscotch syrup, liquid smoke, and sugar into the coffee, and stir until the liquids are blended and the sugar is dissolved. It’s important to keep in mind that liquid smoke is quite potent, so less is more here; just a splash of the brown liquid is more than enough to get those natural smoke flavors we’re looking for in this latte.
Step 4:
Pour the coffee or espresso into a mug or tall glass, then pour the freshly steamed half-and-half over it. Top your drink with a dollop of milk foam (or frothy half-and-half), and you’re ready to savor every drop of the warm, flavorful coffee drink.
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Should I Use Homemade Butterscotch Sauce or Pre-made?
It doesn’t matter if you use homemade or store-bought butterscotch flavoring in your latte. If you’d rather purchase a product, Torani’s butterscotch syrup is delicious.
Torani Butterscotch Syrup 750mL
However, if you want to try making your own, follow our recipe below.
You’ll Need
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- saucepan
- rubber spatula
The Process
Step One
Drop the butter into the saucepan and let it warm over medium heat until it melts.
Step Two
Then, add brown sugar, salt, and heavy cream to the saucepan. Use the rubber spatula to combine those ingredients with the butter before letting it all boil for four or five minutes.
But be careful not to let the boiling process go on too long, or you’ll end up with a chewy butterscotch candy instead of a pourable sauce.
Step Three
Remove the sweet sauce from the heat and add vanilla extract. Then, your homemade butterscotch sauce is ready for use.
FAQ
What Does a Butterscotch Latte Taste Like?
Whether you made it at home or picked it up in the drive-thru, this beverage is marked by — you guessed it! — butterscotch flavor.
It’s buttery and smooth, like a Werther’s Original butterscotch candy.
However, the latte’s sweet notes are more subtle, as the drink’s espresso and milk mellow out some of the butterscotch sauce’s sugary taste.
Is Butterscotch Just Caramel?
Some people think butterscotch tastes a lot like caramel, and while they’re very similar in terms of ingredients and flavor, they aren’t the same.
Cooking sugar and butter is involved in making caramel and butterscotch, but the types of sugar used differ.
If you were making caramel, you’d need white sugar. Making butterscotch, on the other hand, calls for brown sugar.
Why Is It Called Butterscotch?
The truth is, we don’t know where butterscotch got its name from.
The butter part of the treat’s moniker is self-explanatory — you can’t make it without butter — but the scotch part is more of a mystery.
Some speculate it’s a homage to the candy’s Scottish origins, while others think it’s derived from the word scorched.
We don’t know which is true, but what we do know is that butterscotch makes a darn good addition to an iced or hot coffee drink.
Should You Try the Butterscotch Latte?
Anyone who isn’t a fan of sweet coffee probably won’t like this drink very much, but if you don’t mind a bit of sugar and love the taste of butterscotch candies, we bet you’d enjoy making and sipping this latte.
ENJOY!
Has the Starbucks menu changed with the seasons? No problem — now you can enjoy these lattes all year long from the comfort of your own home! And when the temperatures begin to heat up, no need to change flavors; simply grab some cold brew coffee and make this drink over ice to stay cool and caffeinated!
Happy Caffeinating!
Smoked Butterscotch Latte
This warm and toasty latte recipe will hit the spot on the cold days and can be easily poured over ice on a hotter day! Enjoy this butterscotch flavored treat!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of strong brewed coffee
- 3/4 cup of half-and-half
- 3 teaspoons of butterscotch syrup
- 1/3 teaspoons of sugar
- 2-3 drops of liquid smoke
Instructions
- Heat half and half on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot.
- Once hot, froth the half and half until bubbly and set aside.
- Combine coffee, sugar, syrup and liquid smoke (more for a smokier flavor) and place into a mug.
- Pour frothed half and half into coffee mixture, spooning out the froth to place on top.
- Serve and enjoy!
