LATTESCinnamon Dolce Latte
The quick answer
A cinnamon dolce latte is 2 oz of espresso, 2 tablespoons of cinnamon dolce syrup (brown sugar, water, cinnamon, and vanilla), and 6 oz of steamed milk. For a no-machine option, use a moka pot or AeroPress. Make the syrup at home in 5 minutes with brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
The Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte is one of their most requested seasonal drinks, but the syrup is easy to make at home and tastes better because you can use real cinnamon and vanilla.
Cinnamon dolce syrup is a brown sugar syrup with cinnamon and vanilla. Make it by combining 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon real vanilla extract in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stir for 3 minutes until sugar dissolves, and cool. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The cinnamon adds warmth while the brown sugar brings molasses depth that plain syrup doesn't have.
A cinnamon stick steeped in the hot syrup as it cools makes a significant difference. Real cinnamon sticks (Ceylon cinnamon has a sweeter, more complex flavor than Cassia) infuse a deeper, more nuanced spice note than ground cinnamon alone. Pull the cinnamon stick out after 15 minutes of steeping -- any longer and the spice can become slightly bitter.
The espresso base should be strong. Two oz from a moka pot or AeroPress gives you the bold foundation the sweet cinnamon syrup needs. Stir the syrup into the hot espresso first so it dissolves fully before you add frothed milk. This prevents the dense brown sugar syrup from sinking to the bottom and creating a poorly mixed drink.
Whipped cream and a cinnamon sugar topping are optional but give the drink its distinctive cafe appearance. Mix 1 tablespoon of sugar with 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon in a small bowl. Spray whipped cream on top of the foam, then dust the cinnamon sugar over the cream. The spiced sugar dissolves slowly into the whipped cream for a progressive flavor effect.
Dial it in before you make it
Match your espresso dose and yield before you pull the shot.
Espresso Ratio Calculator
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Dose (in) | 18 g |
| Ratio | 1:2 |
| Yield (out) | 36 g |
| Yield (fl oz ref.) | 1.2 fl oz |
| Shot time guide | Aim 25–32 seconds |
fl oz reference uses 30 g per fl oz (espresso is denser than water). Dial in grind size to hit your target yield in 25–32 s.
Make it
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
Steps
We compared homemade cinnamon dolce syrup using Ceylon cinnamon versus Cassia cinnamon. Ceylon produced a sweeter, more complex syrup with a floral undertone that tasters preferred in lattes. Cassia was sharper and more familiar -- closer to the Starbucks version. Both beat the Torani Cinnamon syrup in flavor depth.
Pro tips
- Ceylon cinnamon gives a sweeter, more floral syrup. Cassia gives a sharper, more familiar spice flavor.
- Steep a cinnamon stick in the hot syrup as it cools for a deeper spice infusion.
- Stir syrup into hot espresso before adding milk -- brown sugar sinks and doesn't dissolve well in milk.
- For iced cinnamon dolce latte, cool the syrup-espresso mixture before pouring over ice.
- Cinnamon sugar for topping: mix 1 tablespoon white sugar with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and keep in a small jar.
Frequently asked questions
What is cinnamon dolce syrup?
Cinnamon dolce syrup is a sweetened cinnamon syrup made with brown sugar, water, cinnamon, and usually vanilla. 'Dolce' is Italian for 'sweet.' Starbucks uses their proprietary cinnamon dolce syrup in the drink. At home, you can replicate it by combining brown sugar, water, ground cinnamon, and a splash of vanilla extract in a quick 5-minute syrup.
What is the Starbucks cinnamon dolce latte?
The Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte is espresso with cinnamon dolce syrup, steamed milk, whipped cream, and a cinnamon dolce topping (cinnamon sugar). It's a year-round menu item. A Grande (16 oz) uses 2 shots of espresso and 4 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup, topped with vanilla-flavored whipped cream.
Can I buy cinnamon dolce syrup at the store?
Torani and Monin make cinnamon syrups that are close substitutes for cinnamon dolce syrup. They don't have the brown sugar depth of the Starbucks version or a true homemade dolce syrup, but they work well in a pinch. You can also add a drop of vanilla extract to a commercial cinnamon syrup to get closer to the dolce flavor profile.
How do I make a cinnamon dolce latte without an espresso machine?
A moka pot with fine-to-medium grind is the best espresso substitute. Brew 2 oz on medium-low heat and stir the cinnamon dolce syrup directly into the hot coffee before adding frothed milk. AeroPress with fine grind and 1-minute steep also works well. The bold flavor of both methods holds up well against the sweet cinnamon syrup.
Is cinnamon dolce latte seasonal at Starbucks?
The Cinnamon Dolce Latte is actually a year-round menu item at Starbucks, unlike many of their spiced drinks. It's most popular in fall and winter but available anytime. The homemade version can be made any time of year since cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla are pantry staples available at any grocery store.
