Strawberry and Cream Latte
Posted on April 10, 2026
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This strawberry and cream latte is like drinking a strawberry shortcake in a cup, and it's about to become your new favorite coffee drink! You start by making homemade strawberry syrup from scratch, which is incredibly easy and tastes so much better than store-bought. Fresh strawberries get simmered with water and sugar until they break down and release all their sweet, fruity flavor into the liquid. The strawberries soften and the mixture reduces into a gorgeous pink syrup that's concentrated with strawberry flavor. You strain out the cooked strawberries (which you can actually save and use on toast, pancakes, or yogurt, so nothing goes to waste!), and you're left with this beautiful, fragrant strawberry syrup that you can store in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week. To build the latte, you add 2-3 tablespoons of that homemade strawberry syrup to the bottom of a glass, then fill the glass with ice. Pour in your milk of choice (dairy milk, oat milk, almond milk, whatever you prefer), which mixes slightly with the strawberry syrup and creates this gorgeous pink layer at the bottom. Here's where it gets beautiful: to create that signature layered effect, you slowly pour 2 shots of espresso over the back of a spoon so it cascades gently down into the glass rather than crashing through. This creates distinct layers of pink strawberry milk on the bottom and dark espresso on top. The final touches make it extra special: a generous dollop of whipped cream on top, a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk that adds extra creaminess and sweetness, and a garnish of freeze-dried strawberries and white chocolate shavings for that finishing touch. When you take your first sip, you get creamy whipped cream, sweet condensed milk, bold espresso, and that fruity strawberry flavor all in one. It's refreshing, indulgent, and tastes like a fancy coffee shop drink but costs a fraction of the price to make at home!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen strawberries for the syrup?
A: Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work just as well as fresh and are often more affordable, especially when fresh strawberries aren't in season. Use the same amount (about 1 cup) and no need to thaw them first. Just add them frozen to the pot with the water and sugar. They might take a few extra minutes to break down, but the syrup will taste just as delicious!
Q: Can I make this without an espresso machine?
A: Yes! If you don't have an espresso machine, you can use strong brewed coffee instead. Use about ½ cup of very strong coffee (double strength) to replace the 2 shots of espresso. You can also use instant espresso powder dissolved in a small amount of hot water, or use cold brew concentrate for a smoother flavor. The drink will still be delicious!
Q: How long does the strawberry syrup last?
A: Store the strawberry syrup in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Make sure to use a clean spoon each time you scoop some out to prevent contamination. You can also freeze the syrup in ice cube trays and store the cubes in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Just thaw what you need!
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes! Use your favorite non-dairy milk (oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk all work great). For the whipped cream, use coconut whipped cream or a non-dairy whipped topping. For the condensed milk drizzle, use sweetened condensed coconut milk, which is available at most grocery stores. The strawberry syrup is already naturally vegan!
This strawberry and cream latte is like strawberry shortcake in a cup! Homemade strawberry syrup, ice, milk of choice, and espresso layered beautifully. Topped with whipped cream, condensed milk drizzle, freeze-dried strawberries, and white chocolate. Pure indulgence!
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Preparations
Prep Time:
15 minutes (includes making syrup)
Cook Time:
10 minutes (for syrup)
Total Time:
25 minutes
Cuisine:
American, Café
Course:
Drinks, Breakfast
Calories:
280 kcal (approx. per serving)
Servings:
1
Author:
Ronica Rupan
Ingredients
For the Homemade Strawberry Syrup:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved (or frozen strawberries)
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
For the Latte:
- 2-3 tablespoons homemade strawberry syrup
- 2 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong coffee)
- ¾ cup milk of choice
- Ice cubes
For Topping:
- Whipped cream
- Sweetened condensed milk, for drizzling
- Freeze-dried strawberries, for garnish
- White chocolate shavings or chips, for garnish
- Optional: fresh strawberry for garnish
Instructions
Make the Strawberry Syrup:
- Cook the Strawberries In a small saucepan, combine the hulled and halved strawberries, water, and sugar. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to help the sugar dissolve. Let the mixture simmer for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries have broken down and softened completely and the liquid has reduced slightly and turned a beautiful pink color.
- Strain the Syrup Place a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl or measuring cup. Pour the strawberry mixture through the strainer, pressing down on the strawberries with the back of a spoon to extract all the flavorful syrup. Discard the cooked strawberry solids (or save them to use on toast, pancakes, yogurt, or oatmeal!). Let the syrup cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container or jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Make the Latte:
- Add Strawberry Syrup and Ice Add 2-3 tablespoons of the homemade strawberry syrup to the bottom of a tall glass. The amount depends on how sweet and strawberry-forward you want the drink. Fill the glass with ice cubes almost to the top.
- Pour the Milk Pour your milk of choice over the ice. The milk will mix slightly with the strawberry syrup at the bottom, creating a gorgeous pink layer. Use about ¾ cup of milk, or enough to fill the glass leaving about an inch at the top for the espresso and toppings.
- Layer the Espresso Brew 2 shots of espresso (or prepare ½ cup of very strong coffee). To create that beautiful layered effect, hold a spoon upside down just above the surface of the milk. Slowly pour the hot espresso over the back of the spoon, allowing it to cascade gently into the glass. This helps the espresso layer on top of the milk instead of mixing through. You should see distinct layers of pink strawberry milk on the bottom and dark espresso on top.
- Add Toppings Top the latte with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk over the whipped cream in a zigzag pattern. The condensed milk adds extra sweetness and creaminess. Sprinkle freeze-dried strawberries and white chocolate shavings or chips over the top for garnish. If desired, add a fresh strawberry on the rim of the glass for extra prettiness.
- Serve and Enjoy Serve immediately with a straw! Give it a good stir before drinking to mix all the layers together, or sip it slowly to taste each layer separately. The choice is yours!
Cooking hacks and tips
- Save the cooked strawberries: Don't throw away those soft, cooked strawberries after straining! They're delicious spread on toast, swirled into yogurt, spooned over pancakes or waffles, or mixed into oatmeal. Store them in a separate container in the fridge for up to a week. You're essentially getting two products from one recipe: syrup and a strawberry compote!
- Make a big batch of syrup: The strawberry syrup is so versatile and delicious, you'll want it on hand all the time! Double or triple the syrup recipe and store extra in the fridge. Use it in lattes, lemonades, cocktails, mocktails, drizzled over ice cream, mixed into sparkling water, or anywhere you want a pop of strawberry flavor.
- Pour espresso slowly for clean layers: The key to those Instagram-worthy layers is pouring the espresso gently over the back of a spoon held just above the milk surface. This disperses the espresso and helps it float on top instead of sinking through and mixing immediately. Hot espresso is less dense than cold milk, so it naturally wants to stay on top if you pour it carefully.
- Adjust sweetness to your preference: The strawberry syrup adds sweetness, the condensed milk adds more sweetness, and the whipped cream can be sweetened or unsweetened. Taste as you go and adjust! If you want it less sweet, use just 2 tablespoons of syrup and skip the condensed milk drizzle. If you have a sweet tooth, use the full 3 tablespoons of syrup and add extra condensed milk.
- Use different milks for different flavors: Whole milk creates the creamiest, richest latte. Oat milk adds a subtle sweetness and froths beautifully. Almond milk is lighter and more neutral. Coconut milk adds a tropical note that pairs amazingly with strawberry. Experiment to find your favorite combination!
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This is where I love to share my passion for cooking, baking, and flavor. When I’m not creating delicious recipes, you’ll find me spending time with my family, working on my spice blends at Flora & Mana, or enjoying a homemade baked goods. Join me on this culinary journey to taste, healthy meals and fun kitchen hacks!
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