AeroPress can definitely make a latte. But, understand that this won’t be a latte in the truest sense because an AeroPress produces coffee, not espresso. That said, you can make an espresso-like latte that’s just as good as what you can find at your local coffee shop.
What’s more, not only can you make a latte, but you can also do latte art with coffee with your AeroPress coffee. This also means you can make spinoff latte drinks, like a cappuccino, mocha latte or a flat white.
How Do You Make a Latte with an AeroPress?
Making a latte with an AeroPress is pretty simple. It’s very much the same as what you would do with an espresso machine, just done with the AeroPress method. Consider the steps below.
Items You’ll Need
- AeroPress Device
- Fresh Ground Coffee
- Hot Water
- 2% Milk
- Cup or Mug
- Frothing Device
Instructions
- Brew your coffee with the AeroPress as you normally would for a regular cup of coffee.
- Allow this to brew for five to seven minutes, keeping the lid on so the heat immerses through.
- Pour your milk in the cup or mug you intend to drink out of.
- With a device that will froth your milk, use this waiting period to make your milk light, rich and foamy.
- Place the AeroPress on your cup or mug and carefully press the coffee into your cup of frothy milk.
- When you remove the AeroPress from your cup, you’ll see the distinctive layers that make lattes so desirable.
How Do You Make Steamed Milk without a Frothing Machine on an Espresso Maker?
Most espresso makers will come with a frothing mechanism, which is how most people are able to make lattes at home. But, with an AeroPress, you have a couple of options to make frothy milk without a steaming wand.
You can get an electric milk frother by AeroPress called an “Aerolatte.” But, you can also use a regular kitchen immersion blender too. These are quite inexpensive at the dollar store and work perfectly for lattes.
How Do You Make a Flat White with an AeroPress?
A flat white is similar to a latte but this is Australia’s version. Even though many people say you can’t make this with an AeroPress, technically you can. Therefore, you won’t make a true flat white, but it will be similar. You have to use a smaller volume of very strong coffee along with a higher ratio of coffee to water.
Then, you’ll have to heat the milk before you froth it so that it adheres to the brew in a similar way as a real flat white. Once the coffee finishes brewing, you will then pour the steamed, frothy milk into the cup.
How Do You Make Latte Art with An AeroPress?
You can’t make latte art “with” an AeroPress, but you can definitely do it the traditional way. For this you’re going to need to use cold milk in a creamer pitcher or similar type of vessel. Fill it with milk and warm it to 140°F to 145°F (60°C to 62°C).
Then, with your frothing method, thicken up the milk until it’s a similar consistency as wet paint. Once your AeroPress coffee is ready, tilt the cup in a slight angle toward you and begin pouring the milk in. You want to make sure you don’t break the crema of the coffee.
Ensure you do this at a considerable distance from the cup. Then, bring the pitcher in closer so that the nozzle almost touches the coffee and you’ll see the milk rise to the surface. From here you can experiment and play with shapes, like hearts or butterflies.
Newbies Will Need Patience
However, you’ll have to be patient because it will take awhile to develop your technique. You have to not only ensure the right balance of milk to coffee but also understand the nuances of geometry. It’s all about angle, closeness of the nozzle and wrist control.
How Do You Make a Cappuccino with an AeroPress?
In the same way as a flat white or a latte, understand you’re not going to get a perfect cup of cappuccino with an AeroPress. But, it is possible to achieve something similar. This will be tricky because you won’t get that crema on the surface of the coffee like you do on an espresso maker.
First, to produce a strong coffee, you will need about 1½ heaping scoops (20 to 25 grams) of coffee into roughly ¾ to one cup of water (about 200 to 230 grams). To strive for the crema, use three or four tablespoons (50 grams) of water to bloom the grounds. Stir while pouring the water and let this rest for about five to 10 minutes.
Then add the rest of the water slowly and in a circular or spiral motion. But, don’t shake or stir it. Press the device inverted until the crema sits at the top. Then attach the filter, flip the device and depress the plunger within 30 to 40 seconds, making sure you stop when you hear a hissing noise.
How Do You Make a Mocha Latte with an AeroPress?
You can simulate a mocha latte with an AeroPress by using the inverted method with the device. However, you will need a thermometer because you’ll want to ensure the water you use stays at a steady temperature of 185°F (85°C).
For this you’ll want 1⅓ tablespoons (20 grams) of medium-fine grounds with about ¾ cup of water plus ½ tablespoon (five to seven grams) of chocolate syrup. Put the grounds in and use four tablespoons (about 60 grams) of the hot water and pour it in slowly for 10 seconds.
Add the chocolate, cover the device with the plunger (but don’t press down) and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Add the rest of the water, put on the filter, flip the device and depress the plunger down completely within 15 to 20 seconds.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.