Rich and indulgent, this Tiramisu Latte is made with a homemade coffee syrup with the deep flavors of chocolate and dark rum. Topped with a creamy mascarpone whipped cream, a dusting of cocoa powder and a ladyfinger cookie (if you like), this latte is luxurious, delicious and proves that it’s okay to have dessert for breakfast.
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About this Tiramisu Latte recipe
Ever since my husband got really into coffee (like, gourmet beans and pourover-level) I don’t make as many lattes as I used to, nor do I venture out to the coffee shop as much. It’s a total treat — don’t get me wrong!
But sometimes I really crave a delicious, sweet, and indulgent drink. When I had the idea to make a tiramisu coffee syrup for a tiramisu latte, I had to follow through. I tested a few versions of the syrup, which starts with a base of fresh coffee (pourover not required), cocoa powder and sugar, plus a tiny splash of dark rum and vanilla extract *.
One taste and it is exactly like tiramisu! The only thing the syrup is missing is cream, which is why it works so flawlessly in a latte. When mixed with espresso and your favorite milk, you can create a dessert-like latte that feels a little wrong to drink with breakfast.
Optionally, you can make a mascarpone cheese whipped cream, which adds the tangy and delicate flavor that is key to the original Italian dessert. Dust it all with a sprinkle of cocoa powder, and you have a fantastic latte that you’re going to want to make over and over. I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely getting back into making lattes at home again!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Homemade syrup makes it taste amazing. While you can totally purchase tiramisu-flavored syrup online, making it yourself is super simple with coffee, cocoa powder, sugar and a splash of rum and vanilla.
- It’s much simpler than making tiramisu from scratch. If you make the syrup and the whipped cream topping, it’s a little more time-intensive, but the payoff is totally worth it.
- Perfect for a specific occasion. Enjoy all the flavors of the classic Italian dessert in latte form.
Ingredients & essentials
👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!
At the heart of this latte is a homemade tiramisu syrup. There are store-bought brands that sell a tiramisu flavor, but I highly suggest making it from scratch. It’s super cheap to make with freshly-brewed coffee, cocoa powder and granulated sugar. For a true tiramisu flavor, you’ll want to add a splash of vanilla extract * and a little bit of dark rum.
The latte calls for the usual suspects: espresso and milk. You can use whatever milk you like. I prefer whole milk, but if I am using a dairy-free milk, oat milk is my go-to because it froths the best.
If you like, you can make a mascarpone whipped cream by whipping together heavy cream, sugar and mascarpone cheese. (Bear in mind that the whipped cream is not dairy-free, so you’ll want to skip that if using a dairy-free milk.) Finish it all off with a dusting of more cocoa powder and a lady finger cookie.
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Instructions
Before you make the latte, you’ll want to put together the tiramisu syrup, which requires a pot of coffee or a cold brew. You pull it together on the stove and whisk in the sugar and cocoa powder until incorporated, then add the vanilla and rum.
For the latte, you’ll need to brew espresso or very strong coffee and prepare some steamed milk. And if you’re making the mascarpone whipped cream, it is best to do that in advance as well.
how to make espresso
The easiest way is with an espresso machine — I use a Nespresso* for quick lattes, cappuccinos and even the occasional espresso martini. But you don’t need one to make this drink. A strong pot of coffee, a stovetop moka pot* or even cold brew concentrate will work too.
- To make the whipped cream, combine mascarpone cheese, granulated sugar and cream in a jar or bowl. Shake the jar, or use a whisk, or mixer, or electric frother to whip the cream together until it holds soft peaks.
- Once the cream is ready, set it aside and brew your espresso. Add the espresso to your mug.
- And drizzle in some syrup. You can add more or less depending on how sweet you like your lattes.
- Add the steamed milk over top, using a spoon to draw out any other foam. No need for latte art if you are going to add the whipped cream!
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- Spoon the whipped cream over top.
- Dust it with a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top and serve it with a ladyfinger cookie if you like.
Fair warning: Mascarpone whipped cream doesn’t float like regular whipped cream — it’s richer, so it’ll slowly sink into your latte. Personally, I loved it; it basically stirs itself into something wonderful. But if you’d rather it sit pretty on top, whip it on the lighter side and add just a small spoonful.
Tips & tricks
- Serve lady finger cookies on the side. They tend to soak up liquid really fast. They’re better for dunking!
- For the optimal temperature latte, make the syrup and whipped cream ahead of time.
- For an iced tiramisu latte, simply pour everything over ice and stir.
Serving suggestions
This tiramisu latte makes a great breakfast drink. It is super luscious and rich, so it works well with brunch favorites like pancakes or easy, cozy breakfasts like banana oatmeal.
But you can also enjoy it as an after-dinner drink after a hearty meal instead of (or in addition to!) a really decadent dessert. Anything with chocolate or vanilla would be great, like Guinness chocolate cake. You can even make it with decaf espresso for anyone who doesn’t want the caffeine.
FAQ
This is totally normal! Mascarpone whipped cream is richer and denser than regular latte foam, so it will naturally want to sink rather than sit on top. The good news is that it’s not really a problem — it just melts into the drink and adds a lovely tangy swirl of flavor throughout. If you’d prefer it to hold its shape a little longer, try whipping it to soft peaks only and spooning just a small amount on top.
The homemade syrup will last two weeks in your fridge. You can make a big batch ahead of time and enjoy it in your coffee every morning or mix it into cocktails and mocktails.
Absolutely. I haven’t tried it myself, but there’s no reason it wouldn’t work. Store-bought syrups contain additives to keep them shelf-stable, and I find they can also taste even sweeter, so dial back the amount of syrup you use and only add more after you taste it.
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Tiramisu Latte
ingredients
Tiramisu Syrup (Makes 1½ cups)
- 1 cup brewed coffee
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1½ tablespoon dark rum
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Mascarpone Whipped Cream (Makes 2 servings)
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon mascarpone cheese
- 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Tiramisu Latte
- ⅓ cup freshly-brewed espresso
- ½ ounce tiramisu syrup to taste
- ½ cup whole milk almond milk or your favorite milk
- ¼ cup mascarpone whipped cream
- 1 pinch cocoa powder for top
- 1 whole ladyfinger cookie optional
instructions
Tiramisu Syrup
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine brewed coffee and sugar. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Whisk in the cocoa.1 cup brewed coffee, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- Remove from heat. Let cool completely.
- Stir in dark rum and vanilla extract.1½ tablespoon dark rum, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Transfer to a glass jar and seal tightly with a lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Mascarpone Whipped Cream
- In a glass jar or small mixing bowl *, combine heavy cream, mascarpone cheese, and sugar.¼ cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon mascarpone cheese, 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Whisk with a milk frother, electric mixer or by hand until stiff peaks form.
Tiramisu Latte
- First, brew your espresso and let it cool slightly.⅓ cup freshly-brewed espresso
- Pour the tiramisu syrup, then top with espresso.½ ounce tiramisu syrup, ⅓ cup freshly-brewed espresso
- Top it with slightly-cooled steamed milk.½ cup whole milk
- Top mascarpone whipped cream and dust with cocoa powder. Serve with a ladyfinger cookie on the side.¼ cup mascarpone whipped cream, 1 pinch cocoa powder, 1 whole ladyfinger cookie
notes
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