How to Make Latte Art

When it comes to creating specialty coffee beverages, the delicious taste is only half the appeal. In order to step up your coffee game and really impress your guests, it’s time you learned to make latte art. Not only will this bring a personal touch to each drink your baristas create, but it’s also a great way to draw in new customers. To learn all the ins and outs of making latte art, we visited Square One Coffee. Additionally, be sure to check out the video we made with Square One on how to use an espresso machine.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Latte Art

To make latte art, you first need to steam milk. Once you have steamed your milk, you're ready to start creating beautiful latte art. We'll break down how to steam milk perfectly and then create two different types of latte art.

How to Steam Milk

Since steamed milk is a key ingredient in creating a delicious latte and beautiful latte art, it's necessary that you know how to froth milk. While it may seem like a simple task, it can be tricky to learn how to do properly. Before you begin with the steps below, it's important to know that you should never steam your milk more than once or add cold milk while steaming. By re-steaming your milk, you can alter the proteins in it and negatively affect the texture of your frothed milk.

• For a latte, you'll want to fill your pitcher about half way with milk.


• 1.

  Purge the steam wand to remove any residue and to heat up your wand.

• 2.

  Submerge the wand into your milk, but do not allow it to touch the bottom of your frothing pitcher.

• 3.

  Begin frothing your milk. You should stop once you feel the pitcher becoming hot.

• 4.

  Once you're finished, wipe your wand with a cloth towel.

• While trained baristas will use their hand to gauge the temperature of the steamed milk, you can also use a frothing thermometer to see if the milk has reached a temperature between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to Make Rosetta Latte Art

• Before you begin steaming your milk, you should start pulling your shot of espresso.


• 1.

  Purge your steam wand.

• 2.

  Steam your milk until you feel the pitcher becoming warm.

• After you've steamed your milk, you'll want to swirl it around the pitcher so that the foam integrates with the milk.


• 3.

  Pour your espresso shot into a mug.

• 4.

  Begin pouring your milk high, so that it settles to the bottom.

• 5.

  As you bring your mug closer to your pitcher, make a zig-zag pattern with your milk.

• 6.

  Pour your milk through the center of your design to complete the rosetta.

• 7.

  Place your mug on a saucer with a spoon and serve.

How to Make Tulip Latte Art

• Before you begin steaming your milk, you should start pulling your shot of espresso.


• 1.

  Purge your steam wand.

• 2.

  Steam your milk until you feel the pitcher becoming warm.

• After you've steamed your milk, you'll want to swirl it around the pitcher so that the foam integrates with the milk.


• 3.

  Pour your espresso shot into a mug.

• 4.

  Keeping your pitcher close to your mug, pour your milk in a quick back and forth motion to create the first section.

• 5.

  Pull away the pitcher from the mug and repeat step 4 to create a smaller, second section.

• 6.

  Once again, pull away the pitcher and repeat step 4 to create the third and final section. Then, pour your milk through the center of your design.

• 7.

  Place your mug on a saucer with a spoon and serve.