What Is a Spanish Latte? How It Differs From a Latte
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A Spanish latte is a latte sweetened with condensed milk. You get espresso, milk and a spoonful or two of sweetened condensed milk, which gives the drink a rounder, creamier sweetness than plain sugar or syrup. It’s one of the most searched coffee drinks in the Philippines, and at Daily Grind™ it’s on the menu hot and iced.
Here’s what goes into one, how it compares with the drinks next to it on the menu, and how to make a good one at home.
What’s in a Spanish latte?
Three things, four if it’s iced:
- Espresso. At Daily Grind™, that’s our house blend, 70% Arabica and 30% Robusta, roasted in-house in San Pedro, Laguna.
- Milk. Steamed for the hot version, cold for the iced one.
- Sweetened condensed milk. This is the part that makes it a Spanish latte. Condensed milk is milk with most of its water cooked off and sugar added, so it’s thick, sweet and slightly caramel-like.
- Ice, for an Iced Spanish Latte.
Our menu describes the hot one as “a warm blend of espresso and sweetened condensed milk” and the iced one as “bold coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and ice.”
What does a Spanish latte taste like?
Sweet, milky and smooth, with a toffee-like note from the condensed milk. The coffee is still there, though. Our house blend leans toward dark chocolate and a bittersweet finish, which keeps the sweetness from turning flat. If you find a regular latte a little plain but a frappe too much, a Spanish latte sits right in between.
Spanish latte vs latte vs caramel macchiato
These three get confused a lot, because all three are espresso and milk. The difference is the sweetener and how the drink is built.
| Spanish latte | Latte | Caramel macchiato | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetener | Sweetened condensed milk | None, unless you add syrup | Caramel, usually with vanilla |
| How it’s built | Mixed | Mixed | Espresso poured over the milk, so it starts layered |
| Taste | Sweet, creamy, toffee-like | Mellow and milky | Sweet, with a stronger first sip of espresso |
| Daily Grind™, hot | ₱155 | ₱145 | ₱160 |
| Daily Grind™, iced | ₱150 / ₱165 | ₱135 / ₱145 | ₱160 / ₱175 |
Iced drinks come in two cup sizes, so they have two prices. Want the full story on the third column? Read what a caramel macchiato is.
People also ask how a Spanish latte compares with Vietnamese iced coffee. Both use condensed milk, but Vietnamese coffee is brewed slowly through a small metal filter, usually with Robusta, and often has no fresh milk at all. A Spanish latte starts with espresso and adds milk. If you like that bold Vietnamese style, our Vietnam Robusta guide is a good next read.
Is a Spanish latte stronger than a latte?
Not in caffeine. Both are built on the same espresso, so a Spanish latte and a latte of the same size have about the same caffeine. The Spanish latte can even taste milder, because the sweetness softens the coffee. If you want it stronger, add an extra espresso shot. At Daily Grind™ that’s ₱40.
Where does the name come from?
No one really agrees. It isn’t a traditional drink in Spain: a café con leche there is usually made without condensed milk. The closest Spanish drink is the café bombón, espresso layered with condensed milk in a small glass. “Spanish latte” is best understood as a café-menu name for a latte made the bombón way.
How to make a Spanish latte at home
- Brew a double shot of espresso. About 60 ml. No machine? A moka pot works, or brew a drip coffee bag strong by using less water than usual, about 80 ml.
- Stir in the condensed milk while the coffee is hot. Start with 1 tablespoon (about 15 ml). Hot coffee dissolves it easily; cold milk won’t.
- Add the milk. For a hot Spanish latte, steam or gently heat about 150 ml of milk and pour it in. For an iced one, fill a glass with ice, add about 150 ml of cold milk, then pour the sweetened coffee over the top.
- Taste and adjust. Add another half tablespoon of condensed milk if you like it sweeter, or an extra shot if you want more coffee.
Freshly roasted beans make a real difference here, because a sweet drink hides stale coffee less than you’d think. Our guide to how long coffee beans stay fresh explains why, and you can order our beans roasted in San Pedro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Spanish latte sweet?
Yes. The condensed milk makes it noticeably sweeter than a regular latte, which has no added sugar unless you ask for syrup.
Is a Spanish latte the same as a latte?
No. Both are espresso and milk, but a Spanish latte is sweetened with condensed milk, which makes it sweeter and creamier. A plain latte is unsweetened.
Does a Spanish latte have cinnamon?
Not traditionally. Some cafés add a dusting on top, but the classic drink is just espresso, milk and condensed milk. Ours has no cinnamon.
Can I get a Spanish latte with oat milk?
You can swap the milk at Daily Grind™: oat milk is ₱40 and soy milk is ₱20 extra. The condensed milk is still dairy, though, so the drink won’t be dairy-free.
How much is a Spanish latte at Daily Grind™?
A hot Spanish Latte is ₱155. An Iced Spanish Latte is ₱150 or ₱165, depending on the cup size. You can order it at our café in San Pedro, Laguna, or through GrabFood.
See the rest of our iced drinks and hot drinks, or drop by and try one on the roof deck.
