You can create many kinds of coffee shop-style lattés at home, and a high-end espresso machine with a glimmering milk-frothing wand is just one of them. (I wish I could say I have one of these; alas, I do not.) I’ve outlined a number of ways to get your caffeine fix, all producing slightly different but extremely delicious results.
HOW TO MAKE ESPRESSO
Coffee Machine: Brew a small pot of extremely strong coffee. Measure for use in recipe.
Coffee Shop: Go to your neighborhood coffee shop and buy a few shots of espresso. Measure for use in recipe.
Espresso Machine: Use according to manufacturer’s instructions. Measure for use in recipe.
French Press: Increase strength by using more coffee and less water, adjusting until desired result is achieved. The following recipe makes medium-strong coffee (great on its own).
To a warmed French press, add 33 grams (1.17 ounces) coarsely ground coffee. Pour over 500 mL (2 cups) recently boiled water. Steep for 4–5 minutes, stir, and press. Measure for use in recipe.
Stovetop Percolator (Moka Pot): This is what I use. Use according to manufacturer’s instructions. Measure for use in recipe.
HOW TO MAKE STEAMED MILK
Start with unsweetened plain nut or seed milk, unsweetened plain soymilk, or whole dairy milk. If using dairy, whole milk will taste best and create the smoothest foam; if you do go leaner, don’t choose dairy milk with less than 2% milk fat or your latté will be watery, murky, and lacking flavor.
Blender: In a saucepan on the stove, heat at least 1 cup of milk until steaming hot. Add to a blender, secure lid, and cover steam vent with a thick layer of kitchen towels. Blend on high until frothy (about 1 minute if using a high-speed blender). Use in recipe as directed.
French Press: In a saucepan on the stove, heat at least 1 cup of milk until steaming hot for a single-serving press, and at least 2 to 3 cups of milk for larger presses. Add milk to press, secure lid, and quickly lift the wand up and down into the milk like a pump. Continue to pump until milk is frothy (1 to 2 minutes). Use in recipe as directed.
Electric Milk Frother (Steamer): This is what I use at home—specifically, the Secura Automatic Electric Milk Frother (500 mL). It creates pillows of steamy, frothed milk (even with non-dairy milks). Use according to manufacturer’s instructions. Use in recipe as directed.
Espresso Machine Steam Wand: Use according to manufacturer’s instructions. Use in recipe as directed.
Stovetop Whisk/Milk Frothing Wand/Immersion Blender: In a saucepan on the stove, heat quantity of milk called for in recipe until steaming hot. Tilt saucepan slightly and whisk milk to create a few bubbles (this method will not produce much foam, but it will warm the milk adequately), or froth with a handheld milk frothing wand or immersion blender. Use in recipe as directed.