Copycat Starbucks Pistachio Latte

If you haven’t bundled up to venture out lately, you may have missed that the pistachio latte—along with a new pistachio cream cold brew—is back on the Starbucks menu for winter. It’s a simple drink made with milk, espresso and pistachio syrup, plus a brown butter topping.

For a beverage that’s as good as what the famous cafe has to offer, make this copycat Starbucks pistachio latte recipe at home. It’s a fun Sunday morning project!

Ingredients for Copycat Starbucks Pistachio Latte

• Butter: Browned butter adds a toasted, savory note that makes a major difference in taste. It’s a must to include in your version of the latte with pistachio.
• Brown sugar: We’ll be adding brown sugar to the browned butter to make a copycat version of Starbucks’s salted brown butter syrup.
• Milk: Whole milk creates a creamy latte that adds just the right amount of richness without making it taste too thick and filling. If whole milk isn’t your thing, check out our milk variation ideas below.
• Pistachio flavoring syrup: I tested the recipe with this pistachio flavoring from Amazon.
• Espresso: If you have an espresso machine at home, pull 1 to 2 shots of espresso. But if not, use instant espresso powder or strong-brewed coffee instead.

Directions

Step 1: Make the browned butter topping

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Place the butter in a small heavy saucepan. Melt the butter over medium heat, swirling occasionally until the butter turns a beautiful golden brown, three to four minutes.

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Stir in the brown sugar and salt until combined. Set this mixture aside.

Editor’s Tip: This is a perfect copycat for the salted brown butter topping at Starbucks and it will make your drink truly indulgent!

Step 2: Steam the milk

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Heat the whole milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking occasionally. Once the milk is warmed and slightly bubbly on top, stir in the pistachio syrup.

Optionally, use an immersion blender, French press or a handheld milk frother to get your milk decadent and foamy.

Step 3: Build your pistachio latte

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Pour your espresso into a mug. Stir in the browned butter mixture.

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Then top it with the pistachio-flavored milk. Serve your copycat Starbucks pistachio latte immediately, and enjoy!

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Recipe Variations

• Make it an iced pistachio latte: Want an iced version of this pistachio latte recipe? Skip warming up and frothing the milk. Add ice cubes to the cold latte and sip it on a hot day!
• Use another milk or cream: We get it, not everyone is a fan of whole milk (or milk in general) anymore. Use your favorite nondairy milk alternative instead, like oat milk, almond milk or even pistachio milk. If you’re still on the milk train, replace whole milk with 2% or skim if desired.

How to Store Copycat Starbucks Pistachio Latte

If you have leftovers that you want to save for later, pop the latte with pistachio in the fridge. It can be refrigerated for up to two days.

Can you make a copycat Starbucks pistachio latte ahead of time?

We don’t recommend making the latte until you’re ready to enjoy it, but you can make the salted brown butter topping a day or two ahead of time. Once the mixture has cooled to room temperature, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Copycat Starbucks Pistachio Latte Tips

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Do I have to froth the milk?

You definitely do not have to froth the milk for this copycat Starbucks pistachio latte. Simply warm the milk and add it to the drink. Just know your drink won’t be bubbly and foamy without frothing the milk. However, you can make up for that by topping the latte with homemade whipped cream if desired.

How can I make this pistachio latte sweeter or less sweet?

To make this pistachio latte sweeter or less sweet, simply adjust the amount of pistachio syrup that goes into it. If you’ve already poured in too much pistachio syrup, add more milk to the drink to dilute it. Bitter espresso would help fix the sweetness, too, but only add more espresso if you want more caffeine. Try adding more milk first.