Red Velvet Latte

See how easy it is to create red velvet coffee at home! If you like red velvet cake, you are going to love this red velvet latte recipe that combines coffee, cocoa, beet juice, and milk to make a delicious Valentine’s drink.

Homemade red velvet coffee

No more runs to the coffee shop needed – I’ll show you how to make a red velvet latte at home! This red velvet coffee is sure to become your favorite Valentine’s Day drink. No to mention, the recipe only takes only 10 minutes to whip up!

You’ve probably had a slice of red velvet cake or a red velvet cupcake before. It’s a chocolate-flavored, slightly tangy sponge cake with a distinctive reddish color. And those flavors are equally yummy in drink form. Pure bliss!

Looking for more romantic drink recipes? Try our rose milk, lavender moon milk, strawberry latte, and pink moon milk.

What is red velvet latte?

If you’re wondering what a red velvet latte actually is, let me explain. It’s a decadent and delicious milk-based coffee drink that features hints of cocoa, vanilla, and beetroot reminiscent of the unique red velvet cake flavor.

What does red velvet latte taste like?

Red velvet latte has a coffee-cocoa aroma with a slightly earthy note. The drink tastes milky and sweet, and beets aren’t really noticeable.

Ingredients & substitutions

What is red velvet latte made of? I’m glad you asked! Here’s everything you need to whip up this mouthwatering red latte.

This is just an overview. For the full ingredient amounts and instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card.

• Coffee (optional): You need 1/4 cup freshly brewed coffee or 2 shots of espresso. You can use your favorite regular or flavored coffee. For a caffeine-free latte, simply skip the coffee or use decaf.
• Milk: I used whole milk, but you can use any milk you like. Reduced-fat, low-fat, skim, or dairy-free plant milks (e.g., almond milk, oat milk) are all good options.
• Cocoa powder creates a subtle chocolate note typical for red velvet treats. I used unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder. I find natural cocoa butter is too bitter and acidic for red velvet latte.
• Beet juice lends the drink a natural red color and introduces a subtle earthiness. Beet juice may seem like an odd ingredient for a latte, but occasionally red velvet cakes are made with beets, too. If you can’t find beetroot juice, use a few drops red food coloring.
• Vanilla extract rounds out the other flavors and gives a red velvet cupcake-like aroma.
• Sugar (optional): A touch of sugar provides a subtle sweetness. If desired, use a low-carb sweetener (like this keto simple syrup) or omit the sweetener from the recipe.
• Heavy cream (optional) is used to make the whipped cream topping.
• Sprinkles or chocolate shavings (optional) to garnish your red velvet drink.

How to make red velvet latte

Making red velvet coffee is so simple. Just brew your coffee, warm some milk, mix everything together and you’re done. Let’s go over the steps for this tasty Valentine’s Day latte!

Step 1: Brew coffee

• Prepare your coffee or espresso as you usually would. I used a medium-grind coffee and filtered water in a coffee maker.
• You can omit this step if making the red velvet latte without coffee.

Step 2: Warm milk

• Heat the milk in a tall glass in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop.

Step 3: Whip cream

• Using a handheld milk frother, whip together the cream, 1/2 tablespoon sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract until the cream begins to thicken but doesn’t form peaks. This should only take a few seconds.
• Skip this step if using whipped cream from a spray can. Set aside.

Step 4: Assemble drink

• To a large mug, cup, or tall glass, add the cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and beet juice. Stir until everything is well combined and the cocoa powder is completely dissolved in beet juice.
• Next, stir in the coffee.
• Finally, top with the warm milk and give the drink a quick stir to combine the liquids.

Step 5: Garnish

• Spoon the whipped cream on top and decorate with heart sprinkles and/or chocolate shavings. Your homemade red velvet latte is ready!

Variations

Pink velvet latte

To make pink velvet latte, substitute the red beet juice with 1/2 tablespoon pink pitaya powder. The rest of the steps remains exactly the same.

Red velvet cappuccino

To turn this drink into a red velvet cappuccino, we need espresso and milk foam instead of whipped cream. Here is what to do:

1. Brew espresso. You need 2 shots or 1/4 cup.
2. Assemble the drink by combining the espresso with warm milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and beet juice.
3. Using a milk frother, whip 1/4 cup warm milk until light and frothy. Pour over the top and enjoy your red velvet cappuccino.

Red velvet iced coffee

For red velvet iced latte, follow these easy steps:

1. Prepare brew the coffee and let cool to room temperature.
2. Once the coffee feels cool to the touch, mix the coffee, milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and beet juice as described in the recipe.
3. Fill a tall glass with ice and pour the milk mixture on top.
4. Enjoy your red velvet iced coffee right away.

FAQ

Does red velvet latte have caffeine?

Yes, red velvet latte can contain caffeine, but it all depends on how you make the recipe. If you use regular, caffeinated coffee, the latte will be caffeinated. On the other hand, if you use decaf coffee or omit the coffee, the Valentine latte will be caffeine-free.

Can I use beet powder instead of juice?

No, I don’t recommend it. Beet powder doesn’t dissolve completely and will give the red velvet coffee a grainy texture. I also found that the color isn’t as strong as beet juice.

Can I substitute red food coloring instead for beet juice?

Sure, a few drops of food coloring can be used to tint the latte. Just note that food coloring won’t enhance the flavor like beet juice does.

Can I swap in chocolate for cocoa powder?

Yes, it’s possible to replace the cocoa powder with 1 to 2 tbsp semisweet chocolate chips. To make this Valentine’s latte with chocolate, add the milk and chocolate chips to a small saucepan.

Warm on the stovetop over medium heat until the milk is warm and the chocolate has completely melted. Then continue with the recipe as outlined.

Can I make this drink low carb?

Of course! For a keto or low carb red velvet latte, swap out the cow’s milk for almond milk and replace the sugar with a low carb sugar alternative like this keto simple syrup from Wholesome Yum Foods.

How do you make red velvet coffee vegan?

Simple! Prepare the drink with a dairy-free milk of your choice and use whipped coconut cream for the topping.

Storage instructions

How to store red velvet coffee

Red latte is best fresh. You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Making this valentine latte ahead of time

You can make this red velvet drink 1 day in advance. To prep ahead of time, combine everything but the whipped cream and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve your red velvet latte. Then, all you need to do is add the cream topping.