Nothing says winter comfort like a hot and sweet drink. When you add undertones of toasted cinnamon and brown sugar, there is only one word to describe it, heavenly. So, you want to know how to make a homemade Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte? This is a classic Starbucks beverage that blends the rich, bold flavors of coffee with the sweet, comforting notes of cinnamon. So, sit back, relax and get ready to learn how to make this splendid drink at home.

What is a Cinnamon Dolce Latte?
The Cinnamon Dolce Latte is a popular Starbucks beverage that combines espresso with steamed milk, sweetened with a homemade cinnamon dolce syrup, and topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon. It’s like your favorite coffee shop treat, made even better because you can enjoy it in the comfort of your own home.
The taste profile of this latte is rich and full-bodied from the espresso, creamy and smooth from the milk, with a sweet and spicy kick from the homemade cinnamon dolce syrup. The whipped cream adds a luxurious touch, while the dusting of cinnamon brings an extra burst of flavor.
This drink is usually found at Starbucks but with this recipe, you can now make it at home anytime you want!
How to Make Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte
This isn’t just a recipe to make one drink. We give you the tools and ingredients so that you can make several things.
How?
Well, with our own special cinnamon dolce syrup, of course! One key player in our Starbucks cinnamon dolce latte is the syrup itself. This is what gives the drink that delicious aroma and taste.
First, you have to make the syrup. It is super simple to make and will take you less than ten minutes. Due to the high sugar content, it keeps pretty much indefinitely too. So you’ll be able to have a cinnamon dolce latte any time that you feel like it. Making the syrup is sort of a one time deal. You won’t have to make a batch every time you prepare the drink in the future.
The hardest part of this drink is actually the syrup. From there, it is just a case of heating some milk and ensuring that the ingredients are well mixed before serving. We think that whipped cream finish is an absolute must! There’s something super tasty about taking a sip through cold whipped cream and then contrasting the hot drink beneath. Delicious.
Tips and Tricks
- We use espresso in our version of the Starbucks Cinnamon dolce latte. If you don’t have espresso, it isn’t a deal-breaker. If you only have instant coffee, this can work. Just combine coffee granules with around 5 tablespoons of hot water. It may taste strong, but once mixed with the other ingredients will give your drink a superb coffee taste.
- If you aren’t the biggest fan of caffeine, it is possible to make this drink with caffeine-free coffee. Either use decaffeinated coffee powder for espresso or use our tip above. Just use decaffeinated granules. The taste is practically identical.
- This drink is really sweet. If you don’t have a sweet tooth or want to ‘tone it down’ ever so slightly, use half of the syrup amount as suggested in this recipe.
- If you haven’t got a whisk or mixer to make whipped cream, it isn’t the end of the world. It is still possible to get a super result with this tip. If you have a plastic bottle add enough cream to fill it ¼ of the way). Screw the lid tightly and shake rapidly until the cream stops sloshing. Voila whipped cream the easy way! (and less washing up, which we love).
- You are going to adore our homemade Starbucks cinnamon dolce latte. So we recommend making a large amount of our dolce latte syrup. That way, you can make one big effort at the start and enjoy the drink whenever you like. Our recipe should be good for at least 8 cups in the future.
- If you like a really strong cinnamon taste, you can also add a pinch of cinnamon and sugar to your cream before whipping. We find the addition of a little sugar to the cream helps it to hold its shape longer. It is also utterly delicious.
- We use milk as the base for our cinnamon dolce latte. If you are vegan or lactose intolerant, you can achieve an identical result using different varieties in place of the milk. Oat milk, soy, or any other milk alternative will work perfectly with our Starbucks cinnamon dolce latte recipe.
- Our cinnamon dolce syrup doesn’t only have to be used in our recipe. You can do plenty of other things with it too. Our favorite is adding a big old dollop to our apple pie mix. Cinnamon and apples? Nice. There are one or two cocktails that also benefit greatly from the addition of this sweet cinnamon syrup.
Can I make this an iced drink?
Yes, absolutely! You can definitely adapt this recipe for an iced version. To do so, all you need to do is to let your espresso or strong coffee cool down and then pour it over ice before adding the milk and homemade cinnamon dolce syrup.
One tip for serving this drink cold is to make sure your coffee is extra strong as the ice will dilute it slightly as it melts. Another tip is to chill your glass in the freezer for a few minutes before you start, this will keep your drink colder for longer.
What other milks can I use?
You have a wide range of milk options when it comes to making your own Cinnamon Dolce Latte. Apart from regular cow’s milk, you can also use almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or even coconut milk.
Each type of milk will give a slightly different taste and texture to your latte. For example, almond milk and coconut milk will give a slight nutty flavor, while oat milk tends to be creamier than other alternatives. Feel free to experiment with different types of milk to find the one you like best.
Conclusion
The beauty of our Starbucks cinnamon dolce latte is that if you are willing to go to the effort of making the syrup, you will have another ingredient ready to use with a variety of sweet treats. Our syrup goes well with lots of desserts (we even have a spoonful or two over ice cream sometimes). Have you made our dolce latte syrup? What did you make with it? Let us know in the comments. We are always looking for new recipe ideas.
