Hazelnut Bianco Latte: Starbucks Copycat Recipe Anyone Can Make
The last couple of years were crazy for everyone. The stress levels have gone up, and the insides of your wallet are down. So, what can you do to relieve some of that tension? Treat yourself to some extravagant coffee drink. But, hey, we get it; you still don’t want to break a buck. That’s fine because we’ve got you covered.
Home Grounds has investigated Starbucks’ Reserve hazelnut bianco latte and turned it into a copycat recipe anyone can make. You might not get to replicate the exact one-of-a-kind hazelnut-praline-infused milk in this Starbucks drink. But we’ll explain how to make one just as decadent with a bonus white mocha syrup.
Read on for the nutty deets.
What You Need
- 2 Starbucks Reserve espresso shots
- 1 cup 2% skimmed milk
- 1 tbsp hazelnut flavored syrup
- White chocolate shavings
- Espresso machine (optional)
At A Glance
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Yield:
One drink (12 ounces)
White mocha syrup (optional)
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup 2% skimmed milk
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tsps instant coffee granules
How To Make Hazelnut Bianco Latte Recipe
There are plenty of drinks you can enjoy in Starbucks. Why not bring out your inner barista and enjoy a Starbucks hazelnut latte customized by you? Let’s dive in.
Step 1: Prepare Your Syrup
Add 1 tbsp of hazelnut syrup to the bottom of your favorite mug. Prepare the white mocha syrup if you’re up to the extra challenge that’s too big to be a Pro Tip. Otherwise, skip to the next step.
Combine 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup of 2% skimmed milk, ½ cup of granulated white sugar, and 1 tbsp of vanilla extract in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat (1). Stir until all of the sugar has dissolved and bring it down to a simmer. Add 1 cup of white chocolate chips or white chocolate shavings and stir until the chocolate has melted. Sprinkle in 1 to 2 tsps of instant coffee and stir until the granules have dissolved. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
Step 2: Brew Your Espresso
Grab your favorite whole beans and manually grind them with a burr grinder.
Starbucks uses their own Starbucks Reserve roast, which you can find and purchase from their select stores.
Brew one or two shots of espresso, depending on your desired intensity.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have an espresso machine, use the double-brewing process with a French Press, or try another brewing method, like a Moka Pot or an AeroPress.
Step 3: Combine Espresso With Syrup & Add Steamed Milk With Toppings
As you wait for your espresso to finish brewing, start steaming 1 cup of 2% skimmed milk.
Use a steam wand, milk frother, or stovetop. Make sure to also get a thin layer of milk foam.
Pour your espresso shot or two over your syrup. Add in your steamed milk. Sprinkle a handful of premade white chocolate shavings, or grate a white chocolate bar or white chocolate chips.
There you have it! A Starbucks copycat hazelnut bianco latte for you to enjoy hot or over ice!
Pro Tip: Whole milk steams best, but 2% skimmed milk is the standard milk Starbucks uses. You could use plant-based milk, but each one steams differently and has its own unique taste.
Craving more Starbucks copycat recipes? We recommend switching gears and trying matcha!
More Starbucks Recipes Here
Final Thoughts
With espresso, milk, syrup, and chocolate, you’ll have a delectable Starbucks hazelnut bianco latte copycat to enjoy anytime at home by yourself or to share with your loved ones. Hazelnut flavored syrup and white chocolate shavings add that final non-cherry cherry on top to emulate the flavor offered by Starbucks. But making your own white mocha syrup will seal the deal with a close taste replication. Let us know what you think, and happy sipping!
FAQs
A hazelnut bianco latte tastes nutty, sweet, buttery, and surprisingly caramelly with the pralines and hazelnuts infused into the milk of a Starbucks hazelnut bianco latte. Following this recipe, your drink will likely taste more hazelnutty and chocolatey if you opt to add more of each syrup.
No, Starbucks does not have a vegan friendly hazelnut bianco latte. Since the milk is infused with flavors in-house, there is no opportunity for substitutions. You could buy a Starbucks hazelnut flavored non-dairy creamer to use, which features an almond-and-oat-milk blend.
Hazelnut coffee is a regular coffee with a nutty twist. It is usually a light roast made with milk, sweetener, and hazelnut syrup. The hazelnut syrup is either store-bought or made from shelled, unsalted hazelnuts. Optional additions include various spices, cream, and hazelnut extract.
References
- Aubin, K. (2021, May 18). White Mocha Syrup. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://tasty.co/recipe/white-mocha-syrup
