The Starbucks Smoked Butterscotch Latte has a wonderfully unique flavor. This latte has a hint of smoke with the subtle flavor of butterscotch.
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Starbucks Seasonal Coffee Drinks
Starbucks has an extensive array of coffeehouse drinks. Yes, some aren’t for the traditionalists, especially the flavors created for those with a sweet tooth. One of these is Smoked Butterscotch Latte which you may have noticed on a seasonal Starbucks menu.
What is a Starbucks Smoked Butterscotch Latte?
If you are wondering how a smoked butterscotch latte tastes, it has a hint of smoke with the subtle flavor of butterscotch. Its crowning glory is some milky foam or whipped cream.
What Makes This Starbucks Smoked Butterscotch Latte Recipe So Good
One reason I like to make Starbucks coffee drinks at home is that with copycat coffee recipes, I can control the level of sweetness. You are your own barista and can make your drink more or less sweet.
You can choose to top this smoky butterscotch latte in one of two ways – use the foam from the frothed milk or some sweetened whipped cream. It’s entirely up to you how you want to enjoy your copycat Starbucks coffee.
At Starbucks, the Smoked Butterscotch Latte is seasonal only. This copycat Starbucks coffee with butterscotch recipe allows you to make this delicious Starbucks latte all year round.
Starbucks Smoked Butterscotch Latte Recipe Ingredients
Here is a list of what you need to make this delicious coffee drink:
- Espresso
- 2% Milk
- Butterscotch Syrup
- Liquid Smoke
- Whipped Cream
What is butterscotch?
Butterscotch is a lot like caramel, but there is a slight difference in the ingredients. Caramel is made up of granulated white sugar, butter, vanilla, and heavy cream.
Butterscotch is similar, but instead of granulated white sugar, brown sugar is used, which gives butterscotch a more sophisticated and nuanced flavor.
What Is liquid smoke?
This recipe includes a little liquid smoke to give the latte a very subtle smoky hint. Liquid smoke is made by smoking wood and catching the smoke on a porous substance. Then the smoke is washed away and collected.
You can buy liquid smoke in your everyday grocery store – it’s often found near the condiments. This recipe needs just one or two drops, but you can also use liquid smoke to add a smoky touch to salad dressings, baked beans, and a lot more.
Smoked Butterscotch Latte – Ingredient Substitutions
- Because it’s perfect for frothing, the dairy milk of choice for Starbucks lattes is 2% milk. However, feel free to use your preferred dairy or non-dairy milk. Just take note that your chosen milk might not froth as well.
- If you are watching your sugar intake, you can also use sugar-free butterscotch syrup.
- Liquid smoke comes in different flavors. I use hickory, but you could experiment with different kinds such as pecan or mesquite.
How to Make Smoked Butterscotch Latte
- Pour espresso or strong brewed coffee into a coffee cup.
- Add butterscotch syrup.
- Add liquid smoke.
- Add warm frothed milk.
- Spoon the frothed milk foam on top.
- You can also top the latte with whipped cream and crushed butterscotch candy.
Recipe Variations
This butterscotch latte is so tasty as is, but you can vary the recipe a bit if you want.
- Butterscotch Mocha Latte: Include 1 ounce of mocha syrup.
- Salted Butterscotch Latte: Add 1/4 teaspoon sea salt to your coffee. You can also sprinkle a little sea salt onto the milk foam or whipped cream topping.
How to Make Espresso at Home
Did you know you can make espresso at home without an expensive espresso machine? You have several ways to brew coffee that will turn out almost like espresso.
- If you only have a standard coffee pot, use it to brew very strong coffee. It won’t be identical to espresso, but it will still give you a flavorful drink (use a larger quantity of coffee to milk when making lattes).
- An Aeropress coffee maker or a Bialetti Moka Express 6-cup Espresso Maker and Replacement Filter Pot is far less expensive than an a espresso machine and will provide you with a brew that’s very close to espresso. (You can follow the recipe regarding the proportion of coffee to milk.) In Italy,
Italians have been making espresso with Moka Pots on their stovetops for over a hundred years. Watch this how to use a moka pot video.
How to Make Frothed Milk at Home
Lattes are made with heated milk that has been frothed or aerated. Just like making espresso, you don’t need a fancy machine to aerate milk. Here are some ways to froth milk.
- Warm up your milk in the microwave for about 30 seconds, place in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and then shake the heck out of it. This will increase the volume of the milk.
- Use an immersion blender to foam up your warmed-up milk.
- If you use a French Press to make coffee, you can also use it to froth milk. Read this article to learn how to make frothed milk in a French press.
- Use an inexpensive milk frother. There are manual milk frothers and electric milk frothers. Click on this link for a demonstration on how to froth milk with a manual milk frother.
How to Turn This Hot Smoked Butterscotch Latte Recipe Into an Iced Latte
When the warmer weather arrives, a hot coffee drink becomes less appealing. No problem, this Starbucks Smoked Butterscotch Latte recipe is amazing when ice cold! And, an iced latte is simple to make:
- To start, your coffee should be allowed to cool. Or, consider using cold brew coffee.
- Place the coffee, milk, butterscotch syrup, liquid smoke, and some ice cubes in a large mason jar. Make sure the lid is on tightly, then shake well to dissolve and blend the butterscotch.
- Decant the mixture into a tall serving glass with lots of ice.
CopyKat Tip: Keep leftover coffee ice cubes on hand. This way, your drink doesn’t get diluted!
Love Coffeehouse drinks? Check out these favorites!
- Caramel Cappuccino
- Caramel Frappuccino
- Caramel Macchiato
- Flat White
- Green Tea Frappuccino
- Peppermint Mocha
- Pink Drink
- S’more Frappuccino
- Vanilla Frappuccino
Favorite Starbucks Food Recipes
Check out more of my easy coffee drink recipes and the best Starbucks recipes here on CopyKat!
Starbucks Smoked Butterscotch Latte
Ingredients
- 4 ounces espresso or strong brewed coffee
- 2 tablespoons butterscotch syrup
- 1 or 2 drops liquid smoke
- 4 ounces milk warmed and frothed
- 2 tablespoons whipped cream
Instructions
- Pour espresso or strong brewed coffee into a coffee cup.
- Add butterscotch syrup. You can adjust according to your own personal desired sweet level.
- Add liquid smoke.
- Add warm, frothed milk to the coffee.
- Spoon the frothed milk foam or whipped cream on top of the coffee.
Nancy Dempsey
Which flavor liquid smoke is used? I’m not seeing an “original” my instinct would be the pecan but I was curious to see what others suggest
Stephanie
I just use the hickory.
Cheryl Davison
I love smoked butterscotch lattes…..seasonal, maybe Sept., Oct. Til end of March…..can’t wait….gonna try at home….thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Kristy Hiott
What brand of the liguid smoke do you use please, I’ve seen hickory and mesquite, I don’t think I’m looking in the right place. Thank you for your help.
Malikah
I also was wondering the same thing. I only seen the hickory.
Stephanie
There are multiple types made. https://www.colgin.com/liquid-smoke/
Stephanie
You will have to check your local retailer, or perhaps you can order it online. https://www.colgin.com/, but this company makes 4 different types of smoke.
Sheila
Can you tell us which of the 4 liquid smokes to use? I tried one and it was gross.
Thank you
Sheila
Stephanie
I use the original one.
debra
Stephan, butterscotch syrup is this the kinds for ice-cream or should I be looking for something different ?
Gadgetmang
Glad that I found this site because my local Starbucks is not serving it anymore, thank you.
Stephanie
I think it was a February menu item only.
Marquita Lanier
I just discovered this drink at Starbucks and it is AMAZING!, thanks Stephanie for the hint about using liquid smoke I never would have thought to use that. I enjoy your posts!
Lois Alter Mark
That sounds amazing! I haven’t tried that drink at Starbucks yet but I will definitely be making one of my own, thanks to your recipe!
Stephanie
I like the use of Butterscotch flavoring, it adds a nice complexity to the drink. By making it t home, I don’t have it as sweet as they like to prepare it.
Yvonne
Do you use torani syrup?