Upgrade your morning coffee routine with this homemade vanilla lavender latte recipe – it tastes just like the honey lavender latte from your local coffee shop! It uses a2 Milk®, which is easier on digestion and can be enjoyed hot or iced. Read more to learn about a2 Milk®!
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by a2 Milk®. I was compensated for my time. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Street Smart Nutrition. And remember, even though I’m a dietitian, I’m not your dietitian. The information shared here is not meant to diagnose or treat, only to inform.
Good morning! Or afternoon, or evening, or whenever you’re reading this. I like to imagine you love lattes as much as I do and you’re browsing for a Vanilla Lavender Latte recipe in the morning!
One of the biggest changes I made during 2020 was making lattes at home. I was no longer visiting coffee shops or traveling, and I was craving some of the fancied-up drinks over my traditional brewed coffee. I ended up investing in a very basic espresso machine and a small milk frother. Now, I look forward to enjoying delicious, frothy, creamy lattes from the comfort of home!
I’m teaming up with a2 Milk® to share one of my favorite latte recipes: a homemade Vanilla Lavender Latte! It can be served hot or iced, and now that it’s summertime I’ll give you one guess as to which way I’m taking mine.
I can’t wait for you to see how simple this recipe is, but first I want to introduce you to a2 Milk®. Read on to see what makes it unique!
What is A2 Milk?
To put it simply, a2 Milk® is milk. It’s 100% real dairy that comes from local U.S. farms. The key difference between a2 Milk® and other dairy milks is that it comes from cows that naturally produce only the A2 protein and no A1 protein.
What’s significant about A2 milk protein?
Cows’ milk normally contains two types of beta-casein protein: A1 and A2. Proteins are made up of amino acids. The individual amino acids are arranged in different sequences, which is why amino acids are often called the “building blocks” of proteins. The unique sequence helps determine the function of the protein, and in the case of A1 and A2 beta-casein, how they’re digested.
There’s a slight difference in the sequence (order) of A1 and A2 proteins which can lead to uncomfortable symptoms you’d probably prefer to avoid. If you’re someone who experiences stomach discomfort when you drink milk containing both A1 and A2 proteins, avoiding milk with the A1 protein could reduce these symptoms.
Note: A reaction to A1 beta-casein is not the same as lactose intolerance or a dairy allergy. While some of the symptoms of lactose intolerance might appear similar to reactions from A1 milk protein, they are different. Consult with your health care team or GI specialist if you suspect your reactions to consuming dairy are related to lactose intolerance or a dairy allergy.
I remember first learning about A2 milk protein on one of the dairy farm tours I attended several years ago. The dairy farmer explained how they can use non-invasive genetic testing on their dairy cows to divide into a herd that produces only the A2 protein. After that, I got to sample a2 Milk® at nutrition conferences and experience the great taste for myself. I thought it was so fascinating that science has given us not only the ability to differentiate between the two beta-casein proteins, but also an understanding of how they may affect digestion.
And it’s even cooler to me that dairy farmers and food manufacturers have found a solution to this particular challenge. This makes it possible for some people to reintroduce milk and dairy foods by consuming milk that naturally contains only the A2 protein. a2 Milk® is easier on digestion and may help some people avoid discomfort. If you think this switch could help you, it might be time to rethink your milk and give a2 Milk® a try!
To learn more about where dairy comes from, check out the posts in my Dive Into Dairy series!
Now let’s get to that latte recipe so I can show off how I’m currently enjoying the whole milk version of a2 Milk®!
Homemade Vanilla Lavender Latte
I drew inspiration for this homemade latte recipe from a local coffee shop that put a seasonal honey-lavender latte on the menu. I liked the sweetness from the honey, plus the lavender gave it a nice floral aroma with each sip. I had a bag of culinary lavender in my pantry and seized the opportunity to use it again!
The first step to make this homemade vanilla lavender latte with a2 Milk® is to make your honey lavender simple syrup. I used a 1:1 ratio of water and honey, plus 2 tablespoons of culinary lavender pods for every cup of water. I make it in a batch big enough to get me through a week: 1 cup water, 1 cup honey, and 2 tablespoons lavender.
Making a simple syrup is indeed simple. Just heat the water, honey, and lavender in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Once it’s simmered, the honey should be fully dissolved (but give it a whisk just to be sure). After it steeps and cools for about 20 minutes, strain the lavender out and transfer it to a small jar to store in the fridge.
Street Smart Nutrition Tip: This step can be done ahead of time, which means your homemade Vanilla Lavender Latte can be made in just a few minutes!
If you’re making a hot version of this recipe, make a fresh shot of espresso for each serving. You can also substitute 4-6 ounces of strongly brewed coffee. Note that the flavor may be slightly different with this ratio, but play around until you find a version that suits your taste preferences.
If you’re making the iced version, you can still use a shot of espresso. But I’ve also had good luck using a cold brew concentrate or a chilled version of the strongly brewed coffee. It may have a more bitter flavor the longer it chills, but you can adjust by adding more of the a2 Milk® or homemade simple syrup if needed.
No matter which way you serve it, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of a2 Milk®. I keep the whole milk version in my fridge because I really like the extra creaminess. It tends to froth up better than the reduced-fat version, in my opinion. The chocolate variety of a2 Milk® is a little harder to find in my area, but once I track it down I’ll be making a mocha version of this recipe!
Here’s the recipe for my Vanilla Lavender Latte!
Homemade Vanilla Lavender Latte
Ingredients
Honey Lavender Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup honey
- 2 tbsp culinary lavender
Homemade Vanilla Lavender Latte
- 6 oz whole a2 Milk®
- 2-3 oz espresso
- 1 oz honey lavender simple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- culinary lavender, for garnish, optional
- 6-8 ice cubes, optional, if serving iced
Instructions
To Make the Simple Syrup
- Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk to combine. Bring to a slow boil over medium-high heat.
- Remove from heat and allow to steep for 20 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the culinary lavender pods, then store in a sealed container for up to one week.
To Make the Vanilla Lavender Latte (Hot)
- Using either a milk frother or a small saucepan, heat the A2 milk over medium heat. As the milk heats, add the honey lavender simple syrup and vanilla extract.
- While the milk is frothing, prepare the espresso in a coffee mug. Once milk is heated, pour over the prepared espresso to fill the coffee mug.
- Garnish with additional lavender, if using, and serve immediately.
To Make the Vanilla Lavender Latte (Iced)
- Prepare the espresso and transfer it to a glass.
- Combine the A2 milk, vanilla extract, and honey lavender simple syrup in a measuring cup. Use a handheld milk frother or small whisk to combine and add some froth, then pour over the prepared espresso.
- Add ice to fill the glass, then stir to combine and chill. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
If you’re curious about a2 Milk® and want to find it in your area, use the product locator tool on their website. It’s available in major retailers nationwide with online ordering and delivery/pick-up options!
And if you like this Homemade Vanilla Lavender Latte recipe, be sure to check out some of my other coffee-inspired recipes!
Questions & Reviews
I just wanted to comment to let you know this recipe is incredible! 🙂 We love A2 milk, and it’s all we buy. And then, this treat! It’s so so special; it feels like we’re celebrating with each morning cup. Thank you for the fun treat, and for spreading the word about A2 milk!! (So much easier to digest!)