Copycat Starbucks Olive Oil Latte

This olive oil latte is trendy and tasty! Try this copycat Starbucks recipe using a few key ingredients to make a creamy, delicious homemade oat milk latte with olive oil. 

If you’re a coffee enthusiast, you may have already seen the recent news: Starbucks just launched a line of olive oil-infused beverages on select menus!

The Oleato line launched on February 22, 2023 in Milan, Italy. It’s starting with their Reserve Roastery and will be added to menus in select stores in the United States. If you’re like me, living in a landlocked state far from southern California where you could actually head over to a local Starbucks for these drinks…you won’t be able to try them.

But wait…plot twist, you actually can! Starbucks released some key details about the drinks when they announced the launch. So if you’re curious about what an olive oil infused coffee tastes like, keep reading!

If you’re a coffee enthusiast looking for more trendy drinks to try at home, check out my Espresso Tonic!

Why You’ll Love This Olive Oil Latte

If you’re already a coffee lover, skip to the recipe because you need no convincing! Here’s why I think this olive oil latte is worth trying:

• No special ingredients needed! If you’re already making homemade lattes at home, you’re equipped with everything you need for this Starbucks dupe
• It’s rich and creamy, with a luxuriously smooth texture that equals the classic whole milk latte
• You can enjoy a boost of heart-healthy fats in the morning thanks to the unsaturated fats found in olive oil in this copycat Starbucks recipe

More on olive oil nutrition later! But first: who decided putting olive oil in your coffee was going to be a thing?

The Starbucks CEO was inspired by a trip to Italy and referenced the longevity hotspots known as “Blues Zones”. I’ve never been to Italy so I’m not sure how authentic this is to Italian coffee traditions. If you’re more knowledgeable than me, please leave a comment and let me know! 

The Oleato line also includes an Iced Shaken Espresso with hazelnut syrup, oat milk, Partanna olive oil, and ice. And the Oleato Golden Foam™ Cold Brew, which is cold brew coffee capped with a layer of foam that’s infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil and vanilla. It’s supposed to slowly cascade through the drink to create a smooth, yet rich, texture. Doesn’t that sound delightful?

Olive Oil and Coffee

While Starbucks might be the first to launch a menu item like this in multiple locations, they certainly aren’t the first to figure out that putting olive oil in your coffee could be a tasty combo. Some small, independent coffee shops have featured it on seasonal or permanent menus long before now. 

The tradition of adding fat to coffee is ancient in some parts of the world. For example, the Oromo people of Ethiopia chewed coffee beans mixed with animal fat. It sustained them while hunting and foraging, and although the practice didn’t continue into modern times, we see that combination in other drinks. 

Most notably, “bulletproof coffee” uses MCT oil, coconut oil, or ghee in coffee. It claims to help with focus and attention while allowing you to fast through the first part of the day. However, there’s limited evidence to support these claims. If you like the flavor and texture of these added fats and oils, go for it! But to me, it definitely falls under the category of biohacking bro-science and can contribute to orthorexic patterns (an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating). 

The bottom line: adding fat or oil to coffee isn’t a new trend, but olive oil seems to be the newest addition to the trend. Fat contributes to satiety or the feeling of fullness, but you shouldn’t rely on that as an excuse to skip a meal or delay eating if you’re feeling hungry in the morning. Coffee, even with olive oil added to it, is not a meal. Please eat something with it!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This copycat Starbucks olive oil latte is so simple to make with just a few ingredients!

• Espresso: to make a true Starbucks dupe, look for the blonde roast in whichever capsule or pod fits your machine.
• Oatmilk: the original Oatly is used by many coffeeshops these days, plus it’s available in most retailers so it’s easy to find.
• Olive oil: according to Starbucks, the Partanna Extra-Virgin Olive Oil is ideal for this olive oil latte recipe because of its buttery flavor notes, which can really complement the caramel notes in fresh roasted espresso. It’s made from Castelvetrano olives.

You can add a flavored syrup or sweetener if you want to. But I’d really recommend trying it without additional ingredients first to see what you think about adding olive oil to your coffee.

Can I use something other than oat milk?

Yes, you can swap the oat milk in this olive oil latte recipe for another milk or dairy-free alternative. 

Just don’t go with a low fat or totally fat-free option, like skim milk or almond milk. There’s not a high enough fat content to fully emulsify the olive oil. That means you’ll likely have a lot of separation after frothing. It can impact both flavor and texture. Overall, not a very good experience so I don’t recommend those options. 

However, here are some that could work well in this Starbucks dupe:

• Whole milk
• Coconut milk
• Cashew milk
• Soy milk

Some non-dairy milk brands are now making a “barista blend” that’s designed to be thicker and creamier. If those are available where you shop, they’re probably the best alternative option for an olive oil latte.

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t feel intimidated by this Starbucks dupe! It’s easy to make an olive oil latte at home with any pod-based espresso machine and milk frother.

I personally love my Breville milk frother. During the early days of Covid, when coffeeshop visits became a thing of the past, we invested in something to make morning coffee feel more special at home. And now it’s safe to say, I don’t think we can ever go back! It’s great for homemade lattes, mochas, hot chocolate, even chilled drinks. It uses a dial to control the heating element so you can set the temperature to as hot as you want or mix with no heat at all. And of course, it’s great for Starbucks dupes like this olive oil latte because you don’t need a full blown espresso machine that costs hundreds or thousands of dollars.

I also love my little Nespresso machine. I use this one in my office, but there are countless options these days. Look for a durable option with a large reservoir that will hold up well under regular use. You can sometimes score a great deal on holiday sales, refurbished options, or online marketplaces like eBay or Facebook marketplace. 

I personally haven’t tried this olive oil latte recipe using other tools, like a Keurig or handheld milk frother. However, in the next section I’ll share the ideal ratios of espresso to oat milk for this copycat Starbucks recipe. 

How To Make an Olive Oil Latte

Don’t feel intimidated by this Starbucks dupe! It’s easy to make an olive oil latte at home with any pod-based espresso machine and milk frother.

1. Measure the oat milk and olive oil into the milk brother. Adjust the dial so the milk will heat as it froths, then turn it on and let it do its thing!
2. Meanwhile, make a shot of espresso. Let it dispense directly into your mug or transfer it from a smaller double-walled espresso glass if you’re feeling fancy.
3. Once the oat milk and olive oil are well-mixed and heated, pour the frothy mixture into your freshly brewed espresso and enjoy!

If you don’t have a milk frother, you can heat the oat milk and olive oil in a small saucepan on the stovetop. Be sure to use very low heat to avoid scalding or scorching. Whisk it as it gradually heats to create a creamy, smooth texture.

How much olive oil to put in my latte?

According to all the Starbucks press releases, they’re using “a spoonful” or about a tablespoon. Without knowing the finer details of all their recipes, I assume this could vary depending on which size drink you order.

I used one tablespoon for this olive oil latte and felt that was about the right amount. It definitely has a distinct aroma and it’s considerably more creamy than a standard oat milk latte would be. This is also based on the standard espresso ratio of approximately 7 grams of ground coffee (about 2 teaspoons) to yield 1.5 oz of espresso.

What to Serve with an Olive Oil Latte

Like I mentioned earlier, coffee is not a meal! Even though this Starbucks dupe is delicious, it doesn’t offer enough energy or nutrition to be considered a balanced meal. I recommend pairing this recipe with some of my most popular breakfast recipes:

• Balsamic Strawberry Avocado Toast
• Maple-Tahini Oatmeal with Pomegranates and Pistachios
• Banana Nut Baked Oatmeal Cups
• Breakfast Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Blueberries and Walnuts
• Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

The olive oil latte is rich and creamy, which makes it very filling. But it has a pleasantly mild flavor without being sweet. This makes it an ideal pairing for oatmeal bowls, overnight oats, baked breakfast recipes, and avocado toast topped with fresh or dried fruit.

Here’s the full recipe for my version of the copycat Starbucks Olive Oil Latte!

If you try this copycat Starbucks olive oil latte recipe, leave a comment and rating to let me know what you think. I’m curious how you think it compares to other Starbucks dupes!

As always, thanks for stopping by Street Smart Nutrition. Cheers to more fearlessly nourishing meals!