Breve Coffee
This Breve Latte recipe is a rich and creamy coffee beverage that's made with half & half and a shot of espresso! The perfect latte to fill your morning mug with!
This Latte Breve Coffee Recipe is a 2-ingredient, 5-minute recipe that’s an easy switch up to your coffee routine. You’ll love the simplicity of this rich coffee drink!
While sipping on your cafe breve enjoy a slice of Starbucks Banana Bread or a perfectly dense Chocolate Chip Muffin!
The Breve Latte Is The Creamiest!
Breve Lattes are great for serving at brunch with the girls or just enjoying at the end of a long day! Once this rich drink hits your lips you’ll have found your new favorite way to indulge in coffee!
So what is a Breve Coffee? So glad you asked!
A Breve Latte is an espresso-based coffee drink that’s made with steamed half-and-half. Using half-and-half makes this drink incredibly fluffy and rich! A traditional latte is made with espresso and steamed milk.
It’s a very simple latte recipe that goes perfectly with Chocolate Donuts!
Breve Latte Ingredients
All you need to make this creamy, foam filled drink is espresso and half & half!
You can brew the espresso a few different ways starting with the easiest route, an espresso machine (I have this one and it’s worth EVERY penny). A Nespresso machine will also work as well as just using a bold roast in a french press.
If you’re really in a pinch don’t be afraid to use instant espresso! Next, the milk needs to be steamed and frothed!
This is done easiest in an espresso machine with a built-in steamer. You can also heat the milk on the stovetop in a small saucepan being careful not to let the milk simmer or boil. Then use a hand frother or immersion blender to froth the milk.
Again, if you’re in a pinch, add the milk to a mason jar and shake until its super bubbly. Then microwave it until the foam rises to the top, being careful not to let it bubble over.
Whichever way you choose to steam your milk, I find it handy to have a beverage thermometer. This ensures that you get the milk to the right temperature which is about 160 degrees F.
Easy Ways To Lower Caffeine In Your Breve Latte
If you’re looking to enjoy all that creamy goodness without the caffeine buzz, there are a couple of easy swaps you can make!
- Go Decaf: Simply use decaf espresso or coffee in place of regular. You’ll still get that delicious flavor and rich foam, just without the jitters!
- Reduce the Shots: Use a single espresso shot instead of two, or stretch your drink with more steamed half & half for a lighter touch.
That way, even if you’re sensitive to caffeine or just want a gentler cup for afternoon sipping, you can enjoy your Breve Latte with peace of mind.
How To Make Breve Coffee
- Pour a shot of espresso into a mug.
- Steam half & half in a steaming pitcher.
- Hold back the foam while pouring the milk into the mug with the espresso shot.
- Scoop the foam out into the top of the latte.
Caffe Breve Latte Variations
Iced Breve: Simply add espresso and half & half to a large glass over ice.
Flavors: Just add a small amount of the syrup to the brewed coffee before adding in the milk foam. Adding chocolate syrup would make for a delicious mocha breve!
Dairy-Free: To make this espresso beverage dairy-free, you can substitute the half & half for coconut milk or cashew milk.
Why I Love This Breve Coffee Recipe
- Quick! This Breve Latte fills your cup in just 5 minutes!
- Fluffy! Steamed half-and-half increases the foam volume from the increased fat content, making it incredibly fluffy!
- Hot Or Cold! You can enjoy this hot or cold! For the cold version just stir the espressos and half & half together with ice!
- Anyone Can Make One! No fancy coffee shop setup is needed to make this latte!
Storing and Reheating Your Breve Latte
Let’s be real—this latte is absolute magic when it’s fresh and silky right out of your mug. But sometimes life gets busy or you accidentally make a little extra (oops). No worries! Here’s how to keep that dreamy Breve for later:
- Refrigerate It: Pour any leftover latte into a mason jar with a tight lid and stash it in the fridge. It’ll keep for about a day.
- Warm It Back Up: When you’re ready for round two, just pour your latte into a small saucepan and gently heat over medium (no boiling!). Give it a whisk or use a hand frother like this one to bring some foam back to life.
Just remember, the foam won’t be quite as lofty the second time around, but it’ll still be deliciously sippable!
More Coffee Recipes
Whether you prefer to enjoy your caffeine hot or cold, in the morning or midday, there’s a delicious cup of coffee waiting for everyone! Here are more recipes to fill your mug with that will keep you going through your day!
- Pumpkin Spice Latte – Loaded with everyone’s favorite fall flavors such as pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg!
- Spiced Coffee – Easily make this recipe in your favorite coffee maker and top it with whipped cream!
- Whipped Coffee – A frothy drink ready in just 5 minutes using only 4 ingredients!
- Iced Coffee Bar & Homemade Creamers – Perfect for entertaining guests with tons of choices in flavors, toppings, and creamers!
- Mocha Coffee Punch – Amazingly creamy and delicious!
This recipe was originally published in March 2021 and was updated in March 2025 with new content.
Steps
Pour an espresso shot into a mug. You can do a single or double shot.
Steam the half & half to 160°F in a steaming pitcher.
Use the back of a large spoon to hold back the foam while pouring the half and half into the mug with the espresso.
Scoop the foam out into the top of the latte.
Notes
- I prefer to make double shot lattes, as pictured, but you can do a single 1-ounce shot.
- To make an iced version, simply stir the espresso and half & half together with ice.
- Breve drinks tend to be fluffier than the average latte made with standard milk since steamed half-and-half increases the foam volume due to the increased fat content.
Milk Steaming Options:
- If you have an espresso machine with a built-in steamer, this is the easiest way to make steamed milk for a latte. Simply fill your frothing pitcher with milk, place the steaming wand in the milk, and steam for about 30 to 45 seconds. Then, bring the wand just under the surface of the milk and continue to steam until the froth begins to build. The milk for a latte should reach 160 degrees F. I like using a beverage thermometer.
- If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can heat the milk up on the stovetop in a small saucepan until it reaches 150 to 160 degrees F. Do not let the milk simmer or boil. Remove from heat and froth with a handheld frother or pour into a clean french press and pump until frothy.
- And if you really need to keep things basic, add the milk to a mason jar and cover with a lid and shake until super bubbly, then microwave until the foam rises to the top and the milk reaches the desired temperature. Don’t let it bubble over.
Espresso options:
- Having an espresso machine will make this recipe the easiest.
- If you have a Nespresso machine, that will work too.
- The next best option is to use a bold roast in a french press.
- Lastly, if you’re really in a pinch, you can use instant espresso.
Nutrition
- Calories321
- Carbs29g
- Protein8g
- Fat20g
- Saturated fat12g
- Sugar1g
- Sodium80mg
Estimates per serving, when a serving size is listed.
