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If you’ve ever sipped a flat white at a specialty coffee shop, you know it’s more of an experience than a beverage.
The flat white is a coffee drink known for its velvety consistency and gentle layer of micro foam (aka less froth than a typical cappuccino).
It’s basically that “in-between” point for people who want a stronger coffee flavor than a latte but prefer a smoother texture than a plain black coffee or Americano.
Some say it was invented by new zealanders, while others argue it came from Australia—whatever the case, it’s now on coffee shop menus all over the world, including major chains like Costa Coffee.
You start with a double shot of espresso or one single shot if you like it weaker, then top it with steamed milk that’s lightly frothed—resulting in a silky texture on top.
I love making one at home because it’s easy, uses minimal ingredients, and you can control the strength of the coffee.
Plus, if you’re up for it, you can even try a bit of latte art—or just swirl the milk in a fun design. If that fails (mine does all the time LOL), no worries; the taste is what really matters.
Also, this is a great pick if you want something a bit milder than pure black coffee but still pack a decent coffee punch. Ready to brew some happiness? Let’s jump into making a flat white!
Some of our other favorite COFFEE DRINKS we have on our site include: Homemade Kahlua (Quick Coffee Liqueur Recipe), Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee Recipe (How Long Does It Last?), and Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Coffee Creamer.
Jump to:
- WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- HOW TO MAKE FLAT WHITE:
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- WHAT IS A FLAT WHITE COFFEE?
- CAN I ADD A SWEETENER?
- ANY ADDITIONS?
- ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
- HOW TO STORE:
- DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Homemade Flat White Coffee
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Quick and Easy: It uses instant espresso or strong coffee, so you don’t necessarily need a steam wand or espresso shots from a big machine.
- Smooth Mouthfeel: By using warm milk and creating a bit of micro foam (rather than giant large bubbles), you get that classic velvety texture.
- Stronger Coffee Flavor: A good flat white usually has a higher ratio of coffee to milk than a latte, so each sip is more robust.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Instant espresso powder
- Hot water
- Warm milk
- (Optional) sweetener of choice
HOW TO MAKE FLAT WHITE:
- Add the espresso powder to a mug of your choice.
- Add hot water and stir until dissolved.
- Froth the warm milk and slowly pour it into the mug.
- Top with extra foam if desired and serve.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT IS A FLAT WHITE COFFEE?
A flat white coffee is an espresso-based coffee drink that’s smaller than a latte but bigger than a straight shot of espresso.
Coffee lovers everyone should be fans of this one.
It has less foam on top than a typical cappuccino. Instead, it’s crowned by a thin layer of micro-foamed milk, giving you that silky texture in each sip.
CAN I ADD A SWEETENER?
Definitely. Some people love a teaspoon of sugar, a drizzle of honey, or a pump of flavored syrup. Add this to the espresso layer and give it a stir before adding the foam.
Or you can keep this milky coffee unsweetened if you like to taste the pure coffee flavor.
The best way is simply whichever way you enjoy it most.
ANY ADDITIONS?
No need to stick with the standard flat white. Go crazy!
- Cinnamon dust: Sprinkle a pinch on top for a warm spice note.
- Cocoa powder: Lightly dust the surface of the drink if you love a mocha vibe.
- Honey drizzle: Stir in a teaspoon of honey at the end for natural sweetness.
- Vanilla syrup: If you want a dessert-like spin, pump a little vanilla or caramel syrup in.
- Dash of sea salt: Sounds weird, but a pinch can highlight the coffee’s depth.
- Almond or coconut milk: For a non-dairy version, just froth them well—though they might produce bigger bubbles.
- Whipped cream: If you’re skipping the “flat” concept, top with whipped cream for extra indulgence.
- Chocolate shavings: Grate a bit of your favorite chocolate bar on top.
- Peppermint extract: A tiny drop for a holiday feel—just don’t overdo it.
- Maple syrup: Another natural sweetener for those who love a twist of maple flavor.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
I love that milk texture. Makes me want to keep right on drinking!
- Espresso shots if you own an espresso machine—just use double shots of espresso for a stronger coffee flavor.
- French press coffee (brewed strong) if you have no espresso on hand.
- Skim or low-fat milk if you prefer fewer calories—though the “flat white’s identity” might be less velvety.
- Whole milk replaced by 2% or a mix of cream if you want an even richer mouthfeel.
- Coconut milk or soy milk for a dairy-free approach—just note the froth might be less stable.
- Instant coffee (double strength) if you don’t have instant espresso powder—just make sure it’s bold enough to hold its own against the milk.
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator
It’s best to drink your flat white coffee fresh, but if you must store leftover coffee and milk, keep them separate in airtight containers for about 24 hours.
Reheat the coffee and re-froth the milk if you can, but honestly, the quality might drop.
Freezer
Freezing coffee is possible, but it can lose flavor.
Milk that’s been frothed won’t freeze well either.
So, realistically, a flat white coffee is best consumed right away—milk drinks generally don’t freeze well in terms of texture.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Use room temperature milk: If your milk is cold, you’ll need to heat it to about 150-155°F for a good flat white. Don’t overheat, or it might scorch.
- Try different ways to froth: If you don’t have a steam wand, you can use a handheld frother, a French press plunger, or even shake warm milk in a jar. Just watch for spillage!
- Watch the ratio: Typically, a traditional flat white is 1 part espresso to 2 parts milk, or thereabouts. But you can tweak it to suit your taste.
- Pour slowly: Once you have your micro foam, tilt your milk jug or container and pour in a thin stream to avoid big bubbles on the surface of the drink.
- Choose good beans: If you have an espresso machine, pick a best coffee beans brand you love. A stronger coffee flavor helps the drink shine.
- Practice swirl: If you want latte art, swirl the milk gently near the top of the espresso—just for fun, even if it’s not perfect.
Making your own Homemade Potato Gnocchi—oops, I mean “Flat White”—is a breeze once you get the hang of warming and frothing milk at home.
Give it a go, experiment with add-ins, and who knows—you might skip your usual latte run next time in favor of staying home in your pajamas with your perfect “flat” masterpiece. Enjoy!
Homemade Flat White Coffee
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- ¼ cup hot water
- ½ cup warm milk 150-155°F
Instructions
- Add the espresso powder to a mug of your choice.1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- Add hot water and stir until dissolved. (Add sweetener here if desired)¼ cup hot water
- Froth the warm milk and slowly pour it into the mug.½ cup warm milk
- Top with extra foam if desired and serve.
Notes
- If your milk is cold, you’ll need to heat it to about 150-155°F for a good flat white. Don’t overheat, or it might scorch.
- If you don’t have a steam wand, you can use a handheld frother, a French press plunger, or even shake warm milk in a jar. Just watch for spillage!
- Typically, a traditional flat white is 1 part espresso to 2 parts milk, or thereabouts. But you can tweak it to suit your taste.
- Once you have your micro foam, tilt your milk jug or container and pour in a thin stream to avoid big bubbles on the surface of the drink.
- If you have an espresso machine, pick a best coffee beans brand you love. A stronger coffee flavor helps the drink shine.
- If you want latte art, swirl the milk gently near the top of the espresso—just for fun, even if it’s not perfect.
Nutrition
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