Save to Pinterest This drink fuses tart cherry syrup with smooth vanilla and robust espresso, topped with steamed milk and foam. Heat cherry preserves with water and lemon juice to create a bright syrup base. Brew a shot of espresso, then combine with vanilla and the cherry syrup in a mug. Steamed milk is poured gently on top, finished with foam and optional whipped cream and cherries for garnish. It offers an easy, flavorful pick-me-up with optional plant-based milk variants for dietary preferences.
The first time I saw someone order a cherry vanilla latte at my local coffee shop, I honestly thought they were joking. But then the barista handed over this gorgeous pink-speckled drink and the entire line of customers leaned forward to see what was happening. I went home that same afternoon and started experimenting in my tiny kitchen, making a mess of cherry preserves everywhere. Now it's become my absolute favorite way to treat myself on slow Sunday mornings.
Last month my sister came over for aemergency coffee date after a terrible job interview. I made her this cherry latte without saying much, just slid the mug across the counter with that little swirl of whipped cream on top. She took one sip, stopped mid sentence about her horrible boss, and asked if I could please teach her how to make magic. Sometimes a really good drink can fix what words cannot.
Ingredients
- Cherry preserves: The preserves give you that real fruit flavor and natural sweetness that artificial syrups just cannot replicate
- Espresso: One strong shot creates the perfect bold backbone to balance out all that sweet cherry goodness
- Milk: I prefer oat milk for how it froths up and adds its own subtle sweetness, but whatever you have in your fridge works beautifully
- Pure vanilla extract: Do not use imitation here because the real stuff makes all the difference in the final flavor profile
Instructions
- Make the cherry syrup:
- Combine the cherry preserves, water, and lemon juice in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until it turns into this gorgeous smooth syrup that smells like summer
- Brew your espresso:
- Get that shot ready while the syrup cools slightly because timing matters when you want everything to come together at the perfect temperature
- Froth the milk:
- Heat and froth your milk until it is hot and foamy, watching those bubbles form like tiny clouds that are going to make your drink feel absolutely luxurious
- Combine and layer:
- Add the cherry syrup and vanilla to your mug first, pour in the hot espresso, and give it a gentle stir to marry all those flavors together
- Add the milk:
- Pour the steamed milk over the espresso mixture, holding back the foam with a spoon, then crown it all with that gorgeous cloud you have been saving
- Garnish and serve:
- Top with whipped cream if you are feeling fancy, drizzle a little extra cherry syrup on top, and maybe add a cherry because you deserve something beautiful
Save to Pinterest This drink became my go to during a particularly difficult winter when everything felt gray and heavy. Something about that ruby red swirling through the cream made me feel like I was drinking something alive and vibrant. My roommate started requesting them every weekend, and now it is just our thing.
Making It Your Own
I have discovered that different cherry preserves change the whole personality of this drink. Tart ones give you more sophistication while the sweeter varieties make it feel like dessert in a mug. Do not be afraid to experiment until you find your perfect balance.
Temperature Play
When summer hits, I let everything cool down and pour it over ice for a version that might be even better than the hot one. The cold somehow intensifies the cherry flavor and makes each sip more refreshing than the last.
The Art of Presentation
A clear glass mug shows off those beautiful layers if you are serving this to someone else. Hold the foam back completely when pouring the milk so you get that dramatic ombr effect from dark espresso to creamy white.
- Practice your drizzle technique on a separate plate first if you care about those pretty syrup patterns
- Warm your mug with hot water before starting if you want your drink to stay hot longer
- Keep some extra cherry syrup in the fridge for whenever the mood strikes
Save to Pinterest There is something almost meditative about the ritual of making this drink, from watching the syrup bubble to that final moment when you pour the milk and watch the colors swirl together like magic.
