The Starbucks vanilla latte (often ordered as a Blonde Vanilla Latte) is a simple but delicious menu item.
It's basically espresso, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup. If you prefer a sweeter taste, keep the standard pumps. If you want it lighter, just ask for fewer.
Quick Answer: What is a Starbucks vanilla latte?
A Starbucks vanilla latte is espresso, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup. If you order a Blonde Vanilla Latte, it's the same idea but made with Starbucks' blonde espresso roast.
You can also make it dairy-free by swapping the milk, and you can easily adjust the sweetness by asking for fewer pumps of vanilla.
Starbucks drinks can be daunting to order due to their highly customizable nature.
Here is everything you need to know, including how to order one and how to customize it.
Starbucks vanilla latte ingredients
Starbucks vanilla latte is a simple coffee drink and contains only three ingredients.
It’s one of the most popular menu items due to its sweet and simple flavor.
This makes it one of the easiest drinks to order and one of the simplest to modify for your barista. The ingredients are as follows:
- Milk
- Espresso coffee
- Vanilla syrup
A Grande (16 fl oz) contains 35g (1.23 oz) of sugar, 6g (0.21 oz) of fat, and 170 mg (0.01 oz) of caffeine, although these numbers change when you make alterations to the drink.
If you’re curious about the nutrition and caffeine information of more drinks, don’t forget to use my tool below:
While most allergens in the drink are replaceable, Starbucks cannot guarantee there won’t be cross-contamination.
If you have a severe allergy, please speak with the staff to determine the best option for you.
How much caffeine is in a vanilla latte from Starbucks?
The creamy, sweet combination of espresso and vanilla flavoring can be found in the hands of caffeine lovers everywhere, but how much caffeine is in a vanilla latte?
According to Starbucks’ own website, their vanilla latte contains the following amounts of caffeine for each available cup size:
- A Short (8 fl oz) vanilla latte contains 85mg of caffeine.
- A Tall (12 fl oz) vanilla latte contains 85mg of caffeine.
- A Grande (16 fl oz) vanilla latte contains 170mg of caffeine.
- A Venti (20 fl oz) vanilla latte contains 170mg of caffeine.
As you can see, the caffeine content is quite high when ordering a larger latte.
Please note that the caffeine content is an approximate value, as stated on Starbucks’ website.
How to customize the Starbucks vanilla latte
You can customize your beverage to suit your taste in several ways. These are some of the best customizations currently available at Starbucks.
Change your coffee shot
The standard menu version of the Starbucks vanilla latte is made with a double espresso shot. Here are a few ways you can change that:
- Change the number of espresso shots in your coffee. If this is your first drink of the day, you might want that extra kick in your drink, or if you’re not looking for a considerable buzz, you can reduce it to a single shot.
- Switch to decaf. If you like your coffee decaffeinated, there are many options available. You can order completely decaffeinated coffee or choose a low-caffeine blend, such as a 1/2 decaf.
- Change your espresso roast. Starbucks offers a choice between its signature espresso roast and its blonde espresso roast.
- Customize your espresso method. Starbucks offers the option to choose between ristretto and long-shot espresso. The ristretto uses less water than the long shot, allowing for a more concentrated coffee flavor.
Customize your milk options
The menu version of a vanilla latte includes a standard 2% milk. However, there are several reasons this might not be suitable for you.
If you are vegan or lactose intolerant, you will want an alternative. You may even want to switch to a heavier milk option if you feel extra indulgent.
Here are a few ways you can customize your milk:
- Go dairy-free. Starbucks offers a range of milk alternatives, so you can still enjoy your coffee if you don’t drink milk. Choose from almond, coconut, oat, and soy milk.
- Opt for creamier milk. Starbucks defaults to 2% milk. If that isn't your preference, you can swap it for something creamier, lighter, or dairy-free.
- Opt for nonfat milk. Is 2% fat too much for your taste? You can order completely nonfat milk.
- Go for cream instead. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, why not go for a cream? Starbucks currently offers heavy cream and vanilla sweet cream in your drink.
- Customize the foam. A good latte has just the right amount of foam. If you want your barista to go a little lighter or heavier on the foam, you can ask them at the counter or opt for it online.
Customize your flavor
Starbucks’ vanilla latte comes with four pumps of vanilla syrup, but it is highly customizable. Here are some ways to customize your flavor.
- Reduce the amount of vanilla syrup. If you want a milder taste in your latte, you can ask them to put fewer pumps of vanilla. You can even add more if you like, but this is too strong for most people.
- Add extra syrups. There are too many syrups available to list here, but some of the best to complement a vanilla latte are apple brown sugar, caramel, or cinnamon dolce syrup.
- Switch to a sugar-free vanilla syrup. The vanilla is available in a sugar-free option. Ask for four pumps of that instead of the regular syrup.
- Add a sauce. A wide variety of sauces is available to add to your drink. Add the toasted white chocolate mocha or pumpkin sauce for a seasonal twist to your drink.
- Add a topping. If you love a cozy Starbucks drink, whipped cream is a must. You can also add sprinkles, ground cinnamon, and a variety of foams. Ask your barista about their offerings for the best options.
How to order a Starbucks vanilla latte
The Starbucks vanilla latte is already listed on the menu as a Blonde Vanilla Latte.
If you are happy with the latte as it comes, simply ask for it, and you’re ready to go.
You can also order on their website. This is particularly helpful if you want to add customizations, as all the options are listed there for you to change as you like.
If you like your coffee with numerous additions, ordering this way will save you and the barista a lot of time.
If you’d like to customize your coffee in-store, your barista will be happy to assist you.
However, it is a good idea to have your order decided on before you get to the counter, so you don’t hold up the queue too much.
They have a great range of options, but try and keep it as simple as possible. Baristas are only human, and complex orders can hold people up.
Tip: If you want to get more tips on how to order at Starbucks like a pro, have a look at this article.
Can you make a Starbucks vanilla latte at home?
Due to its simple ingredient list, anyone can make a delicious vanilla latte at home that rivals the Starbucks version in quality.
The great thing about this is that it is even more customizable than the Starbucks version. You can make it exactly how you like it.
You can find my recipe for a vanilla latte with homemade syrup here on this website.
The recipe teaches you how to make your own vanilla syrup, but you can follow along with any sort of syrup to make your own vanilla lattes at home.
If you prefer to make your coffee in a machine, you can easily recreate the latte this way as well.
Amazon sells Starbucks by Nespresso Blonde Roast Espresso pods for your device, allowing you to create the same classic Starbucks espresso you know and love.
Just add milk and vanilla syrup for a great-tasting coffee!
Starbucks vanilla latte FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions about this delicious drink:
Does a vanilla latte contain coffee?
Yes, the vanilla latte contains two shots of espresso. This can be customized to your liking, allowing you to swap it for decaf if you prefer to reduce your caffeine intake.
Is a Starbucks vanilla latte sweet or bitter?
The Starbucks vanilla latte comes very sweet, with plenty of frothed milk and four pumps of vanilla syrup.
If you prefer a bolder vanilla latte, consider adding an extra shot of coffee and reducing the number of pumps of vanilla syrup. You can also add vanilla syrup to a cappuccino for a hint of vanilla with a richer taste.
What is the difference between a vanilla latte and vanilla coffee?
Vanilla lattes are prepared in a specific way, whereas vanilla coffee can be any coffee that has been enhanced with vanilla syrup.
A latte is made with a shot or two of espresso, topped with frothed milk. Adding vanilla syrup to this specific drink will make it a vanilla latte.
Conclusion
A Starbucks vanilla latte is one of those “safe pick” drinks that still feels like a treat.
Order it as-is if you love a sweeter latte, or make it your own by adjusting the milk, switching to a different espresso roast, or dialing the vanilla pumps up or down.
And if you'd rather skip the line, it's also an easy at-home drink: espresso (or strong coffee), steamed milk, and a little vanilla syrup.
Do you like your vanilla latte extra sweet, or more coffee-forward with fewer pumps? Let me know in the comments!
