Red Velvet Latte

Looking for the prettiest coffee drink that's packed with yummy flavor? This Red Velvet Latte is a vibrantly red milky and chocolatey coffee topped with a cream cheese whipped cream and it's so easy to make!

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
• 🗒 Ingredients
• 🧈 Can I use buttermilk?
• 🥛 Can I use other milks?
• ☕️ How to make a red velvet latte
• 🧁 How to make cream cheese whipped cream topping
• 🧋 Can I make this an iced latte?
• 💔 What can I use instead of red food coloring?
• 🎉 More latte recipes
• 🍰 More red velvet recipes
• 📖 Recipe

Is there anything prettier than red velvet treats? There's just something so fun about the vibrantly colored, slightly chocolatey, slightly tart desserts and I've been dreaming about a red velvet coffee for months now.

So, I decided to make one in latte form. I wanted to get as many of the elements of red velvet in that I could. And though I didn't use buttermilk or any vinegar (two classic ingredients in red velvet), I did use a little bit of chocolate and red food coloring.

Plus, I topped the latte with a cream cheese whipped cream. Because really, what's red velvet without cream cheese?

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

You'll love this red velvet latte for so many reasons, but most importantly because it's so pretty and so tasty! It's also super easy to make and pretty unique as far as coffee drinks go.

Though you can certainly use it for coloring, there's no beet juice in this latte. I know a lot of people don't love beets, so I didn't want to add any to this latte.

The coffee drink is fun to make for Valentine's Day, but really, red velvet knows no season and can be enjoyed with loved ones any time of year.

🗒 Ingredients

There are two components to this coffee drink... The red velvet chocolate milk with espresso and the cream cheese whipped cream topping. Both are super easy to make with common ingredients. Here's what you need for the latte:

• 2% milk (or dairy/non-dairy alternative of your choice)
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Vanilla extract
• Red food coloring
• Espresso or strongly brewed coffee

And here's everything you need for the cream cheese whipped cream:

• Cream cheese
• Confectioners' sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Heavy cream

🧈 Can I use buttermilk?

I made this latte with 2% milk, but if you want the true red velvet experience, you can try making it with buttermilk instead as buttermilk is traditionally the dairy that's used in red velvet recipes.

After I made and drank this a couple times, I realized that maybe it could be done with buttermilk. And when I Googled about drinking buttermilk, I learned that yes, you can drink it! And it's actually quite good for you!

I did a little experimenting and found that buttermilk is a little too tart for me when it comes to lattes (and the cream cheese whipped cream adds a nice tartness as is), but it definitely does add to the red velvet vibes!

🥛 Can I use other milks?

Yes! My favorite milk to use in this red velvet latte recipe is 2%, but you can certainly use whole milk or skim milk if you prefer.

You can even use a non-dairy alternative like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Just note that some alternative milks aren't pure white and may effect the color of the latte a bit.

☕️ How to make a red velvet latte

I didn't make this coffee drink like a traditional latte since I wanted to add chocolate to my milk and I wanted it to be easy for everyone to make at home with no special equipment.

To start, add milk and chocolate chips to a small saucepan over low-medium heat. I only added a little bit of chocolate because I wanted the flavor there, but I didn't want too much richness. Red velvet cake is typically flavored with just a little bit of chocolate.

Heat for about 10 minutes, while whisking, until milk is hot (140-145 degrees) and chocolate has melted.

Remove saucepan from heat and stir vanilla and red food coloring into the warm milk until it's a smooth mixture. This is my favorite food coloring to use.

Ooh doesn't it look like the perfect shade of red velvet??

And now that your red velvet mixture is made, just pour espresso or strongly brewed coffee into a heat-proof mug or glass. You can make the coffee in a traditional coffee maker or an espresso machine or you can use a K-Cup pod.

Here are the glass coffee mugs that I use.

Pour the hot red velvet chocolate milk over the espresso shot.

Top with cream cheese whipped cream and sprinkles, if desired.

Which I do think sprinkles are kind of necessary here.

🧁 How to make cream cheese whipped cream topping

If you're in a rush or want a lighter red velvet coffee, you don't have to make the cream cheese whipped cream for the latte, but I highly recommend it! There's something so special about red velvet and cream cheese frosting together and I just don't think it's the same without it.

However, you can simply use regular whipped cream or frothed milk if you'd prefer to have a more traditional latte feel.

But making the cream cheese whipped cream is easy!

Simply put the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl and mix together using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until completely combined.

You can also use a hand mixer, but since it's only 1 oz. of cream cheese and 2 Tbsp of confectioners' sugar, I find it easier to mix by hand (otherwise, most of it gets stuck in the beaters).

Once the cream cheese and sugar are combined, add vanilla and heavy cream to the bowl and using a hand mixer (or using a whisk and your own arm strength), beat until soft peaks are formed.

It will have the consistency of a whipped cream that's a little bit heavier, but with a silky texture.

And it tastes absolutely amazing! Just like a slice of red velvet cake. It's light, but also rich and tastes kind of like a contradiction, but the very best kind.

And it also goes fabulously with the chocolatey red milk and espresso. The cream cheese whipped cream adds a nice little tang and will slowly ooze into the drink and turn it into a magical creamy treat.

It's the perfect indulgent treat for the Valentine's Day holiday season!

🧋 Can I make this an iced latte?

You definitely can! I would make the red chocolate milk mixture as written and then cool it and combine it with cooled espresso over ice.

And you should still top it with the cream cheese whipped cream!

💔 What can I use instead of red food coloring?

If you don't like the idea of adding red food dye to your latte, there are a few things you can use instead.

I find that this beet powder is a little lighter on the beet flavor, so while you'll probably detect it a bit in your drink (it mostly has a slightly earthy note), it won't be as strong as other powders are.

Your red velvet drink may not be as bold red as mine is, but it will still have a nice reddish hue.

🎉 More latte recipes

I love making lattes (hot and iced) at home and have lots of recipes for unique coffee drinks. Here are some of my favorites:

• Iced Lavender Latte
• Pistachio Latte
• Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte
• Iced Gingerbread Latte
• Apple Crisp Macchiato
• Chocolate Covered Strawberry Frappuccino
• Mocha Latte (from Spoonful of Flavor)

🍰 More red velvet recipes

And, of course, I have a few other favorite red velvet treats! While they're always a fun way for celebrating Valentine's Day, red velvet desserts are really appropriate for enjoying all year round. Here are some of the best:

• Red Velvet Cookies Dough Bars
• Red Velvet Pop Tarts
• Red Velvet Ice Cream with Cookie Dough
• Not-So-Red Velvet Cupcakes
• Red Velvet Marshmallow Peeps Cupcakes
• Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies (from Just a Taste)

If you're looking for a fun and tasty treat, definitely try this red velvet latte with cream cheese whipped cream!

It's one of my new favorite recipes for Valentine's Day and way more fun than the typical hot chocolate or average cup of coffee.

You may never want regular coffee again!

What's your favorite flavor latte?

📖 Recipe