Kat's Kitchen

Skip the coffee shop lines and save money with this easy Starbucks Pistachio Latte copykat recipe! This homemade version features a rich and nutty pistachio syrup that’s incredibly simple to make with just four ingredients. Paired with creamy milk and bold espresso, this latte delivers the same cozy, indulgent flavors you love—right from your own kitchen. Get ready to elevate your at-home coffee game

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Please note, full measurements are listed on the recipe card at the bottom of the recipe. Scroll to the end, or click the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the page.

Pistachio Syrup: Since this is a Pistachio Latte, you’ll need a pistachio flavored syrup! Starbucks uses a Pistachio Sauce, but I promise this drink tastes just as delicious with a syrup rather than a sauce! I have a Homemade Pistachio Syrup that is only 4 ingredients and comes together in under 15 minutes, but you could also use a store-bought version like the Torani Pistachio Syrup. If you want more of a sauce vibe, simply combine the pistachio syrup with an equal amount of sweetened condensed milk!

Espresso: Since this is a latte, you need espresso. See my 5 Ways to Make Espresso at Home blog post for all the different ways you can make espresso at home. It doesn’t matter which method you choose, simply follow the espresso making steps to get your espresso shots, and then use that to make your own Starbucks Pistachio Latte.

Milk: Starbucks uses 2% milk in this recipe, but you can absolutely use whatever milk you prefer in a latte.

Salted Brown-Buttery Topping: I recently stumbled across this McCormick Brown Butter Seasoning on Amazon and it is a perfect store-bought dupe for the Starbucks Salted Brown-Buttery Topping! If you prefer to make a homemade topping, you’ll need: Butter Powder, Light Brown Sugar, and Salt.

How To Make Espresso At Home

Espresso is an essential ingredient in all lattes, and it’s a type of coffee that you cannot buy from the store, but rather, you need to make it yourself at home. There are five ways to make espresso at home:

• Instant Espresso Powder + water
• Nespresso Machine + espresso pods
• Moka Pot
• Aeropress
• Espresso Machine

See my 5 Ways To Make Espresso At Home blog post for step by step instructions of each espresso making method!

What’s The Best Coffee For Espresso?

The best coffee to buy depends on which espresso making method you choose at home. For example, if you have a Nespresso machine, you’d need espresso pods. For an espresso machine like a Breville or Delonghi, you’d need whole beans or ground coffee rather than pods.

See My Favorite Coffees To Buy based on the different espresso making methods so you can select the best possible coffee for you and your homemade lattes!

How To Steam Milk For a Hot Starbucks Pistachio Latte?

Hot lattes require steamed milk as one of the ingredients. To steam milk at home, you have a few options:

1. Steam Wand: If you have an espresso machine with a steam wand attached to it, watch this Milk Steaming Video Tutorial for how to steam milk! You simply add milk to a milk frothing pitcher, insert the tip of the steam wand into the milk, and create air bubbles, heat and texture to create perfect, velvety steamed milk at home!
2. Electric Milk Frother: Add your milk to an electric milk frother, and select the hot setting. The milk frother will heat the milk as well as create a thick and foamy texture. The texture will be a little different than a typical steam wand, but it’s very similar and pleasant, and a great option if you don’t have an espresso machine with a steam wand.
3. Handheld Milk Frother: Add cold milk to a large coffee mug and place the mug in the microwave for 60 seconds. Alternatively, you can heat up milk in a pot on the stove until warm, just make sure to constantly stir it so it doesn’t burn. Once your milk is warm, insert a handheld milk frother into the warm milk. Froth the mixture until the milk doubles in size and becomes bubbly and frothy, and you have steamed milk for your hot Pistachio Latte!

Note, for an iced Starbucks Pistachio Latte, you do not need to warm or steam the milk. Simply skip this step, and use cold milk straight from the fridge.

How To Make Homemade Pistachio Syrup?

See my Homemade Pistachio Syrup recipe for full details! For a store bought option, use the Torani Pistachio Syrup!

How To Make an Iced Starbucks Pistachio Latte

1. In a small cup or bowl, combine the butter powder, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix the ingredients well with a spoon, and set aside. Note, if you’re using the store-bought McCormick Brown Butter Seasoning, you can skip this step.
2. Brew your espresso shots using your preferred espresso making method.
3. To a cup, add pistachio syrup, espresso, milk, and ice.
4. Top with your homemade brown butter topping, or the McCormick Brown Butter Seasoning, and enjoy your iced pistachio latte!

How To Make a Hot Starbucks Pistachio Latte

1. In a small cup or bowl, combine the butter powder, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix the ingredients well with a spoon, and set aside. Note, if you’re using the store-bought McCormick Brown Butter Seasoning, you can skip this step.
2. Brew your espresso shots using your preferred espresso making method.
3. Combine pistachio syrup and espresso together in a cup.
4. Add milk to a milk frothing pitcher, and steam the milk using a steam wand. You could also froth the milk using a Nespresso aerroccino, or you could warm the milk in a pot/in the microwave, and froth the warmed milk with a handheld milk frother until foamy.
5. Pour the steamed/frothed milk over the pistachio-espresso mixture.
6. Top with your homemade brown butter topping, or the McCormick Brown Butter Seasoning, and enjoy your hot pistachio latte!

What Ratios Does Starbucks Use?

I like my lattes to be a bit more coffee tasting than milky tasting, so my ratios are a slightly different from Starbucks. If you want to most accurately replicate the Starbucks ratios for a pistachio latte, follow these ratios:

ICED PISTACHIO LATTE

HOT PISTACHIO LATTE

How Can I Make a Dairy Free Pistachio Latte?

For a dairy free Pistachio Latte, keep everything in the recipe the same, simply substitute the 2% milk for your favorite plant based milk and make sure to follow the Homemade Brown Butter Topping recipe on the recipe card!

How Can I Make a Sugar Free Pistachio Latte?

For a sugar free Pistachio Latte:

• Make your Homemade Pistachio Syrup sugar free by swapping the cane sugar for a sugar free substitute like stevia or monk fruit.
• Make a sugar free brown butter topping by swapping the light brown sugar for a sugar free brown sugar substitute like swerve.
• Use an unsweetened milk like almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk.

How Can I Make This Into a Cold Brew?

If you prefer a cold brew coffee rather than an iced or hot latte, check out my Starbucks Pistachio Cream Cold Brew recipe!

How Would I Make This as a Frappuccino or Blended Coffee?

See my Starbucks Pistachio Frappuccino Recipe!

More Pistachio Recipes To Try:

• Starbucks Pistachio Cream Cold Brew
• Starbucks Pistachio Frappuccino

Starbucks Pistachio Latte

Bring the coffee shop experience home with this easy Starbucks Pistachio Latte recipe! Featuring a simple homemade pistachio syrup made with just four ingredients, this creamy and nutty latte is perfect for saving money while enjoying your favorite flavors at home.

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Course: Drinks

Keyword: Coffee, Latte, Starbucks

Prep Time: 8 minutes minutes

Servings: 1

Author: katerinafaith

Equipment

• Espresso Machine/Maker

Ingredients

Iced Starbucks Pistachio Latte

• 1-2 tablespoons Homemade Pistachio Syrup or Torani Pistachio Syrup
• 2 shots espresso ~2.5 ounces
• 8 ounces 2% milk
• ice cubes
• Brown Butter Topping or see homemade recipe below

Hot Starbucks Pistachio Latte

• 1-2 tablespoons Homemade Pistachio Syrup or Torani Pistachio Syrup
• 2 shots espresso ~2.5 ounces
• 8 ounces 2% milk steamed
• Brown Butter Topping or see homemade recipe below

Homemade Brown Butter Topping

• 1/4 teaspoon butter powder
• 1/2 teaspoon light brown sugar
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

Iced Starbucks Pistachio Latte

• In a small cup or bowl, combine the butter powder, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix the ingredients well with a spoon, and set aside. Note, if you’re using the store-bought McCormick Brown Butter Seasoning, you can skip this step.
• Brew your espresso shots using your preferred espresso making method.
• To a cup, add pistachio syrup, espresso, milk, and ice.
• Top with your homemade brown butter topping, or the McCormick Brown Butter Seasoning, and enjoy your iced pistachio latte!

Hot Starbucks Pistachio Latte

• In a small cup or bowl, combine the butter powder, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix the ingredients well with a spoon, and set aside. Note, if you’re using the store-bought McCormick Brown Butter Seasoning, you can skip this step.
• Brew your espresso shots using your preferred espresso making method.
• Combine pistachio syrup and espresso together in a cup.
• Add milk to a milk frothing pitcher, and steam the milk using a steam wand. You could also froth the milk using a Nespresso aerroccino, or you could warm the milk in a pot/in the microwave, and froth the warmed milk with a handheld milk frother until foamy.
• Pour the steamed/frothed milk over the pistachio-espresso mixture.
• Top with your homemade brown butter topping, or the McCormick Brown Butter Seasoning, and enjoy your hot pistachio latte!

Homemade Brown Butter Topping

• Combine butter powder, brown sugar, and salt in a small bowl and mix to combine.