I’ve been dreaming of Mediterranean summers: balmy sunshine, coastal adventures, and (of course) delicious food. But my checking account just can’t support a last-minute international flight. At exactly the right time, I scrolled through tiramisu lattes on my TikTok For You feed. I could picture myself enjoying the Italian dessert on a lazy vacation, and in the name of “treat culture,” I had to try it.
The trendy latte borrows its sweet-and-sour flavor from the layered dessert, so it’s not hard to see why it’s quickly gained a fanbase. But where exactly the trend started is harder to pinpoint. Enly, a model-run cafe in Lower Manhattan, is often tagged with #TiramisuLatte, and coffee shops around the country (even Toronto) serve similar drinks. Some, like Orange County, California’s Sip and Savor, garnish their lattes with fresh ladyfingers for on-the-go sipping.
Why Tiramisu Latte is Popular
The creamy latte is now known as the epitome of the #FoodTok aesthetic. Picture it: a creamy shaken latte, drizzled with vanilla cream and garnished with a generous sprinkling of cocoa powder. Under the Tiramisu Latte hashtag, you’ll find multiple videos set to the ethereal voice of Lana Del Rey, as well as videos pointing the camera at a line outside the door.
Overall, the concept of a drinkable deconstructed tiramisu sounds appealing. Feeling creative on a Friday night? Plus, you can easily turn this recipe into an unconventional espresso martini by using 2 ounces of cold brew liqueur instead of espresso.
I popped into Enly recently to try it for myself, and 20 minutes later I left with a cup of the hot coffee and was whisked straight to caffeine heaven. The craze? Of course not. I’ll admit that on a humid day the cream got all mushy and sticky pretty quickly, so while it’s definitely worth the effort, it’s best enjoyed in air-conditioned comfort.
But it’s not for everyone. Predictably, the price tag of nearly $13, including tip, has raised some eyebrows. And while the idea of putting tiramisu custard on your morning coffee may seem silly to some, I see it as an occasional afternoon treat.
Don’t worry, recreating this recipe in your own kitchen is quicker than waiting in line at the coffee shop (and easier on your wallet, too).
How to make Tiramisu cold foam
Back at home, I pulled out the ingredients needed to make a traditional tiramisu and tried to think of a way to recreate the taste. I came up with a traditional cold foam recipe that combines whipped cream with a little vanilla, tiramisu’s signature mascarpone cheese, espresso, and a pinch of sugar. Again, it only took five minutes to make.
To achieve the ideal consistency, you’ll need an electric hand whisk, which thoroughly mixes the foam ingredients and aerates the cream, giving it the fluffy texture perfect for floating on top of a latte. (If you’ve been on TikTok since the days of whipped coffee, this technique will be familiar to you.)
While cream preferences vary, this drink needs a thick, stiff cream to achieve the look and feel of tiramisu — if the cream doesn’t spill out when you tip the cup over (like Dairy Queen’s signature test), it’s not done yet.
Once frothed, pour the espresso over the milk and ice to make your latte. Spoon the cooled foamy mixture into a piping bag (a piece of parchment paper rolled into a funnel shape and taped in place works well) and pipe it over your drink. Don’t forget to sift in a little cocoa powder for an Instagram-worthy look.
I tried a little and loved the rich sweetness of the tiramisu cream. In the future, I would like to adjust the milk to espresso ratio in the latte to make it more balanced. But all in all, I think the original concept is genius. Who says you can’t eat and drink tiramisu at the same time?
Nicolette Baker is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn, New York. Her areas of expertise are primarily food, drink, and fashion media, but she enjoys covering all aspects of lifestyle with an accessible approach. She has written for Food & Wine, Byrdie, Business Insider, VinePair, and Flourish.
