Looking for an easy, delicious vanilla latte recipe? If you have bourbon vanilla (like the bourbon vanilla paste from Trader Joe’s), it’s the perfect sweetener and flavor to add to your coffee. It’s a classic flavor with all the vanilla aroma that’s easy on the palette.

This drink literally only needs 3 ingredients and 5 minutes maximum. It’s the easiest latte to make with no frills. Plus, it makes an excellent base for other flavors like cinnamon, maple, orange, lavender, etc.

Here’s how to make a Bourbon vanilla latte at home!

What is Bourbon Vanilla?

If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s and have one nearby, you probably have seen their Bourbon vanilla paste on the shelves. I thought this paste had vanilla beans and bourbon, the alcohol, in it, which is a popular known flavor pairing!

Like most vanillas, Bourbon vanilla is popular for its sweet and creamy taste. It can also taste floral and marshmallow-like.

Bourbon vanilla is just another name for Madagascar vanilla beans!

Bourbon Vanilla vs. Madagascar Vanilla

Madagascar is the world’s largest producer of vanilla beans, which sold 3 million tons in 2023 alone.

Bourbon vanilla and Madagascar vanilla are used interchangeably for the same vanilla bean variety. The reason for the different names? It’s a purely geological reference.

Bourbon is the old French colonial name for an island east of Madagascar called Reunion, where Edmond Albius discovered a hand-pollination technique for pollinating vanilla orchids, forever revolutionizing vanilla production.

This hand pollination technique spread to Madagascar, which exploded its vanilla cultivation and production. That’s why you’ll find the name Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans or Madagascar vanilla or Bourbon vanilla (although I think the last one is confusing).

Do Bourbon and Vanilla Go Together?

Yes, Bourbon and vanilla go together incredibly well.

Bourbon is a sweet and aromatic whiskey made from corn and grain. It has flavors of vanilla, caramel, and oak and is popular for being a smooth and sweet alcohol.

However, what makes bourbon and vanilla particularly great is that bourbon actually has the compound vanillin, which is the main component in vanilla that makes it taste like, well, vanilla.

Food Science Break: Vanillin is from the oak barrels that bourbon ages in. When two foods share similar compounds, they, scientifically, taste better together. Isn’t that fascinating? Chocolate and blue cheese share 73 flavor compounds, and although it sounds weird at first, they technically should taste good together.

How to Use Bourbon Vanilla Paste in Coffee

You can use bourbon vanilla paste or extract in coffee in many ways. The easiest way is to use it to flavor your milk, adding a nice sweetness to your latte, cappuccino, etc.

You can use it in milkshakes and frappuccinos, or even using it with straight black coffee. Since the paste or extract is liquid, it’s easy to dissolve with other liquids, especially hot ones.

Dissolve the paste directly into the coffee if you have a Nespresso or coffee machine. Or, add it directly into any milk and froth it with an electric frother.

For alcoholic drinks, you can make a vanilla espresso martini or use it in actual bourbon whiskey.

How to Make an Iced Bourbon Vanilla Latte

To make a bourbon vanilla latte at home, you’ll need:

• Bourbon vanilla paste or extract
• Milk
• Espresso or strong coffee
• Ice

First, brew 1 to 2 shots of espresso. If you don’t have a machine, you can brew strong coffee using another method like a Moka Pot, Aeropress, cold brew, etc. Any brewing method that will give you a concentrated coffee.

Then, dissolve 1 tsp of vanilla paste into your warm coffee, making it easier and quicker. You could also dissolve it into milk, but it will take a little longer to dissolve completely in cold milk.

Add ice into a cup, then add milk and top with your coffee. Mix and enjoy!

Taste for flavor. If you want more sweetness or vanilla flavor, add vanilla paste or extract a drop or two at a time and taste as you go. If your paste doesn’t have sugar, add your favorite sweetener.

Make a Hot Bourbon Vanilla Latte

To make this drink hot, warm up your milk in the microwave, use a steam wand, or an electric frother with a heating setting. Ideally, you can froth your milk to create smooth microfoam, but that isn’t required.

Brew your coffee into a heatproof cup and dissolve your vanilla paste in it.

Once you have your hot milk, pour it into your coffee. If you know how to do latte art, this is the time to do it! Now you can enjoy a hot latte!

What Does Bourbon-Infused Coffee Taste Like?

Want a different way to experience bourbon flavor and coffee? Some brands offer a bourbon-infused coffee where the coffee beans soak in bourbon until fully absorbed.

Then, the coffee beans are dried and roasted, with the alcohol burning off, and you’re left with a delicious coffee with a deep caramel, oak, and vanilla flavor from the bourbon.

I’ve personally never tried it, but I’m intrigued!

Does Bourbon Vanilla Contain Alcohol?

I swear I could taste alcohol in it, but contrary to what it seems to mean, Bourbon vanilla actually doesn’t contain alcohol. Bourbon vanilla, as mentioned, refers to the vanilla bean variety grown in Madagascar.

However, many people (myself included) get confused when we hear Bourbon vanilla because vanilla and the alcohol Bourbon are frequent flavor pairings in desserts and drinks.

You’ll find recipes for boozy Bourbon and vanilla cupcakes, cakes, coffee, pudding, custards, etc.

I blame marketing for the confusion, but alas, both the vanilla beans and the flavor pair work well.

Tips

Here are some tips for making a great bourbon vanilla latte at home!

• If you can’t find bourbon vanilla extract or paste, use Madagascar vanilla paste, extract, or beans. They are the same thing and will give you the same flavor. You’ll get a different taste if you use other vanilla varieties like Mexican vanilla.
• Instead of espresso, you can use instant espresso powder, cold brew coffee, or coffee concentrate.
• Make your own vanilla extract if you have leftover vanilla beans and vodka. It’ll be even better if you use bourbon!