Pistachio isn’t a new flavor by any means and one of the most loved gelato flavors, but you probably haven’t thought to put it in drinks! Since the launch of Starbucks’ fan-favorite pistachio latte in 2021, it’s been popping up everywhere, from coffee to the viral Dubai pistachio chocolate bar to matcha.

A pistachio latte is sweet, nutty, creamy, and slightly roasted in flavor. It’s a textural delight with a savory nutty edge that makes any sweet dessert delicious. This drink is an elevated and better version of a pistachio latte with honey and a little salt to bring out the sweetness. It’s a must-try!

Here’s how to make an iced honey salted pistachio latte at home!

What is in a Pistachio Latte?

The Starbucks version has milk, espresso, ice, pistachio syrup (which is made from real pistachios, apparently), with brown butter sugar cookie crumbles on top. It has real pistachio flavor in it which is nutty and sweet.

You can make pistachio syrup at home by infusing simple syrup with crushed or chopped pistachios over the stove. This will infuse your sugar syrup and give you a subtle pistachio flavor.

However, you can add pistachios to your drink to bring out the flavor. You can use pistachio butter or blend pistachios into your milk to make your pistachio milk.

The butter and nuts will give your drink an extra creamy flavor and texture and lots of pistachio flavor.

Is the Pistachio Latte Discontinued from Starbucks?

There’s a misconception that the pistachio latte is discontinued from Starbucks, but it’s not! It’s a seasonal winter item that only appears for 3 months. You can get it from Starbucks starting in early January and lasting until early March.

Luckily, if you try it and miss it, you can always use this recipe to make a pistachio latte Starbucks copycat at home to satisfy that craving!

This recipe is tastier than Starbucks and uses real pistachios! I love adding honey and using salted pistachios for this drink because salty and sweet create a delicious flavor combination.

Plus, it’s super easy to make!

What Does a Pistachio Latte Taste Like?

A pistachio latte made with pistachio milk or butter has a great, creamy texture and a nice sweet and savory flavor. It’s wildly addicting, especially if you add a little salt.

Pistachio itself has an earthy, slightly buttery, and nutty flavor, similar to almonds. It also has a natural sweetness, followed by savory, making it so addicting.

Fun Fact: Many mass-produced pistachio-flavored desserts or items are actually flavored with almond extract and green food coloring! Pistachios are expensive, so almond extract is cheaper.

Is Pistachio Milk Good in Lattes?

Pistachio milk is just ground pistachios and milk blended together to form a creamy liquid. However, there is also a non-dairy pistachio milk made with pistachios, water, sugar, and some gums, making it lightly sweet and creamy.

Because of its creamy texture, it’s a fantastic milk to use in lattes! The nutty flavor also complements espresso, which you can complement with other flavors.

Also, because of the nuts, this milk has a lot of protein, so it froths really well. It’s one of my favorite milks to use in lattes!

How to Make an Iced Honey Salted Pistachio Latte

Here’s what you’ll need to make an iced honey salted pistachio latte at home:

• A blender
• A strainer
• Salted pistachios (shelled or deshelled)
• Honey
• Milk
• Ice
• Espresso or strong coffee

Iced Honey Salted Pistachio Latte Recipe

First, pull 1-2 shots of espresso, depending on how strong you want your coffee. You can also use a coffee machine like a Nespresso or a Moka pot if you don’t have an espresso machine.

Then, shell your salted pistachios if they are still in the shell. Then, add them to a blender with honey and milk. Blend the pistachio, honey, and milk until most of the pistachios have been blended. Depending on your blender’s strength, this will take about 15-30 seconds.

Once blended, strain your pistachio milk using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. You’ll see some pistachio pulp or chunks, which is normal. Using the back of a spoon, press against the nut pieces to press out any remaining liquid.

Add ice and sweetened pistachio milk into a separate cup, then top with your espresso or coffee.

Mix and enjoy!

Can I Use Unsalted Pistachios?

If you don’t have salted pistachios, you can use unsalted pistachios and add a little pinch of salt to your drink to get the same flavor. If you’re not sure how much salt to add, start with a small pinch, taste, and add more if needed. You can always add more but you can’t take away!

Also, make sure the pistachios are roasted so the drink has more flavor. Most bagged pistachios are roasted, but if you have raw pistachios, you can throw them in the oven, toaster oven, or stovetop pan and toast them until they are lightly browned.

What if I Don’t Have Pistachios?

You can use pistachio butter, syrup, or extract if you don’t have pistachio nuts.

Pistachio butter is finely ground pistachios until it becomes a creamy paste, similar to peanut butter. It’s usually sweetened and salted, but you can also find some unsweetened. You’ll find pistachio butter in most grocery stores, where you find other nut butters.

You can buy pistachio syrup online or in grocery stores as well, although it may be harder to find in person since it’s a niche flavor. Pistachio syrup will give you the most mild flavor since it’s infused and doesn’t include real pistachios, but it works!

Pistachio extract is a concentrated version of the pistachio flavor, but it’s usually made with chemicals or other non-pistachio nuts. I don’t recommend using it because the flavor can be off-putting, and you’re better off getting pistachio butter or syrup instead.

Other Flavors That Go Well With Pistachio

If you try this drink and love it but want to experiment, here are some flavors that work well with pistachio:

• Chocolate (Think: Dubai pistachio chocolate)
• Orange
• Blueberry
• Cherry
• Vanilla
• Almond
• Cardamom
• Apricot
• Raspberry
• Matcha
• Ricotta or sweet cheese

Tips

Here are some tips on making a delicious iced honey salted pistachio latte at home!

• For a stronger nut flavor, add a drop of almond extract. It complements the pistachio and helps support the nutty flavor.
• Don’t throw away the pistachio nut bits from blending! Keep the blended nuts for yogurt bowls or as a snack!
• After blending, try the pistachio milk by itself. It’s sooo addicting.