Rose is such a delicious and delicate flavor that goes so well with coffee. This iced rose latte only takes 4 ingredients to make and you’ll end up with a beautiful pink latte that has a delicate rose flavor.

Plus, it’s perfect for themed parties or seasons when you want a little pink in your beverages.

Here’s how to make this creamy rose latte at home!

What is a Rose Latte?

A rose latte is a coffee beverage made with ice, milk, rose syrup or extract, and espresso. The base of the drink is a delicious and creamy rose milk that is floral and fruity and beautifully pink.

You’ll see this beverage combination usually around Valentine’s Day or spring when love and flowers are in the air. However, rose is a popular flavor in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine, which you can find in desserts and drinks year round. You’ll find it in pink chai, rose pistachio latte, and more.

Does a Rose Latte Have Caffeine?

This rose latte does have caffeine in it from the espresso. However, sometimes places will use rose latte to describe a rose milk that does not have coffee added. In those cases, there is no caffeine in it because it’s just rose-flavored milk.

If you’re not sure, you can always ask a worker to clarify because there’s nothing worse than drinking caffeine when you don’t want or need it.

You can always make this recipe decaf as well with decaf coffee beans or even omitting the coffee altogether for a creamy rose “latte.”

What Does a Rose Latte Taste Like?

This iced rose latte is sweet, creamy, and deliciously floral but not overpoweringly so. It also blends nicely with espresso, which gives it a darker, more robust flavor, with a tinge of bitterness that’s washed away by the rose!

It kind of reminds me of a subtle fruity vanilla latte since the rose can taste somewhat like strawberries or raspberries depending on the rose variety.

The iced version is refreshing and smooth, while the hot one is comforting and warming, perfect for colder weather.

Do Rose and Coffee Go Together?

Yes! I feel like rose is a very popular flavor to add to coffee, and I’ve seen so many cafes have rose lattes on their menus, especially around Valentine’s Day and springtime! Plus, who can resist that gorgeous pink color?

Rose on its own has a very unique floral scent and flavor, it’s delicate, sweet, almost fruity, and subtly vanilla-y. Because of its creamy and floral flavor, it pairs nicely with stronger flavors like cardamom, strawberry, raspberry, and coffee. It also has a nice herbal flavor, too!

In a latte, you’ll first taste the bold espresso followed by the rose aroma and flavor. They’re both quite strong, so they balance each other nicely. However, if you’re not careful, you can also add too much rose and overpower the coffee.

How to Add Rose Flavor

There are multiple ways you can add rose flavor to your drink, and depending on what is accessible to you, all of them work!

The easiest option is to use rose syrup or rose simple syrup, which you can either purchase or make from scratch using dried rose petals. Most major coffee syrup brands like Monin or Torani have rose syrup, and one bottle will run you about $12-$15. These syrups are convenient and presweetened, but the downside is that they might have an artificial rose flavor. In the same thread, rose extract is similar to syrup but more concentrated and unsweetened.

Making your own rose syrup is really straightforward, you just want to make a simple syrup base and then steep dried rose petals in it until the flavor infuses. You can find dried rose petals online or in some stores, but online is your best bet. A medium-sized bag will be about $10-$15.

You can also use rosewater to flavor your drinks, and you can find it in almost every Middle Eastern grocery store. It’s a strong, concentrated yet not overpowering rose flavored water that’s easy to add a little bit into milk for rose flavor. But a little goes a long way, so be sparing when you add it.

How to Get a Pink Color

While rose syrup or extract often comes looking nice and pink, when you add it to milk, the color dilutes out into a very light pink (depending on how bold the color is.) To make a pretty pink rose milk for your latte, you’ll want to add some sort of food coloring to make the color bolder.

The most convenient option is to use regular oil or gel-based food coloring, either getting a pink or red color to make pink. However, many people want a natural way to dye their drinks, which is very fair!

Beetroot powder is the best natural food coloring for a rose latte, since it gives a beautiful pink color but also doesn’t impart a flavor. I love it because it’s easy to use and find at grocery stores, and it mixes well with liquids. You could also use pink pitaya powder or strawberry powder, but those fruits have a much stronger flavor (which could taste pretty delicious with rose!)

How to Make a Rose Latte

Here’s what you’ll need to make a fragrant rose latte at home:

• ¼ tsp rose extract or rose syrup
• 1-1½ cup milk
• 1 cup ice
• 1-2 shots of espresso
• ⅛ tsp beetroot powder (optional)
• ½ tsp dried rose petals (optional)

Rose Latte Recipe

1. Buy or Make Rose Extract or Syrup. Get rose extract to syrup, or make your own for a fresher, floral flavor! You can make rose syrup by steeping food grade dried rose petals in hot simple syrup, or dissolve sugar into storebought rosewater.
2. Brew Espresso. Using your favorite coffee beans and brewing method, brew 1-2 shots of espresso. You can also use coffee concentrate or instant espresso powder as a substitute.
3. Make Rose Milk. Dissolve your rose extract or syrup into milk until well combined. If the milk is not pink enough, add some pink food coloring or a little bit of beetroot powder. Stir to combine.
4. Assemble Drink. Add ice and rose milk to a glass, then top with your brewed espresso! Garnish with some dried rose petals (optional).
5. Mix and Enjoy!

Other Rose Drinks to Try

If you love this floral rose latte, then you have to try these rose drinks next:

• Rose matcha latte
• Rose tea latte
• Strawberry rose latte
• Rose cardamom latte
• Rose milk tea
• Pistachio rose latte

Tips:

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

• Make it Decaf: Sensitive to caffeine or don’t need the extra energy? You can use decaf coffee or omit the espresso to make a caffeine-free beverage that’s sweet, creamy, and floral.
• Make Rose Syrup: I always prefer making homemade syrups because I think they taste much better than store-bought syrups, plus, they’re less sweet! You can easily make a rose syrup with food-grade dried rose petals, sugar, and water, or add sugar to some rosewater!
• Use Beetroot for Color: The best natural pink food coloring! You can use beetroot juice or powder.
• Add Vanilla: For an extra layer of flavor, add a little drop of vanilla extract or syrup to this drink for a creamy addition. Vanilla works well with practically any flavor, and rose is no exception.