There's a small window some mornings, before the emails start and the day properly begins, where I make myself something a bit nicer than usual. Lately it has been this. A salted honey latte. Creamy, gently sweet from the honey, with just enough sea salt to make the whole thing taste rounder and smoother.
If you love coffee but you're a little bored of vanilla and caramel, this is the one to try. It feels like something you'd pay six dollars for at a good cafe, and it takes about five minutes at home.
Here's how I make it, plus a few ways to change it up depending on your mood and the weather.
Why honey and salt work so well together
It sounds like an odd pairing until you taste it. The salt doesn't make the drink salty. A tiny pinch just makes the honey taste richer and takes the sharp edge off a strong espresso, so everything feels a bit softer and more balanced.
Honey also brings something that plain sugar can't. It has these lovely floral, almost earthy notes that give the latte a bit more depth. Once you've made it this way a few times, a normal sweetened latte starts to feel a little flat.
What you'll need
Nothing fancy. Most of it is probably in your kitchen already.
- One shot of espresso, or half a cup of strong coffee
- One cup of milk (whole milk is the creamiest, but oat, almond or coconut all work beautifully)
- One to two teaspoons of honey (raw or wildflower has the best flavour)
- A small pinch of flaky sea salt
- Optional: two full droppers of Piq (one serve, 2ml), a little cinnamon, or a splash of vanilla
No espresso machine? A Moka pot or an AeroPress does a great job, and even a strong plunger coffee works in a pinch.
How to make it
1. Brew your coffee. Pull one shot of espresso, or make half a cup of strong coffee however you normally do.
2. Stir in the honey and salt. While the coffee is still hot, stir through your honey and a small pinch of sea salt until it all dissolves. This is also where I add my Piq, two full droppers, which is one serve. It stirs straight into the coffee, doesn't change the taste at all, and gives me calmer focus and smoother energy for the morning ahead. If you haven't tried it in a latte yet, this is a lovely place to start.
3. Froth the milk. Warm your milk gently, but don't let it boil. Froth it with a steam wand or a little handheld frother. If you don't have either, pour the warm milk into a jar, put the lid on and shake it hard for about thirty seconds.
4. Bring it together. Pour the frothed milk over your coffee. Finish with a little extra honey drizzled on top and the tiniest sprinkle of salt. That's it.
A few things I've learned
Use good honey if you can. Raw or local honey makes a noticeable difference and it's worth it here.
Don't skip the salt, even though it feels strange to add it. A tiny pinch is what makes the honey sing. You won't taste salt, I promise.
Start with one teaspoon of honey and add more if you want it sweeter. It's much easier to add than to take away.
Ways to change it up
Iced. My go-to in summer. Pour the espresso and the honey and salt mix straight over ice, top with cold milk, give it a stir and you're done. No frothing needed.
Spiced. Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon, or a little nutmeg or cardamom, for something cosier when it's cold out.
Fully plant-based. Swap the honey for maple syrup and use oat milk. Still lovely.
Extra treat. Top with a little whipped cream and a caramel drizzle when you're in that kind of mood.
What to have with it
For breakfast, a buttery croissant, some oats with berries and nuts, or almond biscotti. If it's more of an afternoon moment, this is really good alongside a square of dark chocolate or a slice of honey cake.
A couple of questions I get asked
Can I use normal table salt? Flaky sea salt is best because it dissolves nicely and has a softer flavour. Table salt will do if it's all you have, just use a very small amount.
Is it actually salty? No. A pinch enhances the sweetness without making it taste salty. If yours tastes salty, you've added too much, so ease off next time.
Which honey should I use? Raw or wildflower has the most flavour.
0 comments