The Flat White combines steamed milk and rich, dark espresso for a creamy coffee-forward drink that’s worth savoring. If you’re feeling creative, the Flat White is also the introductory drink used for baristas who are learning to make latte art, so feel free to use this coffee as a delicious canvas.
Prepare 2 shots of espresso and pour into a mug.
Froth whole milk using your preferred method. For more information on how to froth your milk, see our frothing guide here.
Gently pour your frothed milk into your mug until it’s almost full, then focus on the middle of your mug and pour a little faster so the foam will come out without moving your pitcher. As the foam starts to come out, continue to pour until you get a dot in the middle.
Feel free to try your hand at latte art.
For a beverage that more closely resembles a Starbucks® Flat White, we recommend whole milk for a better texture. As you froth your milk, try using a spoon to gently push the micro-bubbles to the bottom of the pitcher. This will result in a smoother, more velvety texture for your flat white.
In Starbucks cafés, the Flat White is made with an extra shot of ristretto espresso. Ristretto means “restricted” in Italian. Ristretto espresso shots use the same amount of coffee but less water, and that results in a smaller, more concentrated serving with a sweeter, richer flavor.
Make deeper, more authentic connections over a cup of Starbucks® coffee at home.