Until recently, I had never heard of Starbucks' smoked butterscotch latte, but I'm so glad I saw it in the grocery store a few weeks ago! Mom and I had a lot of fun taste testing this copycat recipe for you all to enjoy. Flex those barista muscles and let's make a specialty coffee drink!
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Questions
What is smoked butterscotch?
This special sauce only contains four ingredients: butter, dark brown sugar, heavy whipping cream, and liquid smoke. These ingredients are cooked in a saucepan to create the sweet, smoky sauce we love.
What's in this latte?
Our Starbucks copycat latte recipe contains just four simple ingredients.
- Homemade butterscotch sauce to give a slightly smoky-sweet flavor
- Coffee for a caffeine boost and additional flavor
- Heavy whipping cream for creaminess (use milk or half-and-half for a lower fat version)
- Molasses to darken the color and add additional flavor
How to Make
Let's start by making the butterscotch sauce. Measure out unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, heavy whipping cream, and several drops of liquid smoke.
Melt the butter in a saucepan, then whisk in the brown sugar until dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil, then whisk in the cream and cook for 7 minutes. Pour into a glass jar or jug to cool, then add 15-20 drops of liquid smoke to give it a mild smoky flavor.
Pour the cream into a glass bottle and shake it vigorously for about a minute, until it's quite frothy and about doubled in volume. Microwave it for about 20 seconds to warm it.
Put 3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon of the sauce into a mug.
Add ½ cup of coffee.
Pour in 2 tablespoons of frothed cream.
Don't forget the 1 teaspoon of molasses for a darker color and richer flavor.
Stir everything together until well blended.
Whip some cream until it's foamy, but still pourable. Make sure the surface of the latte is perfectly still, then pour the cream carefully over the back of a spoon so it floats on top. Sprinkle with demerara sugar and enjoy!
Variations
- Lower fat version? Use half-and-half instead of heavy whipping cream.
- Mocha version? Dissolve a tablespoon or two of chocolate sauce.
- Want it iced? Use cold brew coffee and serve over ice.
Pro Tips
- Make your own sauce. Store-bought won't taste half as good as homemade.
- Use dark brown sugar in the butterscotch sauce; otherwise, it won't have the same flavor.
- Add the liquid smoke to taste. You need enough to add a smoky hint, but not too much.
- Use dark roast coffee or espresso for the best taste.
- In a hurry? Make the latte ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for later. It will reheat nicely in the microwave, or taste good over ice.
Recommended Tools
- Liquid Smoke: this is the secret ingredient to a perfect butterscotch latte. Don't skip it!
- French Press: don't have a way to make espresso? This handy coffeepot is the next best thing.
- Bialetti Moka Pot: this is an easy and affordable way to make your own espresso. Connoisseur approved!
- Hand Mixer: skip the Reddi-Whip and use this workhorse to whip up a batch of whipped cream in seconds.
- Demerara Sugar: this coarse grained brown sugar adds a crunchy molasses touch to your drink.
Other Starbucks Copycat Drinks
The pleasure of a 5-star review would be greatly appreciated.
Recipe
Starbucks Copycat Smoked Butterscotch Latte
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 fluid ounces 1x
Description
Learn how to make this delicious fall coffee drink at home. Add a secret ingredient to the buttery butterscotch sauce to give a sophisticated flavor to this copycat Starbucks smoked butterscotch latte. It’s an easy and tasty way to start your morning!
Ingredients
For the Smoked Butterscotch Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter (115g)
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed (200g)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (236 ml)
- 15-20 drops liquid smoke
For One Latte
- 3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon smoked butterscotch sauce
- ½ cup strong coffee or espresso (118 ml)
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream, for garnish (59 ml)
- Sprinkle of demerara sugar, for garnish
Instructions
Making the Sauce
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, then whisk in the brown sugar until smooth.
- Once the mixture is boiling, turn down the heat to medium and whisk in the cream. Cook for 5-7 minutes, whisking occasionally to prevent the sauce from burning.
- Immediately pour the sauce into a large mason jar or bowl. Once it has cooled some, mix in a few drops of liquid smoke. Taste and add more until a slightly smoky flavor is reached.
Making the Latte
- Pour the cream into a glass jar or bottle and tightly screw on the lid. Shake vigorously for about a minute until nearly doubled in size, then remove the lid and microwave for 20 seconds to warm the cream.
- Put 3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon of the sauce into a mug. Add the coffee, cream, and molasses, then stir until smooth.
- To garnish the latte, pour the whipping cream into a mixing bowl and beat with a handheld electric mixer or immersion blender until it's airy, but still pourable. Make sure the surface of the coffee isn't swirling from being stirred, then carefully pour the cream over the back of a spoon. It should float on top.
- Sprinkle a little demerara sugar on top and serve immediately.
Notes
- Make your own sauce. Store-bought won't taste half as good as homemade.
- Use dark brown sugar in the butterscotch sauce; otherwise, it won't have the same flavor.
- Add the liquid smoke to taste. You need enough to add a smoky hint, but not too much.
- Use dark roast coffee or espresso for the best taste.
- In a hurry? Make the latte ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for later. It will reheat nicely in the microwave, or taste good over ice.
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: starbucks copycat recipe, butterscotch latte
Ruth Duran
It was delicious 😋 and my picky husband agreed
Emma
Thank you so much, Ruth! That smoked butterscotch converted my non-butterscotch-loving sister to enjoy it!
Ciera
I used it in iced coffee and it was delicious! How should the rest of the Smoked Butterscotch sauce be stored? I have it in a mason jar but should I keep it refrigerated or can it stay out?
Emma
Hi Ciera! The butterscotch sauce definitely does need to be refrigerated, since it contains cream. I'm so glad that you enjoyed the sauce!
Beth
The smoky flavor and molasses complement the creaminess and coffee. This drink has complex flavors that taste super good!
Emma
Thank you, Beth! I love the smoky butterscotch flavor, too.