Copycat Starbucks Tiramisu Latte Recipe

There’s something quietly luxurious about the first sip of Starbucks’ Tiramisu Latte. It’s warm, deep, and layered, like dessert disguised as coffee. But the real magic? That velvety tiramisu cold foam (rich with mascarpone and kissed with vanilla) floating gently on top, like a cloud soaked in dreams. If you’ve ever wanted to skip the café queue and stir up that same Reserve-level indulgence at home, this copycat recipe brings it all together.

This Starbucks Tiramisu Latte recipe channels everything that makes the original so beloved: bittersweet chocolate sauce, bold espresso, and a creamy cap of mascarpone-vanilla foam, finished with a sweet mocha-vanilla dusting that melts into every sip. Whether you’re curled up on a foggy morning or needing a little 4 p.m. treat to lift the day, this one feels like a warm hug in a cup.

You can make it hot or iced, dairy-rich or plant-based, even boozy or protein-packed if you’re feeling adventurous. Once you’ve made the tiramisu cold foam, you’ll want to put it on everything. Trust me.

How to make Starbucks Tiramisu Latte

Start by whipping up a glossy dark-chocolate sauce and brewing a strong espresso (or a rich dark roast). Steam your milk until velvety, then layer it all with the sweet chocolate base. The real star is that silky mascarpone cold foam (thick but pourable) and a dusting of cocoa-vanilla powder that feels like the final flourish on a tiramisu dessert.

Serve it hot in a ceramic mug or over ice in a tall glass. Either way, it’ll spoil you for ordinary lattes.

Nutrition Facts (per 12 oz hot latte)

• Calories: 285
• Total Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Sugar: 23 g
• Protein: 8 g

Ingredients (Hot Latte, 1 serving)

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 (12 oz mug or 16 oz iced glass)

Chocolate Sauce
• 2 tbsp dark chocolate (60–70%) chips or chopped
• 1 tsp Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp hot water
• Pinch of salt

Tiramisu Cold Foam
• ¼ cup heavy cream (chilled)
• 2 tbsp whole milk
• 1 tbsp mascarpone cheese (softened)
• 2 tsp vanilla syrup (or 1 tsp sugar + ¼ tsp vanilla extract)
• Tiny pinch salt

Mocha-Vanilla Dust
• 1 tsp powdered sugar
• ½ tsp cocoa powder (Dutch or blend)
• Small pinch vanilla bean powder (or scrape of vanilla bean)

Latte Base
• 2 shots espresso (or ½ cup strong brewed coffee)
• ¾ cup steamed whole milk

Tools You’ll Need

• Handheld frother or milk frother
• Saucepan or microwave-safe bowl
• Espresso machine or moka pot
• Steaming wand or milk frother
• Fine mesh sieve (for the mocha powder)
• Mug or tall glass
• Spoon or straw

Instructions

Step 1: Make the chocolate sauce

In a small bowl, mix cocoa, sugar, and hot water. Stir in chopped chocolate and salt until melted and glossy. (1–2 minutes)

Step 2: Prepare the tiramisu foam

Whisk or froth cream, milk, mascarpone, vanilla syrup, and salt until thick but pourable, like melted marshmallow. Keep chilled. (1–2 minutes)

Step 3: Brew espresso

Pull two strong shots (about 1.5 oz each) using your espresso machine or moka pot. (2 minutes)

Step 4: Steam your milk

Froth whole milk until velvety with a gentle microfoam. Ideal temp is around 135–140°F (57–60°C). (1 minute)

Step 5: Assemble the drink

Add 1 tbsp chocolate sauce to your mug. Pour in espresso, swirl. Add steamed milk, leaving a little room. Spoon the tiramisu foam on top. Dust with mocha-vanilla powder. Serve immediately while warm and dreamy. (2 minutes)

Iced Version

Use the same base ingredients. Fill a tall glass with ice, drizzle chocolate sauce along the inner sides, add cold milk, espresso (or cold brew), then top with cold foam and mocha dust.

Tips for Success

• Use real mascarpone for that creamy tang.
• Chill the foam ingredients before frothing, it thickens better.
• Don’t over-steam the milk, lukewarm milk dulls the espresso’s flavor.
• Blend the mocha powder in small batches and store it in a spice jar for instant dusting joy.
• Make a batch of the chocolate sauce ahead, it keeps 1 week in the fridge.

What to Serve With

Biscotti with chocolate drizzle – A crisp, dunkable treat that brings out the dark chocolate notes in the latte without overpowering the foam.

Tiramisu overnight oats – A breakfast-meets-dessert combo that pairs flavor for flavor with the drink, especially if you chill both and enjoy them side by side.

Mini almond croissants – Buttery and light with a sweet almond filling that mirrors the rich mascarpone layer in your cup.

Chocolate-dipped strawberries – These offer just enough sweetness and tang to match the tiramisu foam, plus they feel fancy even when they’re simple.

Savory pairings
• Prosciutto and arugula croissant – Salty, peppery, flaky. Perfect contrast to the latte’s sweetness.
• Cheddar herb scone – Warm, crumbly, and just savory enough to balance the chocolate and cream.
• Grilled cheese with caramelized onions – If you’re going bold, this sweet-savory combo holds its own next to such a rich drink.

Variations

Tiramisu Mocha Frappé
Blend the chocolate sauce, espresso, milk, and ice into a thick shake. Top with mascarpone cold foam and mocha dust. Sweet, icy, irresistible.

Affogato-Style Latte
Scoop a little vanilla ice cream into your mug and pour the espresso and milk over it. Top with the foam and mocha dust. Dessert in a cup.

Tiramisu Shaken Espresso (Iced)
Shake espresso with a little vanilla syrup and ice, then pour over cold milk and top with tiramisu cold foam. Skip the chocolate for a lighter vibe.

Decaf Dessert Latte
Use decaf espresso or a strong chicory brew. The mascarpone foam and chocolate still shine through, perfect for late-night cravings.

Holiday Twist
Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the foam during the holidays. A drop of rum extract makes it taste like eggnog met tiramisu.

Ingredient Substitutes

Mascarpone
Original: Mascarpone cheese
Substitutes: Cream cheese (slightly tangier), clotted cream, or a mix of heavy cream and Greek yogurt for a similar thickness.

Vanilla Syrup
Original: Starbucks-style vanilla syrup
Substitutes: Simple syrup + vanilla extract, honey + vanilla paste, or maple syrup with a drop of vanilla.

Dark Chocolate Sauce
Original: Homemade bittersweet chocolate sauce
Substitutes: Store-bought mocha syrup, chocolate ganache thinned with warm water, or even Nutella melted with milk.

Mocha-Vanilla Dust
Original: Cocoa powder + powdered sugar + vanilla bean
Substitutes: Hot cocoa mix, drinking chocolate, or a mix of Nesquik and vanilla sugar.

Espresso
Original: 2 shots espresso
Substitutes: Strong moka pot coffee, Aeropress espresso-style brew, or double-strength instant coffee (like Starbucks VIA).

Milk
Original: Whole milk
Substitutes: Oat milk (creamy and neutral), almond milk (light and nutty), or coconut milk (adds a subtle tropical touch).

Heavy Cream
Original: For cold foam
Substitutes: Coconut cream (chilled), plant-based barista blends, or half-and-half (less thick, but still foamable).