The Tiramisu Velvet Latte debuted as part of Starbucks’ 2026 holiday menu, inspired by the classic Italian dessert and available hot or iced. This homemade interpretation is designed to closely match the original, but it is not the proprietary Starbucks recipe.
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What makes Starbucks’ Tiramisu Velvet Latte special
Starbucks describes this latte as espresso, steamed milk, and a mascarpone flavor sauce, layered with mocha drizzle and finished with a velvet mascarpone cold foam, plus a dusting of cocoa and coffee. The signature elements are the mascarpone syrup base—giving a creamy, dessert-like undertone—and the rich cold foam, both evoking the flavors and textures of tiramisu. For the copycat, combining mascarpone syrup with white chocolate sauce helps mimic the sweetness and body of the original. Finishing with both cocoa and coffee powder is essential to replicate tiramisu’s layered taste. (Source: Starbucks Austria, Holiday Menu).
Ingredients
- 2 shots (about 2 oz) espresso
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons mascarpone flavor sauce or mascarpone syrup — Buy on Amazon
- 1 tablespoon white chocolate sauce — Buy on Amazon
- 1 tablespoon mocha drizzle — Buy on Amazon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla syrup
- 1/4 cup velvet mascarpone cold foam — Buy on Amazon
- for dusting cocoa powder
- for dusting coffee powder
Tools you’ll need
- Espresso machine or strong coffee maker
- Milk frother or blender (for foam)
- Small whisk or spoon (for mixing sauces)
- Microwave or stovetop (for heating milk)
- Mug or glass (16 oz, grande size)
How to make it
- Brew the espresso: Pull 2 shots (about 2 oz) of espresso. The robust base stands up to the sweet, creamy components.
- Steam the milk: Heat 1 cup of whole milk and froth until it’s hot and velvety. Steaming incorporates air, creating microfoam for a smooth, café-style texture.
- Blend mascarpone sauce: In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of mascarpone syrup with 1 tablespoon of white chocolate sauce. Stir until fully smooth; this blend mimics Starbucks’ mascarpone flavor sauce and helps carry the tiramisu note.
- Combine flavors: Pour the sauce mixture and 1 teaspoon vanilla syrup into the espresso. Stir well so the thick syrup disperses evenly, preventing any dense pockets at the bottom.
- Add steamed milk: Slowly pour steamed milk over the espresso mixture, holding back most of the foam for later. The key is a ratio of 1 part espresso to 4 parts steamed milk, which balances strength and creaminess.
- Mocha drizzle: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of mocha sauce over the surface. This adds a chocolatey depth and a visual layer, much like the dessert’s cocoa dusting.
- Prepare mascarpone cold foam: Blend 1/4 cup cold milk with 1 tablespoon mascarpone syrup using a frother or blender until thick and pourable. Cold foam requires agitation and colder temperatures to achieve a stable, lush consistency.
- Top with cold foam: Spoon the mascarpone foam over the drink. This foamy layer mimics the creamy topping of tiramisu and delivers a signature mouthfeel.
- Finish with dusting: Dust generously with cocoa powder and a little coffee powder. Using both is essential for replicating tiramisu’s signature bittersweet finish.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy while hot for the best texture—creaminess, layered chocolate notes, and that distinctive tiramisu aroma.
For iced: Use cold milk, build the drink over ice, and chill the glass beforehand to help the foam hold up (per Starbucks’ pro tip).
How close is it to the original?
This recipe gets close in flavor, especially if you secure authentic mascarpone syrup and blend a proper cold foam. The creamy, cocoa-forward profile, espresso base, and dessert-like sweetness are all present. However, Starbucks’ proprietary mascarpone sauce and their unique cold foam texture are crafted for commercial consistency, so a home version may be slightly less stable or subtly different in flavor intensity. According to reviewers, the drink is fluffy and carries hints of vanilla and white chocolate, but some wish for a stronger tiramisu note—doubling the mascarpone syrup in your cold foam can help if you prefer a bolder dessert flavor.
Troubleshooting
- Flavor too bland: Not enough mascarpone syrup or white chocolate sauce—measure carefully, and don’t skimp on the syrups for a true dessert-like taste.
- Foam not thick enough: Cold foam made with warm milk or an underpowered frother—use chilled milk and a high-speed frother or blender for stable, thick foam.
- Missing tiramisu finish: Only using cocoa powder for dusting skips the needed coffee note—always blend both for authenticity.
- Drink too milky or weak: Ratio off—stick to the 1:4 espresso to milk guideline for proper Starbucks-style strength.
Variations
- Iced version: Use cold milk and pour over ice. Chill the glass first to keep foam stable.
- Non-dairy: Substitute whole milk with oat or almond milk. Oat milk froths best and has a neutral flavor that supports the dessert profile.
- No mascarpone syrup: Combine 1 tablespoon cream cheese, 1 tablespoon heavy cream, and 1 tablespoon simple syrup for a quick substitute, blended until smooth.
- No white chocolate sauce: Melt white chocolate chips with a splash of milk as a homemade alternative.
Storage
This drink is best enjoyed immediately. If you must prepare ahead, keep the cold foam and latte base separate in the fridge for up to 24 hours, then re-froth the foam before serving. Do not freeze.
FAQ
- How to make Starbucks Tiramisu Latte at home?
Follow the recipe above using espresso, steamed milk, mascarpone syrup, white chocolate sauce, mocha drizzle, and topped with mascarpone cold foam plus cocoa and coffee dusting. - Does Starbucks offer an iced tiramisu latte?
Yes, during its seasonal run, the Tiramisu Velvet Latte is available iced or hot. - What are the ingredients in a Starbucks tiramisu latte?
Espresso, steamed milk, mascarpone flavor sauce, white chocolate sauce, mocha drizzle, vanilla syrup, mascarpone cold foam, cocoa powder, and coffee powder. - How to order a tiramisu coffee at Starbucks?
Request the Tiramisu Velvet Latte by name when it is on the holiday menu; for a custom year-round option, ask for a latte with white chocolate sauce, mocha drizzle, and a blend of vanilla and cream if mascarpone syrup is unavailable. - What does a tiramisu latte taste like?
It tastes creamy and dessert-like, with notes of mascarpone, cocoa, espresso, and a hint of vanilla and white chocolate, mimicking tiramisu. - What is the recipe for Tiramisu Latte syrup?
Starbucks’ proprietary version is not available, but a close substitute is blending mascarpone, white chocolate, and vanilla syrups in a 2:1:0.5 ratio. - Is the Tiramisu Velvet Latte still on the menu?
It is a limited-time seasonal item, featured on the Starbucks holiday menu as of November 2026.
Sources
- Official Starbucks 2026 Holiday Menu Announcement
- Starbucks Austria Holiday Menu Profile
- Nutrition breakdown on Newsweek
For more festive drinks, see other copycat drinks or browse our favorite dessert-inspired recipes.
Ingredients
2 shots (about 2 oz) espresso
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons mascarpone flavor sauce or mascarpone syrup
1 tablespoon white chocolate sauce
1 tablespoon mocha drizzle
1 teaspoon vanilla syrup
1/4 cup velvet mascarpone cold foam
for dusting cocoa powder
for dusting coffee powder
Instructions
Brew two shots of espresso and pour into a large mug.
Steam the milk until hot and frothy.
In a separate container, mix mascarpone flavor sauce and white chocolate sauce until smooth.
Add the sauce mixture and vanilla syrup to the espresso, stirring to combine.
Pour in the steamed milk, holding back the foam.
Drizzle mocha sauce over the top.
Prepare velvet mascarpone cold foam by blending cold milk with mascarpone syrup until thick and pourable.
Spoon the mascarpone cold foam over the latte.
Finish with a dusting of cocoa powder and coffee powder.
Serve immediately; the drink should be creamy with a distinct tiramisu aroma.
