Cinnamon Dolce Latte Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)

A cinnamon dolce latte is a shot of espresso combined with steamed milk and cinnamon-infused brown sugar syrup — warm, spiced, and sweet with a caramel-like depth that comes from using brown sugar instead of white. You can make it at home in about 10 minutes once you have the syrup ready.

What Is a Cinnamon Dolce Latte?

“Dolce” is Italian for sweet. A cinnamon dolce latte is a spiced-sweet espresso drink that Starbucks introduced as a seasonal specialty — and it’s now one of their permanent menu offerings. The defining element is cinnamon dolce syrup: brown sugar, cinnamon, and a hint of vanilla. Unlike plain cinnamon syrup, the brown sugar base adds a molasses undertone that makes the spice feel warmer and richer.

At Starbucks, a Grande (16 oz) cinnamon dolce latte contains 4 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup, 2 shots of espresso, steamed whole milk, whipped cream, and a cinnamon dolce topping (crushed cinnamon sugar). At home, you have full control over sweetness and can replicate it exactly — or make it better.

Homemade Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

This is the most important part of the drink. Making your own syrup takes 5 minutes and costs a fraction of the Starbucks price. The bottled syrup keeps in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Combine water and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir until sugar dissolves completely, about 3 minutes. Do not let it boil aggressively.
3. Add cinnamon and stir to combine. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in vanilla extract and salt.
5. Let cool for 10 minutes, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove undissolved cinnamon.
6. Transfer to a glass jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

Tips:

• Use light brown sugar for a milder flavour; dark brown sugar gives a more intense molasses note.
• For a thicker, café-style syrup, use a 2:1 sugar-to-water ratio.
• For a sugar-free version, substitute monk fruit sweetener or erythritol at a 1:1 ratio (the syrup will be thinner).

How to Make a Cinnamon Dolce Latte (Hot)

Makes: 1 latte (about 240ml / 8 oz) Time: 5 minutes (after syrup is ready)

Ingredients:

• 2 shots espresso (about 60ml)
• 180ml (6 oz) whole milk
• 30ml (2 tbsp) cinnamon dolce syrup
• Whipped cream (optional but traditional)
• Ground cinnamon or cinnamon sugar for topping

Instructions:

1. Pull 2 espresso shots using your espresso machine.
2. Steam milk to 65°C (150°F), creating a fine, velvety microfoam.
3. Add the cinnamon dolce syrup to the bottom of your mug first.
4. Pour espresso over the syrup and stir briefly.
5. Pour steamed milk slowly over the espresso, holding back the foam with a spoon.
6. Spoon the remaining foam on top.
7. Add whipped cream and dust with ground cinnamon.

How to Make an Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte

For the iced version, Starbucks shakes the espresso and syrup over ice before adding milk — this creates a slightly frothy, well-mixed cold drink.

Ingredients:

• 2 shots espresso, cooled slightly
• 180ml (6 oz) cold whole milk (or oat milk)
• 30ml (2 tbsp) cinnamon dolce syrup
• Ice cubes
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pull 2 espresso shots and let rest for 2 minutes.
2. Fill a tall glass with ice.
3. Add espresso and cinnamon dolce syrup directly over the ice.
4. Stir well to combine.
5. Pour cold milk over the top.
6. Add whipped cream and a cinnamon dusting if desired.

Tip: For a shaken version like Starbucks makes, combine espresso, syrup, and 3-4 ice cubes in a cocktail shaker or mason jar. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds, then strain over fresh ice and pour in milk.

Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte Copycat — Exact Ratios

Each Starbucks pump ≈ 7.5ml. Adjust to taste — 4 pumps is quite sweet.

Starbucks uses their Signature Espresso Roast for this drink. For a closer match at home, use a medium-dark roast with caramel or chocolate tasting notes. Blonde roast makes a lighter, sweeter version.

Variations

Oat Milk Cinnamon Dolce Latte: Substitute oat milk for whole milk. Barista-edition oat milk steams best. The slightly sweet oat flavour complements the brown sugar syrup beautifully.

Cinnamon Dolce Cold Foam: Whip 60ml cold oat milk + 15ml cinnamon dolce syrup with a hand frother for 30 seconds until light and foamy. Spoon over the top of your iced latte instead of whipped cream.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Dolce: Use dark brown sugar in the syrup for a deeper molasses flavour. Add a pinch of cloves or nutmeg alongside the cinnamon for an autumnal twist.

Cinnamon Dolce Breve: Replace whole milk with half-and-half for a richer, creamier version. Use 1 pump less syrup to balance the added richness.

Skinny Version: Use non-fat milk, sugar-free cinnamon syrup (store-bought), and skip the whipped cream. The Starbucks skinny version uses their sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a cinnamon dolce latte taste like? Sweet, spiced, and warming. The brown sugar base gives it a molasses depth that plain cinnamon syrup doesn’t have. It tastes like a classic latte with notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, and a hint of vanilla — similar to a snickerdoodle cookie dissolved in coffee.

What is Taylor Swift’s Starbucks order? Taylor Swift’s publicized Starbucks order is a Grande cinnamon dolce latte — which is part of why this drink gained a surge of popularity in the late 2010s. The fan nickname “The Taylor Swift” at some Starbucks locations refers to this drink.

How many calories are in a Starbucks cinnamon dolce latte? A Starbucks Grande (16 oz) cinnamon dolce latte made with 2% milk and whipped cream contains approximately 340 calories. Without whipped cream it’s around 260 calories. A homemade version with whole milk and 30ml syrup is roughly 220–250 calories depending on your milk.

Can I make this without an espresso machine? Yes. Brew strong Moka pot coffee (about 60ml), use double-strength drip coffee, or use 1-2 tbsp of espresso powder dissolved in 60ml hot water. The cinnamon dolce syrup flavour carries the drink — the espresso base doesn’t need to be perfect.

Is cinnamon dolce the same as cinnamon syrup? No. Regular cinnamon syrup uses white sugar, making it lighter and one-dimensional. Cinnamon dolce syrup uses brown sugar, which adds molasses notes and creates a deeper, richer flavour. The “dolce” (sweet) in the name refers to the elevated sweetness character of the brown sugar base.

What’s the difference between a cinnamon dolce latte and a chai latte? A chai latte uses a concentrated blend of multiple spices (cardamom, ginger, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon) and usually tea. A cinnamon dolce latte is purely espresso-based with only cinnamon-brown sugar flavouring. They’re both spiced and warm but have distinct flavour profiles — chai is complex and slightly peppery, cinnamon dolce is simpler and sweeter.