Smoked Butterscotch Latte– Easy Starbucks Copycat

This smoked butterscotch latte recipe is a simple at-home version of the Starbucks fave, made with real butterscotch syrup, frothed milk, and a tiny hit of liquid smoke for depth. It’s warm, rich, and comes together fast — good for when you need caffeine but also need a soft place to land. No espresso machine? Strong coffee works fine.

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Quick Summary

• Prep time: 5 mins
• Cook time: 3 mins
• Flavor: sweet, creamy, slightly smoky
• Great for: cold mornings, late-night resets, low-effort comfort

Why I Like This Recipe

Made it at like 2AM one night when I didn’t know what else to do. It came out warm, smooth, and a little dramatic — in the best way. I keep the syrup on hand now just in case.

Ingredients

• 4 oz espresso (or strong brewed coffee)
• 2 tbsp butterscotch syrup
• 1–2 drops liquid smoke
• 4 oz milk
• 2 tbsp whipped cream

How To Make Smoked Butterscotch Latte

1. Brew your base: Make your espresso or strong coffee. Pour into a mug.
2. Add syrup: Stir in the butterscotch syrup while it’s hot. Smells unreal.
3. Drop the smoke: Start with one drop of liquid smoke. Taste it. Add more only if it needs it.
4. Heat + froth milk: Warm your milk gently — don’t let it boil. Froth until creamy and pour it into the mug.
5. Top with whipped cream: Spoon it on. Optional but recommended.
6. Sip and chill: Drink slow. It’s not just coffee. It’s a soft little moment.

Tips for Success

• Don’t go overboard with the smoke — 1 drop is plenty
• Always froth milk after heating, not before
• Use real butterscotch syrup, not caramel — they’re not the same
• If using instant coffee, make it strong enough to stand up to the cream

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Store any leftovers in a sealed jar for up to 24 hours. Shake before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm gently on the stove or microwave. Don’t let it boil or it’ll taste weird.
• Freezer: Not worth it. Just make a new one next time.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use instant coffee?
  Yep, just make it strong enough to stand up to the milk and syrup.
• What’s the best milk for frothing?
  Whole milk froths best, but oat milk does surprisingly well too.
• Do I need liquid smoke?
  Technically no — but that one drop really makes it taste like the Starbucks version.
• Can I make it iced?
  Totally. Just chill the coffee first and skip the frothing part.
• Can I make my own butterscotch syrup?
  Yes! Brown sugar + butter + cream. Takes 10 minutes. Worth it if you’re feeling fancy.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Too much liquid smoke:
  One drop goes a long way. Two max. More than that and it starts to taste like barbecue in a mug (not cute).
• Using weak coffee:
  If it’s too watery, it’ll get lost under the milk and syrup. Go bold.
• Frothing milk before heating:
  That’s a no-go. Froth after warming or it’ll fall flat — literally.
• Skipping the whipped cream:
  Optional, sure. But it adds that creamy, café finish that makes it special.
• Mixing up caramel and butterscotch:
  They’re not the same. Butterscotch has a deeper, toastier vibe — makes all the difference.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 185 kcal
• Total Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 30mg
• Sodium: 75mg
• Potassium: 120mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 24g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 19g
• Protein: 5g

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