Today’s DOTD - Drink Of The Day - is an Irish Latte inspired by National Latte Day. And as it’s a coffee drink, we’ve go it in both ‘leaded’ (with alcohol) & ‘unleaded’ versions.
National Latte Day is observed on February 11 every year across the United States to celebrate the popularity and deliciousness of this versatile coffee drink made of espresso and steamed milk.
Lattes are one of the most popular drinks in the country. They have been a part of both American and European culture for a long time & are traditionally served hot, but as coffee shops have evolved, even cold versions of lattes have developed.
While lattes are extremely popular in the U.S., the drink originated in Italy. Lattes there are made of a base of espresso topped with steamed milk, and are traditionally served in the mornings. Italians often serve cafe lattes with their breakfast, brewing their espresso on a Moka pot on the stove. They generally prefer their lattes served with hot milk - but no sugar.
While the cafe latte has been a part of European cuisine since the 17th century, it was only towards the end of the 20th century that it started making appearances in coffee houses elsewhere. While Caffe Mediterraneum of Berkley, California claimed they brought the caffe latte to the U.S. in the 1950s, the modern variation of the cafe latte - or just latte - was likely invented in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It was popularized in Seattle, primarily by Starbucks, and spread widely as other coffee chains sought to compete.
Meanwhile, back in Italy today, the cafe latte is still made in the same way as it has always been - espresso, hot milk, no sugar. Outside of Italy, most coffee shops & chains around the world have adopted the U.S. approach, making them with espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. Lattes are similar to cappuccinos, which are served with a thicker layer of milk foam. Iced lattes are also popular. In an iced latte, the chilled milk is poured over espresso on ice. They can be served with blended ice and several flavoring syrups depending on the client’s preference (effectively making a coffee milkshake).
History of Lattes
NATIONAL LATTE DAY ACTIVITIES
Grab a latte
The best day to get a latte is on National Latte Day. The second best day is any other day. Go to your favorite coffee shop and grab your favorite variation of this drink.
Learn how to make a latte
Lattes are delicious and easy to make. Grab your Moka pot and brew up delicious coffee the way the Italians do it! Or head to your local coffee shop and help keep your favorite baristas in business.
Buy your barista a latte
Baristas are on their feet all day making your delicious coffees. Why not pay it forward by buying them a latte on this day?
Facts about Lattes
You have to be specific in Italy
Just ordering a ‘latte’ in an Italian cafe will get you milk, since the word ‘latte’ means milk — you need to ask for a ‘cafe latte’.
The flat white is a latte variation
Common in Australia and New Zealand, the flat white does not have any milk foam and is also known as a wet cappuccino.
Latte can be served in a bowl
In some parts of Europe where lattes are served in bowls, they are called ‘cafe au lait.’
There are tea lattes as well
In South Asia, East Asia, and North America, lattes have been given a new twist, where the coffee base is replaced with tea to make tea lattes.
There’s even a leading latte
While it’s clearly a play on words, a leading latte really is a specific type of latte, characterized by an extra smooth & creamy texture, and consisting of one-third espresso and two-thirds steamed milk, topped with a thin layer of milk foam.
However you prefer your latte, since today is National Latte Day, we think you should have one - and that’s why we chose an Irish Latte for today’s Drink Of The Day.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’re going to need for this drink:
