Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Skip the coffee-shop run and make a cozy Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte right at home! Rich espresso, creamy steamed milk, and homemade cinnamon dolce syrup come together in an easy coffee drink that’s sweet, warm, and packed with cinnamon flavor.

Top it with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, and you have a coffee-shop-worthy latte in about 10 minutes.

It’s the perfect drink for a cool September morning, a lazy fall weekend, or anytime you’re craving something a little sweeter than your regular cup of coffee.

Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Dolce Latte

You don’t need pumpkin to make a coffee taste like fall.

Cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla, and espresso create a warm, cozy flavor that’s perfect for the season.

You’ll love this homemade latte because it’s:

• Ready in about 10 minutes
• Made with homemade cinnamon dolce syrup
• Easy to customize
• Delicious hot or iced
• Less expensive than a coffee-shop latte
• Easy to make without an espresso machine
• Perfect for fall and winter

Plus, the homemade syrup can be stored in the refrigerator so your next latte takes only a few minutes to make.

Ingredients

For the Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

For the Cinnamon Dolce Latte

• 2 shots espresso
• 1 cup milk
• 1–2 tablespoons cinnamon dolce syrup

For Topping

• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon sugar

How to Make a Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Step 1: Make the Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

Add the water, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a small pinch of salt to a saucepan.

Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Cook for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Allow the syrup to cool slightly.

Step 2: Brew the Espresso

Brew two shots of espresso and pour them into a large mug.

Step 3: Add the Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of cinnamon dolce syrup to the espresso.

Stir until combined.

Start with one tablespoon if you prefer a less-sweet latte.

Step 4: Heat the Milk

Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until hot and steaming.

Don’t allow it to boil.

Step 5: Froth the Milk

Remove the milk from the heat.

Use a handheld milk frother to froth it until creamy and foamy.

Step 6: Assemble the Latte

Slowly pour the steamed milk over the cinnamon espresso.

Spoon some of the foam over the top.

Step 7: Add the Toppings

Top your latte with whipped cream.

Finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.

Serve immediately.

What Is Cinnamon Dolce?

“Dolce” means sweet in Italian, so cinnamon dolce is essentially a sweet cinnamon flavor.

The combination of brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla creates a warm caramel-like sweetness that works especially well with espresso.

It’s similar to cinnamon sugar but richer and more syrupy.

And when you combine it with coffee and steamed milk, it makes an incredibly cozy latte.

Homemade Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

The cinnamon dolce syrup is what makes this drink special.

You could use bottled cinnamon syrup, but making it at home takes only a few minutes.

Brown sugar provides a deeper caramel flavor than regular granulated sugar, while cinnamon gives the syrup plenty of warmth.

Vanilla rounds everything out.

You’ll also have extra syrup left over for more lattes.

How to Store Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

Let your homemade syrup cool completely.

Transfer it to an airtight jar or container and refrigerate it for up to one week.

Give it a quick stir or shake before using.

Besides lattes, try adding it to:

• Iced coffee
• Cold brew
• Hot chocolate
• Chai
• Tea
• Milk
• Oatmeal

You may want to make a double batch.

Can I Use Store-Bought Cinnamon Syrup?

Absolutely.

If you want to make this drink even faster, use your favorite bottled cinnamon or cinnamon dolce coffee syrup.

Add it directly to the espresso and continue with the recipe.

Do I Need an Espresso Machine?

No.

An espresso machine will create the most traditional latte, but there are plenty of alternatives.

You can use:

• A Nespresso-style machine
• Instant espresso
• A moka pot
• Strongly brewed coffee

If you’re using regular coffee, make it stronger than you normally would.

The milk and syrup will dilute the coffee flavor slightly.

What Milk Should I Use?

Whole milk creates a rich and creamy latte and generally froths well.

But almost any milk can work.

Try:

• 2% milk
• Skim milk
• Oat milk
• Almond milk
• Soy milk
• Coconut milk

Barista-style plant-based milks are usually the easiest dairy-free options to froth.

Make It Dairy-Free

Simply use your favorite plant-based milk.

Oat milk is particularly good with cinnamon because its subtle sweetness complements the brown sugar syrup.

Top your latte with dairy-free whipped topping or skip the whipped cream completely.

How to Froth Milk Without a Frother

You don’t need special coffee equipment.

Heat the milk and then carefully transfer it to a heat-safe jar.

Leave plenty of empty space in the jar, secure the lid, and shake vigorously until foamy.

You can also briefly blend the warm milk in a blender.

Make Cinnamon Sugar for the Topping

The cinnamon sugar topping takes seconds to make.

Combine:

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Mix together and sprinkle a small amount over your whipped cream.

Store the leftovers in a small airtight container for your next latte.

Make an Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Still warm outside?

Make it iced!

Fill a tall glass with ice.

Add two shots of espresso and 1 to 2 tablespoons cinnamon dolce syrup.

Stir.

Pour cold milk over the espresso.

Top with whipped cream and cinnamon sugar.

It’s the perfect way to get cozy fall flavor when September weather still thinks it’s July.

Make a Cinnamon Dolce Cold Brew

The homemade syrup is also delicious with cold brew.

Fill a glass with ice.

Add cold brew and cinnamon dolce syrup.

Top with a splash of milk, cream, or sweet cream cold foam.

Finish with cinnamon.

Make It Sweeter

Add another tablespoon of cinnamon dolce syrup.

You can also drizzle caramel sauce over the whipped cream.

The caramel pairs beautifully with cinnamon and brown sugar.

Make It Less Sweet

Start with just 1 tablespoon of syrup.

You can even use less if you prefer your coffee more espresso-forward.

Because you’re making it at home, you’re in complete control of the sweetness.

Make a Caramel Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Add 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce to the espresso along with the cinnamon syrup.

Top with steamed milk, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and cinnamon sugar.

It’s an especially indulgent fall variation.

Make a Maple Cinnamon Latte

Replace part of the cinnamon dolce syrup with pure maple syrup.

The maple, cinnamon, espresso, and brown sugar combination tastes like fall breakfast in a mug.

Make a Cinnamon Dolce Mocha

Chocolate and cinnamon are a seriously underrated combination.

Add 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup to your espresso.

Add the cinnamon dolce syrup and steamed milk.

Top with whipped cream, cinnamon sugar, and chocolate shavings.

Add Extra Spice

If you want an even warmer fall flavor, add a tiny pinch of:

• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Allspice
• Pumpkin pie spice

Just don’t add too much because ground spices can make coffee gritty.

What to Serve With a Cinnamon Dolce Latte

This sweet cinnamon latte pairs beautifully with breakfast and fall baked goods.

Try it with:

• Cinnamon rolls
• Coffee cake
• Snickerdoodle cookies
• Apple muffins
• Pumpkin bread
• Banana bread
• Apple cider donuts
• Maple donuts
• Pumpkin muffins
• French toast
• Cinnamon sugar donuts

It would also be a fantastic coffee to serve with a fall brunch.

Make a Cinnamon Dolce Latte Bar

Hosting brunch?

Make a batch of cinnamon dolce syrup and set up a homemade latte bar.

Offer:

• Espresso or strong coffee
• Steamed milk
• Oat milk
• Cinnamon dolce syrup
• Caramel sauce
• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon sugar
• Chocolate syrup

Everyone can create their own coffee-shop-inspired fall drink.

Tips for the Best Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Use fresh espresso. Strong coffee balances the sweet cinnamon syrup.

Don’t boil the milk. Heat it until hot and steaming.

Start with less syrup. You can always add more.

Froth the milk after heating. This gives your latte a creamy coffee-shop texture.

Use brown sugar in the syrup. It adds a richer flavor than white sugar.

Don’t skip the salt. A tiny pinch helps balance the sweetness.

Add the cinnamon sugar last. It makes the finished latte look and taste extra special.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Cinnamon Dolce Latte Sweet?

Yes. Cinnamon dolce syrup gives the drink a noticeable sweetness.

When you make it at home, you can easily adjust the amount of syrup.

Does a Cinnamon Dolce Latte Have Coffee?

Yes. This recipe uses two shots of espresso.

Does It Have Caffeine?

It does when made with regular espresso.

Use decaffeinated espresso if you’d like a decaf version.

Can I Make It Without Espresso?

Yes.

Use approximately 1/2 cup strongly brewed coffee instead.

Can I Make the Syrup Ahead?

Absolutely.

Store homemade cinnamon dolce syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Can I Make It Iced?

Yes! Pour espresso and cinnamon dolce syrup over ice, add cold milk, and top with whipped cream and cinnamon sugar.

Can I Make It Dairy-Free?

Yes. Use your favorite plant-based milk and dairy-free whipped topping.

Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Pumpkin and apple may dominate fall drink season, but sometimes all you need is a really good cinnamon latte.

This Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte combines rich espresso, creamy milk, brown sugar, vanilla, and plenty of cinnamon into one cozy homemade coffee.

Make it steaming hot on a chilly morning or pour it over ice when September refuses to cool down.

Either way, don’t forget the whipped cream and cinnamon sugar.