If you want to really unleash your creativity, then you need to learn how to etch latte art. Because while you can make some amazing designs just with free pour, etching removes all limitations.

We’ve gathered some video tutorials to introduce you to the world of etching. You’ll need a long, thin utensil such as a thermometer and, depending on your design, you may also need syrup.

SEE ALSO: Your VIDEO Guide to 4 Types of Swan Latte Art

With Syrup

The great thing about using syrup is that the colour combination automatically makes the drink look impressive – so you’re under less pressure to create a difficult design. For that reason, we’re looking at this first.

However, this isn’t to say that you can’t make a blow-you-away design with syrup – have you seen some of those World Latte Art Championship designs?!

Ryan Soeder of Counter Culture Coffee suggests beginning your venture into latte art etching with simple lines and patterns. It’s a quick way to create a pretty design.

Once you’re confident with that, why not move onto these more elaborate designs, courtesy of Bazzara Espresso?

Notice how the baristas clean their utensil after every use, so as to avoid contaminating areas.

Without Syrup

Etched latte art that doesn’t use syrup requires dragging the coffee and milk into each other. Sometimes latte artists will spoon more milk onto the design as well. They may also decide to etch a pattern and then add syrup as a highlight at the end.

Watch as Habib of Mocopan demonstrates a variety of etched latte art designs in this clip, from patterns to dragons and pigs:

And finally, here’s an example of one of the most popular etched designs – the bear:

Although we’ve shown you a variety of latte art, one of the great things about etching is that you can be as creative as you want. If you can draw it, you can etch it. Why not see if you can come up with your own original designs?

Feature photo credit: Bazzara Espresso

Please note: Perfect Daily Grind does not own the rights to these videos and cannot be held accountable for their content.