What Is a Spanish Latte?

Enter a coffee shop and order a Spanish Latte, and you’ll probably receive an espresso-based drink made with both milk and condensed milk. However, visit other coffee shops around the world and you might have to ask for a Vietnamese Coffee or Café Bombón to get the same beverage – or something similar to it.

So, what exactly is a Spanish Latte, and how does it differ from other drinks? Here’s what usually goes into making one, what makes it popular in certain markets, and what place it has on specialty coffee shop menus around the world.

You may also like our article on what the flat white is & where it came from.

Where Does It Come From?

To get a better idea of what the Spanish Latte is and why it resembles so many other drinks, I reached out to four coffee professionals in Saudi Arabia, where the drink is currently a coffee shop menu staple.

I spoke to Osamah Al-Awwam, the Owner of The Roasting House in Riyadh and Manuel Torres, Head Roaster at Brew92 in Jeddah. I also spoke to Maria Pavani, Ally Coffee’s Middle East and North Africa Representative and Owner of Tres Marias Coffee Company, who is currently based in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Finally, I spoke to Faisal Alhamrani, who is the Owner of Kōhī Coffee Roasters, which relocated to Bangkok, Thailand in September 2022.

While little is known about where the Spanish Latte comes from or who invented it, Faisal and Osamah agree that it’s a variation on the Vietnamese Coffee. Faisal says, “A Spanish Latte, in my opinion, is a less dense version of Vietnamese Coffee.”

Osamah says the “Spanish Latte is a twist on the Vietnamese Coffee. Baristas make a show out of pouring two hot espresso shots over a cup of fresh milk, ice cubes, and a base of condensed milk. This creates a drink with layers of different colours and flavours.”

Vietnamese coffee and Spanish lattes: What are the differences?

The Vietnamese Coffee (or ca phe sua da in its native country) is usually served in a short, clear glass and consists of condensed milk layered with hot, dark roasted espresso. This is often robusta, too. It’s thought to have been invented as Vietnam wasn’t a milk drinking country, making condensed milk easier to acquire.

The Vietnamese Coffee also resembles other drinks, including:

• The Café Bombón, which is a drink said to originate in Madrid, Spain that contains an espresso shot topped with condensed milk
• The El Pecado from Cuba, which is an espresso shot topped with condensed milk, steamed evaporated milk, and foam
• Thai iced coffee, which includes condensed milk and evaporated milk

A notable difference between the Spanish Latte and other versions of the drink is that coffee shops can serve it hot or cold.

Faisal says, “Vietnamese Coffee tends to use less condensed milk and only… a straight shot of coffee. In our Spanish Latte, we use a bit of milk and a bit of condensed milk. The new trend is using specialty coffee so it’s a bit on the fancier side – although it tastes extremely similar to a Vietnamese Coffee.”

Where Is The Spanish Latte Popular?

The Spanish Latte is popular in Saudi Arabia. According to Statista, the value of the country’s hot drink sector is US $2.2 billion in 2024, thanks to the country’s growing coffee culture and increasing consumption. 

While coffee is relatively expensive for Saudi Arabians, more coffee shops are still opening to meet the growing demand, creating Western-style outlets where young Saudis can gather and socialise.

This generation of coffee consumers prefer coffee beverages with milk and syrups.

Osamah says it’s a drink that “suits the hot weather in the Middle East because you can easily add ice”. 

For Maria, the Spanish Latte is the perfect way to introduce Saudi Arabians to specialty coffee. She says “I think it helps [the specialty coffee] community to reach people who aren’t really into espresso and black coffee, especially in a region where they have a special taste for sweet [drinks].” She adds that it’s the secret weapon on local menus that could help ensure coffee shops remain successful by creating demand for specialty coffee. 

While no official figures exist, Maria estimates that Spanish Lattes make up roughly half of all the sales in UAE coffee shops. She adds that even if coffee shops don’t offer Spanish Lattes, some will offer their own version of it using honey or other syrups.

Does It Have a Place in Specialty Coffee?

The Spanish Latte has had a significant effect on the Saudi Arabian market, helping pave the way for specialty coffee and coffee shops to establish a local presence. This could be because the Spanish Latte relies on quality coffee as a key ingredient. Osamah says, “The vast majority of cafés choose to make [Spanish Lattes] with specialty coffee beans. This has significantly contributed to… increased demand [for] specialty coffee and its brewing tools by existing or new cafés”. 

He adds that because of this, entry into the coffee shop market is easier in comparison with other industries. In addition, the resulting influx of specialty coffee beverages on menus has facilitated the demand for third wave cafés to offer more unique drinks. 

“The third wave [of coffee] is bringing [in] these new drinks. It appeals to younger people who don’t drink coffee… it’s good for business – A new, relaxed and chill way to approach coffee”.

Appeal to younger generations

The Spanish Latte could potentially be a popular addition to coffee shop menus outside Saudi Arabia, thanks to its refreshing qualities and the fact that it appeals to the palates of younger customers. However, the quality of the coffee used could determine how popular it gets. Manuel says, “It’s very important to choose the right beans… If you have a really good coffee, the drink is going to taste really good.” 

Maria says that growth in demand for specialty coffee could also positively impact the entire coffee supply chain, as each link is related to the other. She explains, “If coffee shops have more demand for specialty coffee, there’s more demand for roasted coffee, which means more demand for green coffee – it helps the whole chain.”

The Spanish Latte could make the perfect addition to your coffee shop menu. This means starting with a quality green coffee, creating a specific roast profile for the drink, and relying on a good recipe.

Draw on the above guidelines to create your own take on the Spanish Latte and you’re sure to create an offering that’s popular on your coffee shop menu all year round.

Enjoyed this? Then read what is the pistachio latte?

Photo credits: Triangle Specialty Coffee, Arabica Philippines

Perfect Daily Grind

Editor’s note: Some figures and information in this article were updated in March 2024.

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