In short: For a pink latte, stir half a teaspoon of beetroot powder with spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and anise into 200 ml of warm milk or plant drink and froth it. Don't let the milk boil, or the colour turns brownish. You don't need sugar – liquorice, anise and fennel bring a gentle sweetness.
What is a pink latte?
A pink latte is a coffee-free milk drink that gets its pink colour from beetroot. It tastes mild, slightly earthy and – depending on the spices – warm and sweet. Unlike coffee it contains no caffeine, so it also works in the evening. Many people know it from cafés, where it's often made with syrup or sweetened powder.
At home you can make it with just a few ingredients: either plain beetroot powder and spices from your cupboard, or a ready-made blend like our Sadhana.
Basic recipe: pink latte in 3 minutes
Ingredients for 1 cup
- 200 ml milk or plant drink (oat froths best)
- ½ tsp Sadhana – or ½ tsp beetroot powder plus a pinch each of cinnamon, cardamom and anise
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup, if you like
How to
- Heat the milk in a small pan until it steams but doesn't boil (about 65 °C).
- Stir in the powder, ideally with a small whisk.
- Froth briefly with a milk frother, pour into a cup and dust with a pinch of powder.
Tip: Stir the powder into a splash of cold milk first and you won't get lumps.
Variation 1: iced pink latte
For warm days, stir ½ tsp Sadhana into 2 tbsp hot water until dissolved. Fill a glass with ice cubes, pour over 200 ml cold milk or oat drink and add the pink spice paste on top. Stir at the table – it looks lovely.
Variation 2: pink porridge
Simmer 40 g oats with 200 ml milk and a pinch of salt for 5 minutes. Take off the heat and stir in ½ tsp Sadhana. Serve with berries, a few chopped nuts and a spoonful of yoghurt. For more spice, grind some Madhura over the top.
Pink latte with or without sugar?
Many ready-made pink latte powders consist largely of sugar or milk powder. Check the ingredient list: if sugar, dextrose or maltodextrin come first, it's more of a sweet drink. Sadhana contains only organic spices and beetroot: beetroot, anise, fennel, liquorice, ashwagandha, cinnamon, cardamom and mace. The sweetness comes from liquorice and anise, and if you want more, sweeten it yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my pink latte turn brownish?
The milk was too hot. Beetroot colour is heat-sensitive. Only heat the milk until it steams, then stir in the powder.
Which milk works best?
Oat drink froths particularly well and is slightly sweet. Cow's milk makes the latte creamier, almond drink a little lighter. They all work.
Does a pink latte taste of beetroot?
Only slightly earthy. The spices – above all cinnamon, cardamom and anise – take the lead. People who don't usually like beetroot are often surprised.
Does a pink latte contain caffeine?
No. It contains neither coffee nor tea. If you still want caffeine in the morning, try our Shakti matcha latte. More on both: superfood lattes compared.
