Indulge in the cozy flavors of fall with this creamy Spiced Sweet Potato Latte, a festive twist on the classic pumpkin spice latte. With its rich, earthy sweetness and easy-to-follow recipe, you can whip up this comforting drink at home and enjoy barista-quality flavor in minutes!
This dreamy sweet potato latte recipe adds a Southern flair to the beloved PSL, combining the earthy sweetness of sweet potato with a subtle caffeine kick from espresso or cold brew. Sweet potato puree brings a richer, more robust flavor than pumpkin, with a natural sweetness and a deeper, more complex, earthy taste. This gives the sweet potato coffee a heartier, slightly caramel-like flavor for a smooth, rich, and indulgent drink.
The creamy texture, paired with frothy milk and warming spices, creates a comforting and satisfying sipper perfect for cozy fall mornings or an afternoon pick-me-up.
The fun latte twist may just become your new fall favorite. Plus, you can skip the coffee line and be your own barista! All you need is a handful of simple ingredients and a few minutes to create this crave-able sweet potato drink at home!
For more tasty vegan drink recipes, check out my Oat Milk Matcha Latte, Anti-inflammatory Turmeric Latte, or Banana Mocha Smoothie.
Ingredients
Coffee: Two shots of espresso or half a cup of cold brew adds a nice caffeine buzz and ideally complements the sweet potato milk mixture. Strongly brewed regular coffee can also work in a pinch.
Plant-Based Milk: I use soy milk or full-fat oat milk to keep this sweet latte ultra-creamy, vegan, and non-dairy. Feel free to use any other non-dairy milk if preferred.
Sweet Potato Puree: Homemade sweet potato puree adds a rich, sweet flavor to the latte. For convenience, you can also use store-bought canned puree.
Maple Syrup: Adds a warm sweetness with caramel undertones that elevate the creamy potato drink.
Agave Nectar: Brings a touch of light sweetness that balances the maple flavor. Adjust the sweetness according to your taste preference.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances the sweetness and adds a delicious depth of flavor. Avoid imitation vanilla for the best flavor.
Pumpkin Spice: A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves gives the latte a quintessential fall flavor. Use a store-bought blend or mix your own.
How to Make a Sweet Potato Latte
- Combine Ingredients. Combine the pureed sweet potato with milk, espresso (or cold brew), maple syrup, agave, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice in a small saucepan.
- Whisk & Warm. Whisk the ingredients to combine and warm the mixture over medium heat. Don’t boil or simmer; heat it enough for a nice hot latte.
- Adjust Sweetness. Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness by adding more maple or agave syrup if desired.
- Serve. Pour the latte into a mug, top with foamed non-dairy milk or whipped cream (if desired), and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice. Enjoy!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use fresh sweet potato puree. For the best flavor, use homemade sweet potato puree instead of canned. Making your own creates a deeper, richer flavor to sweet potato drinks. In a pinch, canned puree works well too.
- Adjust sweetness to taste. You can easily adjust the sweetness of your latte by adding more or less maple syrup and agave nectar based on your preferences. You can skip the agave and use maple syrup for a more pronounced flavor.
- Don’t overheat the mixture. When warming the milk and sweet potato mixture, avoid boiling it. Gently heat until it’s just hot enough to drink. Overheating can cause the milk to separate or burn, altering the taste and texture of the latte.
- Froth for extra creaminess. Use a milk frother to froth the milk mixture before combining it with the coffee to add a luxurious, café-quality texture. Alternatively, use a milk frother to foam 1/4 cup of warm plain non-dairy milk (oat milk works best), and use the foam to top your latte.
- Garnish. Top your latte with vegan milk foam or vegan whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice for an extra indulgent treat.
Recipe Variations
Below are optional variations to switch up this recipe to suit your taste:
- Korean Sweet Potato Latte: For a more traditional sweet potato drink, skip the coffee and pumpkin spice and blend ½ cup of steamed sweet potato with your choice of milk. Sweeten to taste if desired, and add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. This caffeine-free latte is popular in Korean cafes.
- Cinnamon Nutmeg Latte: For a different flavor twist, omit the pumpkin spice blend and add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
- Gingerbread Latte: Replace the pumpkin spice blend with ½ teaspoon of ground ginger and ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves to create a tasty gingerbread flavor variation.
- Decaf: Keep the coffee flavor but reduce the buzz using a decaf espresso or cold brew.
- Iced: Make an iced version by blending the coffee, sweet potato, spices, and sweetener with cold vegan milk and serve over ice. Shaking the ingredients in a glass jar with ice helps to make the perfect smooth blend.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this delicious latte to start your day alongside breakfast, serve at your next brunch, or treat yourself to an afternoon pick-me-up paired with a pastry or dessert. Try it paired with some of our favorite recipes below:
Storage Directions
Homemade coffee sweet potato drinks are best served right away, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lattes can be sweet if desired but aren’t by definition. It all depends on your preference and how you prepare them. This sweet potato latte has a natural sweetness from the sweet potato puree, maple, and agave syrups. If you prefer a less sweet drink, you can reduce the amount of syrup to your liking.
Yes, you can use canned sweet potato puree if you’re short on time. However, homemade puree made from roasting or steaming sweet potatoes will give your latte a richer, more flavorful taste.
Absolutely! You can omit the espresso or cold brew from the recipe and still enjoy a deliciously creamy and flavorful sweet potato drink.
More Sweet Potato Recipes
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Combine the espresso, non-dairy milk, sweet potato puree, maple syrup, agave, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice in a small saucepan.
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Whisk the ingredients to combine and warm the mixture over medium heat. Don’t boil or simmer; just heat it enough for a nice hot latte.
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Season to taste with more sweetener if desired.
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Pour the latte into a mug, top it with whipped cream, and sprinkle it with pumpkin pie spice. Enjoy!
Homemade coffee sweet potato drinks are best served right away, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use fresh sweet potato puree. For the best flavor, use homemade sweet potato puree instead of canned. Making your own creates a deeper, richer flavor to sweet potato drinks. In a pinch, canned puree works well too.
- Adjust sweetness to taste. You can easily adjust the sweetness of your latte by adding more or less maple and agave syrup based on your preferences. You can skip the agave and use maple syrup for a more pronounced flavor.
- Don’t overheat the mixture. When warming the milk and sweet potato mixture, avoid boiling it. Gently heat until it’s just hot enough to drink. Overheating can cause the milk to separate or burn, altering the taste and texture of the latte.
- Froth for extra creaminess. Use a milk frother to froth the milk mixture before combining it with the coffee to add a luxurious, café-quality texture. Alternatively, use a milk frother to foam 1/4 cup of warm plain non-dairy milk (oat milk works best), and use the foam to top your latte.