Chestnut Praline Latte (Starbucks Copycat)

My copycat Starbucks Chestnut Praline Latte is the perfect blend of dark espresso, creamy milk, toasty nuts, caramelly brown sugar, and warm spice. If you’re looking for a cozy way to get your caffeine fix, this easy recipe is it!

Lately, I’ve gone a bit nuts for nuts—I can’t resist that toasty charm. My homemade toasted pecan syrup is like a liquid bottle of pecan pie filling—perfect for brewing up frosty iced coffee drinks like the iced pecan crunch oatmilk latte and salted pecan cream cold brew. Prefer to keep it steamy? My DIY hot pecan crunch oat milk latte is also boss.

But my newest nutty neuroses focus on the Christmas-y charm of Starbucks chestnut praline syrup. If Jack Frost wears cologne, I’m pretty sure it smells and tastes like this caramelly, salty-sweet magic. And, while it’s easy to use in everything from breakfast to dessert, this creamy dreamy chestnut latte might just be my favorite.

It starts like any latte should—the rich, bold taste of dark roast coffee softened by a milky embrace. But what makes it worthy of Starbucks holiday menu is the roasted chestnut & pecan praline undertone paired with a warmly spiced sugar topping. This, my friends, is a hot coffee built for carousing around a fire.

Jump to:

• What is the chestnut praline latte from Starbucks?
• What does it taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Chestnut Praline Latte Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make Starbucks Chestnut Praline Latte At Home
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• Homemade Starbucks Chestnut Latte Nutrition
• Other Starbucks Copycat Recipes
• Chestnut Praline Latte (Starbucks Copycat)

What is the chestnut praline latte from Starbucks?

Starbucks debuted the chestnut praline latte for the 2022 holiday season, and it became an instant classic. Whether ordered hot or cold, it combines milk, espresso, and chestnut praline syrup, plus an optional whipped cream and chopped chestnut praline topping.

My homemade version of this seasonal sipper follows the same basic formula, though instead of topping mine with candied nuts, I sprinkle on a sparkly shower of cinnamon sugar gussied up with an extra punch of spice from ginger and cloves. (Don’t worry, though—if you make your own praline syrup, you’ll have the nuts leftover if you prefer a crunchy garnish!)

What does it taste like?

You know the feeling of stepping into a warm cabin after being out in the snow, where your whole body is greeted with a wave of heat and comfort? Or the comforting smell of the street vendors in Chicago selling paper cones of buttery-sweet nuts? This DIY Starbucks praline latte tastes a lot like both of those things. 

Imagine wrapping your chilled hands around a steaming hot mug, feeling the warmth seep into your bones. Take a deep whiff and smell the familiarity of cinnamon and spice. Now, take your first sip. It’s rich and creamy, but with plenty of bracing sharpness from the espresso. The underlying sweetness is complex, imbued with the flavor of spiced candied nuts. Delightful!

Why You’ll Love This Chestnut Praline Latte Recipe

• Quick & Simple - Just 5 minutes of effort and 3 ingredients are all that stands between you and a mug full of yum. 
• Comforting & Cozy - Consider this holiday latte a cashmere blanket in a cup. It’s ready to wrap you in warmth and luxury!
• Fantastically Frugal - When it starts getting dark at 4pm, my normal coffee obsession kicks into high gear—especially with all the extra chores that crop up around the holidays! If you’re in the same boat, try replacing just one of your daily café runs with a homemade Starbucks praline latte. Within a month, you’ll save close to $150!

Ingredients Needed

As promised, my DIY version of the chestnut praline latte Starbucks offers during the holidays is a snap to make at home with just a handful of ingredients. Here’s what to grab:

• Whole Milk - If you order one of these tasty brews at Starbucks, you’ll get it with whole milk unless otherwise specified. 
• Chestnut Praline Syrup - You’re welcome to use store-bought, but my homemade version is much cheaper—all you need are white sugar, brown sugar, pecans, chestnuts, water, and vanilla extract!
• Espresso - Because what’s a Starbucks latte without espresso?
• Whipped Cream - Totally optional, but excellent for adding another layer of creamy sweet indulgence.
• Spiced Sugar Topping - This optional topping is basically juiced up cinnamon sugar thanks to the inclusion of ginger & cloves.

Substitutions

Need to make some swaps? Not to worry—I’ve got you covered:

• Whole Milk - Feel free to swap in the dairy or plant-based milk of your choice. 
• Chestnut Praline Syrup - Like Starbucks, I use this same basic ratio of milk, syrup, and espresso to make nearly all of my flavored lattes. Feel free to use whichever coffee syrup you prefer!
• Espresso - Strongly brewed Moka pot coffee or heated cold brew coffee will work just as well. You can also swap in 8 ounces of regular coffee—just note you’ll need a larger mug if you do.
• Whipped Cream & Spiced Sugar Topping - This chestnut-flavored latte is perfectly delicious without any garnishes, so feel free to omit omit them. You can also have fun experimenting with alternative toppings like the mascarpone cream from my tiramisu latte, ice cream, regular cinnamon sugar, maple sugar chunks, sprinkles, or crumbled cookies.  

How To Make Starbucks Chestnut Praline Latte At Home

Being your own barista is easier than you might think. Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Prep. If using, stir together the spiced sugar topping ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Whisk together the milk and chestnut praline syrup in a small saucepan.

Step 2: Heat the sweetened milk over medium-low heat until starting to steam and foam.

Step 3: Froth. Remove the pan of milk from heat, and if desired, froth with a milk frother. Set aside.

Step 4: Brew your espresso into a mug. 

Step 5: Assemble. Pour the chestnut praline milk, foam and all, over the espresso. Garnish with whipped cream and/or spiced sugar topping if desired. Drink up!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

Paying 50-90 cents for each modification you make to your Starbucks order when you’re already paying $5+, it feels like a gee dang slap in the face. Luckily, when you make your own at home, you can swap in whatever ingredients you like—at no added cost. Here are some customizations to try:

• Dairy-Free/Vegan - Using plant-based (preferably barista blend) milk and coconut whipped cream makes this treat safe for vegans while still tasting delicious!
• Sugar-Free - Follow the instructions in the optional variations section of my chestnut syrup post to make a diabetic-friendly version at home. Then, either use sugar-free whipped cream and use your favorite cup-for-cup sugar alternative for your garnishes, or omit them. 
• Skinny - Use skim milk (or a low-calorie plant-based option like almond milk) and omit the whipped cream topping to cut back on fat and calories. You can also swap in sugar-free syrup and a spiced monkfruit sprinkle instead. 
• Iced Chestnut Praline Latte - Use cold brew instead of espresso and assemble the drink over ice.
• Caffeine Content - Need a little extra go-juice? Add another shot of espresso. Prefer less of a buzz? Swap in your favorite decaf roast. Can’t do any caffeine? Dark roasted coffee alternatives like Dandy Blend or chicory are your best bet. 

Serving Suggestions

This sweet n’ spicy holiday latte is perfect for any coffee break. Here are just a few serving ideas to get you started:

• Holiday Shopping Salve - Braving the crowds to buy Christmas gifts is always taxing. Make your expedition a little less stressful by toting along your favorite thermos filled with a praline chestnut latte. Just take a sip whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed!
• Tree Cutting Companion - Pull a page out of the Griswold playbook and go cut down your own Christmas tree! Just make sure to bundle up, bring along plenty of this chestnut charmer to help warm you up, and whatever you do—don’t forget the saw.
• Wrap It Up - My gal pals and I like to get together for a gift-wrapping party every year—it makes an otherwise mundane chore into a fun event, plus you can trade wrapping paper with friends to make the gifts from Santa all that more convincing. Throw on your favorite holiday movie or music in the background, make a crockpot worth of latte mix (i.e. espresso with milk), then set out your favorite seasonal syrups and toppers for your guests to serve themselves. 
• Get In The Spirit - Add a splash of your favorite spirit to your mug—Bailey’s is a classic, but chestnut, pecan, or praline liqueur would be perfectly on the nose. ‘Tis the season to get saucy, amirite?

Recipe Success Tips

• Temperature Gauge. When heating your milk mixture, don’t let it come to a full boil. You should remove it from heat as soon as the edges begin to simmer and steam starts rising. If you boil it too hard, it negatively impacts how well the milk can froth by breaking down the proteins. I also think it imparts a burnt, bitter taste. 
• No Milk Frother? No Problem! You can always froth your milk using a balloon whisk; remember to agitate the mixture from side to side for the fastest results. Alternatively, a blender or immersion blender can be used. Wanna go super low-tech? Place the steaming milk in a large mason jar with at least 30% of the jar unfilled. Tighten the lid and shake like the dickens for about a minute. Note that you may need to use a towel to protect your hands from the heat. Just be careful removing the lid—the heat and pressure can cause the milk to sputter out if you open it too quickly.
• Bonus Yums! You will have extra spiced sugar topping, which is excellent for sprinkling on everything from oatmeal to ice cream. Store it in an airtight container or spice jar in a cool dark spot at room temperature. It should keep well for up to 3 months. 

FAQs

Homemade Starbucks Chestnut Latte Nutrition

This sweet sipper isn’t necessarily sinful, but with 46 grams of carbs per serving, 45 of which are sugars, it lands squarely in treat territory. The other nutrient levels are pretty decent—8 grams of fat and 8 grams of protein mean it’ll provide some satiety. And with just 118 mg of sodium, it’s easy enough to fit into most diets.

If you’re concerned about the sugar content or are watching your fat and calorie intake, you have options—reduce the amount of syrup you add or use sugar-free syrup and swap in a lighter milk variety. (Note that plant milks typically have less protein than dairy milk, so it might not make you feel as full.)

Overall, I believe sweet drinks like this chestnut praline latte can fit into any healthy, well-balanced diet. The key is to embrace the balance part! Make sure to pair your indulgence with a low-sugar, high-fiber snack to keep your blood sugar levels in check and limit your sweet intake over the course of your day.

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 285 calories
• Total Fat: 8 grams
• Protein: 8 grams
• Sodium: 118 mg
• Carbohydrates: 46 grams
• Sugar: 45 grams

*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.

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xoxo Megan