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National Latte Day

Drink · February 11

A day for the latte, the mellow coffee drink of espresso and steamed milk topped with a thin layer of foam.

National Latte Day falls on Thursday, February 11, 2027. That is 107 days away.

A latte is espresso with a generous amount of steamed milk poured in, finished with a thin cap of foam. The name comes from the Italian caffe latte, which simply means coffee with milk.

The milk does most of the talking. It softens the bitterness of the espresso and turns it into something smooth and gently sweet, even without sugar. Compared with a cappuccino, a latte has more milk and less foam, so it drinks rounder and quieter.

Part of the charm is the pour. A barista who tilts the cup and moves the pitcher just so can leave a heart, a leaf or a lopsided tulip on top. Some of these designs last only a sip or two, which may be the point.

At home, people make lattes with espresso machines, moka pots or strong brewed coffee, and they heat and froth milk on the stove or with a small whisk. Oat, almond and soy milks all show up in lattes now, each foaming a little differently. Flavored versions add syrups like vanilla or caramel, and many cafes offer iced lattes for warm afternoons.

Whole milk tends to give the silkiest texture, because its fat helps the foam hold together and taste creamy.

Ways to celebrate

• Order a latte at a local cafe and watch the pour.
• Try frothing warm milk at home with a whisk or jar.
• Taste a latte made with a plant milk you have not tried.
• Attempt a simple heart in latte art, and drink the attempts.
• Make an iced latte with cold milk over espresso and ice.

Dates

All national days on February 11

Also on February 11

• National Peppermint Patty Day
• National Make a Friend Day
• National Inventors' Day
• National Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
• Get Out Your Guitar Day

Categories: Drink days