How to Make a Cardamom Latte (With Homemade Cardamom Syrup)
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Cardamom does something no other spice does to coffee. It is warm like cinnamon but also floral and slightly citrusy, with a cooling, almost eucalyptus edge that cuts through rich milk. If you want to know how to make a cardamom latte at home, the best route is a simple syrup made from crushed green cardamom pods, stirred into a double espresso and topped with steamed milk. It takes 20 minutes to make a week’s worth of syrup, and every latte after that takes three.
Below: the syrup, the hot and iced lattes, a no-syrup shortcut, variations and tips for the best flavor.
Why cardamom and coffee belong together
Cardamom in coffee is far from a café invention. Across the Middle East, cardamom has long been ground together with coffee, and in parts of the Arabian Peninsula it is steeped together with the coffee in traditional preparations. Cardamom is also a classic ingredient in Indian masala chai, which is how many Western coffee drinkers first met it.
Modern cafés have picked up the thread. In Saudi Arabia, specialty cafés have built signature drinks around cardamom, described by one Saudi specialty café as “a prominent Saudi flavor.” Cardamom also translates beautifully to a Western-style latte, where steamed milk softens its sharper edges. For the related Yemeni spice blend, see our article on hawaij coffee spice.
Green vs black cardamom
Use green cardamom for lattes. It is the common, sweet-floral variety. Black cardamom is a different, unrelated spice with a smoky, earthy flavor, better suited to savory cooking.
Step 1: Make cardamom syrup
Makes about 6 oz (180 ml), enough for 6 to 10 lattes.
| Ingredient | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Green cardamom pods | 12 to 15 pods | about 5 g |
| Granulated or light brown sugar | ½ cup | 100 g |
| Water | ½ cup | 120 ml |
| Vanilla extract (optional) | ½ tsp | 2.5 ml |
- Crack the pods. Press each pod with the flat of a knife or a mortar until it splits open. You want the seeds exposed, not powdered.
- Toast (optional but worth it). Warm the cracked pods in a dry saucepan over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer. Add sugar and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then simmer gently for 5 minutes.
- Steep. Turn off the heat, cover and steep for 20 minutes. Taste; steep longer for a stronger flavor.
- Strain and store. Strain into a clean jar, stir in vanilla if using, and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
No pods? Use 1 tsp ground cardamom instead. Simmer, then strain through a coffee filter, since ground spice leaves sediment. Ground cardamom loses aroma quickly, so pods give a brighter flavor.
Step 2: How to make a cardamom latte
| Ingredient | Hot latte (12 oz) | Iced latte (16 oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 2 oz (60 ml), a double shot | 2 oz (60 ml) |
| Cardamom syrup | 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) | 1½ to 2 tbsp (22 to 30 ml) |
| Milk | 8 oz (240 ml), steamed | 8 oz (240 ml), cold |
| Ice | None | 1 full glass |
Hot cardamom latte
- Pull a double shot of espresso into a warm mug.
- Stir in the cardamom syrup right away, while the espresso is hot.
- Steam or froth the milk to about 140 to 150°F (60 to 65°C).
- Pour the milk over the espresso, holding back the foam, then spoon foam on top.
- Finish with a tiny pinch of ground cardamom or cinnamon.
Iced cardamom latte
- Stir syrup into the hot espresso in a small cup.
- Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in cold milk.
- Pour the sweetened espresso over the top for a layered look, then stir before drinking.
No espresso machine? Use 4 oz (120 ml) of strong moka pot coffee, AeroPress concentrate or double-strength French press coffee.
The no-syrup shortcut
Short on time? Add cardamom directly to the coffee instead.
- Espresso or moka pot: mix a small pinch (about ⅛ tsp) of ground cardamom into the ground coffee before brewing.
- French press or drip: add 2 crushed pods to the grounds for a full pot.
- Sweeten the finished drink with sugar or honey, then add milk.
This version is a little less smooth than syrup, but it is quick and lightly spiced.
Variations
| Variation | How |
|---|---|
| Date and cardamom latte | Swap half the syrup for 1 tbsp date syrup or blended dates; a nod to Gulf café flavors. |
| Orange cardamom | Add a strip of orange peel to the syrup while it steeps. |
| Cardamom vanilla | Double the vanilla; great with oat milk. |
| Cardamom cold foam | Froth 3 oz (90 ml) cold milk with 2 tsp syrup and spoon over iced coffee. |
| Cardamom mocha | Add 1 tbsp cocoa or chocolate sauce to the espresso. |
Dairy-free
Oat milk is the best match: its natural sweetness and creamy foam balance cardamom’s floral notes. Our oat milk latte guide covers frothing tips. Almond milk works but foams less; coconut milk adds its own flavor, which pairs well with cardamom.
Tips for the best cardamom latte
- Start small. Cardamom is strong. Begin with 1 tbsp syrup and add more to taste.
- Buy pods, not powder. Whole pods keep their aroma much longer.
- Choose a coffee with fruit or chocolate notes. Very smoky dark roasts can drown the spice.
- Do not overheat the milk. Scalded milk tastes flat and fights the floral notes.
Which coffee to use
A medium-dark espresso with fruit and chocolate notes lets cardamom shine. Our African Espresso blends Kenyan, Tanzanian and Ethiopian coffees in a medium-dark roast with red fruit and chocolate notes, a natural match. For an evening latte, Decaf Espresso is water-process decaf roasted dark for espresso. Prefer tea? Our Chaga Spice Chai already includes cardamom with cinnamon, ginger and vanilla. If you like spiced drinks, our spiced winter coffee ideas are next.
Cardamom latte FAQ
What does a cardamom latte taste like?
Warm and creamy, with a floral, slightly citrusy spice and a cool, fresh finish. It is less sweet-tasting than cinnamon and more aromatic.
Can I use ground cardamom instead of pods?
Yes. Use about 1 tsp ground cardamom for the syrup and strain it through a coffee filter.
Does cardamom go with tea lattes too?
Very well. It is a classic chai spice, and a little cardamom syrup also works in a black tea latte.
Is a cardamom latte the same as a chai latte?
No. A chai latte is built on spiced black tea, usually with several spices such as cinnamon, ginger and pepper. A cardamom latte is espresso with a single spice, so it tastes cleaner, more floral and more coffee-forward.
How long does cardamom syrup last?
About 2 weeks in a clean, sealed jar in the fridge.
Sources
- Cardamom spices up American menus. Nation’s Restaurant News. nrn.com
- Spice of life: Saudi baristas get creative with new flavors. Arab News, 2022. arabnews.com
Facts checked in October 2026.
Keep reading: Hawaij Coffee Spice · Spiced Winter Coffee · Blend