Rooibos Latte Recipe: How to Make a Rooibos Latte (Caffeine-Free)
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A rooibos latte is what you make when you want the comfort of a milky latte late in the evening without any caffeine. Rooibos, the South African red bush, brews into a reddish, naturally sweet infusion with an earthy, honeyed depth that loves milk. If you are wondering how to make a rooibos latte, the trick is concentration: brew the rooibos much stronger than you would for a cup of tea, then top it with frothed milk and a little sweetener. Weak rooibos simply vanishes under the milk.
Here are two reliable methods, iced and flavored versions, and fixes for the usual problem of a latte that tastes like warm milk.
Key takeaways
- Rooibos comes from Aspalathus linearis, a plant grown in South Africa’s Western Cape, and it is naturally caffeine-free.
- Brew a concentrate: about 2 heaped teaspoons per ½ cup (120 ml) of boiling water, steeped 7–10 minutes.
- Rooibos is low in tannins, so longer steeping gives more flavor with less harshness than black tea.
- Vanilla, honey and cinnamon are classic partners.
In this article
- What is rooibos?
- How to make a rooibos latte
- Stovetop method
- Iced, vanilla and spiced versions
- Troubleshooting
- FAQ
What is rooibos?
Rooibos (pronounced ROY-boss), or red bush tea, is not tea from the Camellia sinensis plant. It is an herbal infusion made from Aspalathus linearis, a broom-like shrub of the legume family that grows mainly in the Cederberg mountains of South Africa’s Western Cape. In 2021 the European Union gave the name “rooibos” protected designation of origin status, so products sold under that name there must use leaves grown in that region.
Most rooibos is oxidized, which gives it its red-brown color and rich, earthy flavor. A less common green (unoxidized) rooibos has a maltier, slightly grassy taste. Both are caffeine-free and low in tannins, and rooibos is commonly drunk plain or with milk, lemon, sugar or honey, as well as in lattes, cappuccinos and iced tea.
| Rooibos latte | Chai latte | Matcha latte | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Red bush infusion | Spiced black tea | Powdered green tea |
| Caffeine | None | Yes | Yes |
| Flavor | Earthy, honeyed, sweet | Spicy, malty | Vegetal, umami |
| Best time | Any time, including evenings | Morning, afternoon | Morning, afternoon |
How to make a rooibos latte (concentrate method)
Ingredients (1 latte, about 10 oz / 300 ml)
| Ingredient | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Loose rooibos | 2 heaped tsp | 5–6 g |
| Boiling water | ½ cup | 120 ml |
| Milk of your choice | ¾ cup | 180 ml |
| Honey, maple or vanilla syrup | 1–2 tsp | 5–10 ml |
| Vanilla extract (optional) | ¼ tsp | 1 ml |
| Ground cinnamon, to dust (optional) | 1 pinch | 1 pinch |
Steps
- Brew strong. Pour the boiling water over the rooibos in a teapot, infuser or heatproof jug. Rooibos is happy with fully boiling water.
- Steep longer than for tea. Leave it 7–10 minutes. Because rooibos is low in tannins, a long steep deepens the flavor rather than making it harsh.
- Strain and sweeten. Strain into your mug, pressing the leaves gently, and stir in the sweetener and vanilla while it is hot.
- Froth the milk. Heat the milk to about 140–150°F (60–65°C), just steaming, and froth it with a steam wand, handheld frother or a shaken jar. Our guide on how to froth milk covers every method.
- Combine. Pour the milk over the rooibos, holding back the foam with a spoon, then spoon the foam on top. Dust with cinnamon.
Make-ahead tip: brew a larger batch of concentrate (4 heaped tablespoons per 2 cups / 480 ml water), strain and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Heat ½ cup with your milk whenever you want a latte.
Stovetop method (richest flavor)
This method infuses the rooibos directly in milk, like a traditional chai, for a creamier, rounder drink.
- Bring ⅓ cup (80 ml) water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add 2 heaped teaspoons of rooibos and simmer 3 minutes.
- Add ¾ cup (180 ml) milk and your sweetener. Heat gently until steaming, without boiling, about 3–4 minutes.
- Strain into a mug, whisk or froth for a few seconds and serve.
Do not let the milk boil hard: it can scorch on the bottom of the pan and form a skin.
Iced, vanilla and spiced versions
- Iced rooibos latte: make the concentrate, sweeten it while hot, cool it, then pour over a glass of ice and top with cold milk. Shake with ice in a jar for a frothy finish.
- Vanilla honey rooibos latte: add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 teaspoons honey. The most popular café version.
- Spiced rooibos latte: simmer a cinnamon stick, 2 crushed cardamom pods and a slice of fresh ginger with the rooibos in the stovetop method, for a caffeine-free cousin of the chai latte.
- Rooibos London fog style: add vanilla and a little lavender syrup instead of the Earl Grey of the original.
- Dairy-free: oat milk is the best match for rooibos’s honeyed flavor and froths well; soy is creamy and neutral; almond is lighter. See the oat milk latte guide.
Our rooibos for lattes
Feel Espresso does not sell plain rooibos, but our Apple Cider Rooibos makes an outstanding latte. It is South African red bush tea blended with cinnamon, orange peel and warm spices, naturally caffeine-free and spicy-sweet, like a mug of hot apple cider. Use the same concentrate method above; it needs only a little honey. If you would like a spiced latte with caffeine, our Masala Chai is a bold black tea blend made for traditional chai with milk and sugar. For another caffeine-free evening option, try Chamomile Ginger, or browse the full tea collection.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Tastes like warm milk | Rooibos too weak or steep too short | Use 2 heaped tsp per ½ cup water and steep 7–10 minutes |
| Too earthy or woody | Very long steep with plain rooibos | Add vanilla and honey, or use a flavored rooibos blend |
| Milk curdles | Very acidic add-ins or boiling plant milk | Heat gently; add citrus peel only to the water, not the milk |
| Thin foam | Milk too hot or skimmed plant milk | Stop at 150°F (65°C); use barista-style oat milk |
| Too sweet | Flavored syrup plus sweet milk | Start with 1 tsp sweetener; oat milk is already sweet |
Rooibos latte FAQ
Does a rooibos latte have caffeine?
No. Rooibos is a naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion, so a rooibos latte made with milk and sweetener has no caffeine.
What does a rooibos latte taste like?
Smooth, earthy and naturally sweet, with honey and vanilla notes. Milk softens its woody edge and brings out a caramel-like sweetness.
Can rooibos be steeped too long?
It is far more forgiving than black or green tea because it is low in tannins. Even a 10-minute steep rarely turns harsh, which is why it suits lattes so well.
Can I use rooibos tea bags?
Yes. Use 2 bags per ½ cup (120 ml) of water to get a strong enough concentrate.
Can I add espresso to a rooibos latte?
You can: a single shot turns it into a rooibos version of a dirty chai. Just remember that the drink is then no longer caffeine-free.
Sources
- Rooibos, Wikipedia (botany, origin, caffeine, tannins and PDO status).
Facts checked in October 2026.
Keep reading: Dirty chai latte · Honey lavender latte · Tea collection