Tiramisu Latte: The Dessert in a Mug

A tiramisu latte takes the three things that make the Italian dessert work, bitter espresso, creamy mascarpone and a dusting of cocoa, and stacks them in a mug. You pull a strong shot, pour steamed or cold milk, then spoon a sweet mascarpone cold foam on top and finish with cocoa. It tastes like the moment your spoon breaks through the top layer of tiramisu, without the hours in the fridge.

This recipe works hot or iced, needs no raw eggs, and takes about ten minutes. There is an optional splash of Marsala for adults, and a dairy-free route too.

Key takeaways

• The trick is mascarpone cold foam: mascarpone whipped with cream, milk, sugar and vanilla until thick but pourable.
• Use a dark, chocolatey espresso so the coffee stands up to the cream.
• Ladyfinger crumbs on top add the cookie note of the dessert.
• The base recipe is alcohol free; Marsala is an optional extra for adults 21 and over.

In this article

1. From dessert to drink
2. Ingredients
3. How to make a tiramisu latte
4. Iced tiramisu latte
5. Variations and swaps
6. Which coffee to use
7. FAQ

From dessert to drink

Tiramisu is a young dessert. Wikipedia notes that no recipe appears in cookbooks before the 1960s, and the most cited story credits Le Beccherie restaurant in Treviso, where it was reportedly created in 1969 and added to the menu in 1972. Rival claims from Friuli-Venezia Giulia are strong: Bradt Guides describes a 1950s mascarpone dessert in Tolmezzo and a late-1940s dessert at Al Vetturino in San Canzian d’Isonzo that diners renamed tiramisù. The name is usually translated as “pick me up,” and Panorama notes that it became famous in the 1980s as the recipe spread. We cover the full debate and a classic recipe in our classic tiramisu recipe, so here we focus on the drink.

Every part of the latte maps to a layer of the dessert:

A note on the star ingredient: Wikipedia records documented industrial production of mascarpone in the province of Treviso from 1933, under the Mascherpone Valmarino trademark.

Ingredients

For one 12 oz (350 ml) latte.

Mascarpone cold foam

• 2 tbsp (30 g) mascarpone, cold
• 3 tbsp (45 ml) heavy cream, cold
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) whole milk
• 2 tsp (8 g) sugar or 2 tsp (10 ml) maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp (1 ml) vanilla extract

Latte

• 2 oz (60 ml) espresso, a double shot
• 1 tsp (5 ml) simple syrup or brown sugar syrup, optional
• 6 oz (180 ml) milk
• 1/2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
• 1 ladyfinger (savoiardi), crumbled, optional

How to make a tiramisu latte

1. Make the foam. Put the mascarpone in a tall jar and stir it smooth with a spoon. Add the cream, milk, sugar and vanilla. Whip with a handheld milk frother for 20 to 30 seconds until thick, glossy and just pourable, like melted ice cream. Stop before it turns stiff.
2. Pull the espresso. Brew a double shot straight into your mug. Stir in the syrup if you like a sweeter base. New to espresso at home? Our guide to making espresso at home covers machines, moka pots and grind.
3. Steam the milk. Heat the milk to about 140 to 150°F (60 to 65°C) and froth lightly. Pour it over the espresso, leaving about an inch (2.5 cm) of room at the top.
4. Add the foam. Spoon the mascarpone foam over the latte so it floats in a thick layer.
5. Finish. Sift the cocoa over the foam through a small strainer and scatter the ladyfinger crumbs on top. Drink right away while the layers are distinct.

Tip: cold foam stays fluffy longest on an iced drink. On a hot latte it melts slowly into the coffee, which many people enjoy, but make it just before serving.

Iced tiramisu latte

Fill a 16 oz (470 ml) glass with ice. Add the double shot and syrup, then 6 oz (180 ml) of cold milk. Top with the mascarpone foam and cocoa. Because the milk is cold, the foam sits on top in a clean white layer, which looks a lot like a slice of tiramisu seen from the side. If you like a sturdier foam, our sweet cream cold foam guide explains how fat content and frothing time change the texture.

Variations and swaps

With Marsala (adults 21+ only)

Some tiramisu recipes add Marsala to the coffee soak, according to Wikipedia. For the latte, whisk 1 to 2 tsp (5 to 10 ml) of Marsala into the foam before frothing. This version is for adults 21 and over; please drink responsibly. For an alcohol-free version with a similar warm note, use the base recipe with an extra drop of vanilla.

Lighter version

Replace the heavy cream with more whole milk and cut the mascarpone to 1 tbsp (15 g). The foam will be thinner and settle faster, but the flavor is still there.

Dairy-free version

Mascarpone has no exact dairy-free twin. A plant-based cream cheese whipped with a barista oat drink and a little sugar gets you a tangy, creamy foam. It will not taste the same as the original, so add a touch more vanilla and cocoa to round it out.

Mocha-tiramisu

Stir 1 tsp of cocoa and 1 tsp of sugar into the hot espresso before adding milk, for a deeper chocolate layer under the foam.

Which coffee to use

The foam is rich and sweet, so the coffee needs backbone. Our Italian Roast is our darkest roast, a slow-roasted blend of specialty-grade Arabica and Robusta described as smoky and intense, with dark chocolate notes and a thick crema. It gives you the bitter, cocoa-like base tiramisu is built on. If you want something a bit brighter, African Espresso blends coffees from Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia in a medium-dark roast, with red fruit, chocolate and a lively finish that plays nicely against the creamy foam. Both are roasted 1 to 5 days before delivery and come in an Espresso grind for machines and moka pots, or whole bean. Prefer a ready-made shortcut? Browse our flavored coffees for ready-flavored options.

Tiramisu Latte FAQ

What is a tiramisu latte?

It is an espresso and milk drink topped with a sweet mascarpone cold foam and cocoa powder, designed to taste like the Italian dessert.

Does a tiramisu latte have alcohol?

Not in this recipe. Marsala is an optional add-in for adults 21 and over; the base drink is alcohol free.

Can I make it without mascarpone?

Yes, but it will be closer to a sweet cream latte. Cream cheese or a plant-based cream cheese gives a similar tang, though the flavor is not identical.

Can I use regular coffee instead of espresso?

You can use 4 oz (120 ml) of very strong brewed coffee or moka pot coffee. The drink will be lighter, so pick a dark roast.

Does the latte contain raw eggs like tiramisu?

No. Classic tiramisu cream uses egg yolks, but this foam uses only mascarpone, cream, milk, sugar and vanilla.

Make your dessert latte with a bold espresso: Shop Feel Espresso blends

Sources

1. Tiramisu, Wikipedia
2. Tiramisù, a landmark of made in Italy known all over the world, Panorama
3. The history of the tiramisù, Bradt Guides

Facts checked in October 2026.

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