How To Make A Starbucks Toasted Graham Latte

It's not fall without a cozy Starbucks drink in your hands, right? This fall, coffee-lovers everywhere were blessed with not only the return of the ever popular fall seasonal beverage, the pumpkin spice latte, but they were also given the gift of the new toasted graham latte. That's right — for the first time in four years, the coffee conglomerate released a new fall espresso drink, and it's just as good as your old favorite, the PSL. The only thing better? Learning how to make a Starbucks toasted graham latte at home, of course.

The new drink, which is a creamy espresso beverage with notes of milky graham crackers and cinnamon, is the perfect addition to fall. Unlike other traditional seasonal beverages, the TGL — that's right, it already has an initialed nickname — isn't bursting with spices and super strong flavors, so the bold flavor of espresso really comes through. It's the perfect drink for coffee-lovers, and just in time for sweater weather.

Whenever Starbucks comes out with a new limited-time only drink like the toasted graham latte, my first reaction is: how will I get this once it's gone?! While some beverages can be made year-round on the secret Starbucks menu, the TGL isn't one of them. It has its own flavored syrup which will only be around as long as the leaves are red, yellow, and orange. I know, this is the worst news if the toasted graham latte has become your new favorite coffee beverage. The good news? You can make your own at home, and here is how:

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. graham cracker crumbles, plus extra for topping
• 1/2 tbsp. sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 3/4 cup of milk
• 1/4 cup Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss Cinnamon Cream coffee creamer
• 2 oz. espresso or strong coffee
• Whipped cream (optional)

Directions

1. In a small sauce pan, combine graham cracker crumbles, sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, milk, and coffee creamer. Whisk until all the ingredients are fully incorporated, and milk is frothy. The graham pieces should not still be chunky, but instead fully absorbed into the milk mixture.

2. Heat over medium-high heat, whisking occasionally, and watching carefully to make sure milk does not burn. Once steaming and warm throughout, remove from heat.

3. Pour coffee or espresso into a serving cup. Add graham and milk mixture from the saucepan. To make things extra frothy, finish with a hand milk frother.

4. Top with whipped cream, graham cracker crumples, and a dash of cinnamon. Serve.

The Verdict

The Starbucks toasted graham latte has a subtle flavor that really brings out the coffee flavor of the latte, but as simple as it is, the flavor is actually hard to imitate — but it can be done! While the official drink is made with a "toasted graham" sauce, there aren't any direct substitutes you can buy at the grocery store, so you have to try and recreate the flavor using a variety of ingredients. The key is to achieve a sweet cinnamon and milky graham cracker flavor, which the milk, creamer, graham pieces, and sweetened condense milk accomplishes. Though a little sweeter than the Starbucks in-store beverage, this at-home version has the same flavor profile, and more importantly, gives you the wonderful fall warm-and-fuzzies. Mission accomplished.

Images: Sadie Trombetta