This easy homemade brown sugar hojicha latte is the perfect indulgent treat. It combines a rich, homemade brown sugar caramel sauce with the smoky, earthy flavors of hojicha tea and a hint of cinnamon. Wanting to cool down? Just pour over ice for a refreshing twist. This latte is great for sipping on pretty much just about any time!
One of the things we love about this recipe is just how easy it is. While you can certainly make your own caramel sauce, combining brown sugar, milk, and store-bought caramel sauce still gives this latte a very homemade feel without slaving over the stove. And if you want, you can swap the hojicha for our ceremonial grade matcha powder or even our signature matcha chai mix.
What is hojicha?
Hojicha is a type of green tea that is roasted instead of pan-fried. It’s often described as rich and nutty, with notes of caramel and chocolate. It also has a subtle sweetness that is likened to that of brown sugar or molasses, which is why it’s perfect for making a brown sugar latte with!
Hojicha comes as loose-leaf tea, powder, or tea bags. You can use any form of hojicha for this recipe; just be sure to adjust the amount. You’ll need about one tablespoon of loose-leaf hojicha and one teaspoon of powdered hojicha per cup of hot water.
How to make this brown sugar hojicha latte:
First, make your caramel brown sugar syrup.
You’ll need brown sugar, cinnamon, caramel sauce, and milk. Feel free to make your own caramel sauce or use a store-bought one. You can use regular milk or opt for a dairy-free one to make this recipe vegan. If using regular cow’s milk, we recommend using whole milk for a richer, creamier latte. Simmer the syrup on the stove to dissolve the sugar. Froth the milk mixture.
Next, make your tea
While your brown sugar syrup is simmering, make your hojicha tea. Using either loose-leaf tea or powder, combine with 1 cup of hot water in a small bowl or mug. To protect the flavor of the tea, keep the water at about 175 F. If using tea leaves, let tea steep for about 3 minutes, then strain. If using powdered hojicha, simply give it a good stir before using.
Lastly, make your latte
Pour the frothed milk and brown sugar mixture over your hojicha, holding back the foam with the back of a spoon. Pour foam on top and enjoy.
If you’d like to make an iced brown sugar hojicha latte instead, let milk mixture cool slightly, then pour latte over ice, topping it with the foam.
Ingredients:
1 cup milk
1 tbsp caramel sauce
1/2 tbsp brown sugar
Dash of cinnamon
1 tbsp loose-leaf hojicha (or 1 tsp hojicha powder)
1 cup hot water (175 F)
Directions:
1. Combine milk, caramel sauce, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Froth mixture using an electric frother.
2. Combine hot water and hojicha in a small bowl or mug. Let steep 3 minutes. If using loose-leaf hojicha, strain before using.
3. Pour brown sugar milk mixture over hojicha, holding back foam with the back of a spoon. Pour foam on top.
Enjoy
Tips:
- Make the caramel brown sugar syrup ahead of time and store it in the fridge.
- Use store-bought caramel sauce to make things easy, or make your own.
- If you want this latte to have more chocolate notes, swap caramel sauce for chocolate sauce.
- Try using matcha powder instead of hojicha or even our matcha chai powder.
- Pour over ice to make this an iced latte instead.
- Use a plant-based milk to keep this vegan.
- Watch the stove carefully to prevent the brown sugar mixture from burning. Once the sugar dissolves, remove it from the heat.
Bottom Line: Give this delicious latte a try
This hojicha brown sugar latte is perfect for any time of year- whether you prefer it hot to warm up on a cold winter day or iced as a midday treat. The roasted, nutty flavor of hojicha pairs perfectly with the caramel-like sweetness of brown sugar, creating your new go-to latte recipe.
