Share a Red Velvet Latte with Your Sweetheart for Valentine’s Day
Take Your Mocha to the Next Level With This Red Velvet Latte
While we’d certainly never turn down a mocha, there’s something extra special about this perfectly pink chocolate coffee drink – especially for Valentine’s Day. Thanks to its rich hue, the red velvet cake was traditionally seen as a celebratory dessert. Today, we think that still holds true: The bright color of this latte makes it perfect for sharing with that special someone. To make sure you’ll always be able to sip on something sweet in the morning, we’re also sharing two recipes – one for a traditional latte and another for a creamer that’s great on the go. Happy Love Month!
The History of Red Velvet
The concept of a ‘velvet’ cake first appeared in the Victorian Era, when it was used to describe a cake’s soft and silky texture. Bakers at the time found that this fluffiness was frequently helped along with the addition of cocoa, which helped combat the coarseness of flour. Adding cocoa to the cakes created a reddish hue, created by a chemical reaction between the cocoa and the acid. Today, the processing of cocoa means this reaction doesn’t occur. As the terms ‘velvet cake,’ ‘cocoa cake,’ and ‘red velvet’ began to spread, the cookbook The Joy of Cooking, published in 1943, made the name official.
Shortly after, the dawn of World War II forced civilians to ration off ingredients like sugar, butter and cocoa. To keep their cakes soft, bakers began using beet juice in their cakes. This helped maintain the fluffy texture they were after and – you guessed it – made the cakes a vibrant red color. Red cakes continued to remain popular and feel extra special.
Today, food coloring is used to give the cakes their vibrant color. But, regardless of how we achieve the bright hue, many bakers agree that it feels particularly celebratory.
Red Velvet Latte
Want to celebrate but don’t want to dive into a slice of red velvet cake first thing in the morning? This sweet, chocolatey and very pink latte is the perfect compromise. Using chunks of chocolate, sugar, whole milk, and vanilla, this latte delivers a mocha-like flavor. Red food coloring dresses it up a little more, making it perfect for Valentine’s Day (or for showing your loved ones you care any time of the year).
Ingredients
Makes 2 lattes
2 tbsp sugar
2 cups whole milk
6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1/4 – 1/2 tsp red food coloring
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 oz espresso
Directions
Add sugar, milk, and chocolate to a saucepan. Heat over low-medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring to melt sugar and chocolate.
Once melted, remove from heat. Add food coloring gradually until the mixture is red. Mix in vanilla.
Divide espresso into two mugs or glasses. Pour milk mixture on top and stir to combine.
Recipe adapted from Black & Decker.
Red Velvet Creamer
Looking to save time in the morning? Mix up red velvet creamer in advance so you can add a dose of sweetness to your morning cup. This creamer keeps for about a week in the fridge and is best for adding to brewed coffee or an americano.
Want to try something spicier instead? Try our pumpkin spice creamer recipe.
Ingredients
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup half n’ half
2 tbsp cocoa powder
3 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 – 1 tbsp red food coloring
Directions
Whisk together milk, half n’ half, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan over low heat.
Allow to heat through, mixing well until sugar is melted and cocoa powder is dissolved.
Add in red food coloring gradually, until desired color is achieved.
Remove from heat and let cool. Pour into a glass jar or container and refrigerate for up to one week.