Super Simple Christmas Coffee Latte Art You'll Master at First Glance!

It's already December! The surrounding shops have all been decorated with red and green ornaments, and everywhere is filled with the Christmas spirit! Of course, for us coffee lovers, we want to join in on this festive occasion! So today, FrontStreet Coffee brings you a special feature on latte art—「Christmas Latte Art Tutorial」!

It's very simple! Even if you don't have an espresso machine at home and can't create fine milk foam, you can still make slightly thicker foam using tools like a French press or an electric milk frother. You don't need much latte art skill—just ensure the liquid surface is neat, and even beginners can create beautiful Christmas latte art! The extra tools we need are a latte art etching needle and a spoon, which can complete almost all the latte art designs (if you don't have an etching needle, you can use any pointed object as a substitute)!

First, let's review the uses of the etching needle!

The etching needle has two different shapes at its ends. The sharp, needle-like tip can hold less milk foam and is mainly used for outlining lines. The other end has a spoon-like head shape, and its curved arc can scoop out more milk foam, primarily used for drawing large area patterns!

Getting Started

First, let's prepare a shot of espresso (or coffee extracted from a moka pot), a serving of hot milk with foam (temperature between 63-69°C), and the spoon and etching needle mentioned above. Once everything is ready, let's start creating our designs! (Note: After each dip into the milk foam, the etching needle needs to be wiped with a paper towel to avoid color mixing from the coffee liquid)

Christmas Tree (Simple Version)

1. First, combine the coffee and milk until the cup is full, then use the spoon to draw three horizontal lines of different lengths (shorter on top, longer on bottom).
2. Then take out the pointed tip of the etching needle and draw diagonal lines from the bottom of the long horizontal line up to the short one, repeating this until the area is filled.
3. Use the spoon end of the etching needle to draw one horizontal and one vertical line at the bottom to create the tree trunk.
4. Then use the spoon end to place a small circle at the top of the tree.
5. Use the pointed tip of the etching needle to draw five lines from inside to outside of the circle, turning it into a decorative star.
6. Finally, use the tip to pick up a tiny bit of milk foam and dot star-like points near the tree. The Christmas tree is now complete!

Christmas Tree (More Difficult Version)

Since this Christmas tree is more complex, you might want to watch a video tutorial along with these instructions!

1. First, combine the coffee and milk until the cup is half full, creating a leaf pattern. If you can't do latte art, fill the cup completely, then use a spoon to scoop some milk foam and draw a thick vertical line in the middle.
2. Then take out the pointed tip of the etching needle and draw wavy lines of increasing amplitude on this leaf/vertical line.
3. Use the spoon end of the etching needle to draw one horizontal and one vertical line at the bottom to create the tree trunk. Now the Christmas tree has taken shape.
4. Similarly, place a small circle at the top, then use the pointed tip of the etching needle to draw a five-pointed star.
5. Finally, decorate with snowflakes and stars, and the Christmas tree is complete!

Christmas Apple (Becomes a regular apple after Christmas~)

1. First, combine until the cup is 60% full, then pour a heart shape without completing the tail. (If you can't do latte art, you can directly use a spoon to draw a circle, then use the etching needle to create the gap)
2. Use the spoon end to pick up milk foam and draw the apple stem at the gap of the pattern.
3. Then use the tip to pick up coffee liquid and draw a horizontal line at the very bottom of the stem. The Christmas apple is now complete!

Snowman

1. Again, start with the spoon, scoop two spoonfuls of milk foam to draw two circles.
2. Use the pointed tip of the etching needle to pick up coffee liquid and draw the snowman's buttons and facial expression.
3. Then use the tip to pick up milk and draw the snowman's hands.
4. Finally, add dotted snowflakes as decoration, and the snowman is complete!

Snowflake

1. First, use a spoon to scoop some milk foam and draw a circle in the middle.
2. Then use the tip to pick up milk foam and extend six lines from the center of the circle outward.
3. Place a small circle at the end of each line.
4. Use the tip to draw branches in the middle of each line.
5. Finally, place a small circle between every two branches.
6. Add decorative dots nearby, and the snowflake is complete!

The FrontStreet Coffee barista's hands were a bit shaky, so the patterns might look a bit abstract, but that's okay—I believe you all will do even better! Besides these designs, we can also create animal patterns like cats, bears, pandas, etc. Friends who are interested can check out our article on 「Animal Etching」 for more information!

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FrontStreet Coffee
10 No. Bao'an Qianjie, Yandun Road, Dongshankou, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province

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