Mesmerized by the effortless hearts and fall-like designs your local barista is inventing in their lattes each morning, you catch yourself wondering, why can’t I do something fancy like that?
News flash: You can!
And we’re going to help you accomplish these new art designs with a few tips on which milk frother will suit you and your latte best.
We’re confident that by the end of this guide, you’ll have your perfect milk frothing pitcher in your online cart, ready to embark on your adventure through the latte art journey.
The Best Manual and Automatic Frothing Pitchers
Star Coffee Stainless Steel Milk Frothing Pitcher
The two-sided measurements on the Star Coffee Pitcher allow for a quick and easy prep process. Additionally, the high-quality stainless steel prevents rust and long-lasting stains. It also provides a smooth flow of milk through the nozzle of the pitcher.
Star Coffee offers your choice of 12, 20, or 30 oz. pitchers. Plus, they include a bonus gift: an ebook full of tips and tricks to make the perfect cup of coffee.
Chrisnevant Chef Stainless Steel Creamer Non-Stick Teflon
The black matte on this frothing pitcher brings a chic, modern look to your coffee adventures. Meanwhile, the dripless spout provides function by steadying your latte art. The 12 oz. product is made out of a non-stick stainless steel Teflon, making the clean-up process a breeze.
The heat-resistant handle helps you to heat your milk in the microwave or stovetop. While compact, the size still allows perfect space for 1-2 cups of milk each batch.
Now that you’ve seen the highest quality manual frothing pitchers for latte art, let’s take our search to the next level for the ultimate coffee designs.
Milk Frothing Pitcher with Decorating Art Pen
Adorever provides you with killer combo. The pitcher and art pen to get you one step closer to becoming the utmost at-home barista. In-pitcher measurement lines, ranging from 12-66 oz., help you to have an easy and fun coffee making break.
The fine-point and curved ends of the latte pen are made for creating small or large details alike.
Coffee Gator Milk Frothing Pitcher with Thermometer and Mounting Clip
The Gator Milk Frothing Pitcher takes latte making to the next level. It includes an in-package thermometer and mounting clip. The stainless steel jug also includes a few helpful features such as a narrow spout and in cup measurements.
The mounting clip is used to hold the thermometer upright inside the 18.5 oz. pitcher to give you the perfect idea as to just how hot your milk is getting.
Stainless Steel Milk Frothing Pitcher, Decorating Art Pen & Microfiber Cloth
The handheld Wolltoll milk jug can be used in a wide array of ways, but for its specific purpose as a frothing pitcher, this unbreakable product won’t let you down in the kitchen. With the choice between a 12 oz. and 20 oz. pitcher, each option comes with measurements imprinted on the inside with an at-ease pouring spout.
As a bonus, the Wolltoll pitcher comes with a latte art pen and a microfiber cloth to clean up any type of spills you have in your eating areas.
If you’re a coffee connoisseur who’s had their fair share of latte art decorating and don’t need the beginner’s guide, then here are a few picks just for you that can improve your day-to-day latte brewing.
Milk Frothing Pitcher with Integrated Thermometer
This next-level thermometer pitcher that made its way into our top 10 picks, helps you to easily assess whether or not your heated milk is reaching the perfect temperature. Built with stainless steel, the 20 oz. pitcher is the adequate size for all your latte endeavors.
Standing at 4.5 in. tall, the frothing jug is made for a perfect fit in your steam machine.
PowerLix Milk Frother With Stainless Steel Whisk
The PowerLix milk frother is the highlight of this latte set that creates the foam for your coffee, for you in the click of a button. After mashing up your milk with the battery-operated mixer inside the pitcher, your froth will be ready for decoration, but there’s more.
Along with these two products, your dreams will become reality with the 3-piece stencil set, made easy for latte art decorating.
Miroco Automatic Foam Maker, 120V
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Last, but certainly not least, sitting at the top of our ranked list, the Miroco Automatic Foam Maker is the ultimate 3-in-1 milk pitcher. With heating and frothing abilities, this milk pitcher can be taken anywhere to make your latte that much more special.
Whether you’re wanting to heat milk, froth hot milk, or even froth cold milk, the Miroco steamer can do it all. With the ability to heat 8.1 oz of milk and froth to 3.9 oz., this pitcher can be used just for you, or a group of your coffee lovers.
Now that you’ve seen the absolute essentials for your milk frothing creations, here are a few add-on products that can make your experience that much easier, and honestly, better.
HadinEEon Electric Milk Frother & Steamer
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This electric milk frother and steamer can serve as the superior pitcher for making your latte art fantasies turn into reality. This machine offers two different settings, milk heating whisks or milk frothing whisks. With just the push of the button, your milk froth will be ready to add on top of your latte.
With an easy pouring handle, this pitcher will make spooning in your foam quick and easy. The one downfall to this product is that it doesn’t have a spout for easy latte decorating like most frothing pitchers. This device is mainly best used for automatic frothing, not necessarily decorating.
Casara 4 in 1 Electric Milk Frother and Steamer
The 4-in-1 electric milk frother is a quick and hands-free way to heat your milk and froth it too, with no hassle. The hourglass-shaped machine has one button used for four different settings possible:
Dense foam (hot)
Airy foam (hot)
Hot milk
Cold froth
With a smooth texture for each setting, this temperature-controlled frother is the perfect product for those in a hurry, with not enough time to manually froth their milk each morning. Similar to the last product, the only downfall to this device is that there is not a narrow spout present to make latte art decorating easy, but you can easily transfer your froth after using the electric steamer.
Features that matter
Heatproof Handle
A heatproof handle is a must to keep your latte making process simple and safe, by not having to worry about cutting your time short on the stove.
If you are to fall in love with a frothing pitcher that does not have a heatproof handle, then you should consider purchasing a silicone holder to prevent any possibilities of burns.
Lid or Whisk
While it’s not a must, rather a plus, having a lid or whisk for your frothing pitcher can make your brewing 10x easier.
With a lid you’ll be able to shake up your milk to the approximate frothing volume without changing containers mid-way through the course.
If you can’t find a pitcher with an accessible lid for mixing purposes, then consider finding a whisk that can infuse your milk before heating to ensure the perfect froth consistency.
Dripless Spout
The spout is arguably the most important factor on a milk frothing pitcher, because this is the part that will be controlling your success in latte art.
While your steady hands will have a impact as well, a dripless spout is essential in ensuring that your masterpiece doesn’t become a big blob after a few drips of milk have stuck to the outside of the pitcher.
What is a latte and how do I make it?
A classic latte is made from espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam (also referred to as froth), which can either be served hot or cold.
While an espresso machine would be recommended to begin the development of your latte, if you don’t have an espresso machine handy and you don’t want to wait, then you can makeshift one.
First, you’ll want to make strongly brewed coffee while avoiding the large addition of water that will ultimately make the espresso weak. Next, you’ll need to measure out your preferred amount of milk and froth it for about 30-60 seconds, before heating it via microwave.
Once your foamy milk has been heated to the correct temperature, use your frothing pitcher to create your design on top of your espresso, making your very at-home latte.
Why latte art?
Well, why not? Your eyes eat before your mouth does, if a piece of food or cup of joe, don’t look appealing, you’re much less likely to consume it, or enjoy it for that matter.
Let’s take a look at a photo of a latte without the art from milk froth, and compare it to a latte with the appealing factors of the foam art.
Now, I think we can all unanimously agree as to which cup of coffee looks the most aesthetically pleasing. If you aren’t already on board for the bubbly foam taste before the espresso seeps through the cracks, then you can at least appreciate the beautiful works of art that a little frothing milk can make.
Can I make milk froth without an electric mixer?
Yes, you certainly can make milk froth manually, all you need is a pitcher and milk. While a stirrer would ultimately make the process go quicker, you don’t NEED one to make a foamy topping for your latte.
Just follow these quick steps:
- Fill your preferred amount of milk in a pitcher or jar with a lid. (Suggestion: don’t fill it up too much because the froth will expand in size)
- Screw or push your lid on tightly and shake vigorously until the froth has doubled in volume. This will take anywhere between 30 and 60 seconds.
- Remove the lid and microwave for 30 seconds, being sure to watch the pitcher ensure the milk does not overspill.
- Once the milk has warmed, pour the liquid over top of the espresso, making whatever creation you desire, and enjoy!
How do I make latte art?
Okay, so you got the frothing down to a T, now the hardest part of them all: making latte art.
The three most basic designs to do with latte art, are a heart, rosetta, and a tulip. Once you have your steamed milk and espresso ready to go, you can begin designing!
The Heart
The first thing you’ll want to make sure of is that you begin your milk pour from well above your espresso. The extra space allows the milk to sink underneath the coffee. As you continue to pour and you speed up the release, you’ll want to get closer to the cup. That way, the foam can rise to the top of the cup (and you can make great latte art).
- Pour your milk into the center of the espresso until it’s about three-equarters full.
- Once your coffee has reached ¾ of the way to the top, you’ll move the pitcher closer to the cup. You’ll notice the foam beginning to rise above the espresso.
- As you see the foam appearing, you’ll want to shake the pitcher in a slight side-to-side motion to create the width of the heart.
- When the foam reaches your preferred width, begin to lift the pitcher back and away from the cup. This will pull in the top of the heart and cut through the bottom, creating the pointed end of the heart.
The Rosetta
At first glance, this design seems like one of the hardest. The rosetta looks similar to a fern. Nonetheless, once you break it down, it’s a breeze.
- Just like the heart, you’ll want to start from further away with the pitcher. Pour into the center of the cup.
- When the foam begins to rise to the top, you’ll want to move closer and reposition at the back of the cup.
- Then, begin to rock back-and-forth while slowly moving back to the front.
- Once you reach the front, again just like the heart, you’ll want to lift the pitcher pull back towards you. This cuts through the bottom of the design to give it a point and clean break.
The Tulip
While the heart and rosetta were pretty similar in process, the tulip will be a little different and require more precision and steady hands.
- Instead of beginning far away from the cup, you’ll want to begin up close, pouring into the center of the cup.
- When you see your first pour begin to create the two rounded shapes like the heart, you’ll want to pull up slightly to put in a break and then quickly begin to pour again.
- You’ll want to repeat this process 4-6 times, each time getting shorter and shorter with your pour.
- During your last pour, you’ll want to pull back through the bottom of the cup, cutting through the center to create the inverted look.
Final Recommendations
To wrap up all the information you just took in, we’re going to give you our recommendations to which pitcher, manual or automatic, would be best suited for a beginner, moderate, and advanced latte maker.
Beginner
Star Coffee Milk Frothing Pitcher
This easy-to-use, affordable milk frothing pitcher will be the best way to dip into latte art. With the dripless spout and simple-grip handle, you’ll be able to learn the dynamics of making hot and cold milk froth on your own. At the same time, you can learn to your steady hands to make your desired designs.
Moderate
Miroco Automatic Foam Maker, 120V
This automatic milk heater and frother is the next step up. With it, you can move towards matching your latte aesthetic to your local barista’s (without as much hassle). With the push of a button, you’ll have the perfect temperature milk froth to make your responsibilities that much easier.
Advanced
PowerLix Milk Frother With Stainless Steel Whisk
This is the best of both worlds option: budget friendly but still top-of-the line. It’s the perfect match for someone who has partially mastered latte art, but wants to improve in time and functionality. It comes with the automatic milk frother + pitcher and 3 stencils.
Wrapping Up
Overall, your decision for a milk frothing pitcher is mainly dependent on your experience. Each pitcher and milk frother is reasonably priced that won’t break your bank. But it’s your choice on exactly which product or products you think will suit your needs best.
Happy Brewing!
