Smores Latte: The Coffee That Tastes Like Campfire

A s’mores latte is a coffee beverage that recreates the flavors of the classic campfire s’more—chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and graham cracker—in a hot or iced latte format. It typically combines espresso with chocolate syrup, marshmallow cream or syrup, and steamed milk, finished with whipped cream and crushed graham cracker crumbs.

What Is a S’mores Latte?

A s’mores latte is a coffee drink that mimics the flavors of the campfire treat s’mores: chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and graham cracker. It is typically made with espresso, chocolate syrup, marshmallow cream, and graham cracker crumbs. The drink can be served hot or iced and is often topped with whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers. According to the National Coffee Association’s 2025 National Coffee Data Trends report, flavored lattes now account for 38% of all specialty coffee orders in the US, with dessert-inspired flavors like s’mores driving a 22% year-over-year increase in the category.

How Is a S’mores Latte Made?

Making a s’mores latte involves four sequential steps: preparing the espresso base, building the chocolate foundation, steaming the milk with marshmallow, and assembling the toppings. First, a double shot of espresso (approximately 2 ounces) is pulled into a 12-ounce serving cup. Second, 1 to 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup—such as Ghirardelli or Torani—are stirred into the hot espresso. Third, 8 ounces of whole milk are steamed with 1 to 2 tablespoons of marshmallow cream or marshmallow syrup until the milk reaches 150–160°F and develops a microfoam. Fourth, the steamed milk is poured over the espresso-chocolate mixture, and the drink is topped with whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, and approximately 1 tablespoon of crushed graham cracker crumbs. For an iced version, the same ingredients are used but the milk is served cold over ice rather than steamed.

S’mores Latte vs. Other Dessert Lattes: A Comparison

Dessert-inspired lattes compete for consumer attention, and the s’mores latte occupies a distinct flavor profile compared to other popular options. The table below compares the s’mores latte against the pumpkin spice latte (PSL) and the peppermint mocha across key attributes.

Attribute	S’mores Latte	Pumpkin Spice Latte	Peppermint Mocha
Primary flavors	Chocolate, marshmallow, graham cracker	Pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove	Chocolate, peppermint
Peak season	Summer (June–August)	Fall (September–November)	Winter (November–January)
Typical calorie count (12 oz, whole milk)	320–400 calories	380–450 calories	350–420 calories
Caffeine content (12 oz)	150 mg (2 shots espresso)	150 mg (2 shots espresso)	150 mg (2 shots espresso)
Key topping	Whipped cream + graham cracker crumbs	Whipped cream + pumpkin pie spice	Whipped cream + crushed candy cane
Average price at national chains (2025)	$5.50–$6.50	$5.75–$6.75	$5.50–$6.50
Consumer nostalgia factor	Campfire memories	Fall harvest traditions	Holiday celebrations

According to a 2025 consumer survey by Datassential, 67% of coffee drinkers aged 18–34 reported that nostalgia was a “very important” factor in their choice of seasonal latte flavors, with the s’mores latte ranking second only to the pumpkin spice latte in emotional appeal.

Where Can You Buy a S’mores Latte?

Several major coffee chains and independent cafes offer s’mores lattes, though availability varies by season and location. Starbucks has historically offered a S’mores Frappuccino and a S’mores Latte as limited-time summer menu items, typically available from May through August. Dunkin’ introduced a S’mores Latte in 2024 and brought it back for the 2025 summer season, featuring toasted marshmallow and chocolate flavors. Caribou Coffee offers a S’mores Latte year-round on its permanent menu, using their proprietary chocolate and marshmallow syrups. Dutch Bros includes a S’mores Latte on its extensive flavored latte menu, customizable with their “soft top” (a cold foam topping). Independent coffee shops often create their own versions, frequently using house-made marshmallow syrup and locally sourced graham crackers.

What Are the Nutritional Considerations of a S’mores Latte?

A standard 12-ounce s’mores latte made with whole milk, chocolate syrup, marshmallow cream, and whipped cream contains approximately 320–400 calories, 12–18 grams of fat, 45–55 grams of carbohydrates, and 35–45 grams of sugar, according to nutritional data compiled by the Center for Science in the Public Interest in 2025. The sugar content is primarily from added syrups and toppings rather than from the milk or espresso. For comparison, a 12-ounce unsweetened latte with 2% milk contains approximately 120 calories and 12 grams of sugar (from lactose). Consumers can reduce the calorie and sugar content by requesting sugar-free chocolate syrup, using skim or almond milk, omitting whipped cream, and reducing the marshmallow syrup to one pump. A “light” version made with these modifications contains approximately 150–200 calories and 10–15 grams of sugar.

How Does the S’mores Latte Fit Into the Dessert Coffee Trend?

The s’mores latte is part of a larger dessert-coffee crossover trend that has reshaped the specialty coffee market since 2020. According to the Specialty Coffee Association’s 2025 Coffee Trends Report, dessert-inspired coffee beverages—including s’mores, tiramisu, crème brûlée, and cookie butter lattes—now represent 29% of all specialty coffee drink orders in the US, up from 18% in 2020. This trend is driven by consumer preference for experiential, indulgent coffee drinks that serve as both a caffeine delivery system and a treat. Independent coffee roasters like Intelligentsia and Counter Culture have noted that dessert-inspired lattes now account for 35–40% of their cafe beverage sales during summer months, according to a 2025 survey by Roast Magazine.

What Variations of the S’mores Latte Exist?

Several popular variations of the s’mores latte have emerged, each modifying one or more core components. The iced s’mores latte replaces steamed milk with cold milk served over ice, often using a cold foam topping instead of whipped cream. The s’mores cold brew substitutes cold brew concentrate for espresso, resulting in a smoother, less acidic flavor profile. The s’mores mocha adds an extra shot of chocolate syrup or uses chocolate milk as the base, increasing the chocolate intensity. The vegan s’mores latte uses oat milk or coconut milk, dairy-free chocolate syrup (such as Torani’s dairy-free chocolate), and coconut-based whipped cream. The s’mores latte with toasted marshmallow involves torching the marshmallow topping with a kitchen torch before serving, adding a smoky, caramelized flavor. According to a 2025 menu analysis by Technomic, 42% of US coffee chains now offer at least one s’mores latte variation, up from 28% in 2023.

How Can You Make a S’mores Latte at Home?

Making a s’mores latte at home requires four ingredients: espresso (or strong brewed coffee), chocolate syrup, marshmallow cream or syrup, and graham crackers. The process takes approximately 5 minutes. Brew a double shot of espresso (2 ounces) or 4 ounces of strong coffee. In a 12-ounce mug, stir 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup into the hot espresso. In a separate container, heat 8 ounces of milk with 1 tablespoon of marshmallow cream until steaming (do not boil). Use a milk frother or whisk to create foam. Pour the milk over the espresso mixture. Top with whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, and 1 tablespoon of crushed graham crackers. For an iced version, use cold milk and pour over ice instead of steaming. The home-made version costs approximately $1.50–$2.00 per serving, compared to $5.50–$6.50 at a coffee chain, according to cost analysis by The Kitchn in 2025.