There is a time for coffee shops, but even with the efficiency of mobile ordering, canned lattes bring a new meaning to coffee-to-go. The single-serve bottled varieties have been improved upon with La Colombe leading the way, swapping the bottle for a can, and creating the world’s first draft latte. Other coffee companies followed suit, and now consumers have their choice of chilled plant milk lattes to enjoy on the go (and to avoid the vegan milk surcharge at coffee shops). Here are nine of our favorites. But first, what actually is a latte and where did it come from?
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Where did lattes come from?
According to Green Farm Cafe, like cappuccinos and macchiatos, lattes were originally invented in Italy. But they weren’t made for natives. They were created to cater to American tourists who “struggled with the bitter and richer flavors of espresso.” So, it tracks that the drink is popular in the US (between June 2017 and 2018, Americans drank around 67 million lattes)!
Rise
But because the word latte directly translates to “milk” in Italian, you should be careful if you’re on vacation in the country, as you’ll likely be served warm milk. That said, in the UK or the US, a latte is simply two shots of espresso which are topped with steamed milk and finished with a very thin layer of foam. A cappuccino is similar, but with a lot more froth.
How can a latte be vegan?
Traditionally, lattes have been made with cow’s milk. But that’s not compulsory. Now, there are several plant-based milk alternatives on the market, like oat, soy, coconut, and hemp, and all can be directly swapped with cow’s milk to make a vegan latte.
9 canned vegan lattes to keep you going
If you’re on the go and fancy a milky caffeine boost, here are a few of the vegan canned options on offer for you.
La Colombe
1 La Colombe Draft Lattes
Based on a combination of creative ingenuity and perhaps a bit of magic, La Colombe created the first draft latte in a can in 2016. Since its inception, the company expanded the line to include oat milk varieties. Current flavors include Oatmilk Double Latte and Oatmilk Vanilla Latte.
Find it here
Rise Brewing Co.
2 Rise Brewing Co. Nitro Cold Brew Coffees
Toss a few of these creamy nitro cold brews into the cooler before you head off to a picnic. These oat milk beverages retain a smooth and foamy finish in the can—just make sure to not shake them up too much before opening, or you could end up wearing your latte. Flavors include Original Black, Oat Milk Latte, Oat Milk Mocha, Oat Milk Vanilla, Salted Caramel, and London Fog Tea.
Find it here
High Brew Coffee
3 High Brew Coffee Cold Brew
For those who prefer to take their coffee black, High Brew offers Nitro Cold Brew and a classic black cold brew. But for the days when you really need an extra boost of caffeine, go for the Triple Shot, which offers three times the caffeine.
While oat milk seems to be the popular choice amongst canned latte competitors, High Brew breaks the mold with its Toasted Coconut latte made with a blend of coconut-cashew milk.
find it here
Pop & Bottle
4 Pop & Bottle Oat Milk Lattes
For more than just a jolt of caffeine, reach for a can of Pop & Bottle. Each oat milk-based beverage includes good-for-you ingredients such as coconut MCT oil, antioxidants, and adaptogens. Vegan-friendly options include the Classic, Matcha, Mocha, and Caramel—skip the Vanilla, as it contains animal-based collagen.
Find it here
BSweet
5 BSweet Nitro Lattes
This Los Angeles-based brand boasts a vegan-friendly dessert bar, food trucks, and now, they’re bringing their signature lattes to the masses. Made with oat milk for extra creaminess, the Matcha Tea and Thai Tea Latte varieties are guaranteed to satisfy. For a one-of-a-kind drink, the Ube Latte can’t be missed. And for a classic caffeine kick, go for the Cold Brew Coffee.
Find it here
Twrl Milk Tea
6 Twrl Milk Tea
Asian women-owned and founded, Twrl Milk Tea was created from the desire to make milk tea even better. Formulated with ethically sourced premium organic teas and a splash of pea milk, Twrl’s flavors include Jasmine Pu’erh Milk Tea, Hojicha Roasted Green Milk Tea, Taiwan Style Black Milk Tea, and Ube Milk Tea.
Find it here
Califia Farms
7 Califia Farms Almondmilk Lattes
Almondmilk lends a nutty flavor to these bottled cold brew coffees. Available in Salted Caramel, Mocha, and Almond, these dairy-free drinks will keep you fueled and focused.
Find it here
Elmhurst
8Elmhurst Lattes
Boasting fun flavors and differing non-dairy milks, Elmhurst’s new barista-crafted cold brew lattes are the ultimate afternoon pick-me-up. Choose from Brown Sugar Oat, Caramel Cashew, Pistachio Crème, or Maple Walnut.
FIND it here
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
9 Stumptown Cold Brew With Oatmilk
With locations in Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Portland, and Kyoto, Stumptown Coffee Roasters has made a name for itself among coffee aficionados. And now, you can take their lattes on the go with these eco conscious boxed options. Made with Oatly’s signature oat milk, flavors include Original, Chocolate, and Horchata.
Find it here
For more about vegan coffee drinks, read:
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the vegan lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission. In no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
