Name: Viral Korean Barley Tea Latte: Boricha Latte
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 140 ml milk; 10 ml heavy cream; 1 tbsp condensed milk; 1 barley tea bag (Boricha); 30 ml espresso; 3 tbsp ice cubes

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A barley tea latte is a refreshing, nutty Korean-fusion cafe beverage that combines roasted Boricha (Korean roasted barley tea) with rich espresso, creamy milk, and a touch of sweetness. It offers a caffeine-balanced, deeply nutty flavor profile for specialty coffee lovers looking to enjoy an authentic Boricha latte.

How Long Does It Take to Make a Barley Tea Latte?

The barley tea latte that is currently going viral in Korea is made by cold brewing a barley tea bag in cold milk overnight. But you and I, we modern people lead busy lives. That is why steeping the tea bag in warm espresso for 5 minutes allows you to quickly and deliciously infuse the savory grain flavor of roasted barley into the coffee. By mixing this with my Korean cafe secret sweet milk base, you can make the perfect Korean cafe-style ice café latte with barley tea in your own kitchen in just 5 minutes, in the easiest and fastest way possible!

A glass of iced barley tea latte placed on a marble kitchen countertop.

What Ingredients Are Needed for a Korean Cafe Boricha Latte?

For the Barley Tea Espresso

Barley tea bag: 1 (Boricha: Korean roasted barley tea)
Espresso: 30ml / 1.0 fl oz

For the Sweet Milk Base

Milk: 140ml / 4.7 fl oz (Whole fat milk)
Heavy cream: 10ml / 2 tsp
Condensed milk: 1 tbsp

To Serve

Cube ice: 3 tbsp

simple ingredients for viral Korean barley tea latte — simple ingredients for viral Korean barley tea café latte

barley tea bag — Barley tea bag on Amazon 👆

Korean cafe glasses — Barley tea bag on Amazon 👆

Substitution Options

Dairy-Free / Vegan Alternative: Replace whole milk and heavy cream with oat milk or almond milk, and substitute condensed milk with maple syrup or agave nectar to prepare a vegan barley tea latte.
Low-Calorie Option: Omit heavy cream and condensed milk, using skim milk and liquid stevia instead to make a lighter iced café latte with barley tea.

Freshly stirred iced café latte with barley tea in a tall clear cup. — A perfectly stirred iced café latte with barley tea ready to enjoy.

Step-by-Step Instructions for an Iced Café Latte with Barley Tea

Mix the Dairy Base: Combine the milk, heavy cream, and condensed milk together in a small pitcher or container. Stir thoroughly until the condensed milk is completely dissolved to set up your barley tea café latte foundation.

The secret of rich sweet milk for Boricha latte

Extract the Espresso: Pull a fresh hot shot of espresso (30ml / 1.0 fl oz) using an espresso machine or stovetop moka pot for your Boricha latte.

Steep the Tea: Submerge 1 Boricha (Korean roasted barley tea) bag directly into the hot espresso. Let it steep for exactly 5 minutes to extract the rich roasted grain aroma into your iced café latte with boricha base.

Extracting a hot shot of espresso for an iced café latte with barley tea. — Infusing roasted barley tea bag directly into dark hot espresso.

Assemble and Serve: Fill a glass with 3 tbsp of ice cubes. Discard the spent tea bag, then pour the barley-infused espresso over the milk mixture. Stir well and enjoy your homemade barley tea café latte.

Close-up view of condensation on a tall barley tea latte glass. — Ice-cold perfection in every single sip of this barley tea café latte.

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FAQ

Yes, traditional Korean Boricha (roasted barley tea) itself contains zero caffeine.

Yes, you can easily make a caffeine-free Boricha café latte by substituting the espresso shot with chicory root coffee substitute, decaf espresso, or simply doubling the Boricha steeping concentration in hot water to craft a decaf barley tea latte.

A barley tea latte delivers a harmonious blend of nutty, toasted grain notes from the Boricha paired with the bold punch of espresso, balanced by creamy, lightly sweetened milk. It tastes similar to a roasted grain or roasted sesame latte with a smooth, comforting finish in every Boricha café latte.

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By Blonde Kimchi

Viral Korean Barley Tea Latte: Boricha Latte

An iced café latte with barley tea is a nutty, Korean-fusion cafe beverage combining roasted Boricha latte flavors, rich espresso, and creamy milk for a quick, 5-minute comforting barley tea latte treat.

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Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: cafe at home, Fusion, under 5 minutes, viral trend

Mood: Refreshing

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time:1

Cook Time:4

Total Time:5

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 189kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

140 ml milk
10 ml heavy cream
1 tbsp condensed milk
1 barley tea bag Boricha
30 ml espresso
3 tbsp ice cubes

Instructions

The sweet milk base: Mix the milk, heavy cream, and condensed milk together in a container.
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While cold brewing the barley tea bag in the milk mixture for 5 hours or more is ideal, a quick method can be used when pressed for time. Extract the espresso shot while hot.
Steep the barley tea bag directly into the hot espresso for 5 minutes.
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Fill a glass with ice cubes, discard the used tea bag, and pour the barley-infused espresso into the prepared milk mixture. Stir well to combine.
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