How to Make a Rose Latte
Rose invites in the beauty and sweetness of early summer through her gentle, floral aroma and soft, loving spirit.
Rose holds a very special place in my heart as it reminds me of my grandmothers. I have childhood memories of seeing my grandmother step outside on an early summer morning with her big sun hat to tend her rose bushes. My other grandmother smelled of roses, leaving this rose scent lingering long after her departure home from a visit.
When I want to feel a sense of love and nurturance I will often reach for rose. I open myself to exploring and experiencing with my senses, smell and taste, by bringing rose into my kitchen alchemy through nourishing recipes.
A handful here, a sprinkle there, a dusting… everywhere!
This creamy rose latte is crafted with dried organic rose petals and freshly-made pumpkin seed milk, bringing a deeply nourishing, nutrient dense quality. A pinch of cardamom also lends some aromatic goodness and warmth to this grounding drink.
Heartwarming Rose Latte with Cardamom
Whether served chilled or warm, this rose latte is sure to warm your spirit, awaken your heart and evoke the soothing, calming quality of a grandmother’s embrace. This is a great, grounding drink to enjoy during a busy morning or any time of day.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups chilled or gently warmed fresh pumpkin seed milk (see recipe below)
- 2 pitted medjool dates (remove those pits!)
- 2 Tbsp. dried organic rose petals
- 1–2 pinches of powdered cardamom
- Place all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend this milk mixture until smooth and frothy. (No milk frother needed!)
- Pour into a glass or mug and sprinkle with dried rose petals. Enjoy the soothing taste of this rose latte! This latte can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Yield: approximately a 12–14 ounce serving
Note: I like to grind and powder cardamom with a mortar and pestle. You can start by breaking open a few green cardamom pods. Remove the seeds from the green pod and grind the mortar until powdered. You can also purchase cardamom powder at your local market.
Pumpkin Seed Milk
Here’s how to craft a nourishing, homemade pumpkin seed milk from scratch with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (soaked in water for a minimum of 5 hours)
- 4 cups water
- nut milk bag
- large bowl
- blender
- Glass jars
- Strain soaked pumpkin seeds and add to the blender.
- Add 4 cups of water to the blender and blend until smooth.
- Strain blended pumpkin seeds through a nut milk bag into a large bowl.
- Pour strained pumpkin seed milk from the bowl into sealable glass jars and store in the refrigerator. Use milk within 3 days. You can now use this milk for your delicious rose latte.
Yield: approximately 40 ounces of milk.
Note: This pumpkin seed milk is fresh with no preservatives, so it will spoil quickly — within 3 days. I like to store homemade milks in the back of the refrigerator. This seems to keep them fresh a bit longer. Also, milk will naturally separate when stored. Gently shake before each use.
Rose (rosa centifolia) Benefits
Rose’s scent soothes, calms, and balances the emotions: easing anxiety, boosting self-esteem, confidence, and mental strength. Rose petals are cooling to the overall system while enhancing the digestive fire. They have anti-inflammatory properties and can help address digestive upset. Rose petals are also known to balance hormones, creating a sense of overall well being.
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Pumpkin Seed (Cucurbita pepo) Benefits
Pumpkin seeds provide micro and macro nutrients: they are a good source of protein, zinc, copper, magnesium, and iron. They help support good brain function, healthy bones, strong immune system, and regulate/improve sleep. They are rich in plant-based omega 3’s and are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich.
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) Benefits
Cardamom is a warming aromatic spice that can serve as a digestive aid, soothing the stomach and reducing bloating and gas. Cardamom also exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties and has been known to boost mood.
Date (Phoenix dactylifera) Benefits
Instead of a liquid sweetener like honey, maple syrup, or a simple syrup, I opted for sweetening this homemade latte with dates. Dates are naturally sweet, serving as a wonderful alternative for refined sugars. This perfect sweetener is also a great source of fiber, helping to prevent constipation and inflammation in the digestive tract. Dates are antioxidant rich and boost energy.
Before I go, I couldn’t help but answer some frequently asked questions about this rose latte…
Is this rose latte caffeinated?
This rose drink is not a “latte” in the traditional sense. It is not caffeinated and does not contain espresso or coffee like a traditional latte. It’s a nourishing milk of sorts, containing 4 simple, healthy ingredients like ground cardamom and rose petals. If you’re looking for an alternative to coffee that has a more bitter, traditional latte taste, check out this Dandelion Root Latte recipe. You could even combine this Rose Latte with the Dandelion Root Latte to enjoy the floral notes of the flavor of rose with the bitterness of dandelion root.
Where can I source dried rose petals?
You will definitely want to know where your roses were grown. Stay clear of roses that were treated with pesticides during growth or preservatives once cut. Aromatic homegrown dried roses are a good option. Also, you can often find edible organic dried rose petals at your local herb shop or natural food store in the bulk dried herb section. These high quality rose petals should lend your rose latte a strong rose flavor.
Why do I need to soak the pumpkin seeds?
Pumpkin seeds are “awakened” through the soaking process allowing for natural enzymes to be released, supporting more efficient nutrient absorption and digestibility. They will also blend up easier, creating a smoother and creamier milk.
Can I substitute with other plant based milks?
Sure! You can use your milk of choice, and I highly recommend freshly-made almond milk — this is my favorite nut milk. Coconut milk and oat milk would also work well for this latte. Homemade plant-based milks are minimally processed and highly nutritious. Store bought milks contain mostly water and contain added preservatives, thickeners, and stabilizers.
What is a rose latte made of?
This nourishing rose latte recipe combines rose petals, cardamom, dates, and pumpkin seed milk for a delicious, warming drink that highlights the taste of rose. This delicious rose flavor can help ground and soothe the nervous system.
Can I enjoy this rose latte as a hot beverage?
Yes, you can heat this pumpkin seed milk up to a hot temperature so that you can have a hot rose latte. However, it’s important to note that the texture of the pumpkin seed milk will definitely change if overheated — so keep an eye out for a texture change while you heat your milk up.
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