How Can I Make a Lite Vanilla Latte? Do I Need a Special Machine?

I didn't have time to read the other answers, so I hope I'm not repeating! I LOVE Caramel Macchiato! You can but it in the dairy section (by the milk) as a creamer and it comes in a "skinny" version. It is black and silver, but I can not remember if it's Coffee Mate or International that makes it. Its usually pretty popular, so sometimes it is out. Anyway, I brew hazelnut coffee (or really any reg. coffee that you like) and use this creamer. I do not like the taste of reg. coffee, and love this! Since the creamer is 'skinny' you can use a lot! :) Also, in the summer I like to put it in the blender w/ice to make a frozen smoothie type drink, because buying them is super expensive! I worked in a coffee shop (as a baker) and had to learn how to make all the drinks. This is still my favorite way to do it! Hope this helps.

I am not sure if you like chocolate in your coffee thats what I get. But starbucks has a line of "skinny" latte's and coffees. I get the skinny mocha. It's 3 pts. for the grande. the tall (which would be there smallest is probably only 2 pts but I need more coffee than that lol) I know they have a sugar free vanilla

so I went on the website and redid the points. (I am doing weight watchers) and the tall and the grande are the same point value. how is that possible? so 3 pts) having said that I can tell you something yummy to do. sounds like you like the coffee the way I do. go to the grocery store and get the baileys vanilla cream. it is 1 pt per tablespoon. i put 2 in my coffee and it is amazing.

Walmart sells a couple of different flavors of cappachinos,carmel,hazelnut and vanilla. Only 60 calories . The brand is Grove Square for Keurig coffee makers. I think they are about $8 a box . Hope this helps =)

Coffee hobbyist here. :)

Basically, you cannot make a latte with drip coffee, they are made with espresso (big difference), which you do need a machine for. There are many types of machines, but you generally get what you pay for. I could write you 40 pages worth of recommendations, but it depends on how much you want to spend, how much time you have to prepare it, if you want a grinder, etc.

It sounds like you enjoy sweet creamy "lattes" because they are made with milk rather than water (like drip), but you dont really like the coffee taste  itself.  Its also important to note that the milk in real lattes is not just heated, but it is stretched and steamed to produce microfoam, which is very difficult to make with anything less than 2% milk. 

I guess its hard for me to suggest because Im not exactly clear about what you're going for..do you want coffee with flavoring and creamer or an espresso based latte with milk?

It all boils down to what you like though.  Experiment with flavors, proportions, and strength.  No one ever said you cant have a glass of white wine with a juicy steak if thats what you really enjoy. ;)

ETA: There is little difference between a latte and a cappuccino. They have the same ingredients (espresso, milk), but the difference is the proportion of steamed milk and milk foam (lattes have more steamed milk, less milk foam; cappas have less steamed milk, more milk foam).

If you're looking for something that has a less "bitter" flavor, I would suggest looking at other coffees. Good coffee does not have that over-extracted bitter flavor, but rather it has tasting notes and a nice smooth mouth-feel (like flavor notes in bottles of wine). When you are scouting coffee or espresso, keep in mind how fresh it is, the roast date, the actual roast (you may prefer a light roast), and the actual blend or single-origin bean (which part of the world it's from..they have different characteristics). We mail-order our coffee from Counter Culture based in NC, but we've tried many different roasters. I suggest checking out their website, you can get some great info there. I don't think they have flavored coffees though...

Since you asked, :) a lot goes into the art of coffee making. My husband and I have been hobbyists for years, doing everything from classes to roasting our own beans, to grinders and espresso machines, to latte art. It is definitely a science, but a rewarding one. We learned lots of basics from here: http://www.home-barista.com/. This website will keep you busy for days.

I have never heard of any of those brands that you are talking about so sorry if this is not helpful. But I used to work at starbucks so I do know how to make coffee. A real latte is made with espresso shots, so you would need an espresso machine, and then heated milk with whatever flavor you want. If you are using a coffee maker though, you could do about 1/3 to 1/2 coffee and the rest hot milk and whatever flavor you like. This is actually called a misto, but might resemble what you want. A caramel macchiato has caramel on top... I had to go off coffee all together, so this is making me miss it lol. good luck, and start experimenting :)

You at minimum need a milk frother and for a better taste an espresso machine ... and the Vanilla Syrup. I used to be a barista (not at starbucks!) in college and it took practice but dang once you get it you get it. I suggest you get a maker if you can affoard one otherwise learn to live with out.

It is not discontinued, but have you tried the store brand? It is often made by the same company just their name and a different price.

Have you tried mybrands.com? I was totally in love with a couple of products that became unavailable, mybrands carries them all. You have to buy in lots, but it is a steady supply.

Have you tried googling "copy cat recipes" for your International coffee brand? I bet you could mix up instant coffee granules (there are also instant espresso granules) with some sugar free vanilla creamer powder and maybe splenda if it needed to be sweeter. I have a great espresso machine that uses pods and steams the milk, but it was nearly $400. To get results like Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks you would need an espresso machine. I think you might be looking for something cheaper and easier!