The ultimate guide to Melbourne’s hipster lattes

STEP aside Magic. Move on, Voodoo and Red Eye. A new breed of coffee is taking over Melbourne — but don’t expect this lot to deliver much of a caffeine punch.

Thanks a latte. Picture: Ian Currie

STEP aside Magic. Move on, Voodoo and Red Eye.

A new breed of coffee is taking over Melbourne — but don’t expect this lot to deliver much of a caffeine punch.

Here’s how to spot a hipster latte, and where to try one if you really want to.

MELBOURNE COFFEE TYPES EXPLAINED

A GUIDE TO MELBOURNE’S SUPERFOOD LATTES

Sweet potato latte

Instagram’s latest IT drink — AKA the Purple Peanut Butter Latte — is made using natural peanut butter, purple Okinawan sweet potato, soy milk and coconut aminos (whatever that means).

I’ll admit, it’s actually pretty delicious. Apparently it’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins A and C, potassium, dietary fibre, healthy fats and even some protein.

Just don’t plan on it giving you an energy boost.

Because you kind of need caffeine for that.

Try it at: Matcha Mylkbar (St Kilda). Calia (Emporium, CBD) also has a version.

Taro latte

Often called the sweet potato of the tropics, Taro is a starchy root vegetable with a slightly sweeter and nuttier flavour than regular potato. It has been used for decades in Hawaiian and southeast Asian cuisines. Now you can have it in latte form.

Try it at: Long Story Short (Port Melbourne) and The Glass Den (Coburg).

Mushroom latte

Feeling adventurous? Why not try a Magic Mushroom latte. This odd coffee is made using a combination 15 different medicinal mushrooms, maca and mesquite powders, cacao, vanilla, cayenne pepper and spun with Hazelnut Milk. Double dare you.

Try it at: Sister of Soul (St Kilda). You can also get a Chaga Chino at Street Organics (Malvern)

Matcha Latte

The original non-coffee latte. Matcha Maiden, founded by Sarah Holloway and Nic Davidson, is the brand responsible for bringing matcha (green tea powder) to the masses. Sarah and Nic are also the brains behind Matcha Mylkbar — the St Kilda cafe that has single-handedly driven the vegan latte movement in Melbourne, and probably the world. Even Chris Hemsworth is a fan.

Try it at: Almost every cafe in Melbourne.

Matcha lattes will have you green with envy.

You stay golden, latte. Picture: Jay Town

Turmeric latte

The golden latte has to be one of the new latte classics. It’s everywhere. If you’re local doesn’t have it, are they even a cafe? It’s a warming mix of inflammation-fighting turmeric, cinnamon, pepper, ginger and dairy-free milk. It’s sunshine in a cup.

Try it at: Almost every cafe in Melbourne.

Carrot Cake latte

Carrot, dates, ginger, nutmeg and other spices combine to create this cake-inspired latte.

Try it at: Matcha Mylkbar, Sister of Soul, Long Story Short.

Rose latte

If you like your lattes with a subtle Turkish-delight flavour, you’ll be all about these rose water lattes. A warming blend of Hibiscus tea, rose water, honey and your favourite plant milk.

Try it at: Daddy & Co (Pakenham), Fort Green (Northcote), St Rose (Essendon), King of the Castle (Geelong), Happy Place (South Yarra), House of Lulu White (South Yarra), Pinkie (Ivanhoe), Combi (Elwood).

Beetroot latte

This popular, earthy latte comes in a few different varieties. Depending on where you’re going, this lipstick-red latte is also referred to as a Red Velvet, Beetroot Chai or Beetroot Cacao latte. It generally made with any combination of beetroot, cardamom, star anise, clove, ginger, pepper and cacao, served with steaming hot plant-based milk. We recommend coconut.

Try it at: Vegie Bar (Fitzroy), Le Petit Prince (Armadale), MOM cafe (Prahran), Fourth Chapter (Prahran), Kitty Burns (Abbotsford), Too Many Chiefs (Brighton), Matcha Mylkbar.

Beetroot lattes will have you blushing.

Rainbow, turmeric and beetroot lattes are some of the most popular orders with health conscious coffee consumers and fitness fanatics. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Rainbow latte

Also referred to as a unicorn latte, this is one of the most Instagrammable hipster coffees on the market. The best bit? While you can get Unicorn blue algae or matcha or turmeric lattes, you can also get regular, espresso-based coffees, too (rejoice!). The ‘rainbow’ effect is thanks to food dyes in the foam — the rest courtesy of some seriously talented latte artists.

Try it at: Too Many Chiefs.

Charcoal latte

Unleash your dark side with this activated charcoal latte.

It basically tastes like hot, nutty milk with subtle hints of date and vanilla.

Try it at: Too Many Chiefs, Matcha Mylkbar.

Black is the new black at White Mojo cafe. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Today’s weather forecast: Blue algae with a chance of rainbow.

Blue Algae latte

You might have seen Mermaid, Smurf, Blue Algae or Blue Majik lattes popping up on menus across Melbourne. First created by Matcha Mylkbar, these bright blue vegan lattes are made using live blue algae, spices and sweeteners. Blue algae is touted as being the most nutrient-dense superfood in nature. So get ready for some serious Alex Mac super powers.

Try it at: Matcha Mylkbar (because nothing beats an original), MOM cafe.

Apple Pie latte

Why wait to have apple pie and ice cream for dessert when you could drink this healthified, vegan version with breakfast instead? Apple pie, apple pie spices and cinnamon blended with dairy-free milk — nom.

Try it at: Matcha Mylkbar.

Black Sesame latte

No, this isn’t the same as the charcoal latte. This concoction is actually a blend of sesame seeds, peanuts and almonds, topped up with frothy soy milk. Yep.

Try it at White Mojo (CBD, Balwyn, Glen Waverley).

Ginger latte

Ginger, spice and all things nice come together to become this delicious, gingerbread-inspired non-coffee drink. It’s like Christmas in a cup.

Try it at: Serotonin (Richmond), Street Organics.

Black is the new black at White Mojo cafe. Picture: Alex Coppel. Today’s weather forecast: Blue algae with a chance of rainbow.

Rooibos (red) latte

While we’re on the topic of caffeine-free lattes, the Melbourne cafe that brought you the Deconstructed Long Black now brings you the red rooibos latte.

It’s made using strongly brewed rooibos tea, a bit of honey and, if you like, even some cinnamon.

Try it at: The Kitchen at Weylandts (Abbotsford).

Dandelion latte

For a coffeaux that tastes kind of like real coffee, this is your go-to. It’s made using dandelions that have been dried, roasted and ground for a morning caffeine-free cuppa that tastes surprisingly similar to coffee. Great for people trying to quit coffee (especially if they love coffee). It’s also meant to have some pretty impressive healing properties.

Try it at: Street Organics.

Lavender latte

This floral latte tastes like happiness in a cup.

Brewed using dried lavender, honey and topped up with creamy almond milk foam.

Try it at: White Mojo.

PROBABLY HEADED HERE

Healing Crystal latte

Yep — a coffee made using healing crystals now exists and it is the most whimsical thing you will ever drink.

It’s basically an amethyst and purple superfoods-infused latte designed to stimulate the crown chakra.

Of course. At the moment it’s only available in the US — at Brooklyn’s The End cafe. But stay tuned.

Campfire latte:

Versus Coffee shop in Canada has created the first maple latte, made by blending espresso and maple syrup and topping it with toasted marshmallows.

It’s basically a s’more in a cup.

The closest you’ll get to this is in Melbourne is a Morning Maple latte at Street Organics.