Smooth Velvety Tahini Coffee (Hot or Iced)
A nutty, creamy twist on your daily latte — with just 4 ingredients and a wildly addicting flavor.
Why Tahini Coffee Is Suddenly Everywhere
If you thought tahini was only for hummus or salad dressings, it’s time to think again — because 2025 is the year tahini went viral in coffee.
Blending tahini, the rich and earthy sesame paste, into coffee creates a drink that’s creamy, nutty, and subtly sweet — like your favorite latte collided with halva and a hint of sea salt. It’s cozy and luxurious served hot, and surprisingly refreshing over ice.
What started on TikTok and café menus in NYC and London has gone global. According to recent food trend data, searches for “tahini coffee” have spiked by over 900% in the past year, and for good reason: it’s plant-based, deeply flavorful, customizable, and just cool. Plus, it makes your home latte feel like something from an indie third-wave coffee shop — without requiring fancy gear.
I’ll admit, I was skeptical the first time I heard about putting tahini in coffee — but one sip and I was completely hooked. It’s creamy, nutty, and honestly? Way better than half the $6 lattes I’ve paid for.
What Does Tahini Coffee Taste Like?
Imagine a latte, but:
- Less sweet, more nutty
- Creamy, with a naturally toasty richness
- Balanced with a pinch of salt and honey (or date syrup, which makes it feel exotic and caramelly)
- Optionally spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, or cocoa
It’s like the cozy cousin of a sesame halva latte. Especially good if you enjoy nut butters in smoothies, matcha with depth, or Middle Eastern desserts.
Equipment You’ll Need
- A milk frother, blender, or whisk
- Your favorite coffee or espresso setup (French press, pour-over, espresso, etc.)
- A mug or tall glass for iced
- Optional: small saucepan (for stovetop heating)
Ingredient Breakdown
| Ingredient | Purpose | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|
| Tahini (1–1½ tbsp) | Creamy, nutty base | Almond butter or sunflower seed butter |
| Hot coffee or espresso (1 cup) | Flavor base | Cold brew or instant coffee |
| Honey or date syrup (1–2 tsp) | Sweetness & richness | Maple syrup or agave |
| Pinch of sea salt | Enhances nutty flavor | Can omit, but recommended |
| Milk (optional, ¼–½ cup) | To lighten if desired | Oat milk, almond milk, or dairy |
Velvety Tahini Coffee Recipe
Servings: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5–7 minutes
Hot Tahini Coffee
Ingredients:
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee or 2 shots espresso
- 1 to 1½ tablespoons tahini
- 1–2 teaspoons honey or date syrup
- Pinch of sea salt
- Optional: ¼–½ cup warm milk (dairy or plant-based)
Instructions:
- Brew the coffee and pour into a mug.
- In a separate cup, whisk or froth the tahini, sweetener, and sea salt until creamy and emulsified.
Tip: If the tahini looks too thick, add 1 tbsp hot water to loosen it before whisking.
- Pour the tahini mixture into your hot coffee and stir or froth until blended.
- Add milk if desired and stir well.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or salt to balance. Top with a dusting of cinnamon or sesame seeds for café-style flair.
Iced Tahini Coffee
Instructions:
- Brew coffee or espresso and let it cool slightly (or use cold brew).
- In a shaker or small jar, combine tahini, sweetener, and a pinch of salt.
- Add cooled coffee and shake until smooth and frothy.
- Pour over ice in a tall glass. Top with splash of milk or cold foam if you like.
Barista-Level Tips & Variations
- Use runny tahini – Not the super-thick stuff at the bottom of the jar. Warm it slightly if needed.
- Sweeten to taste – Date syrup gives a beautiful molasses-like depth, but honey is more floral.
- Make a dirty tahini chai: Add chai concentrate instead of coffee.
- Spice it up: Cinnamon, cardamom, or a tiny pinch of cocoa powder makes it next-level.
- Halva twist: Stir in a drop of vanilla or a few crumbles of sesame halva for sweetness and texture.
Substitutions
- No tahini? Almond butter, cashew butter, or even peanut butter work — but the flavor shifts.
- No sweetener? Go fully savory and sip it like a sesame broth latte (seriously, it’s trending).
- Dairy-free? Use oat milk for creaminess or coconut milk for sweetness.
Nutrition (Hot Version, no milk)
| Nutrient | Amount (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~110 |
| Fat | 9g |
| Carbohydrates | 6g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sodium | 60mg |
Values vary depending on your sweetener, milk, and tahini brand.
How to Store
- Mix the tahini + sweetener + salt as a premade base and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Just add coffee and shake/froth to serve.
- For iced, keep the full drink in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 days. Shake well before serving.
FAQs
Can I blend it?
Yes! Blending creates an ultra-smooth, frothy texture — especially useful if your tahini is thicker or grainy.
Is tahini bitter in coffee?
Not if you balance it with salt and a little sweetness. The flavor is more toasty and nutty than bitter when combined well.
Does it replace milk?
It can! Tahini makes coffee creamy on its own, but adding milk lightens the texture.
Smooth Velvety Tahini Coffee (Hot or Iced)
Equipment
- A milk frother, blender, or whisk
- Your favorite coffee or espresso setup (French press, pour-over, espresso, etc.)
- A mug or tall glass for iced
- Optional: small saucepan (for stovetop heating)
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee or 2 shots espresso
- 1 to 1½ tablespoons tahini
- 1 –2 teaspoons honey or date syrup
- Pinch of sea salt
- Optional: ¼–½ cup warm milk dairy or plant-based
Instructions
Hot Tahini Coffee
Instructions:
- Brew the coffee and pour into a mug.
- In a separate cup, whisk or froth the tahini, sweetener, and sea salt until creamy and emulsified.
- Tip: If the tahini looks too thick, add 1 tbsp hot water to loosen it before whisking.
- Pour the tahini mixture into your hot coffee and stir or froth until blended.
- Add milk if desired and stir well.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or salt to balance. Top with a dusting of cinnamon or sesame seeds for café-style flair.
Iced Tahini Coffee
Instructions:
- Brew coffee or espresso and let it cool slightly (or use cold brew).
- In a shaker or small jar, combine tahini, sweetener, and a pinch of salt.
- Add cooled coffee and shake until smooth and frothy.
- Pour over ice in a tall glass. Top with splash of milk or cold foam if you like.
Notes
- Use runny tahini – Not the super-thick stuff at the bottom of the jar. Warm it slightly if needed.
- Sweeten to taste – Date syrup gives a beautiful molasses-like depth, but honey is more floral.
- Make a dirty tahini chai: Add chai concentrate instead of coffee.
- Spice it up: Cinnamon, cardamom, or a tiny pinch of cocoa powder makes it next-level.
- Halva twist: Stir in a drop of vanilla or a few crumbles of sesame halva for sweetness and texture.
Substitutions
No sweetener? Go fully savory and sip it like a sesame broth latte (seriously, it’s trending).
Dairy-free? Use oat milk for creaminess or coconut milk for sweetness.
