July 17, 2026

Salted pretzel latte

If you’ve ever been to Sidecar Doughnuts, chances are you’ve heard about their Salted Pretzel Latte.

It’s rich, slightly salty, perfectly sweet, and somehow tastes like dessert and your morning coffee all at once. Naturally, I had to recreate it at home—with a healthier twist.

Instead of using sugary syrups and heavy cream alone, I topped mine with my favorite Lifeway Kefir cold foam, which adds a creamy texture plus probiotics and protein. It’s one of my favorite ways to make a coffee shop drink feel a little more nourishing without sacrificing flavor.

Finished with crushed gluten-free pretzels, every sip has that perfect sweet-and-salty combination.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Inspired by the famous Sidecar Doughnuts Salted Pretzel Latte
Made with simple, better-for-you ingredients
Topped with a protein-packed Lifeway Kefir cold foam
Sweet, salty, and perfectly creamy
Easy to make with espresso or cold brew
Ready in just a few minutes
Perfect for your home café

Ingredients

Latte

2 shots espresso (or 8 ounces prepared cold brew)
1 tablespoon vegan date caramel sauce (I use my homemade version here – find it here)
Ice

Vanilla Lifeway Kefir Cold Foam

¼ cup Lifeway Vanilla Kefir
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
½ tablespoon vanilla bean paste

Optional: Add ½ tablespoon cocoa powder for a chocolate cold foam like Sidecar’s version.

Topping

Crushed gluten-free pretzels

Instructions

Make the Latte

Pull two shots of espresso (or pour your prepared cold brew into a glass).

Whisk the espresso together with the vegan date caramel until smooth and slightly frothy.

Fill your serving glass with plenty of ice.

Pour the caramel espresso mixture over the ice.

Make the Lifeway Kefir Cold Foam

Add the Lifeway Vanilla Kefir, heavy cream, and vanilla bean paste to a frothing pitcher or small glass.

If you’re making the chocolate version, add the cocoa powder now.

Froth until thick, creamy, and fluffy.

Assemble

Pour the cold foam over your iced latte.

Finish with a generous sprinkle of crushed gluten-free pretzels.

Grab a straw (or sip straight from the glass for extra pretzel goodness) and enjoy!

Tips

Cold brew makes this recipe even easier when you’re short on time.
The homemade date caramel adds the perfect rich sweetness without refined sugar.
Don’t skip the crushed pretzels—they’re what make this drink so unique.
The chocolate cold foam version tastes even closer to the original Sidecar latte.
Chill your glass beforehand for an extra coffee shop feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the heavy cream for your favorite dairy-free heavy whipping alternative. Skip the kefir!

Can I make it hot?

Yes! Simply skip the ice, steam your cold foam ingredients gently (without over-frothing), and pour them over your hot espresso. Just maybe skip the kefir.

Where can I find the date caramel recipe?

You can find my homemade vegan date caramel recipe here

Final Thoughts

One of my favorite part of my job is recreating drinks that feel like such a treat—but using ingredients I actually love having in my kitchen.

This Salted Pretzel Latte checks every box. It’s sweet, salty, creamy, packed with coffee flavor, and the Lifeway Kefir cold foam makes it feel just a little more nourishing while still tasting completely indulgent.

It’s quickly become one of my favorite home café drinks, and I have a feeling it’ll become one of yours too.

If you make this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram @whatrobineats so I can see your creations!