If you've seen the black sesame lattes all over TikTok and Instagram — the ones with the swirl of dark cold foam on top — this recipe gets you there using a single Korean pantry staple: Damtuh's Black Grain Mix Powder. Made from roasted black rice, black bean, and black sesame, it's already built for exactly this kind of drink. One packet handles the base and the cold foam both.
What Is Black Grain Mix Powder?
Black Grain Mix Powder is a roasted Korean grain blend built around black rice, with black bean and black sesame rounding out the flavor. It has a deep, toasty, faintly nutty taste — closer to black sesame than plain rice — with a natural, mild sweetness that doesn't need much added sugar.
Ingredients
Makes 1 serving
Base:
- 1 packet Black Grain Mix Powder (20g)
- 180 ml oat milk
- 1–2 tsp vanilla syrup (or maple syrup)
- Ice
Black Grain Cold Foam:
- 1 tbsp Black Grain Mix Powder
- 1–2 tsp sugar
- 1.5 oz heavy cream
- 0.5 oz milk
Optional: a double shot of espresso, for a dirty-latte version.
Instructions
- Whip the cold foam ingredients together until thick and frothy.
- Shake the base ingredients with ice until smooth.
- Pour over a glass full of ice.
- Top with a double shot of espresso, if using.
- Finish with the black grain cold foam on top.
One Packet, Two Jobs
This recipe uses the same product twice: a full packet blended into the milk base, and a spoonful worked into the cold foam. That's what gives the drink its layered look — a toasty base underneath a lighter, sweeter black grain foam on top — without needing to buy a separate sesame paste or specialty ingredient.
No Milk Frother? No Problem
A jar with a tight lid works just as well — shake the cold foam ingredients hard for about 30 seconds until they thicken up. For the best layered look, pour the espresso shot over the base before adding the cold foam on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same as a black sesame latte? It's close in flavor and look, but Damtuh's Black Grain Mix Powder is a blend of roasted black rice, black bean, and black sesame rather than pure black sesame paste — which gives it a slightly toastier, less oily flavor than a traditional black sesame latte.
Can I make this without espresso? Yes — the espresso is optional. Without it, you get a caffeine-light black grain milk drink that still has the same toasty flavor and cold foam topping.
Can I make the cold foam ahead of time? It's best made fresh, since heavy cream mixtures lose their whipped texture after sitting too long. If needed, it will hold in the fridge for a few hours, though it may need a quick re-whip before using.
Is Black Grain Mix Powder sweet on its own? It has a mild, natural sweetness from the roasted grains, but most people still add a small amount of syrup or sugar to bring the latte to a typical café sweetness level.