Red Cappuccino Recipe (Rooibos Cappuccino)

A red cappuccino, also called a rooibos cappuccino, is a South African hot drink made with strong rooibos tea and frothy milk instead of coffee. It has the creamy feel of a cappuccino, but it's naturally caffeine-free and has that gentle, earthy rooibos flavour South Africans know so well.

This homemade version uses rooibos teabags or loose-leaf rooibos rather than red espresso powder, so you can make it without an espresso machine. Brew the rooibos strong, warm and froth the milk, then pour the two together for a cosy 5-minute drink.

This is my easy home version for when I want something warm and milky without coffee. Honey and a tiny pinch of cinnamon are optional, but very welcome.

What is a red cappuccino?

A red cappuccino is a South African rooibos drink made in the style of a cappuccino. In cafés, it is often made with finely ground rooibos brewed through an espresso machine, then topped with steamed and foamed milk.

At home, you can get a similar result by brewing rooibos much stronger than usual and adding hot, frothy milk. It will not have the same crema as a café red espresso version, but it still gives you a creamy, comforting rooibos cappuccino without needing special equipment.

Key ingredient notes

You'll find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Rooibos tea

Use plain rooibos teabags or loose-leaf rooibos, not flavoured rooibos. The drink works best when the tea is brewed much stronger than you would normally drink it. I use two teabags per mug to get enough flavour once the milk is added.

Milk

Full-fat or semi-skimmed milk froths well and gives the drink a creamy texture. Barista-style oat milk also works well if you prefer a dairy-free version. Very low-fat milk can froth, but it tends to taste thinner.

Sweetener of choice

Honey is lovely with rooibos, but sugar, brown sugar or no sweetener at all will also work.

Cinnamon

A tiny pinch of cinnamon is optional. Go lightly here; rooibos is gentle and does not need a spice cupboard landing on it.

How to make Red Cappuccino

1. Add the rooibos teabags to a mug or cup and fill it about halfway with boiling water.

If using loose-leaf rooibos, add it to a tea infuser or brew it in a small teapot, then pour the strong rooibos into your mug.

2. Leave to steep for at least 4 minutes. The rooibos should look much darker than your usual cup of rooibos, because the milk will soften the flavour.

3. Remove the teabags or infuser and stir in the honey or sugar, if using.

4. Warm the milk until steaming but not boiling. Around 65-70°C is ideal if you are using a thermometer.

5. Froth the warm milk using a milk frother, French press, whisk or jar.

6. Top the strong rooibos with the frothy milk, filling the rest of the mug or cup.

7. Finish with a tiny pinch of cinnamon, if you like, and serve straight away.

Best ways to froth milk at home

• Handheld milk frother: Quick, cheap and ideal for one mug. Keep the whisk just under the surface at first to work in air.
• French press/cafetière: Pour in the hot milk, but do not fill it more than halfway. Pump the plunger for 15-20 seconds until foamy. This gives one of the best results without a machine.
• Electric whisk: Good for making two mugs at once. Use a deep jug to avoid splashes.
• Jar method: Shake warm milk in a lidded jar, holding it with a cloth. It works in a pinch, but the foam is less stable.

Troubleshooting

My red cappuccino tastes weak

Use more rooibos or steep it longer. The tea needs to be much stronger than a normal cup because the milk softens the flavour.

My milk will not froth

Use fresh full-fat, semi-skimmed or barista-style oat milk. Warm it until steaming, but do not boil it.

My drink is too milky

Use less milk next time or brew the rooibos darker. A 50/50 ratio is a good starting point, but you can adjust it.

The foam disappears quickly

This can happen with some milks and frothing methods. A French press or proper milk frother usually gives more stable foam than the jar method.

What to serve with a red cappuccino

Serve a red cappuccino hot, with honey or a tiny pinch of cinnamon if you like. It's lovely with South African tea-time bakes like milk tart with condensed milk, outydse soetkoekies, hertzoggies or Romany Creams.

For another cosy drink, try my extra thick hot chocolate. Or, if you fancy something cold and creamy, my iced coffee with condensed milk is a good one for warmer days.