Not sure what a beetroot latte is? You’re not alone. This vibrant pink drink has been popping up on cafe menus across Australia over the past few years, and it’s become one of the most talked-about specialty options at The Spotted Owl in Sunbury. It looks stunning, it tastes warming and earthy, and it’s completely caffeine free.
A beetroot latte is a warm, creamy drink made from steamed milk and beetroot powder, with no coffee and no espresso. It’s a genuinely satisfying alternative to coffee that suits anyone who wants something a little different from the usual flat white or long black.
This guide covers everything you want to know: what it is, what it tastes like, what’s in it, and why more Australians are reaching for one. If you’re looking for something new to order on your next cafe visit in Sunbury, this is the drink to discover.
What Is a Beetroot Latte?
A beetroot latte is a warm, creamy drink made from steamed milk and beetroot powder. It contains no coffee and no espresso. The striking pink or deep red colour comes from betalains, the natural pigments found in beetroot. These are the same pigments that give raw beetroot its vivid hue.
Most cafes blend a concentrated beetroot powder or paste with steamed milk and a small amount of natural sweetener. Some versions include added spices such as ginger, cinnamon, or vanilla to deepen the flavour. The result is a smooth, warming drink that’s visually unlike anything else on a standard cafe menu.
You may also see it called a pink latte or a red velvet latte. All three names refer to the same style of drink. The name varies by cafe, but the core ingredients remain the same: beetroot, milk, and warmth.
What Does It Taste Like?
The flavour is earthy, slightly sweet, and gently warming. If you’ve tasted fresh beetroot before, you’ll recognise that earthy depth in the background. The steamed milk softens it considerably, so the drink feels smooth and mellow rather than sharp or vegetal.
When a cafe adds spices like ginger or cinnamon, you’ll notice a gentle warmth as the drink finishes. Some versions lean more floral and sweet. Others are more grounded and savoury. It depends on the blend used and how much sweetener goes into each serve.
For people who don’t love coffee but still want a hot, creamy cafe drink, this pink latte sits in a comfortable middle ground. It’s warming without being bitter and naturally sweet without tasting like dessert. If you’re unsure whether you’ll enjoy it, it’s worth ordering once just to find out. Most people are pleasantly surprised.
What Goes Into It?
The core ingredients are simple and easy to understand:
- Beetroot powder or paste as the base
- Steamed milk, either dairy or plant-based
- Optional natural sweetener such as honey, maple syrup, or agave
- Optional spices: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, or vanilla
Cafes typically use a pre-blended beetroot powder that may also include complementary spices. This keeps the colour and flavour consistent across every serve. At The Spotted Owl, you can swap in your preferred milk. Alternative milks such as oat, almond, or soy all work well and are available for $1 extra.
Is It Caffeine Free?
Yes, completely. The drink contains no coffee and no added caffeine. It’s made entirely from beetroot powder and milk, making it a genuinely caffeine-free option.
This makes it popular with:
- People who are sensitive to caffeine or find it unsettling
- Those wanting to limit their intake during pregnancy (always check with your doctor or midwife first)
- Anyone ordering a warm drink later in the day who doesn’t want to affect their sleep
- Children who want to join in the cafe experience with something warm and comforting
For comparison, a standard flat white contains roughly 60 to 80 milligrams of caffeine, while this drink contains none at all. If you’re looking for a warm, satisfying option at 1:00 pm or later, it’s a sound choice.
Beetroot Nutrition: What You Should Know
Beetroot is a root vegetable that contains a range of vitamins and minerals. According to the Australian Government’s Eat for Health guidelines, vegetables including beetroot contribute important nutrients such as folate, manganese, and potassium to your diet. Beetroot also contains dietary nitrates, which occur naturally in many vegetables.
A serve prepared with a small amount of beetroot powder does contain some of these nutrients, though the quantities will vary depending on how much powder each serve uses. This article is for general information only. If you’re managing a specific health condition or have questions about your diet, speak with a qualified healthcare professional or dietitian.
What is worth noting is that the drink is free from caffeine, artificial colours, and high added sugar, which makes it a reasonable everyday choice if you enjoy it.
Comparing the Specialty Lattes at The Spotted Owl
Specialty lattes have become a staple of modern Australian cafe menus. If you’re deciding between the options at The Spotted Owl, here’s a quick guide to help you choose.
| Drink | Caffeine | Flavour Profile | Colour | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beetroot Latte | None | Earthy, sweet, warming | Deep pink to red | $5.50 to $6.50 |
| Golden Latte | None | Spicy, earthy, peppery | Deep yellow/orange | $5.50 to $6.50 |
| Matcha Latte | Mild | Grassy, umami, slightly bitter | Bright green | $5.50 to $6.50 |
| Ube Latte | None | Sweet, vanilla-like, smooth | Soft purple | $5.50 to $6.50 |
| Pistachio Latte | None | Nutty, sweet, rich | Soft green/cream | $10 |
| Chai Latte | Mild | Spicy, sweet, warming | Amber/brown | $6.80 |
The pink beetroot latte and the golden latte both sit at the earthy, warming end of the flavour spectrum. If you enjoy one, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy the other. The matcha latte is the most traditional of the group and tends to surprise first-time drinkers. The ube latte is the sweetest and most dessert-like, while the pistachio latte is the most indulgent and richest in flavour.
Where to Try a Beetroot Latte in Sunbury
The Spotted Owl at 93 O’Shanassy Street, Sunbury is one of the few cafes in the area where you can order this drink. It sits on the full specialty drinks menu alongside the ube latte, pistachio latte, golden latte, matcha latte, and lilac latte.
The cafe is a short walk from Sunbury Station, which makes it an easy stop whether you’re commuting into Melbourne, running errands in town, or heading out for a weekend breakfast or brunch. The outdoor terrace is a lovely setting on warm mornings, and the indoor space is relaxed and welcoming year-round.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. You can dine in, take away, or order through Uber Eats, Menulog, or DoorDash for delivery across Sunbury.
What Makes The Spotted Owl’s Drinks Worth Trying
The Spotted Owl uses Axil Coffee Roasters for its espresso-based drinks. Axil is one of Melbourne’s most respected specialty coffee roasters, and the same care that goes into the coffee programme extends to the specialty latte range as well.
The specialty drinks menu changes with the seasons, so there’s always something new to discover. Alongside the beetroot and other colourful lattes, the current menu features a full chai programme, cold drip coffee, and a range of seasonal cold drinks. This level of variety is rare in a suburb the size of Sunbury.
Pricing for specialty lattes starts from $5.50, with premium options such as the pistachio latte at $10. For first-time visitors to The Spotted Owl, the specialty drinks menu is one of the best introductions to what the cafe does well.
What to Order with Your Drink
The Spotted Owl has a full breakfast and lunch menu, so there’s plenty to pair with your specialty latte. Here are some combinations worth considering.
For a lighter morning visit, the House-Made Muesli ($20) or the Fruit Toast ($12) complement the earthy, slightly sweet character of the drink well. Both are easygoing options that let the latte speak for itself without competing for attention.
For a more substantial breakfast, the Mushroom Benny ($25) or the Vegetarian Breakfast Plate ($27) are excellent choices. Both suit a caffeine-free drink, since you don’t need a coffee to cut through any richness on the plate. The Chilli Scramble ($23) is another solid option if you want something with a bit more kick.
For a midday visit, the Satay Chicken Rice Bowl ($24) or the Housemade Beef Burger ($26) offer something heartier. The specialty latte also works perfectly well as a standalone afternoon drink if you’re just stopping in for something warm before the cafe closes at 2:30 pm.
Families visiting with young children will find the kids menu covers all the essentials: egg on toast, pancakes, and a cheeseburger with chips. The pink latte is a popular pick for younger visitors who want something warm and interesting that isn’t coffee.
Tips for Ordering
A few practical things worth knowing before you head in.
Ask about milk options. The Spotted Owl offers dairy and a range of plant-based milks. Alternative milks cost $1 extra and include options like oat and almond, both of which pair well with the earthy sweetness of this drink.
Try it without extra sweetener first. The beetroot powder blend used by most cafes already contains a small amount of natural sweetener. If you’re watching your sugar intake, ask for no additional sweetener to taste the base flavour clearly.
Order it hot. The flavour is best served warm. The heat brings out the earthy depth of the beetroot in a way that chilled milk doesn’t quite replicate.
Allow time to enjoy it. This isn’t a drink to rush. The flavour develops as you work through the cup, with the spiced notes becoming more noticeable as it cools slightly from its initial temperature.
Go early on weekends. The Spotted Owl is a popular spot on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The cafe opens at 7:30 am on weekends, and arriving before 9:00 am gives you the best chance of a quieter table. For larger groups, calling ahead on (03) 9740 2120 is recommended.
Plan Your Visit
The Spotted Owl is at 93 O’Shanassy Street, Sunbury, just a short walk from Sunbury Station. You can book a table online through the website, call ahead on (03) 9740 2120 for larger groups, or simply walk in during opening hours.
The outdoor terrace is a great option on warm mornings, and the indoor dining room is relaxed and comfortable year-round. Whether you’re a regular at the cafe or visiting for the first time, the specialty drinks menu gives you something new to explore on every visit. Find out more on the About Us page.
The Bottom Line
The beetroot latte is one of those drinks that’s easy to overlook until you try it. Once you do, it tends to become a regular order: warming, naturally sweet, completely caffeine free, and genuinely different from anything else on a standard cafe menu. At The Spotted Owl in Sunbury, it’s part of a specialty drinks offering that reflects a real commitment to interesting, well-made options well beyond the standard coffee order.
If you’ve been curious about trying a beetroot latte in Sunbury, or you’re looking for something new on your next cafe visit, this is the drink to start with. Pop in to The Spotted Owl at 93 O’Shanassy Street, find a comfortable seat, and give it a try. Browse the full menu at thespottedowl.com.au/shop and get in touch here to book or enquire.
