Most people only use their milk frother for coffee—but it can do much more

Put that electric whisk to good use, y’all

Key Takeaways

• Froth eggs, cream, or buttermilk for fluffy breakfasts.
• Use it to mix dressings, toppings, or decorate drinks with sauces.
• Elevate soups, cocktails, and drinks with creamy, café-style texture.

I work at my local coffee shop a few times per week (shout-out to Valor in Dunwoody, Georgia!). In fact, a friend and I set up shop there so often, we lovingly refer to it as “the office.” I'm fascinated by how the baristas there expertly use their tools to craft everything from lattes to matchas. These skilled pros often turn to a milk frother—a compact tool that aerates milk with tiny air bubbles to boost volume and create a creamy texture. It got me thinking: What else could this handy gadget do in the kitchen? To find out, I asked a few experts to share their insights and tips.

Meet the Experts

• Hanadi Asad is the owner of Asali Desserts and Cafe in Cary, North Carolina.
• MariElena Raya is the co-founder of Charleston-based Bittermilk Bottling Co. and the former co-owner of The Gin Joint.

Whipping Up Breakfast

Whip up fluffy, café-style scrambled eggs by frothing them with a splash of cream before cooking—resulting in an irresistibly light and airy texture. Quickly make whipped cream for pancakes, waffles, or French toast by frothing heavy cream with a bit of sugar and vanilla. And for a sweet Southern twist (because why not?), froth buttermilk with honey to drizzle over biscuits.

Adding Decorative Elements

Hanadi Asad, the owner of Asali Desserts and Cafe in Cary, North Carolina, loves using a milk frother at her restaurant. “A milk frother is surprisingly effective for adding chocolate, caramel, or fruit sauces along the inside of cups. The motion of the frother creates decorative lines, perfect for creating beautiful artistic patterns,” she says. Jazz-up the inside of a clear glass vessel to make a beverage look extra special. 

Mixing Small-Batch Recipes 

Sometimes a whisk isn’t quite enough, but hauling out a bulky mixer and all its attachments feels like overkill. That’s where a frother comes in—compact, convenient, and perfect for the job. “Whether you need to whisk a single egg for a breakfast sandwich or whip a touch of cream for topping a dessert, the milk frother is a fast, no-fuss solution. It’s also great for emulsifying dressings or vinaigrettes in small amounts without pulling out a bulky mixer,” says Asad. 

Blending Syrups

Charleston-based Bittermilk Bottling Co. and The Gin Joint co-owner, MariElena Raya, says her mixologists improve syrup texture by adding xanthan gum to their creations, mixed with a frother, of course. “You can try this at home, adapting your recipe perfectly to your own taste while also saving some money on the store-bought stuff. Making your own tonic that works well seasonally as a gin and tonic in summer or bourbon and tonic in the cooler months is a great year-round home bar staple that you can play around with in the kitchen.” 

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cinchona bark (available at herbal shops or online) or quinine extract
• Zest of 1 lime plus juice
• Zest of 1 lemon plus juice
• 1/4 tsp (or to taste) of the following optional spices…allspice, coriander, cardamom, lavender

Directions:

Simmer. Strain. Once cooled a bit, add 1 tsp xanthan gum with frother. Store it in a clean glass bottle or jar in the refrigerator. It should last for about 2-3 weeks.

To Serve:

Mix 1 part tonic syrup with about 3-4 parts sparkling water to taste. Add spirit of choice. 

Improving Savory Dishes

Froth milk or cream into soups like tomato bisque or butternut squash soup for an elegant presentation. Create foamy herb-infused milk to top pureed vegetable soups. Try frothing milk with fresh chives or basil for added zip. You can also froth butter with herbs to create a light, airy compound butter for corn on the cob or dinner rolls.

Developing Cocktails

Elevate your happy hour and impress guests with cocktails that use a milk frother to add rich, velvety texture. Drinks—both spirited and alcohol-free—featuring ingredients like coconut milk, dairy or nut milks, fruit purées, and honey are especially froth-friendly.

“A tiki style drink with thinner juices mixed with coconut cream would benefit from using a frother to combine ingredients," says Raya. "You could even replace the traditional swizzle stick with a high-quality milk frother to mix the entire cocktail start to finish."

Gene Castellino, the beverage director at the May River Grill at Palmetto Bluff, agrees. He says the aerated milk also “enhances the mouthfeel of the cream.“ Castellino is particularly fond of using a frother for the restaurant's espresso martini.

Dissolving Protein Powder

Froth protein powder with milk or plant-based alternatives to eliminate lumps and create a smooth, café-style protein drink. Mix superfood powders like spirulina more thoroughly by frothing them with your liquid of choice. It is also good for combining electrolytes or other powdered beverages. 

Read the original article on Southern Living