Learn how to make your own festive latte with this easy Gingerbread Latte recipe inspired by the Starbucks holiday favorite!
Is there anything more wonderful on a cold winter day than snuggling up on the couch, sipping on a delicious coffee? It is my favorite way to spend weekend mornings (and afternoons)! Especially with a delicious, flavored latte!
This cozy Gingerbread Latte recipe is all you need to bring on all the cozy, holiday feels. Pair it with a big, fluffy blanket and a good book and you have the perfect holiday moment. I like to enjoy it with Gingerbread Cookies or Gingerbread Biscotti too. When doesn’t a cookie make things even better?
The beauty of this recipe is that there is no need to venture out into the cold to get your hands on a gingerbread latte from the coffee shop. You can easily whip one up at home! Talk about convenience!
Homemade Gingerbread latte is easier to make that you think
This recipe for homemade latte essentially comes down to these simple components:
- Making a homemade gingerbread syrup.
- Brewing espresso or strong brewed coffee.
- Frothing up some milk.
- Top with whipped cream.
Each of these components is easy to do and the tasty result of combining them together will have you wondering why you haven’t done this sooner!
I highly recommend making lots of the gingerbread syrup in this recipe and storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for a week or two when stored properly which means you can cut down on your coffee prep time by having this step done in advance.
Good news for all my coffee lovers- it’s also far more economical to make this gingerbread latte at home as this recipe costs only a fraction of the cost of the Starbucks version! It also uses ingredients you likely already have in your fridge and pantry.
Can you make a latte without an espresso machine or milk frother?
If you do not have an espresso machine at home, fear not. You can still make your own latte at home without one so there’s no need to run out and get yourself a Nespresso machine just yet.
To do this, you have two options. You can use instant espresso powder or make strongly brewed coffee at home instead (which is my preferred method since regular coffee is what we typically drink. I just brew it stronger for a latte).
If you don’t have a milk frother, you can simply warm milk in a saucepan while whisking it. The milk will begin to froth and you can add this to your latte. If you want to forego the frothing altogether, you can simply add steamed milk to your mug.
What ingredients do you need to make homemade Gingerbread latte?
To make this Starbucks copycat gingerbread latte recipe, you will need these simple ingredients:
- Brown sugar– Together with water, brown sugar makes up the base of the gingerbread latte syrup for this latte.
- Molasses– This thickened syrup is used in gingerbread baked goods and, along with the spices, the sweet molasses helps create the classic gingerbread flavor.
- Ground spices– ground ginger, ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg. These warm spices are traditional in gingerbread flavors.
- Vanilla extract
- Espresso or strong-brewed coffee
- Milk– You can use your favorite milk. For example, whole milk, 2%, 1%, or even skim can be used. If you wish to make this dairy-free, you can use a non dairy milk like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk as well.
Note: Ingredient quantities and full instructions are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
How to make a Gingerbread Latte
To make this latte at home, you will need to:
- Whip up the gingerbread syrup: In a small saucepan over medium heat, add all of the syrup ingredients except the vanilla extract. Simmer together for 5-7 minutes, whisking often. Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla. Let it cool. Once cooled, run it through a sieve or coffee filter and transfer to a mason jar or other container.
- Add syrup to hot espresso or strong coffee: Add 2 tablespoons of gingerbread syrup and the hot coffee to a mug. Stir together.
- Froth the milk and add it to the mug: In a milk frother, froth and heat the milk (if your frother does not warm the milk, warm the milk first on the stovetop). Pour the frothed milk into the mug.
- Optional: Sprinkle with some cinnamon and top with whipped cream if desired. Enjoy!
Can you make gingerbread simple syrup in advance?
As mentioned earlier, you can prepare the gingerbread simple syrup a week or two in advance. Once you have made your own gingerbread syrup using the recipe below, allow it to cool completely.
Once cooled, transfer it to a glass jar with a secure lid and store it in the fridge until you are ready to use it.
Hope you enjoy this easy recipe for homemade gingerbread latte recipe! The festive flavors are one of my favorite ways to get in the holiday spirit!
I personally think this gingerbread latte tastes better than anything bought from a coffee shop since I can customize it exactly to my liking. Not to mention, you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home while wearing your jammies!
Have a wonderful holiday season!
-Cathy
P.S. If you love festive drinks, don’t forget to also check out my Peppermint Mocha Recipe (another fav copycat recipe)!
You may also like these other gingerbread treats:
Gingerbread Biscotti
Gingerbread Cookies
Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
Looking for more Starbucks Copycat recipes? Check out:
Peppermint Mocha Recipe
Homemade Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Coffee
Caramel Frappuccino Copycat Recipe
Classic Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe
Gingerbread Latte
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Syrup (makes enough for 4-5 lattes):
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
To make a gingerbread latte:
- 2 tablespoons gingerbread syrup*
- 1/3 cup strong-brewed coffee or espresso
- 1 cup milk
- whipped cream for garnish
- ground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
To make the gingerbread syrup:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add all of the syrup ingredients except the vanilla extract. Simmer together for 5-7 minutes, whisking often. Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla. Let it cool.
- Once cooled, run it through a sieve or coffee filter and transfer to a mason jar or other container. Store in the fridge.
To make one latte:
- Add 2 tablespoons of gingerbread syrup* and the hot coffee to a mug. Stir together.
- In a milk frother, froth and heat the milk (if your frother does not warm the milk, warm the milk first on the stove top). Pour the frothed milk into the mug.
- Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with some cinnamon. Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the amount of gingerbread syrup to suit your preferences.
- Note: nutritional information is approximate and does not include the garnishes.
What is the purpose of straining the syrup through the cheesecloth?
It catches all of the ground spices so that the syrup is smooth and you don’t end up with the spices floating at the top of your latte. You can also use a coffee filter to catch them or leave them if you don’t mind them in your cup.