Skip the pricey coffee shop, because this homemade gingerbread latte recipe is quick, easy, cozy, and festive — no special equipment necessary!
Table of Contents
If you love gingerbread recipes, be sure to try this old-fashioned gingerbread cake, a batch of these soft gingerbread man cookies, and a gingerbread cake with lemon sauce, too!
The Starbucks gingerbread latte has always been a favorite holiday beverage. With its warm spices, espresso, steamed milk, whipped cream, and nutmeg, every sip is like a cozy Christmas hug! Don’t worry, though — even though the coffee shop discontinued this menu item years ago, you can now make an easy gingerbread latte recipe at home whenever the craving strikes.
What to Know Before You Get Started
- Sure, you can purchase gingerbread syrup to use in this recipe, but the homemade version tastes way better — and it’s really, really easy. You just need water, molasses, brown sugar, spices, and vanilla extract. Prepare a batch of the syrup in advance, store it in the fridge, and enjoy a gingerbread latte each morning…with almost zero effort!
- For the best foam on your latte, use a heated milk frother like this one or this one. You can also use an inexpensive milk frother; however, you’ll just need to warm the milk on the stovetop or in the microwave before you froth it.
- If you don’t have a milk frother, simply combine the gingerbread syrup, espresso, and milk in a small saucepan on the stovetop. Simmer and whisk until warm and combined. It won’t have the foamy top, but it will still taste delicious!
- Adjust the proportions to suit your taste preferences. For instance, use more coffee or espresso and more syrup for a larger latte, or use half as much syrup for a less-sweet version. Make it your own!
- For a true Starbucks coffee shop experience, add extra festive toppings to really amp up the flavor and fun! Try whipped cream (or this gingerbread whipped cream or peppermint whipped cream), Christmas sprinkles, or a dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg.
Directions
Once the gingerbread syrup is ready, the gingerbread latte comes together almost as quickly as a regular cup of coffee! Prepare the syrup in advance and enjoy it all week long. Each mug is full of cozy gingerbread flavor!
- Boil the gingerbread latte syrup. You can do this in advance and store it in a jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Combine the gingerbread syrup with espresso or strong black coffee in a mug. Bonus points if it’s a festive holiday mug! Give it a good stir or whisk.
- Top with warm frothed milk.
- Garnish with any other desired toppings, such as whipped cream, cinnamon or nutmeg, or holiday sprinkles.
- Serve the cozy caffeinated beverage with your favorite Christmas treats, like 3-ingredient Scottish shortbread cookies, soft cut-out sugar cookies, a pan of warm cinnamon rolls, or cinnamon roll casserole.
Did you make this recipe?
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Gingerbread Latte
Ingredients
FOR THE HOMEMADE GINGERBREAD SYRUP
- ¼ cup molasses
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 ¼ teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
FOR EACH LATTE
- 2 tablespoons gingerbread syrup, or more to taste
- 2 shots espresso (or ¼ cup very strong brewed coffee)
- 1 cup milk, heated and frothed
- Optional, for serving: whipped cream, dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg, holiday sprinkles
Instructions
MAKE THE GINGERBREAD SYRUP
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the molasses, brown sugar, water, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once it boils, remove the pan from the heat. Whisk in the vanilla extract.
- Store the gingerbread syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake well before each use to redistribute the spices.
MAKE A GINGERBREAD LATTE
- In a large mug, combine 2 tablespoons of gingerbread syrup and 2 shots of espresso or ¼ cup strong coffee. Whisk or stir well to make sure that the syrup is incorporated with the espresso.
- Pour the warm frothed milk over the espresso mixture. Top with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon, if desired.
Notes
- If you don’t have a milk frother, simply combine the gingerbread syrup, espresso, and milk in a small saucepan on the stovetop. Whisk until warm and combined. It won’t have the foamy top, but it will still taste delicious!
- For a quick and easy homemade gingerbread latte, prepare the gingerbread syrup in advance and store it in an airtight jar or container in the fridge for up to one week. Once the syrup is made, assembling the latte is almost as fast as stirring together a regular cup of coffee!
Nutrition
Recipe Variations
- Use strong brewed coffee if you don’t have an espresso machine.
- Swap out the regular espresso for decaf espresso or decaffeinated coffee.
- Use whole milk or 2% milk for the best flavor and texture. Milk frothers tend to work best with these thicker liquids that include fat. For a dairy-free latte, you can substitute with a non-dairy milk such as almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
- Double the ingredients to prepare a larger batch of gingerbread latte syrup.
More Gingerbread Recipes to Try
Gingerbread Loaf
3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Old-Fashioned Williamsburg Gingerbread Cookies
40 minutes mins
Gingerbread Muffins with Streusel and Eggnog Glaze
1 hour hr 35 minutes mins
This recipe was originally published in November, 2022. It was updated in October, 2024.
Hi Blair. This sounds fabulous . . . but I don’t drink coffee. Would the syrup work equally well with strong tea?
Hi Sherrill! We haven’t tested it with tea, but it should work just fine.
Blair, an odd question, but I have really fallen in love with the red and white cup shown with the gingerbread latte in it. It reminds me of a Nordic sweater pattern and I would so love to order a pair of them. Do you happen to recall Where/ Who they could be purchased from?
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Marina ,
Seattle, WA
Hi, Marina! Not an odd question at all! That set of mugs is from Joanna Gaines’ line (Hearth & Hand with Magnolia) at Target. Unfortunately, I bought the mugs a few years ago, and they’re no longer available. It seems like each year the store releases a new version. This year’s mugs are here. I hope that helps, and merry Christmas!