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Skip the pricey coffee shop, because this homemade gingerbread latte recipe is quick, easy, cozy, and festive — no special equipment necessary! Prep the gingerbread syrup in advance and enjoy warming notes of molasses, spices, coffee or espresso, and milk any day of the week.
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Starbucks Gingerbread Latte
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!
Unfortunately, the coffee shop hasn’t offered this discontinued menu item in years…which means that it’s time to learn how to make your own at home. Believe it or not, it’s super simple — and it’s even better than the store-bought version!
You can customize each latte to suit your preferences, and who doesn’t love that?! For instance, use decaf coffee or espresso, add extra gingerbread syrup (or use less, if you like). Try festive toppings like sprinkles or whipped cream, and make each mug as big as you need. After all, the holidays call for plenty of warm, caffeinated drinks by the fire!
Ingredients
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for a homemade gingerbread latte recipe. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Gingerbread latte syrup: sure, you could 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!
- Espresso: if you don’t have espresso, strong black brewed coffee works great here.
- Milk: use any milk that you prefer. Whole milk is the most decadent, but 2% or even almond milk or coconut milk are also fine. You’ll need the milk heated and frothed. I use the milk frother that came with our Nespresso machine, but I also have this inexpensive frother that works well too (it just doesn’t heat the milk). Don’t have a frother at all? No problem — just see my notes below. Also, a milk frother makes a lovely holiday gift!
How to Make a Gingerbread Latte
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.
- Combine the gingerbread syrup with espresso or coffee in a 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.
Preparation and Storage
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!
Recipe Variations
- 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!
- 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.
Tips for the Best Gingerbread Latte Recipe
- 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 like this; however, you’ll need to warm the milk on the stovetop or in the microwave before you froth it.
- 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.
More Gingerbread Recipes to Try
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 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 like this; however, you’ll need to warm the milk on the stovetop or in the microwave first.
- 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.
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.