Name: Gingerbread Latte Recipe
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 7 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups unsweetened almond milk; 2 shots espresso; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon allspice; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1/4 cup whipped cream (optional)

There’s nothing quite like the cozy embrace of spice and coffee swirling together on a chilly day. This Gingerbread Latte Recipe is that perfect blend of warmth and sweetness, making every sip feel like a festive hug. It’s great for stirring up holiday vibes or simply brightening your morning with something extra special.

Two clear glass cups filled with light brown coffee topped with thick white whipped cream sprinkled with cinnamon are placed on a white marbled surface. Each cup holds one layer of creamy coffee, topped with a thick layer of whipped cream with a swirl shape and dusted with cinnamon powder. Around the cups are brown star-shaped cookies decorated with white icing and brown pine cones, creating a cozy and festive atmosphere. A white cloth with a soft texture is partially visible nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Latte Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gingerbread Latte Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gingerbread Latte Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely adore how this Gingerbread Latte Recipe brings the magic of the holidays right into my kitchen. It’s surprisingly simple but packs such a flavorful punch; it’s definitely become a go-to treat when I want to feel festive without running to the coffee shop.

Quick and Easy: You can whip this up in under 10 minutes with just a few ingredients, so no elaborate prep needed.
Customizable Flavors: The spice blend lets you tailor that gingerbread vibe whether you like it more gingery, spicy, or sweet.
Allergy-Friendly Options: Using almond milk or your preferred alternative works beautifully—yay for dairy-free!
Perfect for Any Time: Hot or iced, this latte hits the spot whenever you want that cozy, seasonal flavor.

Two clear glass mugs filled with a light brown frothy drink topped with a thick layer of white whipped cream sprinkled with brown cinnamon powder. The mugs are on a white marbled surface with cozy white knitted fabric, pinecones, brown star anise, and gingerbread cookies shaped like stars and fish scattered around. Warm fairy lights softly glow in the blurred background, creating a festive and cozy atmosphere. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The charm of this Gingerbread Latte Recipe lies in its simple yet harmonious ingredients. Each spice plays its part to capture gingerbread’s classic aroma and taste, while the espresso brings that rich coffee kick to tie it all together.

Flat lay of a small white bowl filled with unsweetened almond milk, two white ceramic espresso cups with dark espresso shots, a small white bowl containing ground ginger, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of ground nutmeg, a small white bowl of ground allspice, a small white bowl with granulated sugar, and a dollop of fresh whipped cream on a simple white ceramic plate, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Milk: I prefer unsweetened almond milk for a creamy texture without overpowering sweetness; you can use any milk or plant-based milk you love.
Espresso: Using two shots gives the latte a bold coffee base—if you don’t have espresso, instant coffee works in a pinch (more on that later!).
Ground Ginger: Brings that signature warm zing that’s essential to a gingerbread drink.
Cinnamon: Adds sweetness and depth to balance the ginger.
Nutmeg: Gives an earthy, nutty undertone that rounds out the spice blend.
Allspice: A subtle but necessary touch, allspice enriches the overall complexity.
Sugar: Any sugar will do here—white, brown, or even coconut sugar; it sweetens and merges the flavors wonderfully.
Whipped Cream (optional): For that indulgent finish, turning your latte into a café-worthy treat.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Gingerbread Latte Recipe is a fantastic canvas for your coffee cravings. I love tweaking it depending on my mood or what I have handy—sometimes I like it extra spicy, other times a touch more sweet. It’s really about making it feel like home for you.

Dairy-Free Version: Using almond or oat milk gives it a lovely nuttiness and creaminess without the dairy, and I find it froths nicely if you have a milk frother.
Iced Gingerbread Latte: During warmer months, I make this recipe over ice—just pour the hot mix over a tall glass filled with ice cubes, and it’s instantly refreshing!
Extra Spice Kick: I sometimes add a pinch of ground cloves or a dash of vanilla extract for a deeper, more layered flavor.
Sweetener Swaps: Feel free to replace sugar with honey, maple syrup, or your favorite sweetener; just adjust to taste.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Latte Recipe

Step 1: Gather Your Cozy Essentials

Start by pulling together all your ingredients — it really helps me keep everything flowing smoothly while I’m on the stovetop. I grab the milk (almond milk for me), espresso shots, my spice mix, sugar, and a small saucepan. It’s a quick setup but makes a big difference keeping things stress-free.

Step 2: Simmer the Spices and Coffee

In your saucepan, combine the milk, espresso, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and sugar. Turn the heat to medium and bring it slowly to a gentle simmer. Watch carefully — once you see tiny bubbles forming at the edges, lower the heat to low and stir often to make sure all that sugar dissolves and the spices infuse the milk completely. After about 2 minutes of simmering gently, remove the pan from heat.

Step 3: Pour and Top It Off

Pour your fragrant gingerbread latte into your favorite cups and, if you’re feeling indulgent, top each with a generous swirl of whipped cream. The creaminess on top with those warm spices is just heavenly and turns this simple coffee into a special occasion in a cup.

Top Tip

Through my experiments with this Gingerbread Latte Recipe, I learned some simple tricks that really elevate the experience. These are little things I wish I’d known earlier, and they make every cup taste like a cozy café treat.

Steady Heat Control: Be patient bringing your latte mixture to a simmer — too hot and the milk might scorch, too cold and the spices won’t bloom properly.
Freshly Ground Spices: Whenever possible, use freshly ground cinnamon and nutmeg for a burst of flavor that pre-ground spices just don’t match.
Espresso Alternatives: Don’t have an espresso machine? No worries — I use instant coffee mixed with hot water, just reduce the milk slightly to keep the balance right.
Don’t Skip the Stirring: Frequent stirring during simmering prevents burning and helps meld the flavors smoothly.

How to Serve Gingerbread Latte Recipe

Garnishes

I always top my gingerbread lattes with a fluffy cloud of whipped cream—that’s non-negotiable in my book. To take it up a notch, a light dusting of cinnamon or a sprinkle of crushed gingerbread cookie crumbs adds texture and visual appeal. Sometimes I even add a little cinnamon stick as a stirrer—so festive!

Side Dishes

To make this treat feel like a mini celebration, I usually pair it with simple baked goods like buttery shortbread cookies, ginger snaps, or a slice of pumpkin bread. The flavors complement each other perfectly and make for a cozy afternoon pick-me-up.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties or gifting, I like to serve this gingerbread latte in clear mugs so the warm, spiced coffee color shines through. Adding a cinnamon stick and some festive ribbon around the handle turns it into a charming gift or centerpiece. Another fun idea is layering the whipped cream and latte in a tall glass for a layered look—super Instagram-worthy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftover gingerbread latte mixture (and sometimes I do if I make a bigger batch), store it airtight in the fridge for up to 2 days. I always give it a good stir and reheat gently on the stove to preserve the spices and avoid curdling.

Freezing

Freezing this latte isn’t usually my go-to because milk textures can change, but if you want to freeze the spice-espresso mix without milk, that works well. Then add fresh milk and reheat when ready—keeps the flavors vibrant.

Reheating

When reheating, I do it gently over low heat, stirring often to keep the spices evenly mixed. Microwaving works too—just heat in short bursts and stir to avoid hot spots or spilling over. Fresh whipped cream on top after reheating always makes it feel like new.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular brewed coffee instead of espresso in this Gingerbread Latte Recipe?

Yes! While espresso gives a stronger coffee flavor, regular brewed coffee can be used as a substitute. Just use a more concentrated coffee to keep the balance, or reduce the milk slightly to maintain the latte’s rich flavor.

What’s the best milk to use for this Gingerbread Latte Recipe?

I personally love unsweetened almond milk because it’s creamy but light, and it froths well if you have a frother. That said, any milk or plant-based milk—like oat, soy, or whole milk—works beautifully. Just use what you enjoy drinking most!

Can I make this Gingerbread Latte Recipe iced?

Absolutely! This recipe works wonderfully iced. After simmering, pour the latte over a glass filled with ice cubes. It’s a refreshing way to enjoy all those cozy spices even on warmer days.

What can I use if I don’t have an espresso machine?

No espresso machine? No problem! Simply dissolve 2 teaspoons of instant or decaf coffee in ¼ cup of boiling water. Use 1 ¾ cups of milk instead of 2 cups to keep the proportions balanced, and continue as the recipe directs.

Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread Latte Recipe is one of those comforting cups that feels like a warm celebration in every sip. It’s easy to make, flexible to suit your taste, and simply brings that joy we all look for in the holidays (or any chilly afternoon). I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—and trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to keep this one in your coffee routine year-round!