Sweet, spicy, thick and creamy, this homemade gingerbread latte recipe is the perfect hot drink to warm you up on a cold winter day!

Easy gingerbread latte recipe

In less than one minute, this classic holiday coffee shop drink can be all yours!

Serve it piping hot with breakfast, or try it cold over ice.

With comforting flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla swirled into each sip, the Starbucks inspired latte tastes even better in the luxury of your own home.

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How to make the best gingerbread spice latte

Start by whisking the milk of choice, sweetener, molasses, vanilla, and spices in a small saucepan over low heat on the stove top.

Or for a microwave gingerbread latte, microwave for about forty seconds, depending on the wattage of your microwave.

If you own a cooking thermometer, it should read 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove the steamed milk mixture from the heat, and stir in the vanilla extract.

Using a milk frother or a whisk, stir vigorously for a few seconds or until the steamed milk forms small bubbles.

For a latte, whip just until small bubbles form. Or turn it into a gingerbread cappuccino by whipping until bubbly and frothy with thick foam.

Pour the mixture over a mug of hot espresso or strong coffee.

Serve with Applesauce Cake or Almond Flour Banana Bread

Homemade gingerbread latte ingredients

Unlike many other gingerbread latte recipes, this one is made with no gingerbread syrup or simple syrup. It gets its traditional ginger flavor naturally from the spices.

To make the recipe, you will need coffee or espresso, milk of choice, molasses, pure vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.

Milk – Whole milk and non dairy oat milk produce the best steamed latte foam.

Almond milk, soy milk, and canned coconut milk are also great choices in the recipe.

I do not recommend skim milk, low fat milk, rice milk, or carton coconut milk here, because the resulting latte recipe will be thin and lacking in creaminess.

Molasses – The molasses is an important ingredient that adds wonderful gingerbread flavor. It can be regular molasses or heart healthy blackstrap molasses, which is rich in both iron and calcium.

Vanilla extract – Look for pure vanilla extract, not vanilla flavor or imitation vanilla. If you prefer, substitute an equal amount of vanilla bean paste for the liquid extract.

Sugar – For the remaining sweetener of choice, any all purpose sweetener is fine, including pure maple syrup, honey, agave, brown sugar, regular sugar, or unrefined coconut sugar or date sugar.

You can make a keto gingerbread latte by using dairy free unsweetened milk and xylitol or a monk fruit blend as the sweetener. Replace the molasses with one tablespoon of a sugar free brown sugar substitute.

Coffee – I like dark roast coffee, such as French roast, or two shots of espresso. Medium, light roast, instant coffee, cold brew, or decaf coffee will also work.

The healthy gingerbread latte recipe includes dairy free, egg free, plant based, vegan, low calorie, low fat, low carb, and gluten free options.

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Holiday drink topping ideas

Top your hot gingerbread latte with caramel sauce or Coconut Whipped Cream.

It is also fantastic and festive with a sprinkle of cinnamon, toasted coconut, crushed peppermint candies, cinnamon sticks, or chocolate syrup.

The recipe pairs well with breakfast pastries, pancakes, savory avocado toast, muffins, cupcakes, donuts, quick breads, and coffee cakes.

Hands down, the best way to enjoy this gingerbread drink is topped with a homemade or store bought gingerbread man, ginger cookie, or Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Try the seasonal favorite at Thanksgiving breakfast or Christmas brunch.

Gingerbread coffee latte recipe video

Above, watch the step by step video how to make a gingerbread latte at home.

Tips and tricks

This simple recipe makes a single serving. Feel free to double or scale up all ingredients for a larger yield or to serve a group or family.

You can even prepare the larger variation in a slow cooker to feed a crowd. Scale up the recipe by four, add ingredients to your crock pot, and cook on low for three hours. It is perfect for bringing to a chilly Fall or winter band practice or sports game.

To make an iced gingerbread latte, first cool the coffee after brewing. Then pour it over ice in a tall glass. Let the milk cool as well before adding it to the coffee.

Save money and enjoy the DIY ginger coffee drink while lounging in your pajamas in front of a fireplace, or while watching your favorite Christmas or holiday movie.

There is no need to travel to McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts, or your local coffee shop. In fact, Starbucks discontinued selling their gingerbread lattes in 2019 (although they do now offer a new Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai drink).

And the best part is that you can still savor your own ginger spice drinks once the holidays are over. Whip up a mug in December, in January, or even in July!

Serve your latte with chewy Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

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