Name: Christmas 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 something truly magical about the warm spices and cozy scent of gingerbread during the holidays. This Christmas Gingerbread Latte Recipe brings all those comforting flavors into a cup, blending espresso warmth with ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice — a homemade treat that’s perfect for that festive coffee craving at home.

Two clear glass mugs filled with light brown coffee topped with thick white whipped cream sprinkled with cinnamon powder sit on a white marbled surface. Each mug has three visible layers: a bottom layer of coffee, a thick middle layer of frothy milk, and a fluffy top layer of whipped cream with the cinnamon dust. Around the mugs are brown star-shaped cookies with white icing in simple patterns and dark brown pinecones scattered on the surface. A white textured cloth with cinnamon specks adds softness to the scene. 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 Christmas Gingerbread Latte Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Gingerbread Latte Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Gingerbread Latte Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What I adore most about this Christmas Gingerbread Latte Recipe is how it strikes the perfect balance between spice and sweetness without ever overpowering your coffee’s boldness. Plus, making it from scratch turns your kitchen into a little festive café, and that’s just a joy in itself!

Authentic Gingerbread Flavors: The blend of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice captures the classic holiday spice profile perfectly.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything on hand, making it an easy recipe to whip up on those busy mornings or chilly evenings.
Customizable: Whether you prefer dairy-free, iced, or sweeter versions, this recipe is easy to adjust to your taste buds.
Budget-Friendly: Skip the coffee shop prices and enjoy a rich, cozy latte for a fraction of the cost!

Two clear glass mugs filled with light brown hot chocolate are topped with thick white whipped cream sprinkled with a reddish-brown powder, likely cinnamon, on top. The mugs are placed on a white marbled surface surrounded by brown pinecones, star anise, and light brown star-shaped gingerbread cookies. The background has a soft, cozy winter feel with out-of-focus warm lights and white knitted fabric adding a textured layer to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Gingerbread Latte Recipe plays a key role in marrying coffee’s bitter richness with spicy, sweet holiday flavors. Choosing quality spices and your favorite milk truly elevates the final cup.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl with unsweetened almond milk, two shots of dark espresso in a small white bowl, a small white bowl containing ground ginger powder, another small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white bowl holding ground allspice, a small white bowl with granulated sugar, and a dollop of fresh whipped cream on a simple white ceramic plate, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly balanced and symmetrical, 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 love using unsweetened almond milk for a creamy texture with fewer calories; however, whole milk or oat milk are fantastic if you want a richer taste.
Espresso: The star of the drink — if you don’t have an espresso machine, don’t worry! Instant coffee with boiling water can be a great stand-in.
Ground Ginger: Brings that warming, slightly sharp ginger flavor that’s essential to gingerbread.
Cinnamon: Sweet and woody, cinnamon pairs so naturally with coffee and spices.
Nutmeg: Adds a hint of earthiness and sweetness, driving home the holiday vibe.
Allspice: This spice rounds out the flavor profile with subtle notes of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg all in one.
Sugar: Balances the spices and bitterness — feel free to adjust based on your preference, or swap for maple syrup or honey.
Whipped Cream (Optional): A fluffy topping that adds decadence and a classic café feel.

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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

One of the best parts about this Christmas Gingerbread Latte Recipe is how easy it is to make it fit your mood or dietary needs. I tend to play with different milk options and sometimes add a splash of vanilla extract for a little extra warmth.

Dairy-Free Delight: I usually opt for almond or oat milk and it never disappoints — thick and creamy without the dairy.
Iced Version: During milder winter days, pouring this latte over ice is a refreshing twist I recommend trying.
Less Sweet: If you prefer a less sweet latte, just reduce the sugar by half or swap it for a natural sweetener like maple syrup.
Extra Spiced: Feel free to add a pinch more of any of the spices if you want a bolder gingerbread flavor.

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

Step 1: Heat and Spice Up the Milk

Start by whisking together the milk, espresso shots, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Keep an eye on it until it just starts to simmer—too hot and it can scorch or curdle, so patience here is key. Stir often to keep the spices evenly distributed and prevent sticking.

Step 2: Lower the Heat and Let It All Meld

Once simmering, drop the heat to low and stir regularly for about 2 minutes. This gentle cooking helps the spices infuse beautifully without boiling away the milk’s creaminess or coffee’s rich aroma.

Step 3: Pour and Top

Pour your spiced latte into two cups, and if you're feeling indulgent, pile on some whipped cream. The creaminess atop the warm spices is like a little holiday hug. Enjoy it immediately for that perfect cozy sip.

Top Tip

After making this Christmas Gingerbread Latte Recipe dozens of times, I've learned these little tricks to keep your latte tasting amazing every time you make it.

Use Fresh Spices: Ground spices lose potency quickly; fresher spices mean stronger, more authentic flavors.
Don’t Overheat the Milk: Milk that’s too hot can split or lose sweetness — watch for simmer, not full boil.
Espresso Tips: If you don’t have espresso, the instant coffee method (¼ cup boiling water + 2 teaspoon coffee) works surprisingly well with adjustments to milk volume.
Stir Frequently: Keeps spices well mixed and prevents sediment from settling at the bottom.

How to Serve Christmas Gingerbread Latte Recipe

Garnishes

For me, a generous swirl of whipped cream is a must, dusted lightly with cinnamon or nutmeg. Sometimes I throw on a small gingerbread cookie for dunking — it’s like a festive coffee date in a cup!

Side Dishes

If I’m serving this as part of a cozy brunch, I love pairing it with buttery cinnamon rolls or a slice of pumpkin bread. The sweet and spiced flavors complement each other beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to serve these lattes in clear glasses so you can see the layers — espresso, spiced milk, and whipped cream. Add a cinnamon stick stirrer or sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for an extra festive touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store any leftover spiced milk mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When reheating, add espresso fresh to keep the flavor vibrant.

Freezing

This latte isn't the best candidate for freezing due to milk texture changes, but you can freeze leftover espresso shots separately if you want to prep ahead.

Reheating

When reheating your spiced milk, do it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to avoid scorching and separating. Combine with freshly brewed espresso or instant coffee for the best taste.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Christmas Gingerbread Latte Recipe without an espresso machine?

Absolutely! I recommend dissolving 2 teaspoons of instant coffee in ¼ cup of boiling water and then using 1 ¾ cups milk instead of 2 cups; this creates a similar rich coffee base.

What’s the best milk to use for this latte?

I love almond milk for a lighter, dairy-free option, but whole milk or oat milk make the drink creamier. Use whatever you prefer — the flavors meld nicely either way!

Can I prepare this latte iced?

Definitely! After heating, just pour your Christmas Gingerbread Latte over a glass filled with ice for a cool twist that still packs all the cozy holiday spices.

How long does it keep if I make extra?

Store leftover spiced milk mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you want to enjoy more, reheat gently and add fresh coffee or espresso to revive the flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Gingerbread Latte Recipe has become my go-to cozy drink every holiday season. It’s simple, satisfying, and fills the room with that wonderful gingerbread aroma that instantly makes me feel at home. I can’t recommend making it enough — trust me, once you try this at home, your local coffee shop just might have some serious competition from your own kitchen!