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Gingerbread Latte Recipe

5 from 2 votes

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

Healthy Gingerbread Latte
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Easy gingerbread latte recipe

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

Serve it hot with breakfast or cold over ice.

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

Readers also love these Vegan Brownies

Homemade Gingerbread Spice Latte

How to make the best gingerbread spice latte

Whisk the milk, 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 have 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, 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 over a mug of hot espresso or strong coffee.

Serve with Applesauce Cake or Almond Flour Banana Bread

Gingerbread Latte Ingredients

Homemade gingerbread latte ingredients

Unlike many other gingerbread latte recipes, this one is made with no gingerbread syrup or simple syrup. It gets its 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.

Whole milk and non dairy oat milk produce the best steamed latte foam. Almond milk, soy milk, and canned coconut milk are also wonderful in this recipe. I do not recommend skim milk, low fat milk, rice milk, or carton coconut milk here.

The molasses is an important ingredient that adds gingerbread flavor. It can be regular molasses or heart healthy (and iron and calcium rich) blackstrap molasses.

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.

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.

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 can be dairy free, egg free, plant based, vegan, low calorie, low fat, low carb, and gluten free.

Still craving coffee? Make these easy Coffee Truffles

Hot Gingerbread Coffee Drink

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

Vegan Girl With Starbucks Coffee

Tips and tricks

This 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 make 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’s 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!

Christmas Gingerbread Drink Recipe
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Gingerbread Latte Recipe

This homemade gingerbread latte recipe is a sweet, spicy, and delicious holiday drink.
Prep Time 1 minute
Total Time 1 minute
Yield 1 serving
5 from 2 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk of choice
  • 1/3 cup brewed coffee or espresso
  • 1 tbsp sweetener of choice
  • 2 tsp molasses (blackstrap or regular)
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ground ginger
  • pinch each of ground cloves and nutmeg

Instructions

  • To make a homemade gingerbread latte, whisk everything except the coffee and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over low heat, just until hot. Alternatively, microwave for about forty seconds. If you have a cooking thermometer, it should reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from the heat, add the vanilla, and use a milk frother or whisk for a few seconds. The steamed milk should form small bubbles. Pour this mixture over the coffee or espresso in a mug. Enjoy hot or cold over ice.
    View Nutrition Facts

Notes

Be sure to also try this homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte.
 

Have you made this recipe?

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Published on November 8, 2023

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160 Comments

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  1. Sarah says

    OK, can i just join in the i-need-coffee-or-i-am-a-zombie club? Oh an i love themed coffee!! This is perfect going into December. Maybe i can make it on December 1, as a kickoff for the crazy month ( when this recipe will be used to the max) Or i could totally make this right now… i’ll be back with review!

  2. Megan says

    Your gingerbread man is so cute! I love making gingerbread men too! I was never a morning coffee drinker until lately (grad school does that…). My mom always has been and my brother converted a few years ago. However, I do not like coffee straight up. I always add in a little vanilla soy milk and some Torani sugar-free syrup (I know Splenda is bad for you!) Starbucks is overpriced and not that fantastic. Plus, your latte is much prettier!

  3. Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says

    I am definitely a morning coffee drinker – love the stuff! I don’t usually “fancy it up” too much though… just a little dash of vanilla soymilk, and I am good to go! I do indulge every so often and make my own fancy coffee drink or make a stop at Starbucks. 😉

  4. jeffie says

    I’ve been wanting to try the soy one at Starbucks but was hesitant due to excess amount of sugar! but, this latte looks 100% healthier not to mention delicious sounding.. and that little gingerbread man looks like he’s enjoying that whipped cream jacuzzi!

  5. Stephanie says

    This makes my Christmas! I love love love you! I love these coffees too but can’t afford Starbucks anymore. Now I can make them at home! I drink at least half and sometimes a full pot of coffee everyday. Can’t live without it, I have withdrawals if I try. I am an ADDICT and proud of it. Thank God for the coffee plants!

  6. Ashley says

    I’m a morning coffee drinker but I never actually finish a cup- unless it’s on a weekend, where I end up drinking a full cup or two. It’s strange, but I think it’s more the smell of coffee and the action of pouring a cup and taking a couple of sips is what actually wakes me up!

  7. Emilia says

    I love gingerbread!! Seriously, I have a slight obsession with it around christmastime though I never want it any other time of the year. Strange. I cannot wait to try this 🙂

  8. Karen, WA state says

    Love coffee! Can function without it as long as I have something warm in the morning, but my preferred wake up is to decaf coffee with vanilla flax milk and a squirt of Vanilla stevia….

  9. Amanda says

    I’m not a big coffee drinker, although I do LOVE chai lattes and flavored black teas. My husband, on the other hand, can’t function without coffee. I’m scared to think how much coffee he drinks at work, especially since he’s been working 14 hour days for the last few weeks. Eek.

  10. Kit-Kat says

    I’m a soy-cocoa or soy-nog drinker in the morning (I was known as the cocoa queen when I was little, and I still am). I also drink tea in mornings. I will drink coffee, but not first thing in the morning.

  11. Kat @ a dash of fairydust says

    I looove coffee,but I cannot drink so much of it – different to my tastebuds.my stomach is not pleased with it at all 🙁
    However,your Gingerbread Latte looks so delicious! Plus,your gingerbread man is the cutest thing ever! 🙂

  12. Sherlock says

    Sounds divine Katie! That was funny when you mentioned the gingerbread man falling to the bottom. You always keep me entertained 🙂

  13. Heather @ Run Eat Play says

    I drink coffee every morning, and last year my husband got me a Keurig for Christmas. I love it! I recently had a gingerbread k-cup for the first time and it was good. Your gingerbread latte recipe looks awesome! Love the pictures too – they are so perfect!

  14. Anna @ The Guiltless Life says

    Yay our timing is so awesome lol – I just posted a copycat Starbucks Ginger Molasses Cookie recipe on my blog today. I recommended pairing it with a homemade Starbucks Gingerbread Latte, so I’ll update it now with a link to this post so someone can have their whole Starbuckers’ treat at home and healthier ;). Thanks Katie!

  15. Emily @ Glitz Glam Granola says

    I go back and forth with morning coffee- there are sometimes when I find it essential and others when I can live without it… however, I’m referring to regular office coffee which is not so delicious… if we were talking americanos with peppermint, it would be a different story! This looks so good though and I love how you put the little gingerbread in it! Too cute!

  16. saskia says

    oh me oh my!
    how cute is this gingerbread-man? (shouldn’t he probably be called “gingerbread-BOY”? :))
    so adorable! 🙂

    i have to admit that most of the days, i need my coffee. i sometimes replace it with green tea, though. or, which in fact is even better, i do a mix: brew a cup of green tea and mix in some instant-coffee..:)
    my day starts when i have had coffee/green tea and heard the first song, i guess.

    btw, do you think there is a chance i can make these gingerbread-boys without a blender? all i have is a hand-held one..i’m desperate!:(

    xoxo,
    saskia

  17. Bianca- Vegan Crunk says

    I die without coffee. Die. I tried going without for a month once for a cleanse, and I wanted to kill. Like everyone. Your latte looks sooooo pretty! I love the whipped cream hanging off the side of the cup.

  18. jb says

    This sounds so so good! I need something to replace all of the pumpkin spice drinks i’ve been making! And, your gingerbread man is too cute

  19. melanie says

    i too am coffee obsessed, also gingerbread obsessed. im excited to see my gingerbread recipes as the weather gets colder. yay!

  20. Andrea says

    These pictures are amazing! Is that gingerbread in the pictures actually one of the ones from the recipe you linked to? He looks kinda different! Too cute either way

  21. ~Jessica~ says

    I would love this – plus the molasses would be great for me as I’m in severe need of calcium and iron. I adore gingerbread flavours too.

    Yes, I NEED my coffee: 3-4 cups per day. No shame.

    xxx

  22. Faith @ For the Health of It says

    I’m totally one of those coffee-first-thing people. I was nauseated when I woke up this morning so I haven’t braved a cup (acidity sounds really yucky) and my whole day feels thrown off.

  23. Moni'sMeals says

    Presentation makes it all! I adore this lil raw gingerbreadman hangin out in the cloud of whipped cream. 🙂

    Sounds delicious!

  24. Kerry says

    Your latte looks delicious! The little gingerbread man is just too cute! I have to have my coffee in the morning, but I usually just make it with a little splash of almond milk. This will be a great way to change it up a little. I love anything gingerbread flavored, so I know I will love this!

  25. Sonyanijntje says

    I don’t like coffee, so I don’t drink it. I’m more of a Tea-person. But I always think the dry grinded coffee-powder smells nice :P.
    The gingerbreadman in the coffeefoam in your pictures is SO cute!!

  26. Amanda says

    Thanks for this recipe!! I just had one of these the other day at Starbucks for my free bday drink, with Soy milk, which is not my favorite anyway. I love your little gingerbread man floating in his creamy whip topping 🙂 I am a morning coffee drinker for sure, need it to wake up.

  27. Cara @ EAT. PRAY. RUN. says

    Great idea to use molasses and coffee together – I must borrow this and see what I can do since it’s my norm to add pumpkin and pumpkin spice to my coffee press every morning!

  28. Rande @ The Vegetable Centric Kitchen says

    I’m not a regular coffee drinker but if I have one on occasion I like it to be really good coffee! I love the pic with the gingerbread man, super cute! and the whipped cream looks amazing, thats where my real weakness lies 😉

  29. Lisa says

    in love with that first pic of gingerbread latte!!! the little dude is adorable 😉

    I like my morning coffee when I have classes or a hard workout to follow. it helps and its delicious!! 🙂 im a keurig lover for life 😉

  30. Lindsay @ biking before bed says

    I think gingerbread (and molasses) are so under rated. Thanks for showing molasses some love. I had my first gingerbread latte last week and it was heavenly. This seems so easy for me to make at home and save my 4 dollars for Christmas shopping!

  31. Charvel says

    Question: Does molasses ever go bad?! Mine has no expiration date… and I don’t know if I should use it, or buy a new container. 🙂

    • Dalai Lina says

      That is hilarious! I have the same bottle that I used to give MY TWELVE YEAR OLD as a laxative when he was a baby! (yes, molasses is a great baby lax, if you ever need one) I am totally disturbed that I just realized how old my bottle is. And that I talked about laxatives.

  32. Kaitlyn@TheTieDyeFIles says

    Love the little gingerbread man. And gingerbread in general, so keep em coming! My boyfriend drinks coffee all. the. time. He does it for taste, but he’s also caffeine-addicted!

  33. Amber K says

    Nah, I’m actually one of those people who thinks coffee tastes like the devil’s brew. Blech! No amount of sweetener, flavorings, or good wishes can make it taste good. lol!

  34. Albizia says

    I know a lot of people who can’t function without coffee but I am not one of them. One cup of coffee and, depending on its size, I get at least one sleepless night. Last time I did it it was for the same gingerbread latte. It smelled too good to resist 🙂 . Maybe now I can make a decaf version at home.

  35. Rachel says

    I think you read my mind with this recipe! I’ve been wanting to try one. NEVER had a Gingerbread latte before, but they sound soooo good.

  36. Libby says

    Thanks for the recipe! I LOVE my Keurig. I can’t get through a cold morning without the flavored coffees. I have coffee cups for eggnog, pumpkin spice, german chocolate cake and even french toast, but I do not have any gingerbread. Mamas making lattes tomorrow!! 🙂

  37. Jenny@HealthyMOChick says

    That looks absolutely delicious!!! You do know however that you’re not supposed to drown the Gingerbread man right? hehee that’s not very nice but then again neither is biting their head off which is what my 4 year old always does.

  38. Joanna says

    My guy recently turned me into a coffee drinker (probably revenge for me making him a tea drinker…) so I’m definitely down to try this recipe out. So festive and looks yummy!
    I drink decaf coffee in the mornings for taste, not necessarily to wake me up. Good stuff. =)

  39. Emily says

    Katie,
    Think you could do a post about becoming vegan/vegetarian. I’m transitioning now and I’m super excited but kinda nervous too. Just getting some helpful tips, warnings etc from someone who is already where I want to be.
    Thanks,
    Em

  40. Nina says

    Frappacinos are an EXCELLENT idea for Christmas… when you live in Australia, It’s Summer and stinking hot. 🙂
    Thanks for this post, the cute little gingerbread man and all the links you post to other great recipes.
    Love your work Katie!

  41. Amy says

    I cannot function at all before my morning coffee. My girls know not to talk to Mum until she’s had her coffee because she makes no sense :/ (I also cannot live without my 3pm coffee!).

    And that frappuccino is looking mighty good right now. It feels like it’s a thousand degrees in Australia today!

    Loving the idea of a Gingerbread coffee. Yum!

  42. Katie @ Nutrition in a peanut shell says

    My mom is a total “Needcoffee” zombie! She just rolls out of bed and sucks it down. She can’t do anything before her first cup!

  43. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says

    Are you a morning coffee drinker? = actually more afternoon than morning. But I don’t discriminate.

    I LOVE the little gingerbread man you put in the mug….SO CUTE!

  44. Kristin says

    Same question as Gillian (above). Is that the coconut milk whip you sometimes use? Looks way creamier than when I have tried it!

  45. Melissa @ Hot Chokolate Girl says

    Yum! And the gingerbread man is so cute 🙂 I’m not a big coffee drinker, but I definitely need cacao almond (or tahini) mylk in the morning to get me going!

  46. Lacey says

    Yum!! Im making this tomorrow for sure!!
    I never used to really like gingerbread, but this month Ive become pretty much in love. I found some gingerbread tea, and have been drinking it nonstop lately! mmmmmm:)

  47. Robin says

    The gingerbread spiced latte sounds delicious, and it’s a good alternative for spending too much money at expensive coffee shops. I suppose I am half a coffee drinker. I usually do have my cup a day, but I don’t get too odd if I won’t have my coffee first thing in the morning (unlike my mum who drinks about six cups a day).

  48. Ketapang says

    Days do not start until I have my coffee. I vaguely remember a time when I loved the smell but hated the taste….but those days are long gone. Beautiful presentation Katie! This recipe might be motivation to buy myself some molasses.

    And a totally unrelated side note: I am the proud owner of multitudes of fresh organic cranberries, due to a hectic Thanksgiving that was supposed to involve cranberry sauce…but didn’t. If you have a cranberry recipe up your sleeve, I would love to transform these berries into CCK deliciousness!

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      I am embarrassed to say I’ve never cooked with cranberries… and I’m even more embarrassed to say that one time I bought them and tried to eat them raw! I didn’t know they weren’t like raspberries or strawberries! Oops :-?.
      I’ll have to experiment!

  49. Laurel says

    Not a coffee drinker but that has got to be The Cutest Thing I’ve Ever Seen. Makes me wonder what your house looks like for the Holidays. You’ve got my vote for best picture of the month, nothing could beat that.

  50. Genki Kitty says

    Adorable! I wanted to make the gingerbread men this morning as a surprise to my family but then found out my husband ate all the almonds. haha Maybe this weekend. Thanks for the cute idea! Looking forward to making this cute treat!

  51. char @ char on a mission says

    I love this latte at Starbucks right now, so if I can save some money and recreate it at home…totally trying that. Looks so yummy!

  52. Toni says

    Tell me what the wonderful yummy creamy whip is on top on your top photo, how to get it or make it, please! It looks delicious!

  53. Alayna says

    Hey katie im 13 years old and i want to go vegan but I live in a house FULL of dairy eaters and drinkers ( btw your latte is amazing drinking it now 🙂 I am cow meat free and they know that, but I always give into dairy products because everything in this house.. How do I stay vegan without giving in??

  54. Audrey says

    I don’t mean to sound very stupid, since I cook/bake a lot as well, but does the abbreviation T mean tablespoon? If not, what does it mean? Thank you!

  55. Carissa says

    I’m a sucker for Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks, not so much a fan of the stomach ache, bloating, etc. afterward! This will surely be tested out tomorrow morning 🙂

  56. Sophie says

    Hi! Sorry, this is kind of a dumb question, but when you say ‘3 tbsp strong coffee’, do you mean already brewed, or just the ground up beans? Thanks!

  57. Kelly says

    My husband loves gingerbread lattes so we made this for him for Father’s Day yesterday along with your Cinnamon Bun Oatmeal! Delicious!!! FYI – my 9 year old daughter LOVES your website and has been spending her summer vacation cooking at least one of your recipes everyday. Last week she spent over 4 hours on a rainy day making your homemade Goldfish crackers (I think I need to get her a tiny fish cookie cutter for next time!). Today’s recipe was Cake Batter Dip. Thanks for keeping my daughter entertained with cooking healthy food that she’s welcome to snack on anytime!!!

  58. Sammy says

    Hi Katie,
    Can I just say how absolutely THRILLED I am to have stumbled upon your website!
    After spending several hours browsing through I woke up this morning and this chai latte is the first recipe I tried.
    I must confess that when I took my mug from the microwave I was a little skeptical… (I have tried several hot ‘dairy free’ drink recipes before) but much to my delight, it came out absolutely delicious!
    I used almond milk and golden syrup since I didn’t have any molasses or even maple syrup. Next time I will go a little less heavy handed on the maple syrup (I used two HEAPED teaspoons!) but oh my… this recipe is fantastic!

    I can’t wait to try more wonderful ‘intolerance friendly’ recipes!
    You’ve got a new fan 🙂 Thank you!

  59. Angela Smith says

    Can’t wait to try the coffee recipes, Katie, especially the Gingerbread Latte! I featured your recipe in a post on my blog and embedded links for you. Looking forward to reading about more healthy desserts.

    Thanks!

    Angela

  60. Erin says

    Just made this and it tastes great! I’ve tried so many other types of flavored lattes I found online that left me disgusted so obviously, my hopes were not high. But this is an awesome and easy recipe that I’ll definitely be making again :o)

  61. Awdur says

    Hi Katie! This looks sooo good – it’s too bad that it’s already spring! Fall/winter food is my favorite. I love your website! You have so many good ideas. It’s so cool to me that God makes us all different – I am a writer, and story ideas come naturally to me, but although I love to make other people’s recipes, I don’t usually get ideas of my own; but he’s made you to have amazing, creative food ideas. 🙂 Keep it coming! (Or maybe you’d better not, because each post gets me salivating…) 🙂
    ~Awdur

  62. Kristine says

    Hey!

    I just made the gingerbread latte today without the little gingerbread man sadly, and it smelt soooo good!!! I did need to add a few things of sugar though, because I thought that my drink was a bit bitter but I think I put too much molasses in! I also did use cinnamon instead of ground ginger because I was out.

    Overall, I know this one is better than the starbucks drink and healthier (: Thank you for sharing this!!

  63. Jane says

    Hello from Australia, I get the Starbucks gingerbread latte every year as they still make it here, but I am very excited to try your recipe. I just need to get some molasses. Have a great day 🥰🥰

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