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    Home » Coffee Drinks

    Homemade Gingerbread Latte (Starbucks Copycat Recipe)

    Published: Nov 18, 2023 · Modified: Nov 18, 2023 by Jessica Fisher

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    Jump into the holiday spirit with this easy homemade gingerbread latte recipe. Make it hot or iced, you only need three basic ingredients: strong coffee, homemade gingerbread syrup, and your favorite milk! This yummy gingerbread latte is so good — and so much cheaper than what you’d get at the local coffee shop.

    iced gingerbread latte on a white counter with a white background. this …

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    Table of Contents
    • Why Make This
    • Ingredients
    • How to make a Hot Gingerbread Latte
    • How to make an Iced Gingerbread Latte
    • The Starbucks Copycat Formula
    • FAQs
    • More Starbucks Copycats
    • Gingerbread Latte

    Gingerbread is one of the classic flavors of the Christmas season, and a holiday latte is the perfect thing to celebrate this time of year. Unfortunately these days inflation has made a simple stop for a holiday drink into a very expensive venture — and forget about a slice of Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf, make your own!.

    When we were paying off our debts during the last recession, I thought I was being clever to budget for my trip to the coffee shop. Now, my smarter move is to make it myself at home! 

    Skip the Starbucks version and enjoy this festive latte at home for a fraction of the price!

    Why Make This

    It’s the perfect drink for the holiday season. Whether you serve gingerbread lattes to party guests or sip it quietly on Christmas morning by the tree, you’re going to love the delicious flavors of homemade syrup of gingerbread spice in your morning coffee.

    It’s easy. DIY coffee drinks take just a few seconds to prepare once you’re tooled up. If you already make coffee in the French press or other coffee maker, you just need the flavored syrup to take your latte to the next level. Once you’ve made this one, be sure to try our other recipes for coffee drinks, syrups, and toppings. 

    It’s super cheap. The current price for a grande at my local Starbies is now more than $6. Homemade should cost you about 50 cents — or less!

    Ingredients

    Here’s what you’ll need to make a homemade gingerbread latte:

    ingredients to make a gingerbread latte laid out on white counter.

    coffee – The base of a latte is generally strong coffee. This can be cold brew concentrate, strong brewed coffee, or a shot of espresso. You’ll want to allow it to cool if you’re making an iced coffee. You can pull a shot from a Nespresso machine or just brew some coffee. To make this just like Starbies, use a blonde roast coffee.

    syrup – Make this easy Gingerbread Syrup recipe and you’ll be set for a festive treat all season long. There are commercial gingerbread syrups you can purchase as well, but making a gingerbread simple syrup yourself is a great way to save money!

    milk – You can use your favorite milk of choice. Almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk will make this cozy gingerbread latte dairy-free. Whole milk or half-and-half will make a very rich coffee drink. Frothed milk is great if you already have a milk frother, but hot milk warmed in a small saucepan or the microwave is just fine.

    whipped cream, sprinkles, and/or pumpkin pie spice – Toppings make this copycat Starbucks gingerbread latte recipe a little more fun. At Starbies, they do whipped cream and pumpkin spice. Here we’ve added some fun gingerbread sprinkles. 

    gingerbread latte in glass mug surrounded by coffee beans and gingerbread men candies.

    Making your own cozy lattes in the comfort of your own home is so easy! You’re going to be a master barista soon!

    How to make a Hot Gingerbread Latte

    • Pour the hot coffee and syrup into a mug or latte glass. Stir well to combine.
    • Add steamed milk. Top with whipped cream. Sprinkle with pumpkin spice or sprinkles, if desired. Serve immediately.

    How to make an Iced Gingerbread Latte

    • Place the ice cubes in a mug or latte glass. Pour in the cooled coffee and syrup. Stir to combine.
    • Add cold milk. Top with whipped cream. Sprinkle with pumpkin spice or sprinkles, if desired. Serve immediately.
    screenshot of starbucks app with details of gingerbread latte.

    The Starbucks Copycat Formula

    Starbucks lists the “recipe” for each of their coffee drinks in the app. While you’ll want to play with the amounts to suit your preferences at home, you can use the app as a starting point. *Note that 1 pump is the equivalent of ½ tablespoon. Your average grande drink contains about 2 tablespoons of syrup.

    FAQs

    What’s in a gingerbread latte?

    A gingerbread latte contains just a few simple ingredients: gingerbread latte syrup, hot coffee, and milk.

    What does a gingerbread latte taste like?

    I find that it tastes a lot like a pumpkin spice latte. It’s got the classic gingerbread flavor of sweet molasses and warm spices, including cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. If you like the psl, I think you’ll love a gingerbread latte!

    Does a gingerbread latte have coffee?

    Lattes are generally built on a base of coffee or tea. Non-coffee lovers will enjoy this same drink made with a base of black tea instead.

    iced gingerbread latte with whipped cream and gingerbread sprinkles and a red striped straw.

    More Starbucks Copycats

    glass mug of medicine ball tea with steam rising.

    Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea – Cheaper at Home

    iced coffee in milk bottle, surrounded by coffee beans.

    Homemade Iced Coffee

    overhead shot of hands clasping glass of iced mocha with ice cubes floating atop.

    Iced Mocha (32 cents/each!)

    plates on table with squares of cinnamon coffee cake, next to baking pan on towel.

    Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe

    overhead shot of whipped cream in glass mug of latte, surrounded by coffee beans.

    Gingerbread Latte

    Whether you make it hot or iced, you'll love this easy Gingerbread Latte recipe. It comes together with just three basic ingredients for a festive holiday drink that costs just pennies!
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 182kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher
    Cost: $0.50

    Ingredients

    To make a hot Gingerbread latte

    • ½ cup strong coffee or espresso
    • 2 tablespoon Gingerbread Syrup or more to taste
    • ½ cup hot milk

    To make an iced Gingerbread latte

    • ice cubes for serving
    • ½ cup cold brew concentrate or strongly brewed coffee or espresso, cooled
    • 2 tablespoon Gingerbread Syrup or more to taste
    • ½ cup milk or half and half to taste

    Optional toppings

    • whipped cream
    • pumpkin pie spice
    • gingerbread sprinkles
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    To make a hot Gingerbread latte

    • Pour the hot coffee and syrup into a mug or latte glass. Stir well to combine.
      ½ cup strong coffee or espresso, 2 tablespoon Gingerbread Syrup
    • Add steamed milk. Top with whipped cream. Sprinkle with pumpkin spice or sprinkles, if desired. Serve immediately.
      ½ cup hot milk, whipped cream, pumpkin pie spice, gingerbread sprinkles

    To make an iced Gingerbread latte

    • Place the ice cubes in a tall glass. Pour in the coffee and syrup. Stir to combine.
      ice cubes, ½ cup cold brew concentrate, 2 tablespoon Gingerbread Syrup
    • Add milk or half and half to taste. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles if desired.
      ½ cup milk or half and half, whipped cream, pumpkin pie spice, gingerbread sprinkles

    Notes

    Nutritional information is approximate and will vary depending on the milk you use. Data does not include toppings.
    If you ever have leftover coffee, freeze it in ice cube trays to use in cold coffee drinks. Likewise, you can make ice cubes from milk or half and half as well.
    Variations: For other flavored coffee drinks, add your favorite syrups, such as vanilla, caramel, or peppermint.
    What coffee to use? You can use espresso, strong brewed coffee, cold brew coffee, or instant coffee.
    For the closest variation to Starbucks’ Gingerbread Latte: use blond espresso roast for the coffee and pumpkin pie spice to top the whipped cream.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 266mg | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 198IU | Calcium: 158mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tell us what you think! Your reviews help us develop better recipes and give newcomers the confidence to try your favorites. Scroll down to leave a starred comment.
    « Easy Homemade Gingerbread Syrup for Coffee & Desserts
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