Kat's Kitchen

There is nothing cozier during the holiday season than sipping on a homemade Gingerbread Latte — especially when it’s made with real Homemade Gingerbread Syrup. The warm spices, the hint of molasses, the creamy velvet milk… it tastes like the holidays in a mug.

And since Starbucks charges $7 for a grande Gingerbread Latte (a true heartbreak), we’re making it ourselves — and honestly? The homemade version is even better. It’s fresher, more customizable, and budget-friendly. Whether you like your lattes hot, iced, oat-milk creamy, or topped with whipped cream + a sprinkle of cinnamon — this recipe is here for your holiday coffee moments.

Ingredients

Makes 1 latte

• 2 shots of blonde espresso – blonde espresso just means the coffee beans used to make the espresso, are a LIGHT ROAST COFFEE. I’ll share some of my favorite light roast coffee options below.
• 1–2 tablespoons Homemade Gingerbread Syrup – or use store-bought like Torani Gingerbread Syrup. (Start with 1 Tbsp and adjust to taste.)
• 6–8 ounces milk of choice The standard milk at Starbucks is 2% milk but whole milk and oat milk are both delish here.
• Ice (for the iced version)
• Whipped Cream
• Pumpkin Pie Spice

My Favorite Light Roast Coffee Options

• Press Coffee Spitball Espresso Blend – light roast coffee beans/grounds
• Double Espresso Dolce Nespresso Pods (double shot pods-great for blonde roast espresso lovers)
• Starbucks by Nespresso Vertuo Line Iced Double Espresso Blonde (double shot blonde roast espresso pods)
• Nescafe Gold Instant Espresso (light/blonde roast)

Why You’ll Love Making This at Home

• Saves money — Instead of $6+ per drink, you can make multiple lattes from one batch of syrup.
• Customizable — Want it dairy free? Extra creamy? Less sweet? You’re in control.
• Cozy café vibes, without leaving home — This is the holiday coffee ritual we look forward to.
• Not just seasonal at home — Make your own gingerbread latte any time of year!

How to Make the Espresso

You can use any of these methods — whichever you have:

Method	Recommended If You Have:
Blonde/Light Roast Nespresso espresso pod	Nespresso machine
Moka Pot	Ground light roast coffee + stovetop
Aeropress	Ground light roast coffee + kettle
Espresso Machine	Light roast coffee beans + any espresso machine setup
Blonde Instant espresso powder	No machine

If you want step-by-step instructions for each method, see my post:
→ 5 Ways to Make Espresso at Home

Quick espresso shot reference:

• 1 shot = ~1.25 oz
• 2 shots (what we use) = ~2.5 oz

How to Make an Iced Gingerbread Latte

1. Add Gingerbread Syrup to your glass.
2. Brew 2 shots of blonde espresso and pour it over the syrup. Stir to combine.
3. Add cold milk.
4. Fill the glass with ice.
5. Top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice.
6. Stir, sip, and enjoy.

How to Make a Hot Gingerbread Latte

1. Add Gingerbread Syrup to a mug.
2. Brew 2 shots of blonde espresso and pour it over the syrup. Stir to combine.
3. Steam or froth your milk.
4. Pour the milk over the espresso mixture.
5. Top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice, and enjoy!

How to Steam / Froth Milk at Home

Choose what you have:

• Steam Wand: Best texture — velvety and microfoamy.
• Electric Frother: Quick + easy — great everyday option.
• Handheld Frother: Warm milk first, then froth until fluffy.

For iced lattes — do not heat the milk. Just pour it in cold.

How to Make it Dairy-Free

Just use a dairy free milk and a dairy free whipped topping!

• Oat milk, almond milk, soy, or coconut milk all work great.
• Use coconut or oat whipped topping or skip the topping altogether.

How to Make it Lower Sugar

Use:

• Homemade Gingerbread Syrup made with sugar-free brown sugar & sugar-free alternative molasses
• Unsweetened milk options
• Sugar free whipped topping or skip the topping altogether.

Want a Cold Brew Version?

If you’re more of a cold brew girl (hi 🙋‍♀️), try this:

• 1–2 Tbsp Gingerbread Syrup
• 12-14 oz cold brew or iced coffee
• Splash of half & half, heavy cream, (or dairy-free creamer)
• Ice
• Top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice

Stir + sip = heaven.

What Ratios Does Starbucks Use?

I like my lattes to be a bit more coffee tasting than milky tasting, so my ratios are a slightly different from Starbucks. If you want to most accurately replicate the Starbucks ratios for a gingerbread latte, follow these ratios:

ICED GINGERBREAD LATTE

	TALL	GRANDE	VENTI
SYRUP	3 PUMPS (1.5 TBSP)	4 PUMPS (2 TBSP)	6 PUMPS (3 TBSP)
BLONDE ESPRESSO SHOTS	1	2	3
MILK	8 OUNCES	10 OUNCES	12 OUNCES
ICE	TO TOP OF CUP	TO TOP OF CUP	TO TOP OF CUP

HOT GINGERBREAD LATTE

	SHORT	TALL	GRANDE	VENTI
SYRUP	2 PUMPS (1 TBSP)	3 PUMPS (1.5 TBSP)	4 PUMPS (2 TBSP)	6 PUMPS (3 TBSP)
ESPRESSO SHOTS	1	1	2	2
MILK	6 OUNCES	8 OUNCES	10 OUNCES	12 OUNCES

Try These Cozy Holiday Drinks Next

• Homemade Gingerbread Syrup (the heart of this latte!)
• Starbucks Sugar Cookie Latte (milk version) or the half & half version: Starbucks Iced Sugar Cookie Breve
• Starbucks Peppermint Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
• Peppermint Mocha Hot Chocolate
• Starbucks Caramel Brûlée Latte

Nothing says cozy holiday vibes like a warm Gingerbread Latte, and there’s no better way to enjoy it than by making it yourself at home! With the perfect blend of Homemade Gingerbread Syrup, espresso, and milk, this latte brings all the festive flavor right to your kitchen—plus, it’s a great way to save money and skip the coffee shop line.

Whether you prefer it hot or iced, this Gingerbread Latte is sure to be your new holiday favorite.