Cozy Winter Lattes (Print View)
Spiced, maple-sweetened winter lattes with steamed milk and froth, finished with cinnamon — cozy and quick.
# What You'll Need:
→ Milk Base
01 - 2 cups whole milk or plant-based alternative
→ Espresso
02 - 2 shots (about ⅔ cup) freshly brewed espresso or strong coffee
→ Winter Spice Blend
03 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon
04 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
05 - 1 pinch ground cloves
→ Sweetener
06 - 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey, adjusted to taste
→ Toppings
07 - Whipped cream
08 - Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for dusting
09 - Cinnamon sticks for garnish
# How to Make:
01 - In a small saucepan, warm the milk over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. Whisk occasionally to prevent scorching.
02 - Stir the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sweetener into the milk. Whisk vigorously to blend and create a light froth.
03 - Prepare 2 shots of espresso or strong coffee using an espresso machine or coffee maker.
04 - Pour one shot of espresso into each mug, then slowly pour the spiced steamed milk over the espresso.
05 - Top with whipped cream if desired, dust with extra cinnamon or nutmeg, garnish with a cinnamon stick, and serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The spice blend makes your whole kitchen smell like a candle shop without spending twenty dollars on a candle.
- It takes exactly ten minutes from standing in your kitchen to wrapping both hands around something warm and wonderful.
- You probably already have every single ingredient sitting in your pantry right now.
02 -
- Never let the milk actually boil or it will scorch at the bottom and develop a skin on top that no amount of whisking can fix.
- Taste the spice blend before adding sweetener because the maple syrup amplifies the warmth of the spices in ways that catch people off guard.
03 -
- Warm your mugs with hot water before pouring in the latte so the drink stays hot longer while you settle in.
- Toast the spices in the dry saucepan for thirty seconds before adding the milk to bloom their oils and deepen the flavor dramatically.