Cozy Winter Lattes (Printable Version)

Spiced espresso with steamed milk and maple syrup, finished with froth and a cinnamon dusting.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 2 cups whole milk (or plant-based alternative such as oat, almond, or soy milk)

02 - 2 shots (about ⅔ cup) freshly brewed espresso or strong coffee

03 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

04 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

05 - 1 pinch ground cloves

06 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)

07 - Whipped cream

08 - Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for dusting

09 - Cinnamon sticks for garnish

01 - In a small saucepan, warm the milk over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. Whisk occasionally to prevent scorching.

02 - Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sweetener to the warmed milk. Whisk vigorously to blend the spices evenly and create a light froth.

03 - Prepare 2 shots of espresso or brew strong coffee using your preferred method.

04 - Pour one shot of espresso into each serving mug.

05 - Slowly pour the spiced, steamed milk over the espresso in each mug, allowing the layers to blend naturally.

06 - Top with whipped cream if desired, dust with additional cinnamon or nutmeg, and garnish each mug with a cinnamon stick.

07 - Serve immediately while hot and enjoy.

01 -

The spice blend makes your whole kitchen smell like a holiday market in under ten minutes.
It requires zero special equipment beyond a saucepan and a whisk, no fancy espresso training needed.

02 -

Milk scorching happens fast and leaves an unpleasant burnt taste that no amount of spice can cover, so stay by the stove and whisk often.
Adding the spices to the milk before it heats fully allows them to bloom and release their oils, which is far more aromatic than stirring them in at the end.

03 -

Oat milk froths better than any other plant milk for this recipe and has a natural sweetness that complements the spices.
If you want a richer drink without dairy, stir in half a teaspoon of coconut oil with the milk for body and sheen.