Boozy gingerbread latte is what is not available in the average coffee shop. All those cosy and comforting flavours associated with this popular drink plus a little kick of alcohol. You really should try it.
Without a doubt, I love this drink. It is everything I crave in a coffee libation - milky, sweet, a not-so-subtle hint of bitterness and a kick of alcohol. This boozy gingerbread latte is my idea of perfection... in a pretty glass.
But here's the truth: if I go to a coffee shop, you will usually find me ordering tea. I do all my coffee drinking at home. Partly because I know just how I like it. But also because coffee shops know how to charge for the fancier drinks. And it's not a spending habit I really want to get into.
I have labelled this drink as a boozy gingerbread latte, because that really is my favourite way to enjoy it. However, this seasonally spiced coffee is still disarmingly tasty and pure comfort without any alcohol. Or even without coffee at all - in the form of a milk steamer.
What is a Boozy Gingerbread Latte
A gingerbread latte is a milky coffee drink spiked with the flavours of gingerbread. I've used a heavily spiced homemade gingerbread syrup to infuse my coffee with those flavours. Included are all the usual suspects associated with gingerbread:
- black treacle (molasses)
- dark muscovado sugar
- ginger
- cinnamon
- cloves
- allspice
The trick to achieving a luxurious drink is to use either espresso coffee or coffee granules diluted in just a small amount of water so that milk is the dominant liquid in the drink. Oh, and I do recommend using whole (full-fat) milk for a truly sumptuous finish.
The resulting drink is sweetly spiced and compliments the coffee wonderfully. It's also smooth and creamy. Joy.
A boozy gingerbread latte is exactly as described above, but with the addition of a little alcohol. Double joy.
What alcohol can I use in a spiked gingerbread latte?
I used Tia Maria coffee liqueur in my spiked gingerbread latte as I did not want to detract from the coffee & gingerbread profile of this drink. Similarly, Kahlua would also work well.
Other alcohols worth a try in a boozy gingerbread latte are:
- spiced rum or dark rum
- bourbon
- Baileys
What else can I use the gingerbread syrup for?
This gingerbread syrup is impressively strong. It has been made with the intention of it being diluted significantly in another liquid. For this reason, I advise against pouring it over pancakes, waffles and the likes - it will blow your socks off.
But there are several other beverages this syrup can be used in.
Adding a measure of this syrup to warm milk makes a delicious gingerbread milk steamer - ideal for children or for those who does not enjoy coffee. This is also a great option for a late-night comfort drink without a caffeine buzz that is suitable for everybody.
I'll admit that when I first made this gingerbread syrup, I had every intention of using it to make a gingerbread hot chocolate. But when it came down to it, I just didn't find the balance of gingerbread flavour and chocolate that impressive - the chocolate kept on taking over despite the punchy strength of the syrup. Feel free to experiment though, I can be very fussy when it comes to my hot chocolate.
Finally, try playing around with this syrup in cocktails. It will add a gratifying warmth to plenty of libations. It goes particularly well with bourbon, rum and coffee liqueurs. I think it's safe to assume I'll be publishing a gingerbread cocktail soon.
Confession: I wish I had called my blog Gingerbread Latte. It's maybe a little late for that, but at least I've got you covered for when you need a spiked gingerbread latte, a milk steamer or some gingerbread syrup for your cocktail making.
Let me see what you create by tagging #jane_littlesugarsnaps on Instagram.
More Fun drinks to try:
- Rum Masala Chai
- Candy Cane Hot Chocolate with Popping Candy
- Bourbon Caramel Steamer
- Liqueur Coffee with Blackcurrant & Almond
- Homemade Gingerbread Cream Liqueur
Boozy Gingerbread Latte
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Syrup
- 250 ml Water
- 30 g Fresh ginger
- 50 g Dark muscovado sugar
- 5 Cloves
- 2 Cinnamon sticks (each 3 inches)
- ¼ tsp Vanilla extract
- ½ tsp Allspice berries
- 1 tbsp Treacle (molasses)
For the Boozy Gingerbread Latte
- 1 tsp Coffee granules dissolved in 20ml off the boil water
- 40 ml Gingerbread syrup
- 180 ml Whole (full fat) milk
- 20 ml Coffee liqueur
For the Gingerbread Milk Steamer
- 20 ml Gingerbread syrup
- 180 ml Whole (full fat) milk
Optional Garnishes
- Whipped Cream
- Gingerbread sprinkles
- Ground cinnamon/ nutmeg
- grated chocolate
Instructions
Make the Gingerbread Syrup
- Give the cinnamon, cloves and allspice a quick bash using a pestle and mortar to break them up, but do not grind them to a powder
- Put all of the ingredients, except the vanilla extract, into a saucepan and heat gently to dissolve the sugar
- Bring almost to the boil and remove from the heat
- Let infuse for 30 minutes
- Stir in the vanilla extract and strain through a fine meshed sieve
- Store in a sealable bottle in the fridge for up to 1 month
Make the Boozy Gingerbread Latte
- Heat the milk to scalding, then stir in the gingerbread syrup and blitz with a stick blender until frothy
- Pour the hot coffee into a heatproof mug or glass
- Add the alcohol of choice (optional)
- Top with the hot gingerbread milk
- Garnish with whipped cream and toppings of choice
Make the Gingerbread Milk Steamer
- Heat the milk to scalding, then stir in the gingerbread syrup and blitz with a stick blender until frothy
- Pour into a heatproof glass
- Serve
As somebody who can't stand coffee, but often wishes I did like it, I feel this might be a drink to try!
Ahh.... if you are anything like me you may well enjoy this coffee since it is sweet and milky - a far cry from a shot of espresso!