Cozy Winter Lattes (Printable Version)
Aromatic spiced lattes with steamed milk, espresso, maple and cinnamon, topped with whipped cream.
# What You 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 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
05 - 1 pinch ground cloves
→ Sweetener
06 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey, adjusted to taste
→ Toppings
07 - Whipped cream, as desired
08 - Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for dusting
09 - Cinnamon sticks for garnish
# How To Make It:
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 warmed milk. Whisk vigorously to blend the spices evenly and create a light froth.
03 - Prepare two shots of espresso or strong coffee using an espresso machine or coffee maker.
04 - Pour one shot of espresso into each serving mug.
05 - Slowly pour the spiced, frothed milk over the espresso in each mug, dividing evenly between the two servings.
06 - Top with whipped cream if desired, dust with additional cinnamon or nutmeg, and garnish each mug with a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately while warm.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- It takes the same amount of time as waiting in line at a cafe but fills your kitchen with the kind of cinnamon warmth that makes you close your eyes and smile.
- The spice blend is forgiving and customizable, so once you memorize the base you can tweak it endlessly without ruining anything.
02 -
- Do not let the milk boil or it will scorch at the bottom and develop a skin on top that no amount of whisking can fully fix.
- Taste the spiced milk before pouring it over the espresso because adjusting sweetness at that stage is far easier than trying to fix it after.
03 -
- Heat the milk slowly over medium low heat rather than rushing it on high, because patience here gives you a silkier texture and prevents that unpleasant scorched flavor at the bottom of the mug.
- If you want café level foam without a machine, whisk the hot milk vigorously right before pouring and tap the saucepan on the counter once to pop the largest bubbles, leaving behind a dense creamy froth.