Listen, I love Starbucks as much as the next girl, but making an eggnog latte at home? We can do it better, I promise. I'm going to show you how.
First of all we're swapping the milk (or cream) for eggnog, obviously. You can use expresso or strong coffee in this drink, and mix to your liking. Finally, and most importantly, we're adding a homemade Christmas spice syrup that is TO DIE FOR. Like I would drink it straight. It's so good, and it pairs perfectly with the eggnog.
Eggnog lattes are a great Christmas indulgence all season long. Cozy, comforting, and made more complex with the addition of homemade syrup.
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Why You're Going to Love this Recipe
- It's soooooo cozy. It's going to give you all the winter/December/holiday/Christmas feels.
- It's rich, sweet and creamy: everything you love about eggnog. Which makes coffee the perfect thing to add to it. The strong bitter flavors balance the whole drink out beautifully.
- You can add spiced rum, Bailey's, or bourbon to it to make it extra special
- And also you can add whipped cream. So.
- You can also tone the whole thing down if you want. All you actually need is two ingredients: espresso or coffee, and eggnog.
- I'm making mine using a milk steamer, but you can totally just heat the eggnog on the stove over medium heat until it's just starting to simmer.
Frequently Asked Questions
An eggnog latte is a latte that swaps the milk for eggnog instead. Essentially it's a combo of hot eggnog and espresso or coffee.
Whatever tickles your fancy, but I like spiced rum, bourbon, whiskey, or Irish cream liqueur.
Yes definitely. Brew a strong batch, and add about 50/50 eggnog to coffee ratio (my recommendation). But really, do whatever ratio suits you best.
Definitely not. This drink is sweet enough with just the eggnog. With the Christmas spice syrup here - it just adds depth of flavor with cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.
What is an Eggnog Latte?
An eggnog latte is a latte that swaps the milk for eggnog instead. Essentially it's a combo of hot eggnog and espresso or coffee.
Ingredients
Technically, you can make this latte with only two ingredients: coffee/espresso and eggnog. And if that's what you're into, by all means.
I'm including a recipe for my Christmas spice syrup, which adds a few more interesting flavors to this mug.
For the Syrup
- Brown sugar: it just adds more depth of flavor, and goes great with the spices we're adding.
- Water: to make the syrup itself.
- Cinnamon sticks, allspice, and cloves: you can switch this combo up if you want, but I think it tastes so fantastic. And it makes your house smell like you've been baking cookies all day.
For the Latte
This is even easier than the syrup.
- Eggnog: the star of the show.
- Coffee or espresso: you can definitely use either. If you're using coffee, I would recommend a strong brew, and maybe adding a little extra (this can totally be done to your taste. Use the recipe as a guideline).
- Christmas spice syrup: The delicious cherry on top. This syrup is also fantastic for cocktails, btw.
- Nutmeg and whipped cream for garnish - optional.
How to Make it - Step-by-Step
Step 1: Make the Syrup (if you want, if not skip to step 2)
Simple syrup is super easy to make - just remember it's a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water - and then add whatever flavoring you want.
Start by combining the sugar and water in a pot over medium high heat on the stove. Let the sugar dissolve, stirring every once in a while. Bring the syrup to a simmer, and add the spices.
Simmer for 5-10 minutes, and then remove from the heat. You can let it steep for up to 8 hours, then strain. You can also strain and use it right away. Or, don't strain it at all, and put it in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors will keep developing!
Step 2: Heat the Eggnog
Heat the eggnog in a small saucepan on the stove for 5-10 minutes on medium heat. Stir it occasionally to make sure the dairy isn't burning to the bottom. Keep an eye on it, and don't let it boil!
If you have a milk steamer, you can use one of those too!
Step 3: Make the Espresso/Coffee
Make your coffee of choice to have it ready to go.
Step 4: Assemble
Add your coffee/espresso to a mug. Add the syrup and stir. Add the eggnog, and stir again. If you're adding any alcohol, do it now as well.
Add any tops you want (whipped cream, nutmeg, etc), and enjoy!
Variations
There's so many ways to make this drink your own. Here's a couple of ways to customize it!
- You can make it vegan. There are plenty of dairy-free eggnogs on the market, usually made from almond milk or coconut milk.
- Add alcohol. This is so delicious with spiced rum, bourbon, or Irish cream liqueur.
- Try it with gingerbread syrup, vanilla syrup, or any other syrup that sounds good to you.
- Make it with espresso or coffee. You don't have to have an espresso machine to enjoy this drink. Just brew a pot of strong coffee, and add a little more to your mug to make sure you get the flavors.
- Make it whatever ratios you want. Add as much eggnog, coffee, espresso or syrup as you want. This is really just a guideline!
Tips and Tricks
- If you're heating your eggnog on the stove, keep a close eye on it. It's a dairy product so it can go from cold to boiling over in a matter of seconds (at least that's how I've experienced it 😂)
- Your Christmas spice syrup will keep the in the fridge for weeks, and is also great to use in COUNTLESS cocktails.
- Add nutmeg to the top for garnish!
- Add whipped cream for an extra treat. It's eggnog, clearly we're well beyond worrying about calories at this point. Also it's Christmas. 🎄
Other Awesome Drinks
Recipe
Eggnog Latte (or Coffee)
Equipment
- Milk steamer optional
- Espresso machine optional
Ingredients
For the Christmas Spice Syrup
- 1 C brown sugar
- 1 C water
- 6-8 cinnamon sticks
- 1 allspice star
- 8-10 cloves
For the Eggnog Latte
- 2 shots espresso or ¼ C strong coffee
- 2 tablespoon Christmas spice syrup optional
- 1 C eggnog
- 1 oz spiced rum or other; optional
- nutmeg for garnish
Instructions
For the Syrup
- Add sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a simmer and allow the sugar to dissolve fully, stirring occasionally.
- Add the spices, and then continue to simmer for five minutes.
- Strain into an airtight container, and keep in the fridge up to three weeks. *See notes.*
For the Latte
- Heat your eggnog: add eggnog to a small saucepan over medium heat. Allow it to just start simmering around the edges. Remove from the heat. If you have a milk steamer, you can just add the eggnog to the steamer and let it go.
- Meanwhile, in a coffee mug, add your espresso or coffee, and then add your syrup. Give it a good stir, and add your hot eggnog.
- Add rum and whipped cream, if you wish.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg and enjoy.
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