Cozy Winter Lattes (Print version)
Aromatic spiced lattes with steamed milk, espresso, maple and cinnamon, topped with whipped cream.
# What goes in:
→ 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 (optional)
07 - Whipped cream
08 - Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for dusting
09 - Cinnamon sticks for garnish
# Cooking steps:
01 - In a small saucepan, warm the milk over medium heat until steaming but not boiling, whisking occasionally to prevent scorching.
02 - Stir the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sweetener into the warmed milk, whisking vigorously to blend 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, then slowly pour the spiced steamed milk over the espresso.
05 - Top with whipped cream if desired, dust with additional cinnamon or nutmeg, garnish with a cinnamon stick, and serve immediately while warm.
# Tips from flavorandfeast:
01 -
- The spice blend makes your whole kitchen smell like a candle shop in the best possible way, and it takes less than ten minutes from cupboard to couch.
- It is endlessly adaptable to whatever milk or sweetener you have on hand, so you never need a grocery run to make it work.
02 -
- Boiling the milk creates a skin on top and dulls the sweetness, so pull it off the heat the moment you see steady steam rising.
- Adding the spices to the milk while it warms rather than after is what infuses the flavor deeply instead of leaving grainy bits floating on the surface.
03 -
- Shaking the cinnamon in from high above the mug creates an even dusting instead of an ugly brown clump in one spot.
- Leftover spiced milk reheats beautifully the next morning, so make a double batch and thank yourself tomorrow.