Cozy Winter Lattes (Print Version)

Aromatic spiced lattes with steamed milk, maple sweetness, and frothy topping for cozy winter moments.

# What You 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, adjusted 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 warm milk. Whisk vigorously to blend thoroughly and create a light froth.

03 - Prepare two shots of fresh 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, 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 the warming spices on a chilly day.

01 -

It takes less than ten minutes from standing cold in your kitchen to holding something warm and fragrant in both hands.
The spice blend is forgiving, so you can nudge it toward more cinnamon or more clove depending on what your mood demands that day.

02 -

Do not let the milk boil or it will scorch and develop a skin that no amount of whisking can forgive.
Adding a drop of vanilla extract at the very end opened up a warmth I did not expect and now I never skip it.

03 -

Warm your mugs with hot water before pouring so the latte stays hot longer while you sip slowly.
Double the spice blend and keep it in a small jar by the stove so you can make these without measuring every single time.