This year for Christmas, my partner got us an espresso machine. A fancy one. It's sent me on a journey of learning an entirely new espresso lingo and becoming obsessed with making a perfect espresso. But in the meantime, they almost all taste good as a latte. Which means: it's time for more homemade coffee syrups!
I love the flavors I've made before. This healthy pumpkin spice syrup started my love of homemade coffee syrups, and the apple syrup solidified it. This winter, I made a gingerbread spice syrup that's now firmly in the rotation.
But one of my favorite local coffee shops makes a winter spice latte, and I was determined to recreate the syrup they use so I could make my own winter spice lattes at home. While I'm not sure of their exact ingredients, I do know that what I created is similar in taste, easy to make, and absolutely delicious.
With the warm, wintery flavors of maple syrup, cinnamon, cloves, and orange, this winter spice latte is going to be your new favorite way to sip on your coffee. It's also great with milk or tea if you don't drink coffee (or for the kids). Hope you love it!
Ingredients for winter spice syrup
- Water: I use filtered water to thin out the syrup.
- Maple Syrup: for sweetness! You can use another sugar if preferred (or another liquid sweetener) but I love the flavor of the maple syrup. If using a granulated sweetener, add 1/2 cup more of water.
- Orange Zest & Juice: the fresh orange flavor infused by the zest and juice add an extra dimension of citrus notes that make this syrup so delicious.
- Ground Cinnamon & Cloves: you can also use whole cinnamon sticks and cloves to infuse the flavors of the spices.
- Vanilla Extract: stir this in at the end for the most vanilla flavor.
How to make winter spice coffee syrup
Combine the water, maple syrup, spices, orange juice & zest in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer.
Let cook at a low boil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until very slightly thickened.
Remove from the heat and add vanilla extract. Let cool for a few minutes.
Use a strainer to remove any bits of spice & zest, and pour into a jar for storage.
How to store homemade syrups
Store this winter spice syrup in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
How to make a homemade winter spice latte
Making winter spice lattes is one of my favorite things to do with this homemade winter spice syrup! To make one:
- Warm milk of choice in the microwave, heat in a frother (this milk frother is the one I use), or use the steam wand of your espresso machine.
- If you're using a milk frother or steam wand, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of spiced syrup to milk while it froths. If heating in the microwave, add the gingerbread syrup after the milk is heated and use a handheld frother or whisk to mix it in.
- Pour the spiced milk over espresso or coffee and enjoy immediately!
Want more coffee syrups?
