Oh, the holidays! There’s just something magical about this time of year, isn’t there? The twinkling lights, the cozy sweaters, and, of course, those delicious, warm drinks from your favorite coffee shop. My absolute favorite has always been the Starbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte. That perfect blend of spice and coffee just screams festive cheer! You know, I used to practically live for that first sip every year. But honestly, sometimes I just want that same magic without the long line or the splurge. So, I started playing around in my own kitchen, and Iโm SO excited to share that you can totally recreate that cozy, gingerbread goodness right at home with a super simple recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte Recipe
This recipe is a total game-changer for your holiday cravings!
- Super Quick: Seriously, it’s ready in about 7 minutes from start to finish! Perfect for busy mornings.
- Bursting with Flavor: All the warm, spicy notes of gingerbread you adore, captured in every sip.
- Totally Customizable: Tweak the gingerbread syrup or espresso to make it *exactly* how you like it.
- Cozy and Festive: Itโs like a warm hug in a mug, bringing all the holiday vibes to your kitchen.
- Budget-Friendly: Save your pennies for holiday gifts instead of daily coffee runs.
- Easy to Find Ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your pantry or a quick grab from the store.
Gather Your Ingredients for the Starbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte
Okay, let’s get our gingerbread latte station ready! It’s pretty straightforward, which is my favorite kind of recipe. You’ll need:
- 1 cup of your favorite milk โ seriously, use whatever you like! Dairy, almond, oat, soy โ they all work beautifully.
- 2 tablespoons of gingerbread syrup โ this is where all that yummy holiday flavor comes from! You can find this at most grocery stores during the season, or online.
- 1-2 shots of espresso โ freshly brewed is best! If you don’t have an espresso machine, strong brewed coffee works in a pinch.
- Whipped cream โ for that essential creamy topping.
- A little ground cinnamon โ just for a pretty dusting and an extra hint of spice!
See? Super simple stuff. The beauty of this recipe is how you can totally play with the gingerbread syrup amount to get your sweetness just right. Taste as you go!
Simple Steps to Your Homemade Starbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte
Alright, this is where the magic happens, and it’s SO fast! Seriously, you’ll be sipping on cozy gingerbread goodness before you can even decide what holiday movie to watch. Hereโs how to whip up your very own Starbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte:
- First things first, grab your milk. You can gently heat it up on the stovetop in a little saucepan until it’s nice and warm โ but not boiling! Or, if you’re like me and love speed, just pop it in the microwave for about 60-90 seconds.
- Carefully pour that warm milk right into your favorite mug. The one that just feels like the holidays, you know?
- Now for the flavor! Add in your gingerbread syrup. I usually start with 2 tablespoons, but feel free to add a little more or less depending on how strong you like that gingerbread punch. Stir it all up until it’s perfectly combined.
- Time for the coffee kick! Pour in your freshly brewed espresso shots. If you’re using strong coffee instead, just add that now.
- The grand finale! Top your beautiful latte with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Then, just a little sprinkle of ground cinnamon on top for that extra festive touch and smell.

And there you have it! A delicious, warm gingerbread latte made right in your own kitchen in like, 7 minutes flat. Talk about instant holiday cheer!
Tips for the Perfect Starbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte
Okay, so you’ve got the basics down, but let’s chat about a couple of little things that can make your homemade Starbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte truly sing! First off, don’t be shy with the gingerbread syrup if you really want that robust flavor โ it’s the star of the show here! Iโve found that using a good quality syrup makes a HUGE difference; sometimes the cheaper ones can taste a bit artificial. Also, for that lovely froth on your whipped cream, make sure your milk isn’t *boiling* when you heat it. Just gently warmed is perfect. Trust me, these tiny tweaks make all the difference for that cozy coffee shop feel!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Let’s talk ingredients, because sometimes we need a little flexibility, right? The milk is super versatile โ I adore almond or oat milk in mine for a dairy-free twist, but regular whole milk is fantastic too. It really depends on what you have or what you love! As for the gingerbread syrup, if you can’t find it (boo!), you can totally make your own! It’s just a simple syrup with molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Or, if youโre really in a pinch, a really good quality vanilla syrup with a dash of ground ginger and cinnamon can get you pretty close to that gingerbread magic. Don’t be afraid to experiment โ that’s part of the fun!
Frequently Asked Questions about this Starbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte
Got questions about whipping up your own Starbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte? Iโve got you covered!
Can I make this Starbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte decaf?
Absolutely! If you want to enjoy that yummy gingerbread gingerbread latte flavor without the caffeine buzz, just swap out the regular espresso for decaf espresso shots or strong decaf coffee. Itโs perfect for an evening treat!
What if I don’t have espresso for my gingerbread latte?
No espresso machine? No problem! You can totally use strongly brewed coffee. Just brew your coffee a little stronger than usual. You could also use instant coffee granules mixed with a tablespoon of hot water to make a quick espresso-like shot. Itโll still give you that delicious coffee kick!
How can I make this Starbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte vegan?
Making this festive drink vegan is super easy! Just use your favorite plant-based milk, like almond, oat, or soy milk. For the topping, use a vegan whipped cream alternative. The gingerbread syrup is usually vegan too, but itโs always good to double-check the label just in case. Enjoy your dairy-free holiday treat!
Can I make my own gingerbread syrup?
You sure can! If you can’t find store-bought gingerbread syrup, it’s surprisingly simple to make your own. You just need water, sugar, molasses, and your favorite gingerbread spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Simmer it all together until it thickens a bit, and youโve got delicious, homemade gingerbread syrup ready for your latte or even pancakes!
Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, this is an estimate, as ingredient choices can really change things up! So, for one delicious Starbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte, youโre looking at roughly:
- Calories: Around 250
- Fat: About 10g (with 6g being saturated)
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 35g
- Protein: Around 8g
Remember, using different milks or adding extra syrup will tweak these numbers, but itโs a pretty good idea of what youโre getting in this cozy treat!

Share Your Holiday Creation
I would absolutely LOVE to hear how your homemade Starbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte turned out! Did you try any fun twists? Let me know in the comments below, and if you loved it, please give it a quick rating! You can also check out more of my holiday recipes and tips. Sharing your experience really helps other readers too. Happy sipping!
About the Author
Hi, Iโm EMILIA, the founder of MeltItClean.com โ your digital space for natural weight loss, real wellness habits, and clean-living inspiration that actually fits your life. For years, I struggled with the ups and downs of dieting. I tried everything โ juice cleanses, low-carb crazes, fitness challenges โ but I always ended up back where I started: tired, bloated, and frustrated. I didnโt just want to โlose weightโ โ I wanted energy, mental clarity, glowing skin, and confidence without sacrificing my joy or sanity.
After years of experimenting, learning, and unlearning, I discovered a simple truth: your body is already powerful โ it just needs support, not restriction. Thatโs when I created Melt It Clean โ a site dedicated to real transformation through clean, intentional, and nourishing daily habits that anyone can follow. My goal was simple: build a place where people could feel informed, supported, and empowered without being overwhelmed by wellness fads. You can learn more about my journey and mission over on my About Me page!
PrintStarbucks Christmas Gingerbread Latte
A homemade gingerbread latte inspired by the Starbucks holiday favorite.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 2 min
- Total Time: 7 min
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons gingerbread syrup
- 1–2 shots espresso
- Whipped cream for topping
- Ground cinnamon for dusting
Instructions
- Heat milk in a saucepan or microwave.
- Pour hot milk into a mug.
- Stir in gingerbread syrup until combined.
- Add espresso shots to the mug.
- Top with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon.
Notes
- Use your favorite milk, dairy or non-dairy.
- Adjust gingerbread syrup to your sweetness preference.
- For a stronger coffee flavor, add an extra shot of espresso.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Starbucks, gingerbread latte, Christmas, holiday drink, coffee, espresso, homemade


