The holiday spice latte is a popular seasonal coffee drink that many coffee shops offer during the winter months. It features traditional holiday spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves blended with espresso and steamed milk. The holiday spice latte has become a staple wintertime drink across many coffee chains. Its warm, comforting flavor profile makes it the perfect beverage to enjoy during the colder season. This article will explore the history of the holiday spice latte, its common ingredients and flavors, how to order it at popular coffee chains, and tips for making it at home.
History of the Holiday Spice Latte
The original holiday spice latte was created by Starbucks in 2002. It was designed to be a warm and nostalgic seasonal drink that evoked the flavors of winter and the holidays. The initial recipe contained espresso, steamed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The beverage was an immediate hit with customers who were drawn to its cozy, familiar spiced flavor.
The drink was so popular that Starbucks made it an annual holiday menu item. It also paved the way for other coffee chains to develop their own seasonal spiced lattes. Nowadays, specialty holiday drinks are a staple on many coffee shop menus between November and January. Customers eagerly await the return of the holiday spice latte and other specialty seasonal beverages.
Popularity Over the Years
Ever since its debut, the holiday spice latte has been one of Starbucks’ most successful seasonal drinks. In its first year, Starbucks estimated that it sold over 200 million holiday spice lattes. The beverage quickly developed a passionate and loyal following among customers who would return year after year for their favorite wintertime treat.
The popularity of the holiday spice latte encouraged other large coffee chains to develop their own versions of the drink. Dunkin’ Donuts, Caribou Coffee, and Peet’s Coffee all rolled out specialty spiced lattes to compete with Starbucks’ iconic beverage. These seasonal drinks have also seen great success and have driven even more demand for spiced, wintry beverages.
Nowadays, specialty holiday drinks account for a huge portion of coffee shop sales in November and December. Customers eagerly anticipate the return of their favorite festive drinks. The holiday spice latte and its variations remain seasonal favorites to this day.
Common Ingredients
While recipes can vary somewhat between coffee shops, most holiday spice lattes contain the same core ingredients that produce its signature spicy, aromatic flavor.
Espresso
Espresso is the key coffee component that gives holiday spice lattes their underlying coffee taste. Espresso is made by forcing hot water under pressure through very finely ground coffee beans. This produces a concentrated coffee liquid with a robust, complex flavor. The quantity of espresso can be adjusted based on the size of the latte. More espresso will result in a stronger, more caffeinated drink.
Steamed Milk
Frothed milk gives holiday spice lattes their latté base. The milk is steamed using high pressure steam wands to aerate it and create a light, frothy texture. Any type of milk can be used including dairy milk, soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk. Steamed milk provides the body and avelvety texture to complement the coffee and spices.
Holiday Spices
The key component that makes these lattes “holiday spice” lattes are the traditional baking spices added to the drink. These often include:
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Allspice
- Ginger
- Star anise
These warm, aromatic spices are reminiscent of classic holiday flavors like gingerbread, eggnog, and mulled cider. Their inclusion provides holiday spice lattes with a comforting spiciness and familiar wintertime taste. The quantity and blend of spices may vary between recipes.
Sweeteners
Holiday spice lattes typically contain added sweeteners to balance out the spice and coffee flavors. Simple syrup — a mixture of sugar and water — is commonly used. Other options include honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, or pumpkin spice-flavored syrups. Sweetened flavored syrups complement the other ingredients nicely.
Toppings
Whipped cream and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg are popular toppings for holiday spice lattes. The whipped cream provides an indulgent, creamy finish while a dusting of spices on top adds an extra layer of spice aroma and flavor. Other fun toppings can include chocolate shavings, caramel drizzle, crushed candy cane pieces, and waffle cone pieces.
Ordering at Popular Coffee Chains
Holiday spice lattes are menu staples at all major coffee shop chains once November and December roll around. Here’s a breakdown of options at popular coffee spots:
Starbucks
- Holiday Spice Flat White
- Toasted White Chocolate Mocha
- Caramel Brulée Latte
- Chestnut Praline Latte
- Peppermint Mocha
- Eggnog Latte
Starbucks offers the widest range of holiday drinks from traditional spice flavors to festive creations like eggnog and peppermint mochas. Their holiday spice flat white focuses on spice flavor with less sweetness.
Dunkin’
- Peppermint Mocha Latte
- Holiday Blend Coffee
- Gingerbread Latte
Dunkin’ keeps it simple with just a few holiday spice latte choices. Their gingerbread latte and holiday blend coffee capture classic holiday flavors.
Peet’s Coffee
- Holiday Spice Latte
- Gingerbread Latte
- Eggnog Latte
Peet’s holiday drinks include creamy eggnog and gingerbread flavors alongside their signature holiday spice latte.
Caribou Coffee
- Eggnog Latte
- Snickerdoodle Cookie Latte
- Gingerbread Latte
- Spiced Caribou Blend Coffee
Caribou Coffee’s holiday menu features lots of creative, dessert-inspired drinks like snickerdoodle and gingerbread flavored lattes. Their spiced caribou coffee blend also captures holiday spice flavors.
Tips for Making Your Own
You can also easily whip up holiday spice lattes at home with just a few ingredients. Here are some tips for DIY holiday spice lattes:
Brew Strong Coffee
Start by brewing a pot of bold, aromatic coffee. Opt for a holiday coffee blend or go for a full-bodied roast like a French or Italian roast. The stronger coffee stands up better to the flavor of the spices.
Steam Milk
Heat and steam milk of your choice on the stovetop or using an electric steamer/frother. Steaming incorporates air into the milk for a light, foamy texture.
Add Spices
Place spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in the coffee grounds while brewing or add them directly to the finished coffee. You can also make a quick spice syrup by simmering them in a bit of water with sugar. Start with about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of each spice per 8 ounce serving and adjust to your taste.
Mix and Sweeten
Add the spiced coffee and steamed milk together in your favorite holiday mug. Sweeten with sweetened syrup, honey, or sugar if desired. Top with festive garnishes like whipped cream and cinnamon.
Play Around with Flavors
Tailor your latte to your taste preferences. Try adding festive flavors like pumpkin pie spice, peppermint extract, orange, chocolate, or salted caramel. Have fun mixing and matching different spice combinations and flavors.
Conclusion
With its origins at Starbucks, the holiday spice latte has become a seasonal favorite across coffee shops thanks to its nostalgic, warming combination of holiday spices and espresso. While ingredients vary somewhat, core components like espresso, steamed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove create its signature spicy, aromatic profile. Coffee chains offer their own twists on the drink from classic recipes to festive flavors like gingerbread and eggnog. With some simple ingredients and spices on hand, you can also easily recreate delicious holiday spice lattes at home. A cozy cup of this seasonal beverage is sure to brighten up any chilly winter day.