Gingerbread Cardamom Latte
Uses Gingerbread Syrup — make a batch ahead of time; it keeps in the fridge for a week or two, so you won't need to make it again for every drink.
Ingredients & steps
StandardWritten hot. Switch to see the iced version's ingredients and steps.
Ingredients
- 2oz espresso (or 1/3 cup strong coffee/moka pot equivalent)
- 8oz milk, steamed or frothed
- 1 tbsp Gingerbread Syrup (make a batch ahead of time -- it keeps about 2 weeks in the fridge)
- 1 tbsp Cardamom Syrup (make a batch ahead of time -- it also keeps about 2 weeks)
Steps
- 1.Make a batch each of Gingerbread Syrup and Cardamom Syrup ahead of time if you haven't already.
- 2.Pull a double shot of espresso (or brew strong coffee) directly into your serving cup.
- 3.Stir in 1 tbsp of the gingerbread syrup and 1 tbsp of the cardamom syrup while the espresso is still hot, until both are fully combined.
- 4.Steam or froth 8oz of milk to about 150°F and pour over the espresso mixture.
- 5.Serve immediately.
Swap the milk
This recipe is written with Kirkland Signature Organic A2 Whole Milk (8oz). Pick a different milk to see the cost and calories update below.
Milk: Kirkland Signature Organic A2 Whole Milk
Cost per drink
$0.98
Calories per drink
228
Not medical or nutrition advice. Calorie figures on this page are estimates based on typical ingredient values, not a lab analysis of your exact batch — they'll shift with the brand of milk, syrup, or protein powder you actually use. "Ingredient-Honest" and "sugar-free" describe what's in the recipe, not a health claim. If you're managing diabetes, a caffeine sensitivity, pregnancy, or another condition, check with a doctor or dietitian before making a recipe part of your routine. Read the full disclaimer.
Cardamom is a traditional ingredient in Scandinavian gingerbread, not an invented addition — recipes for Swedish pepparkakor (the country’s classic Christmas gingerbread cookie) consistently list cardamom alongside ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, and food writers note cardamom is “widely used in Scandinavian baking” generally. This site’s own Gingerbread Syrup doesn’t include cardamom (checked: ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, molasses), so this is a genuine addition, not a redundant one — paired with the existing Cardamom Syrup.
Two Real Bases, Not a New Fused Syrup
This drink combines two syrups this site already has: 1 tbsp Gingerbread Syrup and 1 tbsp Cardamom Syrup, split evenly. No new syrup needed.
Building the Latte
- Pull a double shot of espresso (about 2oz) directly into your cup, or brew a strong coffee/moka pot equivalent.
- Stir in 1 tbsp Gingerbread Syrup and 1 tbsp Cardamom Syrup while the espresso is still hot.
- Steam or froth 8oz of milk to about 150°F and pour it over the espresso mixture.
Assumptions: grande-size drink, independent/specialty-café pricing, dairy milk, $16/lb specialty beans or equivalent grocery beans. At 5 drinks a week over the site’s standard 48-week year, that’s roughly $1,385/year back in your pocket.
Swaps & Notes
- No espresso machine? A moka pot or strong AeroPress shot works fine.
- Want it more gingerbread-forward or more cardamom-forward? Shift the ratio to 1.5 tbsp of one and 0.5 tbsp of the other.
- Watching sugar? Swap in Sugar-Free Gingerbread Syrup 1:1. Cardamom Syrup doesn’t have a sugar-free version yet.
Recipe Card Summary
Gingerbread Cardamom Latte
- 2oz espresso + 8oz steamed milk + 1 tbsp Gingerbread Syrup + 1 tbsp Cardamom Syrup (both made ahead)
- Prep time: 5 minutes (after both bases are made) · Total: 5 minutes
- Cost: ~$0.98/drink vs. ~$6.75 specialty café equivalent
FAQ
Is cardamom actually a real gingerbread ingredient?
Yes — it’s a staple of Scandinavian gingerbread specifically (Swedish pepparkakor), even though it’s less common in American-style gingerbread recipes, which this site’s plain Gingerbread Syrup follows.
How is this different from your Cardamom Honey or Vanilla Cardamom Lattes?
Those pair cardamom with honey and vanilla respectively; this drink pairs it with a full gingerbread spice blend instead — a bolder, spicier direction.
Can I use the sugar-free Gingerbread Syrup?
Yes — swap in Sugar-Free Gingerbread Syrup 1:1. Cardamom Syrup doesn’t have a sugar-free version yet.
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