Channel your inner barista and make the Starbucks eggnog latte at home! This festive drink combines strong-brewed espresso with frothy steamed eggnog and a sprinkle of cozy spice. It’s perfect for the holidays!
I love remaking my favorite seasonal Starbucks drinks. It’s easy and delicious, and a great way to save money. Warm up with a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte and this Cinnamon Dolce Latte, next!
Nothing puts me in the holiday mood more than a Starbucks seasonal latte. Whether it’s their famous PSL in the fall or a peppermint white chocolate mocha at Christmastime, I am THERE. Making my favorite Starbucks drinks at home has been the gift that keeps on giving. I’ve saved so much drive-thru time (and money).
I was feeling the festive spirit when I first mixed up this eggnog latte. It’s such a simple coffee drink: freshly brewed coffee mixed with frothy sweetened eggnog and cozy winter spices. So good!
Why I Love This Copycat Eggnog Latte
- Festive flavors. This coffee is rich and creamy with a touch of warm spice and sweet eggnog. So festive! Forget the 12 Days of Christmas, I’ll take a whole season of Starbucks lattes.
- The eggnog is subtle. Now, I know eggnog isn’t for everyone. But, one taste of this copycat Starbucks eggnog latte and the doubters might reconsider. I steam the eggnog with a splash of milk, and it makes this latte super creamy.
- It’s quick. A couple of quick zaps in the microwave is all it takes to froth the eggnog, then it’s a matter of combining it with your favorite brewed espresso. This eggnog latte is quick to make, a Christmas morning favorite in our house.
- Affordable. While I’ll never fully give up my Starbucks obsession, making homemade copycats of their holiday lattes is definitely one of my favorite money-saving hacks. It’s fun and easy!
Latte Ingredients
These are the ingredients you’ll need to make a Starbucks-inspired eggnog latte at home. Scroll to the recipe card below the post for a printable list with the full recipe details.
- Brewed Espresso – You’ll need instant espresso powder and hot water to brew a strong cup of coffee. You can also make a from-scratch espresso, about 4 ounces.
- Milk – Whole milk, 2%, skim milk, or your choice of dairy-free milk, like oat milk or almond milk.
- Eggnog – I love making this latte during the holidays when we have a running supply of homemade eggnog in the fridge. You can use your favorite store-bought eggnog, too.
- Vanilla – Make sure it’s pure vanilla extract or vanilla paste for the best flavor.
- Brown Sugar – I like the caramelized flavor of brown sugar, but granulated sugar or another sweetener, like maple syrup, also works.
- Spices – Cinnamon and nutmeg are the traditional choice. You can also use a spice blend, like pumpkin pie spice.
How to Make the Starbucks Eggnog Latte
You don’t need a fancy espresso machine to make a perfectly delicious latte at home. This recipe turns out great with instant espresso. Of course, if you have a machine and wish to use it, all the better. Here’s how to make the Starbucks eggnog latte in just a few minutes:
- Brew the coffee. Combine espresso powder with boiling water to make a strong batch of coffee.
- Prepare the eggnog. Meanwhile, whisk the eggnog with milk, vanilla, brown sugar, and spices.
- Make it frothy. Pop the eggnog mixture into the microwave for 1 ½ minutes, stir, and heat again as it starts to froth up. You can also do this on the stovetop.
- Combine. Slowly pour the brewed coffee into the eggnog while stirring. I finish my eggnog latte with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Enjoy!
Barista Tips and Variations
- Don’t overheat the eggnog mixture. Once you’ve mixed the eggnog ingredients, try not to overheat the mixture in the microwave. Heat in increments, stirring in between. You want it to steam, not curdle! If you have a milk frother, you can use it.
- Add a splash of booze. I like to give my eggnog latte a grown-up twist with a splash of Southern Comfort or spiced rum. Sometimes, I’ll go the Irish coffee route and add a little whiskey. Try it while you’re wrapping Christmas presents this year. You can thank me later!
- Use regular coffee. This eggnog latte turns out best with strong brewed espresso to balance the sweetness. That being said, if you don’t have espresso, an extra-strong batch of brewed coffee works, too.
- Make it iced. If iced lattes are more your thing, let the eggnog mixture cool a bit and then pour it over ice, like an Iced Americano.
What to Serve With an Eggnog Latte
The perfect winter weekend morning consists of a cozy brewed eggnog latte next to a tall stack of fluffy pancakes or a batch of pumpkin cinnamon rolls. For the full Starbucks experience at home, I’ll pair this latte with fresh homemade pumpkin scones or a slice of chocolate pumpkin bread.
You can be as simple or as extra as you’d like when garnishing your coffee. Add whipped cream, dust the top with nutmeg, drizzle with caramel, or simply enjoy this sweet milky drink as is. I like to stir my latte with a candy cane on Christmas morning!
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store the eggnog latte covered in the fridge for 1-2 days. It won’t be quite as frothy, but you can reheat it in the microwave.
Make-Ahead Tip
Another option is to whisk together the eggnog/milk mixture in advance and keep it stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. It’s ready to steam whenever a craving for a Starbucks eggnog latte strikes. Just brew a fresh batch of espresso!
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Brew the coffee. Stir the espresso powder into the hot water and set aside.
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Mix the eggnog mixture. In a glass measuring cup combine milk, eggnog, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
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Make it frothy. Heat the eggnog mixture in the microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds, or until the milk starts to froth up. Stir, and return the mixture to the microwave for an additional 30 seconds, or until the milk froths up again.
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Combine. Remove the eggnog mixture from the microwave and slowly add the brewed coffee, stirring constantly.
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Serve. Top your eggnog latte with whipped cream, dust with nutmeg, and enjoy!
Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 97mg | Potassium: 290mg | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 360IU | Vitamin C: 1.9mg | Calcium: 234mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.