Last year I posted a recipe for pumpkin spice lattes that has since become a favorite of mine. This year I’ve tried a few other things that I thought I’d share! Enjoy!

Peppermint Mocha:

Key ingredients- milk, espresso or very strong coffee, chocolate syrup, peppermint flavoring, and perhaps some extra sugar and whipped cream.

You can find a recipe for chocolate syrup on the recipes page if you cannot buy it at the store where you live.

The peppermint flavoring could be a bit more tricky, but there are a couple of options.

Option 1, Peppermint syrup:

1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoons peppermint extract

Instructions: Boil water and sugar and mix until dissolved, then mix in extract. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Option 2, Peppermint tea bag: This is bit strange but surprisingly good. You can flavor your coffee with a peppermint tea bag. Don’t leave it in too long though. Just dunk it until it gives the coffee a nice minty aroma. I tried it and it is actually quite delicious!

To make your mocha, combine your preferred proportions of milk, coffee, chocolate, and flavoring and voila! To make it even more festive, add whipped cream and red sugar sprinkles to top it off!

Gingerbread Latte:

Key ingredients- gingerbread syrup, espresso or strong coffee, milk, whipped cream, ground nutmeg

Gingerbread Syrup
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

*(follow the basic cooking instructions for the peppermint syrup)

1/2 cup fresh espresso
8 ounces milk, steamed (with a little foam)

Garnish
whipped cream
ground nutmeg

(Gingerbread latte recipe found here)

Starbucks Peppermint Brownies

I shared this recipe last year and made them again this year! Yum! Be sure to start with a rich, fudgy brownie recipe though!

Happy holiday feasting!

Do you have any other festive holiday treat ideas to share for those who might be missing Starbucks?

(Post by: Ashley)