Few things make me happier than a decadent coffee drink in the morning — especially during cozy season, a.k.a. autumn and winter. Are you the same?
When we lived in NYC there was a Starbucks on practically every corner. And even though I was a poor grad student I’d occasionally indulge in the latest seasonal sip. Holding a warm beverage in my hands as I walked to my first class on crisp autumn mornings felt like such a splurge, and it was.
Then we moved to the edge of the middle of nowhere. Suddenly the nearest Starbucks was a good 40-minute drive — and there was no way I was doing that on the regular. Solution? Learning how to make the drinks I loved at home, of course.
It took a lot of trial and error, but now I make everything from gingerbread lattes to pumpkin spice lattes in my kitchen. As I write this post, I’m sipping on a cinnamon latte that tastes just like a Starbucks cinnamon dolce latte. I know because I order one whenever I’m in the city, for old time’s sake, even if it is a rare indulgence.
Made with homemade cinnamon simple syrup, this satisfying sip also has notes of caramel and vanilla. I like to add a generous amount of whipped cream on top with a little sprinkle of ground cinnamon.
With the long weekend ahead, might I suggest adding the heady magic of learning to make this drink to your repertoire? It’s incredibly easy to do and you deserve a treat first thing in the morning.
Yes, I Know What “Latte” Means
Before we get into the details of this recipe, a note for coffee purists: yes, I know that a latte technically includes steamed milk with a shot or two of espresso. But I'm going to come clean right now and tell you this recipe does not include espresso.
Why? Because I don't have an espresso machine and don't want to sacrifice the money or the counter space to get one.
I know this is a sin for some coffee aficionados but what can I say. I like to make my fancy drinks without any fancy equipment. I started making coffee beverages like this when I was a poor grad student and old habits die hard! 😂
What’s your go-to cozy season beverage?
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