If you have an espresso machine, you can use it to make some outstanding Christmas drinks without the expense of visiting your neighborhood Starbucks for their holiday drinks. Here we’ve collected some of our favorite recipes to help you produce some easy Christmas drinks of your own! Check out our holiday recipes below!

• Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Pumpkin Spice Dalgona Coffee
• Gingerbread Latte
• Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
• Holiday Peppermint Mocha

For a fun Holiday/Christmas idea, why not set up drink review test with your guests? The Holiday Drink Recipes are all relatively easy (and fun!) to make. Do your own testing with your group: for example, taste test and review Pumpkin Spice Latte vs. Pumpkin Spice Dalgona Coffee. Or do a review of sweet drinks and review and compare Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino vs. Holiday Peppermint Mocha.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

The Pumpkin Spice Latte is a classic holiday drink favorite at your local big-name coffee shop. Here’s our recipe for a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Ingredients

• 2 T sugar
• 2 c of milk (whole or low-fat to your taste)
• 2 T of canned pumpkin
• 2 T vanilla extract
• 1/2 t of pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 -1/2 c espresso (fresh from your espresso machine).

Preparation Instructions

1. Combine the first three ingredients (milk, sugar and pumpkin) in a medium saucepan and stir over medium heat until steamed
2. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and pumpkin spice
3. Put the heated mixture into a blender and process about 10 seconds until foamy or whisk the mixture until foam appears
4. Pour blended/whisked mixture into a mug, add your espresso and serve immediately!

Pumpkin Spice Dalgona Coffee

If you enjoy Pumpkin Spiced drinks, you will want to give Pumpkin Spice Dalgona Coffee a try.

If you are not familiar with Dalgona Coffee, it is a phenomenon of TikTok and, later, other social media platforms that is made with instant coffee or instant espresso, can be made relatively quickly without exotic equipment, and the result tastes great. The denizens of the internet rapidly discovered that the basic Dalgona coffee drink readily takes many specialty flavorings—including Pumpkin Spice!

Dalgona Coffee Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 T instant coffee or instant espresso
• 2 T granulated sugar
• 2 T cold water

Preparation Instructions

1. Combine coffee, sugar, and water in a medium bowl
2. Using a hand mixer (or a hand whisk), vigorously mix or whisk until the mixture until it is shiny and silky smooth
3. Continue mixing until the foamy mixture will hold peaks. Note that this can take 10 or more minutes if whisking by hand—a power hand mixer might be a good investment.
4. Mostly fill a glass with ice and milk, then add a thick dollop or layer of the foamy mixture—traditionally done with a decorative swirl. Mix the two together if you prefer.

Preparation Instructions for Pumpkin Spice Dalgona Coffee (or Pumpkin Spice Dalgona Latte)

1. To basic Coffee Dalgona, you can add virtually any flavoring
2. Pumpkin Spice Coffee Dalgona: Add ¼ t pumpkin spice to the basic sugar/water/coffee mixture.
3. If you wish to add pumpkin puree for more pumpkin taste, start by adding 1 T of pumpkin puree to the milk and mix before pouring over ice (adding it to the base mixture will make it difficult to get the proper frothing).

Dalgona Coffee is great with many added flavors. For example, you can add:

• Chai Spices
• Cocoa powder (for a Mocha flavor)
• Vanilla
• Matcha tea powder
• Crushed freeze dried fruit (like strawberries. Yum!)

Gingerbread Latte

This is a “classic” recipe for Gingerbread Latte. This spiced latte taste delicious and will warm you up in the cooler weather of the holiday season.

Ingredients

• 2 c of water
• 1 1/2 c of sugar
• 2 1/2 t of ground ginger
• 1/2 t of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 t of vanilla extract
• 1/2 c of your fresh, delicious espresso
• 8 ounces of milk, steamed with a little foam (whole milk preferred, or lower fat milk, to your taste)
• Whipped cream and ground nutmeg to your taste

Preparation Instructions

1. Prepare gingerbread syrup by combining water, sugar, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla in a saucepan large enough to prevent boil-over of the mixture
2. Bring mixture to a boil and then simmer the syrup, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat and cover it with a lid
3. Make 1/2 cup (a double shot) of espresso with your espresso machine. Prepare 8 ounces of hot milk with your steamer (or a microwave). This is where a nice cappuccino machine can make your day easier and your drink tastier.
4. Finish your latte by placing the double shot of espresso in a 16-ounce cup. Then add 1/4 cup of gingerbread syrup, and top with the steamed milk. Stir.
5. Finish off your gingerbread latte with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Enjoy immediately!

Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino

This Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino provides that sweet Holiday drink taste you crave during the Christmas season. It is the perfect drink when you crave a drink that is both cold and sweet.

Ingredients

• 1 c espresso or strong coffee
• ¼ c plus 2 Tbs of your favorite flavored creamer
• 1 T chocolate syrup
• ½ t brown sugar
• ½ t white sugar
• 3 T chopped mini chocolate chips
• 2 T cookie crumbs or 3 crushed Oreos
• 1-1½ c crushed ice
• Chocolate whipped cream
• Cookie crumbs for garnish

Preparation Instructions

1. Mix coffee, creamer, and chocolate syrup together (cool if you start with hot coffee)
2. Put coffee mixture in a blender
3. Add chocolate chips, crushed Oreos, and ice
4. Blend on high until mixture is smooth
5. Top with whipped cream and cookie crumbs
6. Serve immediately!

Holiday Peppermint Mocha

A long-time favorite in coffee shops, this Peppermint Mocha recipe is a drink you can make and enjoy at home (for a fraction of the price).

Ingredients

• 1/4 c of sugar
• 1/4 c of water
• 3 t peppermint extract
• 3 t powered cocoa
• 3 t warm water
• 1/2 c hot espresso
• 1.5 c steamed milk

Preparation Instructions

1. Stir water and sugar in a pot and bring to a boil
2. Reduce heat to a low simmer and add 1.5 t peppermint extract.
3. Allow mixture to simmer for 20 minutes
4. Mix cocoa and water in a cup or small bowl to a past consistency
5. Add espresso and 1.5 t peppermint extract.
6. Add steamed milk and serve immediately

It’s Easy to Enjoy Your Favorite Christmas Drinks

Kick back and relax with family and friends for the holidays and enjoy some of your new favorite espresso drinks!

You will find that a super automatic espresso machine especially one with a double boiler and steam wand can make these drinks easy to prepare. Here are three great espresso machines to check out:

• Gaggia RI9700/64 Babila Espresso Machine (View on Amazon.com) is a fully automatic bean-to-cup machine. It has a manual steam wand which can also dispense hot water. The Babila features automatic milk frothing for cappuccinos and includes a milk carafe.
• Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine (View on Amazon.com). While this is a single boiler machine (meaning you cannot brew and steam at the same time), it is a popular and reliable machine with excellent milk frothing capabilities. If you want to step up to true dual boiler capability, we recommend the Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler Espresso Machine (View on Amazon.com).
• DeLonghi ECAM23450SL Superautomatic Espresso Machine (View on Amazon.com). This DeLonghi machine has all the features of full-size machines despite its compact size. It’s designed to easily prepare both lattes and cappuccinos with its front mounted milk tank. It’s designed for easy maintenance and has a built in water filter to allow the use of tap water.

As the popularity of great coffee shops has rapidly increased in the past few years, the creativity of the baristas in the tastes and sophistication of those of us who drink their beverages has similarly increased. Menus have grown longer and more complex. So, when I walk into a Starbucks or other favored coffeehouse, what should I choose off the lengthy menu?

The most tasty and popular drinks to order include Latte, Macchiato, Latte Macchiato, Cappuccino, Mocha, and Flat White. Understanding what it is that differentiates these drinks may help you choose among them and to broaden your tastes. While these drinks are in some ways all very similar, including espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam, the ratios of these ingredients in the order in which they are included is important.

Since all of these beverages are based on espresso, let’s talk a little bit about what espresso is.

What is Espresso?

Espresso is from the word esprimere, “to express” or “to force out”. Espresso is coffee brewed by forcing very hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee beans. The act of forcing the water through the coffee beans at high pressure creates a beverage (or “shot”) that is thicker than normal coffee and contains more dissolved and suspended solids than normal coffee. This is, in turn, produces a stronger, bolder flavor which is quite concentrated. Because of the pressurized brewing process, the flavors and chemicals in a typical cup of espresso are very concentrated. Espresso can be consumed as is (perhaps with a bit of crema) or used as the base for other drinks such as Latte, Macchiato, Latte Macchiato, Cappuccino, Mocha, and Flat White. In these other drinks, typically what changes is the ratio of milk to espresso, the order in which ingredients are added, and the quality and amount of the foam on top of the drink. It may be worth noting that although espresso has a higher concentration of caffeine than most coffee beverages, the typically smaller serving size surprisingly results in less total caffeine than a typical mug of dirt brewed coffee.

So now we have espresso; what are some of these other, more exotic drinks?

What is a Macchiato?

A macchiato (or caffè macchiato) is basically a shot of espresso with a little bit (perhaps 1 to 2 teaspoons) of hot milk. Macchiatos have the highest ratio of espresso to milk of any drink made with those ingredients. In a macchiato the milk is intended to moderate the taste of the coffee with barely a touch of sweetness. Typically, a macchiato is prepared by pouring a small amount of steamed milk directly into a single shot of espresso. In fact, Macchiato means “stained” in Italian– espresso stained by a little bit of milk.

Starbuck’s® caramel macchiato has created its own followers of this tasty beverage. This delicious Macchiato begins with steamed milk topped by a dense, creamy foam. It also contains vanilla syrup. Then espresso is poured over and through the foam, where it mixes with the milk and creates a brown mark on top. Then the barista adds a crosshatch of sweet caramel sauce to the top of the foam (Starbucks’ signature pattern, but obviously the shape of the pattern does not affect the taste). You will find several copy-cat recipes on line, but they all basically make a standard caramel sauce and drizzle that sauce over a standard macchiato.

Similarly, Starbuck’s® iced caramel macchiato has become quite popular as a hot-weather drink. An iced caramel macchiato is basically a standard macchiato poured over ice and topped with a drizzle of caramel.

What is a Latte?

A latte is a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk. In Italy, caffè latte is almost always prepared at home and only for breakfast. The coffee is poured into a cup containing heated, unfoamed, unsweetened milk.

In the U.S. and elsewhere outside of Italy, a latte is typically prepared in an 8 oz. glass or cup starting with one shot of espresso. The glass is then filled with steamed milk with approximately a ½ inch layer of foamed milk on the top. We also tend to substantially sweeten our lattes (unlike Italy and the rest of Europe). And we certainly don’t limit the consumption of lattes to breakfast!

We also are fond of substituting ingredients in lattes. For example, it is common to substitute chai tea for espresso to make a chai latte (a drink that is easy to make at home on your stovetop). It is also not unusual to utilize soymilk or almond milk in place of cow’s milk. Lattes have become tasty and social drinks to be consumed any time.

Starting in the early 2000’s, Starbucks® successfully introduced lattes taste themed to certain holidays. Following this successful introduction, Starbucks made popular the pumpkin spice latte. The Pumpkin Spice Latte is an espresso drink made with steamed milk and topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice and a small amount of pumpkin puree. The pumpkin spice latte is offered by Starbucks® and many other coffee shops through the fall season up until the end of December.

Similarly, Starbucks® introduced the cascara latte in 2017. This latte combines espresso, steamed milk, and cascara syrup, topped with foam. The beverage is topped with a sprinkling of cascara cherry extract mixed with cane sugar. Cascara syrup is made from the skins of the cherries from which coffee beans are extracted.

What is a Cappuccino?

A cappuccino is an espresso-based coffee drink that, like many of our current coffee shop beverages, originated in Italy. It is traditionally prepared with a double espresso and steamed milk foam. Some baristas will use cream instead of milk, and some will further flavor the drink with chocolate powder or cinnamon.

In a modern cappuccino, the temperature and texture of the milk are as important as the double espresso shot. When a barista steams the milk for a cappuccino, he or she will create a microfoam by introducing very tiny bubbles of air into the milk. The microfoam is important and gives the milk a velvety texture. The foam produced by steaming the milk is quite critical to this drink, thus making the cappuccino one of the most difficult espresso-based beverages to make properly. And we’re all use to seeing skilled baristas producing artistic shapes while pouring the milk on top of a cappuccino or other drink.

The traditional way of preparing a cappuccino is by using the equal ratios of ⅓ espresso, ⅓ steamed milk, and ⅓ milk foam. Alternatively, we now see cappuccinos served with elaborate decorative art produced by the textured milk at the hands of a skilled barista, producing a beverage to be enjoyed both with your palate and with your eyes.

Be sure to check out our cappuccino makers available. The automatic cappuccino machines will produce your favorite cappuccino at the touch of a button.

What is a Mocha?

A mocha (or caffè mocha) is a combination if espresso and hot milk (like a latte and similar drinks), but with the addition of chocolate. The added chocolate may be in the form of sweet cocoa powder or chocolate syrup.

You can think of a mocha basically as hot chocolate with a shot of espresso added. Mochas are usually served either with a distinctive milk froth or whipped cream on top. For reasons of both the presentation and taste, it is common to have the top decorated with chocolate powder, chocolate flakes, cinnamon, or other flavors. A mocha can also be made with white chocolate, called a white mocha or with a blend of both white and dark chocolate, which goes by a variety of names including tuxedo mocha, black and white mocha, zebra, marble mocha, tan mocha, etc.

What is a Flat White?

A flat white is similar to a latte but differs in the way the milk is treated. The essence of a flat white is that there is no milk froth or thick foam but only microfoam, which has a glossy or velvety consistency. The intent is that the espresso be the dominant flavor rather than the milk. A good flat white should have a well-developed thin layer of microfoam (crema) which is uniformly brown in color. Because of the use of microfoam, traditionally a flat white does not include latte art.

Starbucks generally produces a version of the flat white with “holiday spices” near Christmas.

So you have many options of great espresso beverages to try on your visits to your favorite coffee house.

Do you want to make an espresso drink at home? Check out our top-rated espresso machines for home for all budget. It is possible to be your own barista with some practice, and using an easy-to-use espresso machine.

While it is always a great experience to walk into your favorite coffee house and order your great exotic drink, it can be even more fun to make those espresso drinks yourself for the enjoyment of you and your friends (and save a lot of money!). Here we present a few recipes for exotic espresso drinks that you can make at home with your espresso machine.

Would you like to learn to make a Pumpkin Spice Latte? Perhaps a Caramel Macchiato would hit the spot–or maybe a Cinnamon Almond Milk Macchiato? How about an iced coconut milk mocha macchiato?

The key to making all of these drinks is the ability to make superior espresso coffee. You will also appreciate the ability to steam your drinks, to froth your milk, and add crema to your beverage. You will find it well worth your time and money to invest in an espresso machine (if you don’t already have one).

It’s easier than you think to create or reproduce outstanding specialty drink recipes when you start with the right equipment.

Caramel Macchiato Recipe

Better than Starbucks for a fraction of the price! You can purchase your caramel syrup or make your own; it’s pretty easy.

Ingredients: 

• 14 reduced fat or whole milk
• 2 tbsp. vanilla syrup
• 2 espresso
• Caramel sauce, to drizzle

Directions

1. Prepare the espresso using your espresso machine and reserve, as it goes in last to “mark” the drink.
2. Steam or otherwise warm your milk, and then froth the milk with milk frother. If you don’t have milk frother, just use a whisk aggressively to whisk the milk until foam forms.
3. Add milk and vanilla to your cup.
4. Then add the espresso.
5. Finally, drizzle with Caramel Syrup and enjoy!

You can buy caramel syrup at many upscale stores, or, one of our favorites is Ghirardelli Caramel Syrup (View on Amazon).

Lastly, you make your own caramel syrup!

1. Heat 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and comes to a boil. Continue cooking without stirring until the mixture turns golden amber in color.
2. Remove from heat and add 1 cup water. Return to heat and continue stirring until mixture becomes liquid. Let cool completely before using.

Interestingly, this is same recipe as for Hummingbird food except that you do not brown (caramelize) the sugar, so if you feel like hovering after this great drink, you will know why!

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Available any time of year!

Pumpkin spice lattes have become one of the iconic signals that the holidays are near. But, of course, you can enjoy this delicious drink year-round with your espresso machine!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin purée
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2 cups milk (whole or 2%, or any unsweetened nondairy milk)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 shots espresso (or 1 cup freshly brewed coffee)
• Extra milk (optional)

Directions

1. Whisk together pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, milk, syrup, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mix constantly until the mixture starts to steam.
2. Remove from heat and pour mixture into a blender. Cover, hold the lid on tightly (yes, “Tightly”-you don’t want the hot mixture spewing out), and blend until frothy (typically about 15 seconds).
3. Make the espresso or coffee. You can make extra milk foam to top your latte by pouring a few tablespoons of milk into a glass jar or other shaker with a lid while coffee is brewing. Tightly seal the lid and shake for 30-60 seconds. Remove lid and place jar in microwave for 30 seconds.
4. Divide coffee and milk mixture between two mugs. Top with extra milk foam (if using) and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Note: you may buy pumpkin pie spice at almost any market or make it yourself.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Ingredients:

• teaspoons ground cinnamon
• teaspoons ground ginger
• teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

• Mix and store tightly sealed.
• Voila! You have your own, homemade pumpkin spice latte!

Iced Cinnamon Almond Milk Macchiato Recipe

Want to make a great iced espresso drink? Try a homemade iced cinnamon almond milk macchiato!

Ingredients

• caramel drizzle
• ice
• Almond milk (4 oz or more, as desired)
• Shot of espresso
• Dash of Cinnamon
• Caramel syrup drizzled on top

Instructions

• Drizzle caramel in a traditional cup, covering bottom and decorative drizzle around the sides.
• Add ice.
• Add Almond Milk
• Add dash of cinnamon and espresso.
• Top with Caramel syrup drizzle.

Here’s our favorite Ghirardelli Caramel Syrup (View on Amazon) and a recipe to make you own, if you prefer.

We’re sure you will find this Iced Cinnamon Almond Milk Macchiato delicious and refreshing when you want a cold espresso drink.

Latte vs Macchiato

Both a latte and a macchiato use the same basic ingredients, one may ask “what is the difference between a latte and a macchiato?” Recall that macchiato means “marked” in Italian. A Macchiato is mostly espresso, marked with a small amount of steamed milk and foam for those who love a rich, bold taste of espresso itself. A latte is primarily a milk drink with a small amount of espresso in it. A Latte Macchiato is mostly steamed milk, marked with espresso for those who prefer a creamier drink.

What is a Latte?

What is a Macchiato?

What is a Cappuccino?

What is Espresso?

Latte vs Cappuccino

In asking what is the difference between a cappuccino vs a latte, which both use the same basic ingredients, one might ask “what is the difference?” A Cappuccino is an espresso based drink with the basic ratio of 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 wet foamed milk. Conversely, a latte is basically a milk drink with a little coffee in it. A cappuccino is a strong coffee with milk while a latte has proportionately much more milk.