latte

Maple Gingerbread Syrup & Latte

By in Beverages, Christmas, Condiments, Warm No Comments Tags: , , , , , ,

gingerbread latte

I got this idea of making a processed-sugar-free simple syrup, for our beverages, out of pure necessity. We’ve been sick more often this year then any I can remember, which I’m crediting to the fact that Max started going to playschool. And, every time we get sick it seems to be when we’re not being as careful about what we eat – less probiotics, more processed sugar, etc. So in my need for the occasional coffee to get through a sleep deprived day, and the fact that I don’t really like coffee without some sort of sweetener + flavour booster, and also the fact that a girl just has to unwind with a latte once in a while, I decided to create a different kind of flavoured simple syrup. One with all the spices of gingerbread and the sweetness of maple syrup. A.K.A. Christmas in a mug.

You can use this syrup to flavour and sweeten whatever kind of drink you like, hot chocolate, iced coffee, mochas – you name it! I’ve included a recipe for how I turn it into a gingerbread latte. I add whipped cream for special days but enjoy it just as much without for a midweek pick-me-up. Lucky for you, it’s almost the weekend so you deserve a dollop or two. ;) Happy Friday!

Maple Gingerbread Syrup

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup real maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon molasses

Stir together all ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Simmer gently for 10 minutes or until thickened slightly. Use immediately or allow to cool before storing, covered, the fridge. Stir or shake before using.

Makes: 2/3 cup

Gingerbread Latte

Feel free to fiddle with the amounts to make it perfect just for you.

  • 1/2 cup milk (or milk alternative)
  • 1.5 tablespoons maple gingerbread syrup
  • 2 fl. oz (1/4 cup) espresso or very strong coffee
  • nutmeg, optional

Place milk and syrup in a small saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until steaming. Pour coffee into mug, top with milk mixture. Serve immediately or top with whipped cream and a sprinkling of nutmeg, if desired.

Serves: 1

Latte adapted from allrecipes. Syrup adapted from Annie’s Eats.

Pumpkin Chai Latte

By in Beverages, Fall, Warm 3 Comments Tags: , , , ,

pumpkin chai latte

Pumpkin Spice Latte’s are all the rage these days, every year you see new recipes for homemade versions popping up everywhere. I’m sure if you’re a fan, you’ve already found your favourite homemade version, so I’m not going to venture there. But, I do enjoy a good pumkin-y warm fall beverage and since I don’t drink coffee everyday (as much as I’d like to) I wanted to do something with tea instead, and a Pumpkin Chai Latte seemed like the logical step.

The thing I love about recipes like this, is they help you use up those little bits of extra pumpkin that there always seem to be after a pumpkin baking session. It feels like a special treat yet you’re helping to reduce waste, always a good excuse right? Plus, it’s virtually guilt-free so you can enjoy it as much as you like.

I made this a couple times until I got it just right for me, but feel free to adjust the amounts of spice and pumpkin to your liking. As it is, it’s lightly spiced so that it complements the more delicate flavours of tea. I know I’ll be enjoying this often over the coming months and I hope you do too!

Pumpkin Chai Latte

Use your preferred milk alternative to make this dairy free.

  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • pinch ground cinnamon
  • pinch ground ginger
  • small pinch ground cloves
  • crack of freshly ground black pepper (or a small pinch of pre-ground pepper)
  • 1 black tea bag

Mix together all ingredients, except for tea, in a small saucepan. Bring to just barely a simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, drop in tea bag and let steep for 4 minutes. Remove teabag and serve immediately. Garnish with a sprinkling of cinnamon, if desired.

Serves: 1

Three Quick and Easy Hot Beverages

By in Beverages, Warm 10 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Three Quick and Easy Hot Beverages

It”s cold out. The wind is biting, we have to bundle up to go outside, if it wasn”t for the fact that there”s no snow flying yet I would say winter has arrived.

I still try to get outside with the kids every day. A three year old boy needs to stretch his legs and dig in the dirt!

Whenever we come in I always crave a nice hot drink to warm me from the inside out. But, I can”t have a crazy calorific drink every day so I”ve been enjoying these options instead. And, we enjoy them so much that if Max isn”t done playing but I”m tired of sitting in the cold all I have to do is ask him if he wants some warm milk and he practically runs to the door. (I promise I”m not always so conniving. But sometimes it”s just so cold out!)

These all start with the same base, a cup of milk heated in the microwave and topped off with a sprinkling of cinnamon. (I make mine with rice milk. You could use soy or another milk substitute as well.) It”s amazing how different a few key ingredients can affect the outcome of one cup of milk.

All three of these can be made by heating milk in the microwave for dead simple results. But, if you want to make a larger batch (or don”t have a microwave) feel free to cook them on the stovetop. Top any of these with a spoonful of whipped cream for an extra special (calorific) touch.

You probably have most of these ingredients on hand most of the time, which means you can make them whenever you need to thaw out. When your family comes in from the cold you can set up a station where everyone can make their own how they like.

The cold weather might be biting but I never mind when I know I have things like this to cozy up with my kids and have a few giggles over warm milk. :)

Nutella Hot Cocoa

Stirring in a scoop of nutella transforms hot milk into a hot cup of chocolatey goodness. You get all the flavour with none of the work and no packages that contain way to much sugar. I”ve grown tired of the prepackaged hot chocolate, but this allows you to have a quick fix any time.

Nutella Hot Cocoa

  • 1 cup milk

  • 1 tablespoon nutella

  • 1 pinch ground cinnamon

Place milk in a mug and microwave until desired temperature (2-3 minutes). Stir in nutella, until melted. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Sleepy-Time Milk

If you like rice pudding you will love this. Perfect for a warm drink before bed, especially for the kiddos. Although, I drink this any and all times of day. This is a great warm drink that I”m happy to give my son when we come in from the cold. It”s completely guilt free, plus it helps him get his daily dose milk (not that he needs any help doing that).

Sleepy-Time Milk

  • 1 cup milk

  • 1 teaspoon honey

  • splash of vanilla

  • 1 pinch ground cinnamon

Place milk in a mug and microwave until desired temperature (2-3 minutes). Stir in honey and vanilla. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Spiced Vanilla Latte

 This is a simplified version of a latte. It won”t be the frothy stuff you get at the store but it does have the same great flavour with minimal effort. Get a pick me up part way through the day or stir in some caffeine-free instant coffee and enjoy it with dessert in the evening.

Spiced Vanilla Latte

  • 1 cup milk

  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

  • 1 pinch ground cinnamon

Place milk in a mug and microwave until desired temperature (2-3 minutes). Stir in instant coffee and vanilla until coffee is dissolved. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

What quick fix hot drinks you like to whip up when you”re chilled to the bone?

Nutella Hot Cocoa adapted from Miss in the kitchen. Sleepy-Time Milk Adapted from Allrecipes.