Eggnog Latte – A Beautiful Mess

An eggnog latte is my favorite way to enjoy eggnog! I just think the rich, creamy and lightly sweet and spicy taste of eggnog pairs so well with fresh brewed espresso. Whoever invited the eggnog latte has my deepest gratitude. It’s one of my all-time favorite espresso drinks.

This is also a very easy drink to make at home. With minimal ingredients compared to the complex flavor, an eggnog latte is the perfect seasonal treat when you need a little caffeine pick-me-up.

Related: Love classic espresso-based drinks? Next up, learn to make a proper cortado, macchiato, affogato, espresso martini and cappuccino.

Ingredients

• Espresso
• Eggnog – homemade or store-bought
• Simple syrup – homemade or store-bought

Directions

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to extract a rich, concentrated shot of espresso.

The secret to a luscious latte lies in perfectly frothed milk, or in this case eggnog. If you have an espresso machine with a steam wand, place the wand just below the surface of the milk and turn it on.

Tilt the pitcher slightly to create a swirling motion. Continue steaming until the eggnog has doubled in volume and has a smooth, velvety texture.

If you don’t have a steam wand, you can heat the milk on the stovetop and whisk by hand or use a milk frother vigorously until it becomes frothy.

Pour the espresso into a mug along with the simple syrup, then pour the hot and frothy eggnog on top. Sprinkle on a little nutmeg, optional.

Best Home Espresso Makers

We’ve tried many espresso makers over the years, and here are our favorites at different price points and skill levels:

• Cafe Automatic Espresso Machine – My current machine. It uses any whole beans, so if you use high quality beans you’ll get high quality espresso. It makes espresso shots automatically (no barista skills required) and includes a milk frothing wand to heat and froth milk. We’ve used this machine almost every day since I got it for Christmas last year, love it! It comes in three colors.
• Stovetop Espresso – This is the cheapest way to make espresso at home. It’s more labor intensive and you will also need a way to grind your beans for best results. But this is a classic method that works great when done well.
• Breville Barista Touch – We bought this for a good friend as a wedding gift once and they said they love it. It’s a higher end machine that you will need some barista skills to operate, but it’s an excellent home espresso maker.
• Nespresso Vertuo – For those who want an espresso maker that uses pods, this is my favorite. Depending what pod you use, it can make espresso or coffee.

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