3-INGREDIENT GINGER LATTE

We love Colorado. Always have.

John and my families both vacationed there when we were growing up, and we honeymooned in Breckenridge for two weeks after our wedding in 2010. The whole state has a special place in our hearts.

Two years ago we made a trip to visit friends and get our mountain fix, and we ended up at a little coffee and tea shop in Fort Collins that I was initially underwhelmed by but immediately bowled over with affection after trying one sip of their creamy ginger latte.

Friends, it was love.

Almond milk, sugar, and ginger for making homemade Ginger Tea Lattes

Ever since then, I’ve had a love affair with ginger. Not only is it insanely good for you, it adds the most amazing flavor to dishes like including soups, cookies and even cocktails. I’ve tried with half-hearted effort to recreate the ginger dream latte they served at this particular tea house, but with no success.

In fact, a few weeks ago John came into the kitchen and smelled ginger and asked what I was making.

“Ginger tea.”
“How much ginger are you using?”
“Like 10 pieces.”
“For ONE CUP? I think you only need like three, for a group of 10.”
“Oh…”

Sliced fresh ginger for vegan Ginger Lattes

OK, OK, so he was right. I’d seen a recipe on Pinterest but didn’t actually read it (go figure), so I ended up with super concentrated ginger tea with zero sweetness and creaminess.

That was it; I had to remedy the problem. A proper ginger latte WAS happening.

Making homemade ginger syrup in a saucepan

First step: Make ginger syrup. It’s super easy, you just measure 1 part sugar and 1 part water and bring it to a simmer in a saucepan. Then add sliced ginger and let it simmer away for 45 minutes. The result is a sweet, punchy ginger syrup that you can add to cocktails, lattes, and atop baked goods for a gingery sweet glaze.

Jar of ginger syrup with a funnel resting on it and pieces of strained ginger

Blurred background and clear view of the top of a bottle of fresh ginger syrup

Fresh ginger syrup, strained ginger pieces, and a mug of our Ginger Tea Latte recipe

The only thing left to do is heat up your almond milk and whisk in the syrup.

This recipe is a starting place for a ginger latte, that doesn’t actually include “tea.” If you have ginger tea on hand, steep it in your hot almond milk first, and then add the ginger syrup for sweetness and even more ginger kick. This would send you straight to ginger latte heaven.

Close up shot of a mug filled with our delicious Ginger Tea Latte recipe

What’s it taste like? I was smitten at first sip. It’s:

Creamy
Soothing
Not too sweet
Perfectly gingery
& perfect for an afternoon reprieve, or lazy weekend mornings whilst reading, writing, or whatever your weekend activities might include.

Holding a mug of our warm Ginger Tea Latte recipe

I have been cutting back on caffeine for various reasons, but still love the idea of a hot drink in the morning. So I’ve been enjoying one alongside breakfast when I’m craving something warm and comforting. This latte certainly does the trick. Enjoy!

Holding a mug of our homemade vegan Ginger Tea Latte

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

GINGER SYRUP

1 1/2 cups filtered water
1 cup organic cane sugar (or sub granulated or raw)
1 cup roughly chopped fresh ginger (1 large knob yields ~1 cup)

LATTE

1 – 2 Tbsp ginger syrup
1 1/4 cups unsweetened plain almond milk
Ginger tea (optional)
Ginger powder or cinnamon (optional // or other spices // for topping)

Instructions

To make the ginger syrup, bring the water, sugar, and ginger to a boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Then reduce heat to a low simmer and continue cooking for 45 minutes.
Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a bottle or jar for easy storage.
To make the ginger latte, heat almond milk in a saucepan or in a mug in the microwave. Then add 1-2 Tbsp ginger syrup (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size). Taste and adjust sweetness as needed. For even more ginger flavor, first steep a ginger tea packet in your almond milk for 3-5 minutes before adding syrup.
Sprinkle with a little ginger powder, cinnamon or any other preferred spices, and serve.
Ginger syrup should keep in the fridge for up to a month. Use for lattes, as a ginger-infused sweetener in cocktails, or with tonic water to make “ginger soda.”