I’m always up for a seasonal drink, and wanted a spicy, cozy syrup to get me through the holiday season. Gingerbread was on my mind, so naturally I whipped up a gingerbread syrup and am quite pleased with it.

I started with a basic simple syrup base of 1 cup water to 1 cup sugar (and used brown sugar for a depth of flavour). Next I added a splash of molasses, fresh ginger, and whole spices. Everything is boiled together and then steeped to infuse the flavour. I strained the syrup, transferred it to a bottle, and will store it in the fridge for the next few weeks until it’s all used up.

gingerbread syrup (and latte)

recipe: kelsey siemens

yields: about 1 cup syrup

ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup (200g) brown sugar

1 tablespoon fresh chopped ginger

2 cinnamon sticks

1/8 tsp fresh grated nutmeg

1 tsp fresh cloves

to make the syrup

In a small saucepan, stir together all ingredients and bring to a gentle boil over high heat. Let boil for 1-2 minutes before removing from heat and allow to steep and cool for about 10 minutes.

Prepare a glass syrup bottle by washing with hot soapy water, and fill with hot water to warm up the glass. Empty the bottle and add a funnel to transfer the warm syrup into. (Never add hot syrup to a cold glass, or it may shatter due to the temperature difference).

Once syrup has been transferred, allow to cool completely to room temperature before moving to the fridge to store. Syrup will last for several weeks.

Gingerbread latte:

1-2 tablespoons gingerbread syrup

2 shots espresso

1 cup milk, steamed

whipped cream (optional)

dash of cinnamon

gingerbread cup topper (made with my gingerbread recipe here)

To make the latte:

Add gingerbread syrup to a mug, and add espresso shots. Pour in steamed milk, and top with whipped cream and/or a dash of cinnamon.

For a whimsical touch, you could make gingerbread mug toppers, and enjoy the cookie with the coffee. (You can find a gingerbread mug topper cutter on etsy here - a Canadian small business from my hometown! ; or sometimes williams sonoma or other kitchen storess will sell the pre-made mug toppers in their shop!)