If you’re looking for that perfect cozy drink to warm up your chilly mornings or add a touch of festive cheer to your afternoons, the Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe is an absolute must-try. This delightful blend combines robust, freshly brewed coffee with warm, honey-sweetened milk and a symphony of holiday spices that bring layers of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg into every comforting sip. It’s the kind of drink that invites you to pause, savor, and share moments with loved ones—all wrapped up in a cup that feels like a gentle holiday hug.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because of its simplicity and the thoughtful selection of ingredients. Each one plays a unique role: the spices bring warmth and depth, the honey adds natural sweetness without overpowering, and the whole milk creates that creamy texture that makes a café au lait so indulgent.
- Ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon: Adds a sweet, woody warmth that’s foundational to holiday flavor.
- Ground cloves, ⅛ teaspoon: Gives a subtle hint of aromatic spice that intensifies the festive taste.
- Honey, 3 tablespoons: A natural, floral sweetness that balances the spices and coffee.
- Whole milk, 2½ cups: Provides a rich, creamy base that perfectly complements the coffee.
- Cinnamon sticks, 6 (for garnish): Adds a charming visual touch and extra fragrance when used as a stirrer.
- Nutmeg, a generous pinch: Sprinkled on top for fragrant, earthy notes that finish the drink beautifully.
- Ground coffee (enough for a full pot): Choose your favorite dark roast to create that robust coffee backbone.
How to Make Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe
Step 1: Brew the Coffee
Start by preparing your coffee grounds as usual, but here’s the secret twist: mix in the ground cinnamon and cloves directly with your coffee grounds before brewing. This allows the warm spices to infuse gently with the coffee as it drips, producing a fragrant and flavorful base.
Step 2: Warm the Milk and Honey
While your coffee is brewing, pour the whole milk into a saucepan and add the honey right away. Warm the mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly until it’s nice and frothy—this frothiness will give your café au lait a lovely creamy texture and a touch of sweetness that’s perfectly balanced against the spicy coffee.
Step 3: Assemble Your Drink
Once the coffee is brewed and the milk warmed, fill each cup halfway with the spiced coffee. Then, gently top it off with the warm, honeyed milk. The result is a beautiful blend of dark coffee and creamy milk that’s silky and inviting.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
For the final flourish, stir each cup with a cinnamon stick to enhance the spices and garnish with a generous pinch of nutmeg. This little touch elevates your Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe into something truly special—both in taste and presentation.
How to Serve Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing with a cinnamon stick isn’t just pretty; as you stir, it releases more warm spice into your drink. A delicate dusting of fresh nutmeg on top adds an earthy aroma that pairs beautifully with the spiced coffee. If you want to get a little creative, a light swirl of whipped cream with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar makes for a festive treat.
Side Dishes
This café au lait pairs wonderfully with light, buttery pastries like croissants or cinnamon rolls. For a heartier option, spiced pumpkin muffins or gingerbread cookies echo the holiday spices perfectly, making your entire snack or breakfast feel like a warm celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe in clear glass mugs to showcase the beautiful swirl of coffee and milk. Tie a little red ribbon around each cinnamon stick for a festive touch when entertaining guests. Alternatively, put together a holiday coffee bar where friends can customize their drinks with cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, honey, and flavored syrups.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftover café au lait (though it rarely happens!), store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Make sure to give it a good stir and test the flavor before reheating, as spices may mellow over time.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for this drink since milk can separate and lose the lovely creamy texture after thawing. The aromatic spices and honey’s subtle notes may also be diminished. It’s best enjoyed fresh for maximum flavor and texture.
Reheating
To reheat, warm your Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe gently on the stove over low heat, whisking occasionally to maintain its frothy texture. Avoid using a microwave to prevent uneven warming and curdling of the milk.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of milk for this recipe?
Absolutely! While whole milk gives you the creamiest and richest texture, you can use oat, almond, or any milk alternative you prefer. Just keep in mind that this might slightly change the mouthfeel and sweetness of the café au lait.
Is there a way to make this recipe vegan?
Yes, simply substitute the whole milk with a plant-based milk like oat or soy, and use maple syrup or agave instead of honey for sweetness. The spices will still work beautifully to give you that festive vibe.
How strong should the coffee be?
Since this drink is balanced with milk, a medium to dark roast brewed at your usual strength works best to ensure the coffee flavor shines through the spices and creaminess.
Can I prepare the spice blend in advance?
Definitely! Mixing your cinnamon and cloves ahead of time and storing them in an airtight container makes brewing even quicker when the craving hits. Just remember the spices are potent, so a little goes a long way.
Is the honey absolutely necessary?
Honey adds a lovely natural sweetness and depth to the milk, but if you prefer your café au lait unsweetened or want to use sugar or another sweetener, feel free to adjust. The key is to balance your palate with the spices and creaminess.
Final Thoughts
The Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe is more than just a warm drink; it’s a celebration of festive flavors wrapped up in comforting coffee. Whether it becomes your new morning ritual or your go-to treat during the holiday season, every cup promises to bring joy, warmth, and a little magic to your day. So go ahead, brew a pot, and savor the cozy moments this delightful recipe offers—you won’t regret it!
Print
Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Description
This Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait is a cozy, aromatic coffee drink perfect for festive mornings or gatherings. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, balanced with honey’s natural sweetness and creamy whole milk, it offers a delightful twist on the classic café au lait that’s sure to warm you up during the holiday season.
Ingredients
Spiced Coffee
- Ground coffee (enough for a full pot)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
Milk Mixture
- 2½ cups whole milk
- 3 tablespoons honey
Garnish
- 6 cinnamon sticks (for garnish)
- A generous pinch of nutmeg
Instructions
- Brew the Coffee: Prepare a full pot of coffee by adding ground coffee to your coffee maker.
- Add Spices to Coffee Grounds: Mix the ground cinnamon and ground cloves into the coffee grounds before brewing to infuse the coffee with warm holiday spices as it brews.
- Warm the Milk and Honey: In a saucepan, combine the whole milk and honey. Heat gently over medium-low heat, whisking continuously until the mixture is warm and frothy but not boiling.
- Assemble the Drink: Pour the brewed spiced coffee into cups, filling each about halfway or to your liking.
- Add the Milk Mixture: Top each cup of coffee with the warm honeyed milk, creating a creamy layered effect typical of café au lait.
- Garnish and Serve: Stir the drink gently, then garnish with a cinnamon stick and a generous pinch of nutmeg on top for extra flavor and festive presentation.
Notes
- Using whole milk provides creaminess, but you can substitute with a milk alternative for a different flavor or dietary need.
- The honey adds natural sweetness and complements the spices nicely; adjust quantity to taste.
- Adding spices directly to coffee grounds ensures deep infusion of flavor, but you can also sprinkle spices on top if preferred.
- This drink is best enjoyed fresh and warm to fully appreciate the flavors and frothiness.
- For larger gatherings, multiply ingredients accordingly to serve more people.
