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
Scale
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.
