Peppermint Latte

December 20th, 2009

The peppermint latte is the love of my life.  On cold winter days it reminds me of being a kid and sucking on a candy cane.  It reminds me of sitting next to a fire with wood stacked ceiling-high, crackling and popping and warming up on the inside and out.  I love me a peppermint latte.  The cold weather we have been having lately have really brought the craving out in me but I have to admit something.  Last year around Christmas I started making and buying peppermint lattes as the drink of choice whenever I would splurge.  Usually I get coffee — black.  Well, when Christmas and the festivities were over I didn’t stop ordering peppermint lattes.  I just kept getting them.  Now here we are — a year later and I am still making and ordering them.  Since I had a few minutes I thought I would share how to make the delicious-ness that is: A peppermint Latte.  (I didn’t take any new photos, so you’ll have to excuse the re-use — but at least I am finally updating my blog with something!)

Ingredients for a 12-oz Peppermint Latte:

• 8-oz non-fat milk (it foams better!)
• 1 tablespoon Peppermint Flavored syrup
• 2 one-oz shots of espresso
• A candy cane, crushed, and whole.
• Add 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup to make a peppermint mocha

Method:

1. Prepare your Espresso Machine for steam and espresso
2. Steam your milk until it is just over 170 degrees or until it is too hot to touch the side of your steamer cup
3. Brew the espresso
4. Add the peppermint (and optional chocolate) to an empty 12-oz mug
5. Add the espresso and stir well
6. Pour about 3/4 to 4/5 of the mug full of the steamed milk leaving room for the foam
7. Top the drink off with the foam from the steamed milk
8. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top
9. Serve with the whole candy cane and enjoy!

I hope you enjoy it!