Eggnog Latte Recipe (Hot + Iced, Starbucks Copycat)

The eggnog latte is everything a holiday coffee drink should be: rich, spiced, warming, and deeply festive. Starbucks served theirs for decades before quietly pulling it from the permanent menu — but making it at home is easier, cheaper, and honestly better.

This guide covers the hot version, the iced version, a spiked variation, and a dairy-free alternative — everything you need to make your best eggnog latte this season (or any time of year).

What Is an Eggnog Latte?

An eggnog latte is an espresso drink made with steamed eggnog instead of — or in addition to — steamed milk. The eggnog provides richness, sweetness, and warm spice (nutmeg, cinnamon) that creates a festive coffeehouse experience at home.

Think of it as a latte where the milk is replaced (partially or fully) with eggnog.

Did Starbucks Discontinue the Eggnog Latte?

Yes. Starbucks sold the Eggnog Latte as a seasonal holiday drink from 1986 to 2019. They quietly removed it from their holiday menu in fall 2019 and never brought it back — making it one of the most requested discontinued Starbucks drinks.

Is Starbucks bringing the eggnog latte back? As of 2026, Starbucks has not reinstated the eggnog latte on their official holiday menu. However, making it at home takes less than 10 minutes.

What You Need

Ingredients (1 serving):

• 2 shots espresso (60ml) — or 120ml strong brewed coffee
• ½ cup (120ml) eggnog (store-bought or homemade)
• ¼ cup (60ml) whole milk (reduces richness if eggnog alone is too thick)
• Freshly grated nutmeg for topping
• Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla syrup (optional — adds sweetness without more eggnog)

Equipment:

• Espresso machine with steam wand (or any espresso maker)
• Small pitcher for steaming
• Mug or glass

How to Make a Hot Eggnog Latte

Step 1 — Pull your espresso Brew 2 shots of espresso (about 60ml total). Use your standard espresso recipe — a medium-dark roast works beautifully with eggnog’s sweetness.

Step 2 — Steam the eggnog mixture In your steaming pitcher, combine ½ cup eggnog with ¼ cup whole milk. The eggnog-to-milk ratio can be adjusted (see table below). Steam to about 140-150°F — lower than you’d steam plain milk. Eggnog scorches more easily than milk due to its egg content.

Step 3 — Combine and top Pour the espresso into a warm mug, then pour the steamed eggnog mixture over it. Top with freshly grated nutmeg and a pinch of cinnamon.

Eggnog Latte Ratio Table

How to Make an Iced Eggnog Latte

Ingredients:

• 2 shots espresso — brewed and cooled, or pulled directly over ice
• ½ cup eggnog
• ¼ cup milk
• Ice
• Freshly grated nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Brew 2 shots of espresso and let cool slightly (or pour over a small amount of ice to flash-cool)
2. Fill a glass with ice
3. Pour eggnog and milk over ice — no steaming needed
4. Pour espresso shots over the eggnog mixture
5. Stir gently, top with nutmeg

Pro tip: The hot espresso will slightly warm the eggnog before the ice chills everything down — this gives you a better-integrated flavor than pouring cold milk over cold espresso.

Homemade Eggnog vs. Store-Bought

Quick Homemade Eggnog (for lattes)

If you want to make your own, here’s a simple stovetop version:

• 4 egg yolks
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 cups whole milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp nutmeg (freshly grated)
• Pinch of cinnamon and cloves

Whisk yolks and sugar until pale. Heat milk and cream in a saucepan to 160°F. Slowly pour hot milk over the yolk mixture while whisking constantly. Return to saucepan and heat to 160°F, stirring, until slightly thickened. Strain, cool, add vanilla and spices. Makes ~3 cups.

Dairy-Free Eggnog Latte

For a dairy-free version, use oat nog (oat milk-based eggnog) or make a plant-based eggnog substitute:

Oat Nog Latte:

• Use any brand of oat-based eggnog (Califia, So Delicious, or homemade)
• Steam at 140-150°F — oat nogs can scorch too
• The flavor is slightly less rich but very close to the original

Coconut Cream Variation (eggnog-style):

• ½ cup full-fat coconut milk + 1 tbsp maple syrup + ¼ tsp nutmeg + pinch cinnamon
• Whisk and steam — creates an eggnog-like consistency without actual eggnog

Variations

Spiked Eggnog Latte (Adult Version)

Add 1 oz (30ml) of bourbon, rum, or brandy to the finished drink. Bourbon (Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark) pairs best with espresso — the caramel notes complement both the coffee and the eggnog. Add the spirit after steaming, directly to the mug.

Eggnog Cortado

Use equal parts (60ml) espresso and steamed eggnog, no milk. Intense, thick, powerful — like a holiday cortado. Serve in a 4-oz glass.

Eggnog Cold Brew

Replace espresso with 90ml cold brew concentrate. Combine with ½ cup eggnog over ice. The cold brew’s smoothness pairs beautifully with eggnog’s sweetness.

Iced Pumpkin Eggnog Latte

Combine ¼ cup eggnog + ¼ cup pumpkin spice creamer over ice with 2 shots espresso. Full autumn flavor in one glass.

Eggnog Macchiato

Steam 4oz eggnog, pour into 8oz cup. Add 2 espresso shots poured over the top. The espresso “stains” (macchiato) the eggnog — more dramatic presentation.

Steaming Tips for Eggnog

Eggnog is thicker and richer than milk, which requires different steaming technique:

1. Lower temperature: Steam to 140-150°F, not the 155-165°F you’d use for milk. Eggnog scorches at high heat and becomes grainy.
2. Less air incorporation: Eggnog naturally produces a thick foam — you don’t need to aerate aggressively. 2-3 seconds of air is enough.
3. Mix with milk: The eggnog-milk blend (½ cup eggnog + ¼ cup milk) steams more evenly than straight eggnog.
4. Clean your steam wand immediately — eggnog’s sugar content sticks to the wand faster than milk.

Seasonal Timing Note

Eggnog typically appears in grocery stores from late October through late December, with peak availability in November-December. Store-bought eggnog is sometimes available year-round at Whole Foods or natural grocery stores (refrigerated section).

For year-round eggnog lattes, the homemade recipe above works with pantry ingredients at any time.

Nutrition (Approximate)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Starbucks still have eggnog lattes? No. Starbucks discontinued the Eggnog Latte from their holiday menu after the 2019 holiday season. It was one of their oldest seasonal beverages (dating to 1986). There has been no official announcement of its return as of 2026.

What is in an eggnog latte? An eggnog latte contains espresso, steamed eggnog (sometimes mixed with milk), and is typically topped with freshly grated nutmeg. The eggnog replaces some or all of the steamed milk in a standard latte. Starbucks’s version used their Eggnog blend, vanilla syrup, and nutmeg.

Is Starbucks bringing the eggnog latte back? As of 2026, Starbucks has not confirmed plans to bring back the Eggnog Latte. However, making it at home takes about 5 minutes and can be customized to your preferred strength and sweetness.

Can I make an eggnog latte without an espresso machine? Yes. Brew very strong coffee (use a 1:6 ratio in a French press or Aeropress) as your espresso substitute. The flavor won’t be identical, but the eggnog’s richness masks the difference better than in a standard latte.

Related Holiday Drinks

• Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe — the other iconic fall seasonal coffee
• Gingerbread Latte Recipe — spiced holiday latte with homemade gingerbread syrup
• Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew — if you prefer cold holiday drinks
• Irish Coffee Recipe — the original spiked coffee drink
• Cinnamon Dolce Latte — another Starbucks seasonal classic you can make at home