Gingerbread lattes are subtly sweet with a little tingle of extra warmth that’s perfect for the darkest time of year. Making Insta-worthy hot chocolate and lattes is easy to do with the right kitchen setup.

I like to keep my pantry stocked with a hot drink bar all winter long, especially during the holiday season. Nothing takes the edge off a cold Monday morning like a homemade latte.

Making Insta-worthy hot beverages

Here’s what you need:

• 16-oz cup

• Milk frother

• Whipping cream

• Candy toppings (e.g., candied ginger, marshmallows)

The extravagant hot chocolate and latte images you see on Instagram and Pinterest are all about the preparation. In order to make a beverage that is camera-ready, you’ll need to heat at least half the milk with a milk frother and use a cup large enough to only fill half the cup with milk.

Fill the bottom of the cup with your beverage. Layer on your hot foam from the milk frother, followed by enough whipped cream to reach the top of the cup. Finally, add any candy decorations you like.

Gingerbread latte recipe

The gingerbread latte in the picture has candied ginger sprinkled over whipped cream.

• 3 to 5 pinches of ginger

• 3 to 5 pinches of allspice

• 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw sugar

• 1 shot of espresso

• 8 to 12 ounces of milk

Preparing over-the-top hot drinks can be a lot of fun for your family and guests. The extra toppings make them a treat to drink as well.

Learn where to buy DIY supplies here.