Copycat Holiday Spice Flat White
This is my version of the Starbuck’s Holiday Spice Flat White. Yes, I know the holidays are over. But my cravings for Starbuck’s seasonal flavored coffee’s is NOT! The Holiday Spice Flat White grabbed me at first sip this year! Not too sweet and perfectly spiced. I am making it at home several times a week. Don’t judge…the struggle is real!
Here’s the setup. And, yes, I’m still using my holiday mugs too! I would use them all year if my husband would allow it.
I made a tangerine sugar. 1 cup of granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon of tangerine zest = mix. I use 1 1/2 teaspoons of the tangerine sugar mixed with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Place the spice mixture in your vessel (mug) of choice.
Starbuck’s pulls a ristretto shot of their Christmas Blend Espresso Roast. (Ristretto is a shorter espresso pull that differs in taste because it’s more concentrated, resulting in a bolder, fuller flavor.) I cannot do that with my automatic espresso machine. It locks up and it has to be reset to go back to full working order. I pull 1 shot of espresso for a mug this small directly over the spice mixture then give it a swirl or two. (Normally I’m making a travel mug to go and pull 2 shots)
Steam the milk. From what I have read Starbuck’s uses whole milk for the Holiday Spice Flat White. I usually only have skim milk in my fridge so that’s what I use. Choose what you like.
Pour the steamed milk over the espresso and when almost full, stream the foam right down the middle of the mug for that signature dot. I think I did fairly well with this one.
Wrap your hands around that mug, breathe deep and sip away! I think my version comes extremely close to Starbuck’s. I have added a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg a couple of times, it didn’t quite taste like theirs but still very tasty.
- 1 - 2 teaspoons tangerine sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
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Prepare a tangerine sugar: Mix 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of finely grated tangerine zest.
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Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of the tangerine sugar (I use 1 1/2 teaspoons) with the cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Place in the bottom of your coffee mug, pull a shot or two of espresso (ristretto espresso if you have the capability) over the spice mixture and swirl a couple of times, steam the milk with a microfoam and pour over the espresso without stirring directly in the center.
Comments
Jenny
January 26, 2016Are you the lady that was crying in the Starbucks drive-thru this weekend because they don’t have Christmas coffee anymore? (LOL)
I miss the seasonal flavors, too, but I’ve never had this one. I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks for the recipe!
DSTR
January 26, 2016LOL Yes, Jenny that was me!!! Thank you for coming by!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood
January 26, 2016I have a real holiday drink obsession when it comes to Starbucks. I just tried the (normal) flat white the other day, and I’m totally hooked!
DSTR
January 27, 2016Yeah, me to Morgan! I hope you try the Holiday Spice because someone needs to be as addicted as me. I can’t be alone in this obsession! Thank you for stopping by!
Erin
February 14, 2016I am completely addicted and craving and found this and am making this tomorrow! (Need to get the tangerine zest.) Thank you for this!!
DSTR
February 15, 2016I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one addicted to the Holiday Spice Flat white! Thank you for stopping by, Erin!
Sophie Mei lan
January 28, 2016Yum yum will help my coffee consuming whilst blogging at home 🙂 thank you x
DSTR
January 28, 2016LOL! Me too, Sophie!
Angelina
January 28, 2016Oh yum! Your coffee looks just like Starbucks! The flat white I noticed today said it is made with whole milk, I was so surprised! I neeeever drink whole milk either, it’s skim over here too! Thanks for link up at Thursday favorite things
DSTR
January 29, 2016Thank you, Angelina!
Liz Latham
January 29, 2016This looks absolutely delicious even if it’s not the holidays! Great for any cold time of the year! Thanks for linking up at delicious dishes recipe party!
DSTR
January 29, 2016Thank you, Liz!
lolobunny
January 30, 2016I loved the Holiday Spice Flat White! One of my students gave me a Starbucks gift card and I definitely indulged over the holidays with this drink. Your recipe has been bookmarked for future reference 🙂
DSTR
February 1, 2016Thank you for stopping by!
Chris
January 31, 2016Yum!!! I have the same Snowman mug!
Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday!
Jenny
February 2, 2016Oh you are playing at all my favorites this week. Love a good flat white coffee and starbucks does it well. Great combo. #sharewithme
April J Harris
February 3, 2016I was just thinking today how much I miss Starbuck’s Christmas Blend coffee. I bought tons of it this year but it’s all gone! This is a beautiful flat white and I just love the tangerine sugar. I can think of so many ways to use it! Thank you for being a part of our Hearth and Soul Hop.
DSTR
February 3, 2016Thank you, April!
Lisa
February 4, 2016I can’t wait to try this! This was my favorite this year.
DSTR
February 5, 2016Me too, Lisa! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Heidi
November 19, 2016What’s the shelf life of the tangerine sugar? I think I need to make a big batch of this!!
DSTR
November 21, 2016Heidi, I used mine for weeks and I didn’t have any issues with it turning.
Megan
January 4, 2017What is your milk to espresso shot ratio? I received a Verismo system for my birthday and would like to make this after having one from Starbucks yesterday.
DSTR
January 4, 2017I usually pull two shots and steam about 1/2 cup milk. I hope you enjoy the coffee and thank you for coming by!
Melissa
January 4, 2017Can you use orange zest as a substitute for the tangerine zest or is it too different?
DSTR
January 5, 2017Yes, you can certainly use orange zest.
Mary
January 1, 2018Thank goodness I found your site. I am already having holiday spice flat white withdrawal! They should just offer it all year and make themselves a bunch more $$$.
Thanks for the recipe – I’ll definitely be giving this a try. Happy New Year
DSTR
January 2, 2018Hey Mary! I totally agree they should offer it all year. I hope you enjoy this copycat as much as I do. 🙂
Ann
January 8, 2018Thanks for this recipe!! The holiday spice flat white is my favorite Starbucks drink. Not too sweet, and yummy winter spices.
DSTR
January 8, 2018We are so happy to hear you enjoy the recipe, Ann! Thank you so much for coming by to tell us.
Angela
November 4, 2018Thank you for sharing!! It is not on the menu this year, so I am so grateful to have a way to make this at home!!
Debbie
November 9, 2018So glad to find this!! I have been told Starbucks will not have Holiday Spice this year! What the heck!
Really disappointed.
DSTR
November 12, 2018I know, Debbie! I hope you enjoy the recipe. Thank you so much for coming by!
Leslee
November 11, 2018So very thankful for this recipe this morning. I was so upset when I learned Sbucks didn’t bring back Holiday Flat White! This is a fabulous dupe. Thank you!
DSTR
November 12, 2018You are so welcome! I was terribly disappointed also.:(
Elise W.
November 12, 2018I was super excited to find your recipe! How do you store the tangerine sugar?
DSTR
November 13, 2018Hi, Elise! I keep it in an air-tight container. Enjoy!!!