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Bring a little holiday magic home with this cozy Starbucks Sugar Cookie Latte, a copycat of the seasonal drink everyone’s obsessed with. It’s sweet, nutty, and perfectly festive, made with a buttery sugar cookie syrup, espresso, and creamy almond milk (or your favorite milk). The best part? You can make it hot or iced in just a few minutes, no long Starbucks line required!
If you love recreating your favorite drinks at home, you’ll also want to try my Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew, Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam Cold Brew, and Hot Vanilla Latte Copycat Recipe next.
Let’s Chit Chat!
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect the first time I tried Starbucks’ Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte. But after one sip, I totally got the hype. It’s like Christmas sugar cookies and coffee had a cozy, buttery baby.
Of course, the $6-$8 price tag and endless lines at Starbucks weren’t as sweet. So, I went home determined to make the same festive drink for a fraction of the cost, and honestly, this homemade version hits even harder. The almond milk keeps it light and nutty, the syrup gives that perfect sugar cookie flavor, and the sprinkles? They’re pure joy in a cup.
If you’re the kind of person who starts playing holiday music in November, this is your drink. Make it iced when you’re feeling fancy or hot when you need something cozy to sip on by the tree. Either way, it’s the holiday hug you didn’t know you needed.
Why you need to make this recipe!
- Espresso + sweet syrup + milk, need I say more?
- It is very festive, I would say that this drink is definitely more festive than the one you would get from Starbucks.
- It is topped with sprinkles!!
- This recipe will help you avoid the long lines and make your newest favorite drink at home.
- Save that money baby! This recipe will also help you save a few extra bucks per drink as well.
Table of Contents
- Why you need to make this recipe!
- Ingredients for this Starbucks sugar cookie latte
- How to make this sugar cookie simple syrup for your Starbucks copycat drink?
- EXPERT TIPS
- Frequently asked questions – FAQ
- How to make Starbucks sugar cookie almond milk latte step by step video
- Starbucks Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte Copycat Recipe (Hot or Cold)
Ingredients for this Starbucks sugar cookie latte
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this Starbucks winter menu sugar cookie latte. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.
- Brown & granulated sugar- This recipe uses brown and granulated sugar for the sugar cookie simple syrup.
- Vanilla extract, almond extract, and butter extract- To make this simple syrup taste like a sugar cookie we will be using a mix of three different extract, the butter one being optional because I know it can be hard to find.
- Espresso– I use the Starbucks blonde roast nespresso pods but you can use any espresso shots that you prefer. You can also substitute it with instant coffee if you don’t have espresso at home. Checkout the FAQ for more detail on this.
- Almond milk– The traditional Starbucks drink asks for almond milk so we are gonna stick with that for this recipe but feel free to use whatever you’d like!
- Christmas sprinkles– Starbucks has red and green sprinkles for their drink but you can use the regular red white and green sprinkles for yours.
How to make this sugar cookie simple syrup for your Starbucks copycat drink?
- Make the Sugar Cookie Syrup:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Stir until dissolved. Add vanilla, almond, and butter extracts, then simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Assemble the Latte (Iced):
Fill a glass with ice, add 2–3 tablespoons of syrup, pour in espresso shots, and top with almond milk. Stir gently and finish with festive sprinkles.
- Make It Hot:
Steam the almond milk (or any milk of choice), add 2–3 tablespoons of syrup to a mug, pour in espresso, then top with the steamed milk and sprinkles.
EXPERT TIPS
- Store leftover syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- For extra creaminess, use half oat milk + half almond milk.
- Add whipped cream or sweet cream cold foam for a decadent twist.
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
Keep your homemade sugar cookie syrup in a sealed jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze in an ice cube tray and thaw cubes as needed for single servings.
Yes! Make a large pitcher of syrup and keep the milk and espresso separate until serving. Guests can mix their own festive drinks.
Absolutely. Use decaf espresso or strong brewed decaf coffee, you’ll still get all the buttery, sugar cookie flavor without the caffeine.
Yes! While the Starbucks version uses almond milk, you can also use oat, soy, coconut, or dairy milk. Oat milk gives extra creaminess, and almond milk keeps it light and nutty. For a fully dairy-free version, just skip whipped cream or cold foam.
Yes! For iced, pour espresso and syrup over ice and top with milk. For hot, steam the milk first, pour over espresso and syrup, and finish with sprinkles.
Try crushed shortbread cookies, cinnamon sugar, or even edible glitter for a fun twist.
Mix 2–3 teaspoons of instant coffee with 3 tablespoons of hot water as a quick espresso swap, or use strong brewed coffee for a café-au-lait feel.
Yes, you can use Monin Sugar Cookie Syrup or Jordan’s Skinny Mixes Sugar Cookie Syrup in a pinch, though the homemade version tastes richer and more authentic.
Definitely! Store the syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for longer storage so it’s ready for quick holiday drinks anytime.
Have another question about this Starbucks Sugar Cookie Latte recipe? Drop it in the comments below, I update this post each holiday season with new reader tips.
How to make Starbucks sugar cookie almond milk latte step by step video
Starbucks Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte Copycat Recipe (Hot or Cold)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 2 drops butter extract optional
Starbucks iced sugar cookie almond milk latte
- 3/4 cup Almond milk
- 2 oz blonde espresso shot use any espresso shot you'd like. Feel free to add more.
- Christmas sprinkles
- Ice
- whipped cream optional for hot drink
Instructions
Starbucks Sugar Cookie Simple Syrup
- In a medium saucepan add in the water, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and the butter extract if you have it.
- Heat up on medium heat until the sugar is fully dissolved then remove from the heat.
- You can either transfer this to an air-tight jar and store it for later or continue reading the directions to make your Starbucks copycat drink immediately.
Make the iced sugar cookie almond milk latte
- In a large glass, add some ice, 2-4 tablespoons of the homemade sugar cookie syrup, almond milk, and top it with freshly brewest espresso shots.
- Decorate with the sprinkles, give it a good stir and enjoy!
Make the hot sugar cookie almond milk latte
- Start by steaming the milk, then pour it into a tall mug, add in 2-4 tablespoons of the sugar cookie syrup, top it with the espresso shot, add whipped cream if you'd like, decorate with sprinkles and enjoy!
Notes
Can I make this holiday sugar cookie latte recipe ahead of time?
You can make everything up until the coffee addition in advance. This holiday simple syrup stores really well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can literally pull out the jar, use some in your coffee then put it back.Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Delicious! I’m drinking it right now. I added a little bit of butter to the syrup mixture since I didn’t have butter extract. I saw butter in another recipe and it seemed to work well in this one. Thanks!
Adding butter to the syrup is such a great idea! I am so happy you enjoyed it Tiff!
Chahinez
All of the many Starbucks near my home (three) and work (two) cannot seem to keep this syrup in stock. Even though I don’t have butter extract, I have been making this syrup at home every couple of weeks and it’s great. Thank you so much!
I am so happy to hear that!! I’m sure you’re saving a ton of money making your own Starbucks drink at home too!
Chahinez
Just made today and it is absolutely delicious!! Clean ingredients and just like the real deal 😉
So glad to hear that!
This is crazy good! I used normal decaf so I had to use a little more than two oz but it still worked well! Definitely will be using this in the future
I use decaf for it sometimes too!!Enjoy!
My local Starbucks has been out of this flavor syrup for a week now, and this has been saving me!! I don’t care if they restock because I am so happy making it at home. 🙂
Wow! This is the perfect copycat recipe, and will save me a ton of $$ this holiday season! Super easy to do, and tastes great.
I’m so happy to hear that Katie!
Enjoy 🙂
Chahinez
Oh my gosh.. YES! I love the Sugar Cookie Latte from Starbucks, but honestly don’t want to spend $6 each time / go out into the cold LOL. I found your recipe, shockingly had butter extract in the pantry (when did I buy that?!) and I made your simple syrup. Mixed it with a blend of oat milk + espresso powder.. perfection! I only used 1 teaspoon since I use half syrup in Starbucks orders and it is exactly what I needed today. Thank you! I’ll be using this to flavor my oat milk for coffee, too!
Exactly!! That price adds up quickly!! Glad you’re enjoying your homemade coffee drinks even more now!
I’ve been making my own lattes at home but they have yet to live up to my Starbucks favorites. This one is perfect! I’ve had it two days in a row now. I didn’t have almond extract so just skipped that, but it’s still delicious!
So glad you enjoyed this latte recipe 🙂
Great recipe! It’s delicious and hits the spot
Thank you Carla!
Chahinez
Next time I treat myself to special coffee, this is the recipe I want to try! Bookmarking it and I have talked it over with my husband who is eager to sample this one too! Thanks for the recipe. I bet the Imperial sugar tastes good in these too – so far I have only used it for baking and I am so glad you suggested it!
Enjoyed an afternoon break with this delicious treat! No sprinkles here because it’s not my thing – solid base off a seasonal coffee though. Usually I have cream and not sugar but this one hit the spot! Thanks!
So happy to hear you loved this drink Tanya!
Chahinez
That is the sugar I used for this recipe! It works wonders 🙂
Chahinez