Lakeside, TX December 2025

The Magic of Lakeside: HOLIDAY EDITION

Michel Hambrick

Recognized

Little

Elm Council Member Named O.P. Schnabel Volunteer of the Year

For her work with the St. Arbor Community Garden, Michel Hambrick was recognized for her outstanding achievements in community improvement, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement. Keep Texas Beautiful celebrates the people and projects that make Texas a cleaner and more sustainable place to live. Community Waste Disposal applauds Michel’s love for her Town and her continued efforts in making Little Elm an exceptional place to live, work, and play. Congratulations, Michel!

The Heart of the Holidays in Lakeside

The holidays have a way of bringing out the best in Lakeside. The lights, the laughter, and the generosity that defines our community! This season reminds us that true luxury lies not in what we own, but in how we give, connect, and celebrate together.

In this issue, we’re shining a light on local stories of giving: from businesses spreading joy to those who gave everything to protect our nation. It’s a reflection of the heart and spirit that make our area and its people so remarkable.

As we close out the year, I’m filled with gratitude for our readers, partners, and the vibrant community that continues to inspire every page of  Lakeside City Lifestyle

Looking ahead, I’m excited for all that 2026 will bring! New stories to tell, fresh faces to feature, and even more ways to celebrate the beauty and energy of life here in Lakeside. The best is yet to come, and I can’t wait to experience it together with you!

With gratitude,

RYAN HILE, PUBLISHER

@LAKESIDECITYLIFESTYLE

December 2025

PUBLISHER

Ryan Hile | ryan.hile@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Clareece Montero | clareece.montero@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Shannon Spake | shannon.spake@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Amber McMahan Amber@growingsproutsphotography.com

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler

GET INSPIRED EAT & DRINK

SHOP LOCAL

DECEMBER 2025

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Little Elm Chamber of Commerce was out picking up trash for our Adopt-A-Street program. 2: Six Little Elm firefighters proudly graduated from Collin College’s Paramedic Program. Congratulations on this incredible achievement! 3: What an incredible evening at our State of the Town & Community Expo in Little Elm! 4: What a great time kicking off Fire Prevention Week with our Little Elm community! 5: Thank you, Little Elm, for an incredible National Night Out connecting with families and sharing fire safety! 6: Grateful to Little Elm ISD for including us in Adopt-a-Lobo, welcoming teachers, and supporting them! 7: Thank you, Little Elm, for welcoming us and making National Night Out so special!

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8: Scrappy joined Huffines Subaru Corinth, kicking off a fun tailgate with great vibes, team spirit, and treats! 9: Giulia’s Café hosted a successful dinner! Be sure to stop by and learn about their upcoming dinners. 10: Congrats to Mustang customer Katie Fiske for winning Saturday’s raffle at Aubrey’s 39th Annual Peanut Festival! 11: Little Elm Chamber hosted Conversation over Cocktails: a spooky Halloween night of networking, fun, and community! 12: Happy Meals, stickers, and smiles as Officers Santos, Johnson, and K9 Kodi visited Union Park for lunch! 13: The Peanut Festival brought huge crowds, more fun, and unforgettable moments celebrating Aubrey’s amazing community downtown! 14: America’s Swimming Pool Co. Frisco showcases craftsmanship and innovation building fiberglass pools with lasting beauty.

Centurion American Development Group

Tucked along the banks of Lake Lewisville, Spiritas Ranch and The Reserve at Spiritas Ranch together make up one of the largest developments in Little Elm.

This 545-acre master-planned community will feature over 2,100 single-family, with options ranging from 40-, 50-, and 60-foot homesites. Residents will enjoy a true resort-style lifestyle with.

Learn more about Spiritas Ranch and connect with builders at https:// bit.ly/CA-SpiritasRanch

Aubrey Municipal Development District

Are you a business looking to expand, open a location in Aubrey, or want information on the Targeted Improvement and Sign Grants? Check out the resources on the Aubrey MDD website, which has business resource information, as well as a Site Selection map if you are looking for commercial property. Check out all the details at www.AubreyMDD.com for information!

Hayes, Berry, White & Vanzant Northlake

Family relationships today are more complex than ever, and conflicts can threaten household harmony. At Hayes, Berry, White & Vanzant, LLP, our Texas family law attorneys provide thoughtful, personalized guidance to help resolve issues such as separation, divorce, and child custody. With offices in Denton and Flower Mound, we are dedicated to protecting what matters most—your family. Count on our experience, compassion, and skill to help you find lasting solutions. Learn more at www.hbwvlaw.com

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ARTICLE BY SHANNON SPAKE

TRADING COMFORT FOR THE CALL OF DUTY

THE PRICE OF PEACE

As the scent of pine and gingerbread begins to drift through our neighborhoods, and the calendar flips toward the cherished gatherings of the holiday season, we naturally turn our focus inward: on family, on tradition, and on the simple, soft comforts of

“THEIR

Sometimes the trade-off is jarring — the clash of festive expectation with combat reality. Don Hickman, a Vietnam Veteran and VA-192 Golden Dragon who served in Aviation Ordnance, was working 12–14 hour days on the flight deck preparing

SACRIFICE GIVES US PEACE, COMFORT, AND THE JOY OF HOME EACH SEASON.”

home. This cocoon of peace, however, is not a given. It is a gift bought at the highest price by the service members whose duties call them far from our shores and home.

To truly grasp this sacrifice is to recognize the fundamental tradeoffs made by those in uniform. While we fret over a long Christmas list, they exchange it for military orders detailing their next deployment. While we enjoy the nostalgic warmth of holiday music, they are often left with the silence of a night watch, or worse, the cacophony of conflict. Our familiar soft, plush are traded for the cold, hard steel of a ship’s deck or the unforgiving floor of a distant base. As retired Navy F-14 Tomcat RIO Billie Dunlap explained, on a ship, "There are few creature comforts... It isn't just the physical, it is the warmth of a hug at the end of a long day. Home is soft and safe, full of warmth and love. On a ship or in an aircraft it’s all about the next mission, there is no down time. I miss those soft edges."

aircraft for missions. When Santa Claus landed via helicopter, Don received a small gift that Santa had tossed into his basket. He recalls: "At that moment, it dawned on me that it was Christmas — and there I was focused on the mission at hand. I’m a Christian, and I had always seen my work as protecting our Marines on the ground. It was a powerful reminder of just how far away from home I was."

The simple joy of the holiday was instantly overshadowed by the weight of duty.

For others, danger arrived without warning, cutting off contact with worried family. When military action escalated in Panama, Army veteran Dennis Laumer was stopped by an MP during a dangerous incident. Communications were cut, and his wife, Cynthia, who saw the news, left a voicemail he would later hear: "I cherish you and love you dearly."

Dennis recalls the agonizing duality: "My family didn't know if I was alive or dead... Suddenly I found myself a

CONTINUED >

casualty assistance officer, notifying next of kin about the loved ones they had lost in the fray. All while my family still had no idea how I was."

The deepest sacrifice often brings the greatest appreciation for what we have. Former POW Joseph Hudson, who was taken prisoner by Iraqi Forces, gained an unparalleled appreciation for the fundamental gift of life and freedom during his liberation. He stated, "It was the feeling of freedom, which you can never truly experience unless it has been taken from you... I was so happy to know that nobody forgot about me." Seeing the media confirmed his survival: "I knew we would live, because there was proof we were alive."

While service members navigate the cold steel and high stakes of duty abroad, their families at home manage a sacrifice of a different kind. For parents, there are often weeks, and sometimes months, on end without hearing a child’s voice, leaving them to rely on delayed news reports and sheer hope. For spouses, the deployment immediately shifts the dynamic, forcing them into a single-parent role out of necessity. They manage all the logistics of life—the household, finances, and childcare—alone. Then comes the complex emotional task of re-sharing those roles and negotiating a new

OUR JOY PERSISTS BECAUSE THEIR MISSION NEVER PAUSES.

family rhythm when the service member returns. The calendar, meanwhile, is filled with missed milestones: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and even the difficult reality of the death of loved ones that must be mourned and managed from thousands of miles away. This immense burden is why the military community is tight for a reason: survival. Spouses, parents, and children of deployed personnel form an instant, critical support network. They share the unique burden of anxiety and the practical challenges of solo-parenting and home maintenance. This community steps in when a car breaks down, a child gets sick, or a moment of crushing loneliness hits. Their tight-knit bonds are not just social; they are an essential lifeline—the soft edges of support that sustain the home front, allowing those in uniform to focus completely on the dangerous mission that keeps us safe.

LESSONS THAT KEEP ON GIVING

While the sacrifices are profound, these men returned home with invaluable life lessons that guide them long after they take off the uniform.

Dennis Laumer, US Army learned that connection is the ultimate commodity and is profoundly grateful for the experience that helped him become the best version of himself.

Joseph Hudson US Army is thankful to be alive and free and values the power of comradery, guided by the principle: "Right place, right time, right uniform equals success."

Billie Dunlap Former US Army, retired US Navy mastered true leadership, learning to "Take care of your people and they will take care of the mission's success" and stressing the need to constantly train a successor to ensure mission continuity.

Don Hickman US Navy is most grateful for the unbreakable trust of his crew and lives by the extreme standard instilled by the flight deck: "If you are on time, you are late," a lesson in relentless punctuality and reliability.

These veterans, who gave up the soft edges of home, have gifted us with the peace to enjoy our holidays. This season, as we settle into the comforts they have secured, the best way to honor them is to not only appreciate the peace they fight to preserve but to recognize the profound life lessons they learned on our behalf.

A Heart for Community

ARTICLE BY AMBER MCMAHAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOPPER RANCH

There are so many businesses around Aubrey that I could name that jump at every chance to help our community. It’s one of the things I love most about living here. I came from a place that was quite a bit busier than this, a place where everything was just a few minutes away. Trader Joe’s was five minutes down the road, Target ten minutes away, and our church another ten. Everything was so close and convenient, yet I never felt that small-town warmth that you instantly feel here.

Aubrey may not have all the same big name stores, but what it does have is something far better, a sense of connection. It’s the kind of town where you go to a chamber of commerce meeting and realize that everyone there is quite literally your neighbor. It’s where you recognize the friendly faces behind the local businesses, and they recognize you right back.

It’s the kind of place where the BBQ food truck on the corner makes your mouth water every time you drive by, and you find yourself planning a quick errand just so you can stop for a bite. Where there’s a small, family owned breakfast and lunch spot that everyone swears by, and you just have to take any visiting family there because it never disappoints. It’s a town where the city puts on community events not just for show, but to bring us all together. We meet the local police officers, play games at the park, and share stories with people who soon become friends.

That’s the beauty of Aubrey. It’s not about convenience, it’s about connection.

“Here in Aubrey, joy comes from connection: friendly faces, shared moments, and local businesses who show up for us, especially when it matters most.”

But one business in particular stands out to me, especially during the Christmas season. Every year, they bring even more magic and joy to our little town. When we gather for our annual Christmas celebration, it’s their horses and carriages that make the event truly unforgettable. Kids’ eyes light up as they climb aboard for a quick, joy filled ride around the park, bundled up beside their families and friends. You can hear the clip clop of the horses’ hooves echoing through the air, the laughter of children mixing with the jingling of bells. For just a few minutes, everyone sees the event from a whole new perspective, a slower, more peaceful one that captures the heart of the holiday spirit.

But my favorite event that they host each year is their Santa event. It’s something that every family should experience at least once. They invite families to sign up, completely free, for a day filled with fun, carriage rides, Christmas stories, and gifts given out by none other than Santa himself.

CONTINUED >

And this event is no small feat. Merry, the heart behind it all, goes above and beyond to make the day magical for every single child. She plans every detail with care, often pushing the limits of how many kids she can fit in, because her heart just won’t let her turn anyone away. She always seems to find a way to make room for one more.

Merry’s heart belongs to this town and the families who call it home. Her joy is contagious, her generosity inspiring. She reminds us what it means to give freely and love deeply, especially during a season that’s meant for both.

It’s people like Merry and her family who make Aubrey the special place that it is. Without them, our town wouldn’t feel nearly as warm or welcoming. I’m so thankful for them, and for all the local businesses and community members who keep the heart of Aubrey beating strong.

Because here, community isn’t just a word, it’s a way of life.

Every Christmas, Merry spreads joy across Aubrey, making space for every child and creating magical moments families will always treasure together.

BREAKFAST HOLIDAY

The holidays are filled with family gatherings. Enjoy these easy, make-ahead recipes to simplify your holiday breakfast; they are sure to impress your guests.

MONKEY BREAD

Ingredients:

• 18-20 Rhodes white frozen rolls

• 1 regular box of cook and serve butterscotch pudding

• ½ cup chopped pecans

• 6 tablespoons butter, melted

• ¾ teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ cup brown sugar

Instructions:

Grease a bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle chopped pecans around the bottom of the bundt pan. Next, place frozen rolls in the pan, evenly spreading them out. Sprinkle the rolls with the dry pudding mix. Melt butter in a separate container, and add cinnamon and brown sugar and stir. Pour butter and sugar mixture over the rolls. Cover with saran wrap that is sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Place in a cool oven overnight with the light off. Bake the next morning at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes and then turn the bundt pan over onto a serving plate and gently pry out of the pan, allowing time for the pecans and toppings to drip on top. Enjoy!

HEARTY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Ingredients:

• 8 eggs

• 2-3 cups torn bread pieces

• 3 ½ cups heavy whipping cream

• 1 pound breakfast sausage, browned

• 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

• 2 cups shredded cheese of choice

• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 1 teaspoon rosemary

• 1 teaspoon thyme

• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Spray 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. Layer torn bread pieces on the bottom of the pan to cover completely. Sprinkle 1 cup cheese over the bread. Whisk eggs and heavy whipping cream and red pepper flakes salt and pepper. Pour mixture into the baking dish. Add bacon and sausage on top of egg mixture. Top with remaining cheese and sprinkle with rosemary and thyme. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until the center is done.

GOURMET HOT CHOCOLATE

Add a little extra pizazz to your hot chocolate by using half and half instead of milk, sprinkle with cinnamon and top with a snowman made out of marshmallows and pretzel sticks

Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• ½ cup of cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, optional

• Milk or half and half

Instructions:

Add dry ingredients to a bowl and stir. For individual servings, mix half of the cocoa mix with a ½ cup milk. Add desired amount of cocoa mix with milk to desired sweetness. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows.

EGGNOG MARTINI

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce vodka

• 1 ounce Kahlua

• 1 ounce brewed coffee cooled

• 3  ounces eggnog

• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

• Dash of cinnamon

Instructions:

Add all ingredients together in a shaker and mix. Pour into a glass and serve over the rocks.

CROISSANT LEMON BERRY DELIGHT

Casserole Ingredients:

• 6 large croissants (from the bakery) sliced into cubes

• 3 cups mixed berries

• 1 package cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup  sugar

• 5 eggs at room temperature

• 2 cups half and half at room temperature

• ¾ tablespoon vanilla extract

• ¾ tablespoon lemon juice

Lemon Glaze Ingredients:

• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 1 tablespoon butter, softened

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice

• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and toast the cubed croissants on a baking dish for 10 minutes. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, half and half, lemon juice and vanilla and mix until smooth. Place the toasted croissants into a greased 9 x 13 pan and layer with 1 ½ cups berries. Pour custard mix on top and then add the remaining berries on top. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes. Set aside and make glaze by adding all ingredients to a bowl and mixing until smooth. Drizzle over the casserole and sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

HASHBROWN BITES

Ingredients:

• 20-ounce bag refrigerated hash brown potatoes

• ¾ cup green onions, sliced

• ½ cup  grated parmesan cheese

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• ½ teaspoon pepper

• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• ¼ cup pepper jack cheese, optional

Instructions:

Spray muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir. Evenly add mixture to each muffin tin and lightly press down. Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. These can be made in advance and reheated for convenience.

DECEMBER 3RD

Aubrey Christmas Tree Lighting

106 E Mulberry St, Aubrey, TX 76227 | 5:30 PM

Come join us for the Aubrey Christmas Tree Lighting! Enjoy an evening filled with holiday cheer as local choirs sing your favorite Christmas carols, kids take part in fun winter-themed activities, and families capture special moments with pictures with Santa. Gather your loved ones and celebrate the magic of the season with our community as festive fun and holiday spirit await.

DECEMBER 6TH

2025 Christmas Light-Up Parade

1900 Walker Lane, Little Elm, TX 75068 | 7:00 PM

Kick off the holiday season with the 2025 Christmas Light-Up Parade. Join us in bringing holiday cheer to the streets of Little Elm with this festive, family-friendly tradition. The parade will begin at Little Elm High School (1900 Walker Lane) and end at Lobo Stadium (1151 E. Eldorado Parkway). Spectators are encouraged to line the route early for the best viewing spots.

DECEMBER 13TH

La Familia Market

125 Main St, Little Elm, Texas 75058 | 2:00 PM

Join us at The Lawn at The Lakefront™ for La Familia Market! Shop local vendors, explore handcrafted goods, and grab bites from food trucks, all while enjoying the exciting evening events happening at The Lawn.

DECEMBER 13TH

Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic

"1605 Mark Tree Lane, Little Elm, TX, 75068 | 10:00 AM

The Little Elm Animal Shelter will be hosting low-cost vaccine clinics quarterly in 2025. Come update your pets' vaccines.

DECEMBER 16TH

Tuesday Trivia at Almost Home Taphouse

850 W Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX 75068 | 7:00 PM

Join us every Tuesday for a Tuesday Trivia Night from 7-9pm, hosted by Brady Brewer! He will be challenging your knowledge of useless facts, and giving away prizes weekly! Get ready to do some thinkin’ and drinkin’!

DECEMBER 27TH

Farmers Market at The Lawn™

125 Main St, Little Elm, Texas 75058 | 10:00 AM

Join us for Farmers Market at The Lawn™ featuring Four Seasons Markets! Stroll The Lawn™ and shop from a variety of vendors.

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Winter Simmer

Magic

ARTICLE BY ARSINE KALOUSTIAN

FILL YOUR HOME WITH THE COZY SCENTS OF TART CRANBERRIES, BRIGHT CITRUS, AND WARMING SPICES

Creating stovetop potpourri is a delightful way to indulge in the scents of the festive season. This Cranberry Orange Potpourri combines sparkling notes of fresh citrus and cranberries with nostalgic spices and woodsy herbs to create a welcoming atmosphere.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup fresh cranberries

• 1 orange, sliced

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 1 teaspoon whole cloves

• 3 star anise

• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary

• 2-3 cups water (plus more as needed)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Combine cranberries, sliced orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and rosemary in a pot. Add 2-3 cups of water, ensuring the ingredients are submerged. Simmer on low heat, allowing the aromas to release. Check the water level, adding more as needed to prevent drying out. Simmer for several hours to fill your home with the scents of the season.

This potpourri is perfect for setting the holiday mood, whether you’re preparing for a family gathering or simply want your home to smell warm and inviting.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE

JONES

Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply treating yourself, these holiday drinks are guaranteed to bring a little extra cheer to your cup.

HOLIDAY COCKTAILS & COZY CREATIONS

INGREDIENTS:

FESTIVE CRANBERRY GIN FIZZ

A bright, elegant cocktail with a foamy top and a hint of holiday spirit.

• 2 oz gin

• 1 oz cranberry juice

• 3/4 oz lemon juice

• 1/2 oz simple syrup

• 1 egg white

Optional: splash of sparkling water or club soda

Garnish: fresh rosemary or thyme sprig

In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, cranberry juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds to create the frothy top. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass to get that smooth, foamy top. Add a small splash of sparkling water if you’d like a bit of fizz. Gently place a sprig of rosemary or thyme on top of the foam.

INSTRUCTIONS: CONTINUED >

SPICED CINNAMON RUM FLIP

A luscious holiday cocktail with warming spices, rich texture, and a beautiful cinnamon garnish.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz dark or spiced rum

• 3/4 oz cinnamon simple syrup

• 1 oz heavy cream

• 1 whole egg

• Dash of ground nutmeg

• Dash of vanilla extract

Garnish: cinnamon stick and a light dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS:

Make Cinnamon Simple Syrup:

Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 2 cinnamon sticks in a saucepan. Simmer for 10 mins, let cool, and strain. Store in the fridge. Add rum, cinnamon syrup, cream, egg, vanilla, and a pinch of nutmeg to a shaker. Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds to emulsify the egg. Strain into a coupe or stemmed glass like the one in your photo. Top with a cinnamon stick across the rim and a dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon.

Optional: Add 1/2 oz chilled espresso for a coffee kick.

INGREDIENTS:

BOURBON VANILLA BEAN HOT CHOCOLATE

An ultra-creamy, chocolatey holiday drink with a hit of warm bourbon and a vanilla bean twist.

• 2 cups whole milk

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup high-quality dark chocolate (chopped or chips)

• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2 tbsp sugar or maple syrup

• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

• Pinch of sea salt

• 2 oz bourbon

Topping: 4 large marshmallows

Optional garnish: grated dark chocolate, whipped cream, cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, cream, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Whisk until smooth and heated through. Add chopped dark chocolate and stir constantly until melted and silky. Lower heat if needed to avoid scorching. Remove from heat, then stir in bourbon. Taste and adjust sweetness or strength to your liking. Top with marshmallows. Add whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, and shaved chocolate. Optional: Add a pinch of cinnamon and cayenne for spicy depth Kid-friendly version: Omit bourbon and add peppermint extract or caramel syrup instead.

CONTINUED >

HOLIDAY SPICED GINGERBREAD LATTE

A warm, frothy, and festively spiced drink perfect for winter nights.

INSTRUCTIONS:

INGREDIENTS:

For the latte:

• 1 shot of espresso (or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee)

• 3/4 cup milk

• 2 tbsp gingerbread syrup

• Whipped cream

For the gingerbread syrup:

• 1/2 cup water

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1 tbsp molasses

• 1/2 tsp ground ginger

• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 1/8 tsp ground cloves

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Optional toppings:

• Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for dusting

• Marshmallow

• Crushed gingerbread cookie around the rim or on top

Make the gingerbread syrup:

In a small saucepan, combine water, brown sugar, molasses, and spices. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let cool. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Prepare the drink:

Brew your espresso or strong coffee. Heat and froth your milk. In your glass, add 2 tablespoons of the gingerbread syrup. Pour in the espresso, then the steamed milk, stirring gently to combine. Spoon frothed milk or whipped cream on top. Dust with cinnamon or nutmeg.

Optional: Rim the glass with crushed gingerbread cookie crumbs for extra flair.