When Christmas looms large on the horizon, it’s time to get cosy with that extra special festive coffee. So if you want to liven up your latte, max out your mocha or elevate your espresso, here are some fabulously festive ways to give your coffee a Christmas twist.
Coffee Glühwein
Inspired by the Glühwein traditionally served at Christmas markets in Germany and Austria, this coffee-and-Glühwein-inspired drink combines bold black coffee with the warming spices associated with traditional German mulled wine. Some recipes combine coffee and wine, while alcohol-free versions use coffee as the base. To make it, gently heat - but don’t boil - strong coffee for 15-20 minutes with orange and lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and a touch of sugar, then all you need to do is strain and serve.
Irish Coffee
Irish Coffee is the ultimate festive pick-me-up - velvety hot coffee, a generous pour of Irish whiskey, brown sugar for sweetness and a crown of whipped cream. Legend tells of its invention at Foynes flying boat terminal in County Limerick in 1943. The story goes that on a stormy winter’s night, a New York-bound flight was forced to turn back to Foynes due to severe weather. When the plane returned, chef Joe Sheridan prepared hot coffee with brown sugar and Irish whiskey, and topped it with cream to warm up the cold passengers. A passenger asked if it was Brazilian coffee, to which Sheridan replied, ‘no, that’s Irish coffee.’
To make it, do what Joe did and stir hot coffee with brown sugar and whiskey in a heatproof glass, then gently pour softly whipped cream over the back of a spoon so it rests on top. Next, sip the coffee through the cream for pure holiday indulgence.
Peppermint Mocha
The Peppermint Mocha is the festive lovechild of hot chocolate and latte with a twist. Rich espresso or strong coffee meets steamed milk, chocolate syrup or cocoa, and a cool, candy-cane burst of peppermint. This iconic drink was made famous by a certain Seattle-based coffee chain in the early 2000s and feels like dessert in a mug. To make it, simply stir hot coffee or espresso with chocolate and peppermint syrups, top with steamed or frothed milk, then finish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed minty candy cane or (and) chocolate curls for that extra Christmas sparkle.
Gingerbread Latte
Imagine sipping a freshly baked homemade gingerbread cookie straight out of the oven - that’s what this coffee tastes like! It’s a beautifully festive marriage of espresso or strong coffee and steamed milk, mixed with a sweet-spicy combination of treacle or golden syrup, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. To make it, stir the syrup into hot espresso, top with frothed or steamed milk, then finish with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon or ginger.
Espresso Martini
A classic cocktail from the age of excess, the espresso martini mixes a shot of espresso coffee with vodka and coffee liqueur - sometimes with a dash of sugar syrup - and traditionally topped with three coffee beans to represent health, wealth and happiness. The story goes that it was invented in the early 1980s by legendary London bartender Dick Bradsell at the Soho Brasserie whose coffee machine was next to his bar. To make it, shake the ingredients with ice until frothy, pour and garnish.
Spiced Caramel Latte
A playful take on the famously autumnal pumpkin spice latte, this version is pure Christmas comfort, where good coffee meets steamed milk, caramel and just a dash of warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger.
There’s no hard and fast recipe for a spiced caramel latte, but a general guideline would be to mix the spices in a bowl, make your coffee and heat your milk, then combine the two. Next, add whipped cream and a good glug of caramel sauce and you’ve got a Christmas drink that smells almost as good as it tastes!
Eggnog Coffee
Christmas without eggnog is like Easter without chocolate (well not quite, but sort of), and this coffee is part-breakfast, part-dessert, and part after-dinner treat! Eggnog isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you fancy an old-school festive sip, heat (but don’t boil) shop-bought eggnog in a saucepan and mix with strong coffee. Top it with whipped cream and grate nutmeg over the top. If you’re minded, a glug of rum is an optional extra.
Festive Coffee Syrups
If you want to turn your everyday coffee into a supercharged Christmas version, there’s loads of syrups you can buy that will do the trick. Ranges tend to include caramel, maple spice, amaretto, butterscotch, chestnut praline, gingerbread, and even Christmas pudding and mince pie flavours! They make great coffee as well as making great festive gifts for friends and family.
