22 Christmas coffee drinks I love making during the holiday season

1. Gingerbread Coffee 

Gingerbread is one of the first flavours that feels properly December to me, so it makes sense to start here.

I treat this as an occasional treat rather than an everyday mug of coffee, and that richer feel is part of the appeal.

It’s made by mixing coffee, milk, almond milk for a slightly nutty note, honey, cocoa powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt, and a pinch of cloves.

When I blend this, the spice comes through on the nose first, then the cocoa and coffee settle underneath it.

You can also make a gingerbread spiced mocha latte by adding hot chocolate to the same mix.

It has a clear sweetness, but it still feels more balanced than some of the heavier dessert drinks later on.

There are about 25 grams of sugar and 150 calories in a serving of this ginger coffee, with 80-100mg of caffeine.

If gingerbread is already your thing, this is the kind of Christmas coffee you’d probably come back to more than once.

2. Nutella Coffee 

Nutella brings a chocolate-and-hazelnut kind of richness that works well in holiday coffee drinks.

It sits somewhere between a mocha and an almond milk hot chocolate, only with a more spread-like sweetness and a softer finish.

The espresso base means it’s not the version I’d make for kids, but swapping in hot chocolate keeps the same flavour idea.

To make a Nutella coffee, mix coffee, milk, brown sugar, and Nutella in a pan, then stir until smooth.

Pour it into a glass and top with whipped cream and a little chocolate sauce.

This rich Christmas drink has about 70 grams of sugar and 250 calories in a serving, with 80mg of caffeine from the coffee.

3. Sugar Cookie Coffee 

A sugar cookie coffee sounds as sweet as it tastes, which is part of the appeal.

This Christmas coffee leans heavily into dessert territory, with the caffeine giving it a little more lift than a standard latte.

It is a playful drink, and it makes Christmas morning feel a bit less serious.

To make a sugar cookie Christmas coffee, mix a fresh espresso, melted white chocolate chips, milk, vanilla syrup, and almond extract.

Top it with whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon.

There are about 60 grams of sugar and 220 calories in a serving of this holiday coffee drink, with 80-100mg of caffeine from the espresso.

4. Peppermint Marshmallow Latte 

Christmas always makes me think of marshmallows warming near a fire, so this one feels on theme right away.

This drink folds marshmallow and sugar into peppermint, and once the candy cane starts to melt, the aroma turns even more wintry.

If you like minty sweetness, this is the kind of coffee that feels cosy rather than sharp.

To make a peppermint marshmallow latte, heat milk, marshmallows, and peppermint extract together in a pan until the marshmallows melt.

Then add a fresh espresso, stir in the brown sugar, and finish with whipped cream, a candy cane, and sprinkles.

There are about 300 calories and 70 grams of sugar in these holiday coffee drinks, with about 100mg of caffeine from the coffee.

This is not an everyday drink, but I’d happily make it when I want something that feels more like a holiday dessert in a mug.

5. Keto Cinnamon Toast Butter Coffee  

I wanted at least one sugar-free Christmas coffee in the mix, and this is the one that earns its place.

These holiday coffee drinks use butter coffee instead of milk, so the finished cup still feels rich and creamy without dairy or sugar.

That makes it a high-fat, low-carb option for anyone following a stricter keto-style diet.

To make this Christmas coffee, mix sugar-free cinnamon syrup, cinnamon butter, and black coffee.

If you can’t find cinnamon butter in the store, you can make it yourself with ground cinnamon and butter in about 5 minutes.

You can also add sugar-free whipped cream on top if you want a little more richness.

This creamy Christmas drink has no sugar, but about 175 calories in a serving, with about 120mg of caffeine from the strong black coffee.

6. Ginger Praline Coffee Float 

The ginger praline coffee float feels more like dessert than coffee, which is exactly why it stands out.

This Christmas coffee recipe is a variation on the Italian affogato.

Ice cream gives the ginger coffee a rich creaminess, and the ginger and praline keep the flavour from turning one-note.

I’d make this after a big Christmas dinner, not first thing in the morning.

Start with 2 scoops of praline and cream ice cream in a glass or coffee cup.

Add 4 ginger snaps, some homemade gingerbread syrup, then pour in a cup of strong coffee. Eat it with a spoon or stir until it melts and drink it.

There are about 50 grams of sugar in this Christmas coffee recipe, with 220 calories and 100mg of caffeine from the coffee.

7. Peppermint Mocha  

Peppermint hot chocolate has been around for years, and it never feels out of place in December.

If you like the mint-and-chocolate combination but want the caffeine too, this peppermint mocha sits in the middle nicely.

The first sip is enough to remind me why people keep ordering it through winter, especially when the weather turns cold.

You can order a peppermint coffee or mocha from places like Starbucks, or make it at home if you want more control over the sweetness.

The recipe is simple enough. Mix milk, cocoa powder, and brown sugar in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves.

Then stir in a fresh espresso, mint extract, and vanilla syrup. Add a candy cane and keep stirring until it dissolves.

Pour it into a coffee mug and top with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings. A little extra whipped cream does make it feel richer.

A single serving of a peppermint coffee mocha has 65 grams of sugar, about 300 calories, and 85mg of caffeine from the coffee.

8. Cashew Coffee 

This nutty Christmas morning coffee brings out the cashew flavour in a way that feels different from the usual syrup-heavy drinks.

It is completely vegan and suitable for paleo diets, so it gives you a holiday option without relying on dairy.

The spice-and-nut combination works well here, and it is a nice change if peppermint and caramel start to feel repetitive.

This recipe is also simple. Add cashews, almond milk, black coffee, salt, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon to a blender.

Blend it for about a minute until everything comes together and you are left with a thick, frothy mixture.

With only 80 calories but 120mg of caffeine in a serving, this vegan Christmas coffee is a useful alternative if you want something lighter.

9. Cinnamon Roll Latte 

Cinnamon shows up all over Christmas food and drink, and this latte is an easy way to make that flavour feel coffee-friendly.

Unlike some sweeter holiday drinks, this one still lets the coffee come through, which makes it easier to keep sipping.

To make a cinnamon roll latte, roast some ground cinnamon in a saucepan, then add milk, vanilla, sugar, and salt.

Add fresh brewed coffee and froth the mixture until it looks like a latte. Pour into a glass and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

There are about 20 grams of sugar and 120 calories in this Christmas drink, and 100mg of caffeine from the espresso.

This is a good Christmas treat for coffee lovers who like some sweetness but still want to taste the espresso.

10. Chocolate Coffee 

Chocolate is hard to leave out of a Christmas coffee roundup, and this richer version earns its place.

It is smooth and creamy, with a thick texture that reminds me more of a milkshake than a standard coffee, and that heavier mouthfeel is the point.

The chocolate flavours work well with the coffee, and a proper Italian espresso helps keep the drink from tasting flat.

To make a Christmas chocolate coffee, whisk cornflour, cocoa, and sugar in a pan, then pour in warm milk. Heat it and whisk until smooth before folding in chocolate chips.

Keep whisking until everything has melted and the drink feels smooth and creamy. Finally, mix in a shot of espresso and pour it into a coffee mug.

You can add whipped cream if you want it sweeter.

This boozy Christmas coffee works especially well with alcohol, so Baileys or rum are both natural fits.

There are over 70 grams of sugar and 300 calories per serving, so it sits firmly in treat territory.

11. Eggnog Latte 

Eggnog is the traditional Christmas drink made by mixing milk, eggs, sugar, and alcohol.

This holiday eggnog coffee latte keeps the same flavour idea, just without the alcohol and with coffee added.

That makes it a little less sweet, and the coffee gives it enough lift to feel like a real morning drink.

To make your own eggnog latte, you’ll need brewed coffee, sugar, and eggnog. Warm the eggnog and pour it into the freshly brewed coffee.

Mix in the sugar, then top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg. There are about 180 calories and 85mg of caffeine in a single serving.

12. Butterscotch Coffee 

Butterscotch is one of those flavours that feels instantly wintery to me, probably because it is so rich and rounded.

This Christmas coffee combines that creaminess with espresso, and the result is sweet without turning completely one-note.

To make your own butterscotch coffee, mix butter, sugar, milk, and vanilla syrup in a pan. Stir until the sugar is incorporated, then pour it over a fresh espresso.

I like a little caramel sauce on top for extra flavour, but sprinkles or whipped cream work too.

There are around 60 grams of sugar and 250 calories in a serving, with 80mg of caffeine from the coffee.

13. Pumpkin Latte 

Pumpkin lattes are famous because Starbucks made them such a seasonal staple.

The mix of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and sugar makes this one feel familiar straight away, even if you only drink it once or twice a year.

It is a good fit for anyone with a sweet tooth, and it still works well once you move from autumn into winter.

You can buy a Starbucks pumpkin latte, but it is also easy enough to make at home.

Start with some pumpkin butter, which you can pick up from most local stores, and mix it with hot milk.

Pour this over a fresh espresso or brewed coffee, add sugar, and top with whipped cream and cinnamon dust.

This latte smells and tastes incredible, but it also comes in at over 45 grams of sugar, 200 calories, and 100mg of caffeine per serving.

14. Apple Cider Latte 

This is an autumn classic rather than a Christmas drink, but I still think it belongs here because apple and spice feel right in the same cold-weather mood.

It is especially good if you want something festive without leaning on coffee, and you can make it caffeine-free with the right teabags while keeping the wintery flavour.

To make this drink, you’ll need hot apple cider teabags, milk, honey, sugar, and water.

Mix the hot water with the teabags for 2 to 3 minutes, remove them, and stir in the other ingredients. If you have one, a milk frother gives it a softer, latte-like texture.

I usually finish it with a little ground cinnamon on top.

This drink is all about the sweet and spicy holiday flavours, and it is one of the lower-calorie Christmas drinks.

There are about 20 grams of sugar and 90 calories in a serving, with around 40mg of caffeine. Despite the name, there’s no alcohol in it, so it works any time of day.

15. Salted Caramel Latte 

Caramel is another Christmas favourite, and this salted caramel latte is rich enough to feel like a proper treat.

You can get one from most coffee shops, but making it at home keeps the cost down.

For this holiday coffee, make a strong brewed coffee, preferably an Americano, then add milk, 2 tablespoons of salted caramel sauce, 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, and whipped cream.

I like to drizzle a little extra caramel sauce on top too, because the salty-sweet finish is what makes the drink work.

This is a sweet one, with about 60 grams of sugar and 200 calories per drink, plus 80-120mg of caffeine.

It feels like comfort in a coffee cup, which is probably why it works so well on a cold evening when you want something sweet but not cloying.

16. Almond Milk Chai-Tea Latte 

If you want something a bit different, try an almond milk chai tea latte, which pulls Christmas spices into a tea-based drink.

It is not technically a Christmas coffee, but you still get a mild lift from the black tea.

To make an almond milk chai tea latte, brew black tea and add almond milk, honey, and maple syrup.

Use a blender to combine cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cardamom, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and ground star anise.

Pour in the tea mixture and blend until it becomes frothy and evenly spiced.

There are about 150 calories and 30 grams of sugar in a serving, with 40-50mg of caffeine from the tea. This is a good dairy-free Christmas coffee alternative for anyone who wants the spice profile without the espresso.

17. Cardamom latte 

Cardamom has a herbal taste with hints of mint, pepper, and citrus. It’s been shown to have some medicinal properties and provide some health benefits to those who have it regularly.

It also gives the drink a warm, rounded flavour, which is why it works so well for people who prefer herbal teas to hot coffee.

To make it, you’ll need an espresso or brewed coffee, milk, honey, and ground cardamom. Mix it together and use a frother for the milk if you have one.

You should be able to smell the cardamom straight away, and a little cinnamon makes it noticeably spicier.

There are only around 20 grams of sugar and 100 calories in a serving, but that number goes up if you sweeten it with extra honey.

There is also about 100mg of caffeine from the espresso, so it works well when you want something warm that still feels like coffee.

18. Vanilla Latte 

You could argue that this is a year-round drink, and that is true, but it still works as a holiday coffee alternative if you prefer black coffee.

The vanilla blends with the coffee in a clean, familiar way and gives you a light but sweet Christmas coffee that never feels too complicated.

You can pick up a vanilla latte from pretty much any coffee shop or make one yourself. To make your own vanilla latte, you’ll need freshly brewed coffee, milk, sugar, and vanilla syrup.

Froth the milk and mix everything until you’ve got a light brown colour. A dollop of whipped cream on top makes it feel more like December.

There are around 150 calories in a serving and 80-100mg of caffeine from the coffee, so it gives you a steady morning lift.

19. Candy Cane Latte 

Candy canes are one of those decorations that instantly signal Christmas, and this latte looks the part too.

It is made with an espresso or latte mix base, mixed with hot water, milk, chocolate syrup, and peppermint syrup.

Top it with whipped cream, sprinkles, and, of course, a candy cane.

This Christmas coffee has over 50 grams of sugar and 200 calories in a serving. You cannot really taste the coffee, but the espresso base still gives you around 85mg of caffeine.

The mix of sugar and caffeine is the main reason it feels so festive and so over-the-top.

20. After Eight Coffee 

After Eight has always felt like a slightly more grown-up chocolate to me, which is probably why it turns up so often around Christmas and still feels special.

The mint and coffee flavours blend well in this Christmas coffee, and it is a good one for later in the evening.

To make this peppermint coffee yourself, make a shot of espresso topped with frothed milk. Add chocolate nougat and then garnish with an After Eight and some fresh mint.

Despite being named after a chocolate, this Christmas coffee is not too bad for you, and there are only around 100 calories in a serving.

You’ll also get about 100mg of caffeine from the coffee, which can be useful at the end of a long Christmas day.

21. Irish Coffee 

You might not think of an Irish coffee as especially Christmassy, but an alcoholic coffee fits the season pretty well.

This mix of Irish whiskey and coffee is classic, and on a cold evening it is an easy way to warm up and unwind.

You can make an Irish coffee at home quite easily.

Mix a shot of whiskey with a fresh Americano or brewed coffee and sugar. Then put a thick layer of cream on top and finish with a pinch of grated nutmeg.

You can also make an Irish cream cold brew, which is the chilled version of the drink.

The coffee recipe is similar, but an Irish cream cold brew uses cold-brewed coffee instead of hot coffee in the base.

You can then top it with spices and whipped cream as you like. It is a stronger Christmas coffee, but a good one if you want a bigger caffeine hit.

There are about 15 grams of sugar, 130 calories, and 100mg of caffeine in a serving of the Irish coffee, and about 200mg in the Irish cream cold brew.

Also remember there are at least 2 units of alcohol in both versions, so while it is one of the better holiday coffee drinks for adults, it is not suitable for younger coffee drinkers.

22. Peppermint Schnapps Coffee 

Peppermint is one of those Christmas flavours that immediately makes me think of candy canes and stockings.

This boozy Christmas coffee is sweet, chocolatey, and very much an adult drink, which is exactly why it works when you want something a bit richer.

To make it at home, mix a cup of fresh brewed coffee with milk, peppermint schnapps, almond milk liqueur, and dark chocolate chips.

Top it with whipped cream and sprinkles for extra fun. There are around 65 grams of sugar and 250 calories in a serving, so it is not a light option.

There’s also around 100mg of caffeine from the coffee and 2-4 units of alcohol, depending on your measures.