Christmas is the most magical time of the year. On Christmas morning you want to start your day right, but you might be struggling for Christmas coffee drink inspiration. Don't worry, because, in this guide, we'll introduce the best Christmas coffee drinks for you to try this holiday season.
22 Christmas Coffee Drinks (Best Holiday Drinks)
1. Gingerbread Coffee
Gingerbread is one of the key flavors of Christmas and a great place to start on our list. This rich, sugary, and slightly spicy holiday coffee drink is the perfect way to get a Christmassy energy boost at any time of the day.
It’s made by mixing coffee, milk (we’d recommend almond milk for the slightly nutty taste), honey, cocoa powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt, and a pinch of cloves. Blend it all up together to create your homemade gingerbread syrup with a beautiful mix of flavors that smell and taste incredible. You can also make a gingerbread spiced mocha latte by adding a hot chocolate to all of the above.
There is a sweetness to this Christmas coffee, but it's definitely not the worst drink for you. There are about 25 grams of sugar and 150 calories in a serving of this ginger coffee, with 80-100mg of caffeine. If you love gingerbread, then you’ll love the gingerbread Christmas coffee and the gingerbread spiced mocha latte.
2. Nutella Coffee
The mixture of chocolate and nuts in Nutella makes this a perfect addition to holiday coffee drinks, and a great Christmas coffee. It’s quite rich and offers a flavor that’s slightly similar to a mocha made with almond milk. The espresso base isn't suitable for young kids, but you can always replace that with hot chocolate, and I'm sure they'll love it.
To create your own Nutella coffee, you'll need to mix coffee, milk, brown sugar, and Nutella in a pan, and stir it all together until it's smooth. Pour it into a glass and top with whipped cream and a slight drizzle of chocolate sauce for maximum enjoyment. 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
What’s more Christmassy than a sugar cookie coffee? This Christmas coffee drink has all the sugary deliciousness of Christmas mixed with the energy boost of caffeine to give you a sweet pick-me-up. It's been created to make you smile, and with a sugar cookie coffee in your hand, you're definitely going to enjoy Christmas even more.
To make a sugar cookie Christmas coffee, you’ll need to mix a fresh espresso, melted white chocolate chips, milk, vanilla syrup, and almond extract. Top it with whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon for some spice. 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
When you think of Christmas, you might get the image of marshmallows roasting on an open fire. This is one of those holiday coffee drinks that combines the seasonal flavors or marshmallow and sugar, but with added peppermint to make it even more of a Christmas coffee. If you love minty sweetness, you'll love this Christmas coffee, and it’s like drinking a warm hug.
To make a peppermint marshmallow latte, you'll need to mix milk, marshmallows, and peppermint extract in a hot pan until the marshmallows are fully melted. Then, add this to a fresh espresso and stir in some extra brown sugar before topping 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 isn't an everyday drink, but it's a lovely way to warm up at Christmas.
5. Keto Cinnamon Toast Butter Coffee
The keto diet is increasingly popular, so we felt like we had to include at least one sugar free Christmas coffee. These holiday coffee drinks are made with butter coffee instead of milk, with the butter giving them a rich and creamy taste and removing the need for milk or sugar. It's a high fat but low carb option, and it’s perfect for those on a strict diet.
To make your this Christmas coffee, you'll need to mix sugar free cinnamon syrup, cinnamon butter, and black coffee together. If you can't find cinnamon butter in the store, you can mix it up yourself using ground cinnamon and butter, and it shouldn't take more than 5 minutes. You can also add some sugar free whipped cream to top it off if you want some 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 is more like a dessert than a Christmas coffee, and it's one of the best holiday drinks for those with a sweet tooth. This Christmas coffee recipe is a variation on the Italian affogato. Ice cream is introduced to the ginger coffee to give it a rich creaminess, and the nutty but spicy flavors of the ginger and praline make it really Christmassy. This is the ultimate ginger coffee drink to follow a big Christmas dinner.
To make it, you’ll need to get 2 scoops of praline and cream ice cream and put it in a glass or coffee cup. Add 4 ginger snaps, some homemade gingerbread syrup, and then pour in a cup of strong coffee. Use a spoon to eat, or mix it up until it melts, and enjoy it as a drink. 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 chocolates have been around for a while and are especially popular around Christmas. If you love the flavors but miss the caffeine, this peppermint mocha is one of the best holiday coffee drinks for you. It combines coffee, mint, and chocolate in one coffee mug and is really comforting on a cold winter night.
You can order a peppermint coffee or mocha from stores like Starbucks, and it's one of the best Starbucks holiday coffee drinks on the menu, but you can also make this Christmas coffee yourself at home.
The Christmas coffee recipe is fairly simple. You’ll need to mix milk, cocoa powder, and brown sugar in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Then, stir in a fresh espresso, some mint extract, and some vanilla syrup. Add in a candy cane and keep stirring until it's fully dissolved. Pour it into a coffee mug and top with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings. You can also add some whipped cream on top to make this Christmas coffee even more indulgent.
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 flavor of cashews in a really good way, giving you something a bit different from your regular brew. It’s completely vegan and suitable for paleo diets, and one of the best holiday coffee drinks for those on a restrictive diet. It combines the Christmas flavors of spice and nut in a really enjoyable way, and this is a popular option with older Christmas coffee drinkers.
This Christmas coffee recipe is also quite simple. You'll need to add cashews, almond milk, black coffee, salt, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon into a blender. Blitz it for a minute or so until it's all combined, and you should be left with a thick, frothy mixture. With only 80 calories but 120mg of caffeine in a serving, this vegan Christmas coffee is a popular alternative and one you should definitely try this holiday season.
9. Cinnamon Roll Latte
Cinnamon features heavily in Christmas food and drink, and this latte combines it with coffee to give you a strong holiday coffee drink. Unlike many other Christmas coffees, this one isn’t too sugary, and you can still taste the coffee within it. Plus, it’s low calorie, so you can enjoy the flavors guilt-free on a Christmas morning.
To make a cinnamon roll latte, you'll need to roast some ground cinnamon in a saucepan and add milk, vanilla, sugar, and salt. Add fresh brewed coffee and then froth up the mixture until it looks like a latte. Pour into a glass, and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon to enhance the flavor. There are about 20 grams of sugar and 120 calories in this Christmas drink and 100mg of caffeine from the espresso. This is a real Christmas treat for coffee lovers who appreciate some sweetness but still want to taste the espresso.
10. Chocolate Coffee
Christmas is all about chocolate, and this list wouldn't be complete without a rich chocolate Christmas coffee. This drink is smooth and creamy, with a thick texture similar to a milkshake. The chocolate flavors complement the coffee well, but we'd recommend using a proper Italian espresso to maximize the taste.
To make a Christmas chocolate coffee, you'll need to whisk cornflour, cocoa, and sugar in a pan and then pour in warm milk. Apply heat, and whisk it through before folding in chocolate chips. Keep whisking until everything has melted and it’s smooth and creamy. Finally, mix in a shot of espresso, and then pour it into a coffee mug to enjoy. You can even add with whipped cream if you want to make this Christmas coffee even sweeter.
This boozy Christmas coffee works really well with alcohol, so if you want to make it boozy, you should try adding in Baileys or rum. There are over 70 grams of sugar and 300 calories per serving, but it’s an amazing Christmas treat.
11. Eggnog Latte
Eggnog is the traditional Christmas drink made by mixing milk, eggs, sugar, and alcohol. This holiday eggnog coffee latte captures all of the same flavors, minus the alcohol, but with coffee added to the mix. This makes it slightly less sweet and gives you a noticeable energy boost to help you get through the day.
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, and then top with whipped cream and sprinkle nutmeg over the top. There are about 180 calories and 85mg of caffeine in a single serving.
12. Butterscotch Coffee
Who doesn't love the rich creaminess of butterscotch? This Christmas coffee drink combines those flavors with the boldness of espresso to give a sweet but balanced Christmas drink. It's really smooth and easy to drink, and it's a favorite with those who enjoy sweet, milky coffees.
To make your own butterscotch coffee, you'll need to mix butter, sugar, milk, and vanilla syrup in a pan. Stir them together until the sugar is incorporated, and then pour on top of a fresh espresso. I like to add a bit of caramel sauce on the top for extra flavor, but you can also add sprinkles or whipped cream to the Christmas coffee if you like. 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 were made famous by Starbucks, and they are one of the best Starbucks holiday drinks. The mixture of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg spices with a heavy dose of sugar makes this the perfect Christmas coffee, and very drinkable. It’s enjoyed by coffee lovers with a sweet tooth and it's one of the best holiday coffee drinks which you can enjoy throughout Autumn and Winter.
You can buy a Starbucks pumpkin latte, but it’s pretty simple to make your own at home too. Start by getting some pumpkin butter (you can pick this 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 bear in mind that there are over 45 grams of sugar, 200 calories, and 100mg of caffeine in a serving.
14. Apple Cider Latte
This is an Autumn classic, and while it isn't a holiday coffee, it's one of the best holiday drinks because it combines the sweet and sharp flavors of apple. It's the perfect Christmas drink for tea lovers, and you can even make it caffeine-free if you use the right teabags.
To make these holiday coffee drinks, you'll need hot apple cider teabags, milk, honey, sugar, and water. Mix hot water with the teabags for 2-3 minutes, remove them and mix in the other ingredients. If you have one, you can use a milk frother to foam it up and give it the silky texture of a latte. I also love to add some ground cinnamon on top for some extra spice.
This drink is all about the sweet and spicy holiday coffee flavors and 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 this, so you can drink it morning, noon, or night.
15. Salted Caramel Latte
Caramel is another Christmas favorite, and this salted caramel latte is so rich and sugary that you have to try it. You will be able to get this Christmas morning coffee from most coffee shops, but you can also make these holiday coffee drinks yourself at a fraction of the cost.
Got this holiday coffee you'll just need to make a strong brewed coffee (preferably an Americano), add milk, 2 tablespoons of salted caramel sauce, 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, and then top with whipped cream. I like to drizzle a bit of extra caramel sauce on top, too, to make it extra caramelicious.
This is a sweet one, and there are about 60 grams of sugar and 200 calories for each holiday coffee you make, with 80-120mg of caffeine. It’s like comfort in a coffee cup, and it’s a perfect way to warm up on a cold Christmas evening.
16. Almond Milk Chai-Tea Latte
If you fancy something a bit different, you should try the almond milk chai-tea latte, which has the Christmas spices from the chai mixed with sugar and tea. It isn’t technically a Christmas coffee, but despite having no coffee you'll get a slight energy boost from the black tea.
To make an almond milk chai-tea latte, you'll need to 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. Then, 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 the perfect dairy-free Christmas coffee for those who are lactose intolerant.
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 this holiday drink a warm taste, and it’s the perfect Christmas drink for those 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 all together and use a frother for the milk if you have one. You should be able to smell the cardamom, but you can also add ground cinnamon if you like it a bit spicier. There are only around 20 grams of sugar and 100 calories in a serving, but this will go up if you choose to sweeten it with extra honey. There's also about 100mg of caffeine from the espresso, so it's the perfect Christmas morning coffee.
18. Vanilla Latte
You could argue that this is a year-round drink, which it is, but if you're a black coffee lover, then this is a great holiday coffee alternative that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. The flavors of vanilla blend with the coffee perfectly and give you a light but sweet Christmas coffee. It's a great morning drink to start Christmas day right.
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 up the milk and mix everything until you've got a nice light brown color. You can also add a dollop of whipped cream on top if you’re feeling indulgent. There are around 150 calories in a serving and 80-100mg of caffeine from the coffee, so you should get a bit of an energy boost from it.
19. Candy Cane Latte
Candy canes represent Christmas, and the candy cane latte looks and tastes the part. This sugary Christmas coffee is a favorite with younger coffee drinkers and is almost sickly sweet. It’s made with an espresso (or latte mix base), mixed with hot water, milk, chocolate syrup, and peppermint syrup. You can then top it with whipped cream, sprinkles, and of course, a candy cane.
This Christmas coffee has over 50 grams of sugar, and there are 200 calories in a serving. You can't really taste the coffee, but the espresso base will still give you around 85mg of caffeine. The mixture of sugar and caffeine should really wake you up and put a spring in your step on Christmas day.
20. After Eight Coffee
After Eight has always been the luxury after dinner chocolate, and we tend to see a lot more of them around Christmas time. The mint and coffee flavors blend wonderfully in this Christmas coffee, and it's a favorite with older drinkers once the kids have gone to bed.
To make this peppermint coffee yourself, you'll need to make a shot of espresso topped with frothed milk. Add in chocolate nougat and then garnish with an After Eight and some fresh mint. Despite being named after a chocolate, this Christmas coffee isn't too bad for you, and there are only around 100 calories in a serving. You'll also get a nice energy boost from the 100mg of caffeine in the coffee, which can help perk you up at the end of a long Christmas day.
21. Irish Coffee
You might not think of an Irish coffee as particularly Christmassy, but what's more Christmassy than an alcoholic coffee! This mix of Irish whiskey and coffee is legendary, and on a cold Christmas evening, it's the perfect way to warm up and unwind in front of the fire.
You can make an Irish coffee for yourself at home quite easily. You’ll just need to mix a shot of whiskey with a fresh Americano/brewed coffee and sugar. Then put a thick layer of cream on top and a pinch of grated nutmeg to give it a little spice.
You can also make an Irish cream cold brew which is a cold version of this drink. The coffee recipe is similar, but for an Irish cream cold brew you use cold brewed coffee instead of hot coffee in the base. You can then top with spices and whipped cream as you like. It's a much stronger Christmas coffee, but one of the best holiday coffee drinks for those who love caffeine!
There are about 15 grams of sugar, 130 calories, and 100mg of caffeine in a serving or 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's one of the best holiday coffee drinks for adults - it isn't going to be suitable for younger coffee drinkers.
22. Peppermint Schnapps Coffee
Peppermint is a strong Christmas flavor that we all associate with candy canes in stockings. This boozy Christmas coffee is one of the best holiday coffee drinks, and it has a very sweet but adult taste. It's indulgent, chocolatey, and boozy- everything a Christmas coffee drink should be.
To make it at home, you'll need to 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 isn't a healthy option, but who wants healthy at Christmas. There's also around 100mg of caffeine from the coffee and 2-4 units of alcohol, depending on your measures.
How To Make Christmas Coffee Drinks At Home?
Use The Right Coffee
Brewed coffee will be the base of your Christmas coffee drinks this holiday season, so it's important that you use something that's got a bit of quality. Instant coffee will work in some Christmas coffee drinks, but espressos have a bolder flavor that will combine more effectively with the other ingredients. Always use espresso coffee in your Christmas coffee drinks if you can, or if you're not making a hot coffee drink (something like an Irish cream cold brew) you'll should get some good quality cold brew coffee.
Get The Right Ingredients
There's a wide variety of Christmas coffee drinks every holiday season, so you may need to go out and get some new holiday coffee ingredients. Flavored syrups (particularly peppermint, vanilla, and caramel), sugars, sprinkles, and whipped cream are all commonly used in Christmas coffee drinks, so it’s worth stocking up ahead of the holidays.
Spice It Up
Signature Christmas flavors all combine sugar with a touch of spice. Spiced apple, cinnamon, and cardamon all work really well in Christmas coffee drinks, so don’t be afraid to get adventurous and mix things up.
Make It Boozy
Alcohol isn’t for everyone, but it does work really well in holiday coffee drinks. Using flavored liquor can enhance your Christmas coffee drinks, and it's worth looking for some boozy options. Baileys, whiskey, gin, and rum are often used because they blend well with hot coffee, but you can also find a range of flavored liqueurs. Just remember to always drink responsibly and keep boozy Christmas coffee drinks away from underage people.
Frequently Asked Christmas Coffee Drinks Questions
What is the most popular Christmas coffee?
Cinnamon or peppermint lattes tend to be the most popular Christmas coffee drinks, but salted caramel Christmas drinks are also very popular.
What does Starbucks Christmas Blend coffee taste like?
Starbucks' Christmas blend is sweet and spicy, with hints of chocolate running through it.
What is the difference between Starbucks Holiday Blend and Christmas Blend?
The Starbucks Christmas blend coffee is made with dark roast, spicy and sweet South American coffee beans, whereas the Starbucks Holiday coffee blend is made with medium roast Indonesian beans, which give it a more herbal flavor. The coffee drinks taste noticeably different and have a different flavor profile to other Starbucks coffees.
What kind of Christmas coffee drink is with alcohol?
Liqueur coffees are popular at Christmas, and Irish coffees, Bailey's coffees, and peppermint schnapps drinks are some of the most commonly ordered options.
Conclusion
Christmas is a special time of the year, and your Christmas coffee drink should reflect that. You don't need to go out to get interesting coffees, and there are a lot of simple but tasty Christmas coffee drinks you can make yourself at home. Hopefully, this guide has introduced a few great Christmas coffees which you’re excited to try during the holiday season.
