Christmas Coffee Recipes: 7 Festive Drinks

The best Christmas coffee recipes start with good coffee and add a few familiar holiday flavors: peppermint, gingerbread spice, eggnog, cinnamon, chocolate and maple. Below are seven festive drinks you can make at home with a regular coffee maker or espresso machine, each with clear US and metric quantities. Most take under ten minutes and scale easily for a crowd on Christmas morning.

A quick note on the base: when a recipe says “strong coffee,” brew at about 1 part coffee to 12–14 parts water, a little stronger than usual, so the flavor holds up against milk and spice. Our coffee to water ratio guide has the details, and if you have an espresso machine, two shots can stand in for 4 oz (120 ml) of strong coffee.

Christmas Coffee Recipes at a Glance

Peppermint and Candy Cane Christmas Coffee

1. Candy Cane Latte

Our Candy Cane flavored coffee brings the peppermint, so you do not need syrup unless you want it sweeter.

• 4 oz (120 ml) strong brewed Candy Cane coffee
• 6 oz (180 ml) whole milk or oat milk
• 1–2 tsp (5–10 ml) sugar or simple syrup, to taste
• Whipped cream and 1 crushed candy cane, for topping

1. Brew the coffee and stir in the sugar while it is hot.
2. Heat the milk to steaming (about 150°F / 65°C) and froth it with a frother or by shaking it in a sealed jar.
3. Pour the milk over the coffee, holding back the foam, then spoon the foam on top.
4. Finish with whipped cream and crushed candy cane.

Prefer a chocolate version? Our full peppermint mocha recipe walks you through it.

Spiced Christmas Coffee Recipes

2. Gingerbread Latte with Holiday Blend

Make the syrup once and you have enough for about eight lattes.

Gingerbread syrup: ½ cup (120 ml) water, ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, 1 tbsp (20 g) molasses, 1 tsp ground ginger, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, a pinch of ground cloves.

Latte: 4 oz (120 ml) strong brewed Holiday Blend, 6 oz (180 ml) milk, 1–2 tbsp (15–30 ml) gingerbread syrup.

1. Simmer all syrup ingredients for 5 minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cool and strain through a fine sieve or coffee filter.
2. Stir the syrup into the hot coffee.
3. Top with steamed, frothed milk and a dusting of cinnamon.

The syrup keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.

3. Eggnog Latte

• 4 oz (120 ml) strong coffee or 2 espresso shots
• 4 oz (120 ml) store-bought eggnog
• 2 oz (60 ml) milk
• Freshly grated nutmeg

1. Combine the eggnog and milk and warm gently over low heat; do not let it boil.
2. Froth the mixture, then pour it over the coffee.
3. Grate a little nutmeg on top.

Eggnog is already sweet, so taste before adding sugar. This version is alcohol-free.

4. Spiced Christmas Mocha

• 6 oz (180 ml) brewed Mexican Chocolate coffee
• 1 tbsp (6 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp (12 g) sugar
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon and a tiny pinch of cayenne (optional)
• 4 oz (120 ml) steamed milk

1. Whisk the cocoa, sugar and spices with 1 oz (30 ml) of the hot coffee into a smooth paste.
2. Whisk in the rest of the coffee.
3. Top with steamed milk and a cinnamon stick.

For more on making mochas, see how to make a café mocha at home.

Sweet and Cozy Christmas Morning Coffees

5. Cinnamon Cream Coffee

• 8 oz (240 ml) brewed Cinnabun coffee
• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tsp powdered sugar and ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

1. Whip the cream with the powdered sugar and cinnamon until soft peaks form.
2. Pour the coffee into a mug and spoon the cinnamon cream on top.

6. Maple Pecan Latte

• 4 oz (120 ml) strong brewed Pecan Pie coffee
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) pure maple syrup
• 6 oz (180 ml) steamed milk
• 1 tsp chopped toasted pecans

1. Stir the maple syrup into the hot coffee.
2. Add the steamed milk and foam.
3. Sprinkle with toasted pecans.

7. Snowy Vanilla White Mocha

• 4 oz (120 ml) strong brewed French Vanilla coffee
• 1 oz (30 g) white chocolate, chopped
• 6 oz (180 ml) milk
• Whipped cream and white sprinkles

1. Melt the white chocolate into the warm milk over low heat, whisking constantly.
2. Pour the chocolate milk over the coffee.
3. Top with whipped cream and a snowfall of sprinkles.

Tips for Serving a Crowd on Christmas Morning

• Build a latte bar. Brew a big pot of Holiday Blend, keep milk warm in a slow cooker on low, and set out syrups, cocoa, cinnamon and crushed candy canes.
• Scale with a ratio. Multiply every ingredient by the number of guests. Our guide on how to scale a coffee recipe makes it easy.
• Offer decaf. Brew a second pot of decaf for guests who want the flavor without the caffeine, especially later in the day.
• Make it iced. Most of these recipes work over ice with cold milk; just make the coffee extra strong.
• Use fresh beans. Freshly roasted coffee has more aroma, which really shows in simple milk drinks.

Christmas Coffee Recipes FAQ

What is a good Christmas coffee drink?

Peppermint lattes, gingerbread lattes, eggnog lattes and spiced mochas are the most popular festive choices. They pair strong coffee with classic holiday flavors and take only a few minutes to make.

Can I make these Christmas coffees without an espresso machine?

Yes. Every recipe here works with strong brewed coffee from a drip machine, French press or pour-over. Brew slightly stronger than usual so the coffee flavor shines through the milk.

How do I froth milk without a frother?

Heat the milk, pour it into a jar no more than half full, seal the lid tightly and shake for 30 seconds. You can also whisk vigorously in a small pot.

Can I add alcohol to these drinks?

Many people do, but these recipes are written alcohol-free. If you add spirits, keep them for adults of legal drinking age (21+ in the US).

Merry Christmas, Coffee Lovers

From a minty Candy Cane Latte to a cozy Gingerbread Latte, these seven Christmas coffee recipes turn an ordinary morning into a celebration. Start with fresh beans and have fun with the toppings.

Stock up on Holiday Blend and Candy Cane coffee, or browse our full flavored coffee collection. Every Feel Espresso coffee order is roasted 1 to 5 days before delivery, and shipping takes 2 to 5 days, so order early enough to have it under the tree.