9 Festive Holiday Coffee Recipes

With the winter season in full swing, it's the perfect time to experiment with delicious and festive holiday coffee recipes. Whether you are hosting a seasonal get-together or cozying up alone with a warm mug by the fire, these latte recipes add warmth and flavor to any occasion. From peppermint mochas to gingerbread lattes, these seasonal drinks are crafted with healthy, antioxidant-rich coffee and ingredients with rich holiday flavors.

And best of all, since you're making these lattes from the comforts of your own kitchen and not ordering them from a café, you can easily make healthy swaps to reduce the sugar content or to choose a non-dairy milk alternative.

9 holiday coffee drink recipes

Ready to blend up coffee-flavored holiday magic with some whole beans and seasonal spices? The ingredients in these latte recipes can help warm your winter days. Each recipe makes one serving.

1. Peppermint Mocha Latte

Nothing says holiday coffee quite like the flavors of velvety chocolate and refreshing peppermint. Kick off the holidays with ingredients that capture the essence of the season.

Peppermint Mocha Recipe

1 cup milk
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon maple syrup
⅛–¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
2 shots of espresso or ½ cup brewed Rainforest Blend Coffee or medium roast coffee
For topping: whipped cream and candy cane pieces

Directions

1. Place the milk in a small saucepan and warm over medium heat on the stovetop. Blend in the cocoa powder, maple syrup and peppermint extract. Whisk until warm and frothy.
2. Pour the espresso or hot coffee into a mug, top with the milk mixture and spoon the foam on top. Add the toppings before serving.

2. Gingerbread Latte

This Christmas coffee drink captures the comforting flavor of warm, freshly baked gingerbread cookies, paired with the richness of whole bean roasted espresso. Enjoy holiday goodness in each sip of this rich winter coffee recipe.

Gingerbread Latte Recipe

1 cup milk
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon molasses
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon spice
½ teaspoon ginger
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
2 shots of espresso or ½ cup brewed Rainforest Blend Coffee or medium roast coffee
For topping: whipped cream, extra cinnamon, gingerbread man cookie

Directions

1. Place the milk, maple syrup, molasses, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a small saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop. Whisk until warm and frothy.
2. Pour the espresso or hot coffee into a mug, top with the milk mixture and spoon the foam on top. Add the toppings before serving.

Notes: You can also make this recipe using milk, espresso or coffee, and 2 tablespoons of gingerbread syrup. Store-bought gingerbread syrup is made with a combination of sugar, molasses and spices such as ginger and cinnamon. To make this gluten-free, omit the gingerbread man cookie for serving.

3. Eggnog Latte

Eggnog and the holiday season go hand in hand. This recipe features the nostalgic eggnog flavor paired with a boost of whole bean coffee for the ultimate holiday blend.

Eggnog Latte Recipe

⅓ cup eggnog or dairy-free holiday nog
¼ cup milk
½ tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon cinnamon spice
2 shots of espresso or ½ cup brewed medium roast coffee
For topping: whipped cream, cinnamon spice, cinnamon stick

Directions

1. Place the eggnog, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop. Whisk until warm and frothy.
2. Pour the espresso or hot coffee into a mug, top with the milk mixture and spoon the foam on top. Add the toppings before serving.

4. Pumpkin Spice Latte

Who says this delicious seasonal coffee recipe can't be enjoyed past October? Pumpkin is a source of fiber and beta-carotene antioxidants, which the body converts to vitamin A, a nutrient important for skin and immune health. And the delicious flavor of pumpkin is worth enjoying throughout the holiday season.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

½ cup milk
3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons maple syrup
½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 shots of espresso or ½ cup brewed medium roast coffee
For topping: whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice

Directions

1. Place the milk, pumpkin, maple syrup, pumpkin spice and vanilla in a small saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop. Whisk until warm and frothy.
2. Pour the espresso or hot coffee into a mug, top with the milk mixture and spoon the foam on top. Add the toppings before serving.

5. Irish Coffee

Sorry, kids, this classic coffee drink is for adults only. This boozy Christmas coffee recipe is great to serve at holiday get-togethers.

Irish Coffee Recipe

½ cup brewed medium roast coffee
1½ ounces Irish whiskey
2 ounces Irish Cream
For topping: whipped cream and chocolate shavings

Directions

1. Combine the coffee, whiskey and Irish cream in a coffee glass or mug and add the toppings before serving.

6. Holiday Hazelnut Latte

This winter coffee drink combines the rich, nutty and slightly sweet flavor of hazelnut with the creamy and full-bodied flavor of espresso, all mixed with steamed milk. 

Holiday Hazelnut Latte Recipe

½ cup milk
2 tablespoons hazelnut syrup
2 shots of espresso or ½ cup brewed Rainforest Blend Coffee or medium roast coffee
For topping: whipped cream and chopped hazelnuts

Directions

1. Blend the milk and hazelnut syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop. Whisk until frothy.
2. Pour the espresso or hot coffee into a mug, top with the milk mixture and spoon the foam on top. Add the toppings before serving.

7. Chocolate Caramel Christmas Coffee

Enjoy the rich and decadent flavor of chocolate paired with sweet and buttery caramel in this festive holiday coffee drink.

Chocolate Caramel Christmas Coffee Recipe

½ cup milk
2 teaspoons chocolate syrup
2 teaspoons caramel syrup
2 shots of espresso or ½ cup brewed holiday blend coffee
For topping: whipped cream, extra chocolate syrup, extra caramel syrup

Directions

1. Blend the milk, chocolate syrup and caramel syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop. Whisk until warm and frothy.
2. Pour the espresso or hot coffee into a mug, top with the milk mixture and spoon the foam on top. Add the toppings before serving.

8. Snickerdoodle Latte

Skip dessert and go straight to Christmas in a cup. This recipe embodies the popular cinnamon sugar cookie in beverage form.

Snickerdoodle Latte Recipe

½ cup milk
1 tablespoon brown sugar
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
2 shots of espresso or ½ cup brewed holiday blend coffee
Optional: cinnamon sugar

Directions

1. Blend the milk, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop. Whisk until warm and frothy.
2. Pour the espresso or hot coffee into a mug, top with the milk mixture and spoon the foam on top. Add the toppings before serving.

9. Cardamom Chai Latte

As an alternative holiday blend, try this warm and comforting spiced tea.

Cardamom Chai Latte Recipe

½ cup milk
1 black tea bag
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon cinnamon spice
¼ teaspoon ginger
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
For topping: extra cinnamon and star anise

Directions

1. Place the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop and warm until it starts to simmer. Turn off the heat and add the tea bag. Let the tea steep for 4 to 5 minutes then remove with a slotted spoon.
2. Turn the heat back on and blend in the honey, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, cloves and cardamom. Whisk until warm and frothy.
3. Transfer to a mug and spoon the foam on top. Top with extra cinnamon and star anise before serving.

Are holiday coffees good for you?

The nutrition of your holiday coffee drink depends on the ingredients used and the amount consumed. Coffee on its own is virtually calorie-, sugar- and fat-free. It is rich in antioxidants, which have been shown to help fight free radicals and help protect against oxidative stress in the body. However, unless you opt for decaf, coffee contains caffeine, which you may not want to consume too close to bedtime. Choosing decaffeinated holiday drinks can allow you to enjoy the flavors of the holidays without the caffeine.

Many holiday coffees are seasoned with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom, which studies suggest may offer potential healthy compounds such as antioxidants. But they do contain higher levels of sugar and fat than what you're probably drinking in your everyday morning joe—so keep that in mind if you're tempted to enjoy these on more than just special occasions.

To make these holiday blends sweeter for your health, you may opt to reduce or eliminate the sugar in these recipes. Reducing sugar in your diet—and loading up on the nutrients in select supplements—may help to maintain already-healthy blood sugar levels, which is integral to lasting health.

How to make coffee healthier

To make these holiday coffees even healthier, start with good-quality coffee beans. Coffee is naturally packed with antioxidants, but traditional roasting techniques can strip the beans of many of their health-promoting compounds. Life Extension's Rainforest Blend Whole Bean Coffee comes from 100% USDA certified organic Arabica coffee beans made with a special HealthyRoast® process that preserves coffee's antioxidant polyphenols. Those polyphenol antioxidants help protect your body from oxidative stress.

There are many other traits of coffee to consider. For example, whole bean coffee that is freshly ground before serving tends to retain a superior taste to pre-ground coffee like that found in K-cups.

Another way to make your recipe healthier is to use plant-based milks, such as oat milk, or choosing fat-free or low-fat versions of dairy milk. Such alternatives will help lower the saturated fat and overall calories in your holiday blends. Be aware that oat milk froths well, but many other dairy-free milks do not. Coconut milk also froths well, but it is higher in fat than many other milk alternatives.

Want more health benefits? You can add collagen or olive oil to your recipe for extra skin, joint and heart health support.

Finally, be mindful of portions. Coffee lovers can enjoy their favorite holiday coffee drinks as part of a well-balanced diet when they consume them mindfully. And with their wealth of flavors, these recipes can be a tasty and festive pick-me-up throughout the winter season.

References

• Yashin A, Yashin Y, Xia X, Nemzer B. "Antioxidant Activity of Spices and Their Impact on Human Health: A Review." Antioxidants (Basel). September 2017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618098/
• Yashin A, et al. "Antioxidant and Antiradical Activity of Coffee." Antioxidants (Basel). October 2013. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4665516/
• "9 Reasons Why (the Right Amount of) Coffee Is Good for You." Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-reasons-why-the-right-amount-of-coffee-is-good-for-you
• "The Benefits of Cinnamon." Cleveland Clinic. October 2021. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-cinnamon
• "The Nutrition Source: Antioxidants." Harvard. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/antioxidants/