That winter chill is in the air, and it’s the perfect time for cozying up with warm beverages and comfy blankets.
If you’re a coffee fan, you probably love winter-themed coffees just as much as we do. There’s no everyday luxury quite as incredible as going to your local coffee shop, ordering a peppermint latte, and enjoying the delicious buzz from a smooth and flavorful winter coffee.
Did you know you can make those decadent coffee drinks right at home? And it’ll actually be cheaper, healthier, and even more delicious.
Today, we’re giving you 8 winter coffee ideas that are an easy brew, and a delicious sip. Start your day the right way, with coffee that warms your chill and gets you in the spirit of the season.
A tip before we get started: Start with the coffee. It’s the most important element in all of these wintery recipes. The coffee needs to be strong, so the other flavors don’t overpower it.
We’re giving this tip from personal experience. One of our staffers tried out the pumpkin spice latte recipe. It was delicious… except that it tasted a little watered down. The next day, she tried an espresso roast, and brewed it for a little bit longer. It completely changed the flavor of the latte, and the coffee and pumpkin blended together beautifully.
Now, she drinks that pumpkin spice latte almost every day… as long as she first makes sure her coffee is strong! Check out our espresso roasts, to brew a strong cup for the perfect winter coffee drink.
Now, onto those recipes!
Pumpkin Spice Latte
PSL is “basic” for a reason—It’s just too delicious to pass up! Pumpkin has become the flavor of fall and winter, and it can be good for you too, if you make it at home.
You don’t need to spend a whole bunch of money at Starbucks to get a sugar-filled pumpkin spice latte. Here’s our version that tastes even better, and is good for you, too!
- 1/2 cup strong, piping hot Eldorado coffee
- 1 cup milk of your choice
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (and more for garnish)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1-3 tablespoons sugar, to taste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream for garnish
In a small saucepan, heat up the milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar over medium heat. Once the mixture is hot, not boiling, remove from heat. Quickly whisk in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Pour in a mug, with appetizingly strong Eldorado coffee. Top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice, and enjoy! Make it right, and it’ll be like a barista whipped it up herself.
Uh oh… This is only the first of our winter coffee ideas, and we’re already craving a PSL! Time to go brew up a quick pot.
White Chocolate Latte
This is another popular menu item because of its decadent sweetness, and holiday aroma. It’s the perfect treat after coming in from sledding in the snow, or holiday shopping for loved ones.
Plus, this luxurious treat seems more extravagant than it is. It’s actually super easy to make.
To make the white chocolate syrup:
- Heat 2 cups of milk (your choice) in a small saucepan over medium heat. Wait until small bubbles form around the edges
- Remove from heat
- Whisk in 1 cup of white chocolate chips until smooth
This will make your white chocolate syrup. You can store it in the fridge for future use as well.
We typically recommend 1/2 cup of syrup for every 12 ounces of coffee. But you can adjust based on your own taste. Put coffee and syrup in a blender, and blend on medium for about 1 minute until frothy.
Pour in a mug, top with whipped cream, and start sipping!
Gingerbread Latte
Nothing says winter like the taste of gingerbread. This mouthwatering latte is filled with spices like nutmeg, ginger, and molasses that will warm your soul (and your tastebuds)!
This one requires a few different spices from your spice cabinet. But the investment in quality spices is worth it, because you’ll want to indulge in this gingerbread latte every day this winter.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1.5 cups milk (of your choice)
- 1/2 cup fresh brewed espresso, or strong coffee
- Whipped cream
In a small saucepan, heat the spices and 1/4 cup of milk over medium heat. You can also microwave the mixture for 30 seconds, until spices dissolve when stirred. Remove from heat. Stir in espresso while still hot.
Steam the remaining milk. You can use a frother, heat it in the microwave, or heat it on the stove. Add to the cup for a silky, rich latte.
Garnish with whipped cream. You may also want to add a sprinkle of cinnamon, or even white chocolate chips (left over from your white chocolate latte).
Psst… This is an easy drink that you can whip up in large quantities if you have friends over for a holiday party. Everyone will love the warmth of the drink, and they’ll appreciate that you went the extra mile with a decadent dessert.
Peppermint Mocha Latte
This is one of our favorite winter coffee ideas, because it pairs everything we love about the season: coffee, chocolate, and peppermint! What else is there to love?
Most peppermint mochas from coffee shops are chock full of sugar and calories, though. So, we usually either shy away from them, or indulge all-too-guiltily. Instead, make your own healthier version at home, with quality coffee and ingredients!
- 1/4 cup milk (of your choosing)
- 1/4 cup strong coffee
- 1 tablespoon dark chocolate syrup
- 1-2 drops of peppermint extract
Brew your coffee. Add in chocolate syrup and peppermint extract. (Don’t add too much peppermint—The flavor is strong!) Heat milk using frother, microwave, or stove.
This recipe is almost too easy to make—and even easier to love!
Not sure which dark chocolate syrup to buy? Ghirardelli has a rich, creamy chocolate sauce made for coffee. But, you can browse your grocery store to try out different syrups, and find one that suits your taste buds!
Chestnut Praline Latte
This coffee drink is often overlooked, but it has a loyal following for a good reason. Chestnuts smell and taste like winter, and infusing with chocolate and espresso is simply the most perfect pairing for the season.
And, it doesn’t have to be hard to make. You just need to find a chestnut praline syrup that suits your taste, heat the syrup with milk (of your choice) in a saucepan, and add it to your Eldorado coffee. Froth it up in the blender for a silky consistency, and voilà!
We like the Torani chestnut praline syrup because it has tones of caramel, chestnut, and praline, and it’s not overly sweet. But, you can go shopping online or at your local grocery store to find a chestnut praline syrup that works for you.
Christmas Spiced Coffee (Spiked)
Spiced Christmas coffee is a classic java brew that no one can resist. It’s a mix of all of our favorite winter flavors… plus a splash of brandy!
This recipe requires a little bit of technique, but it’s definitely worth the effort. While the other recipes are single-serve, we’re giving you a batch of about 8 cups to use for a holiday party.
- 8 cups fresh coffee
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 4 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3/4 cup chilled whipping cream
- 1.5 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon brandy (add more to taste)
In a blender, blend together the coffee, spices, and sugar. You can also add a bit of milk, if you want to make it more of a latte consistency.
Use an electric mixer to beat the whipping cream in a large bowl. The whipped cream should have “peaks” when it’s done. Then, add the powdered sugar and brandy to the whipping cream. Again, beat until it has peaks. This will become your whipped cream garnish, or you can mix it into the drink directly.
If you and your guests want, you can add some brandy directly into the coffee as well, for a stronger kick.
Eggnog Latte (Spiked)
Are you a fan of eggnog? This classic holiday boozy drink actually pairs beautifully with coffee, for an extravagant sip that you’ll adore. Plus, it’s easy to make right at home—for yourself, or for guests.
We recommend using cold brew coffee for an eggnog latte. The coffee should be cold (since eggnog is cold dairy), and cold brew has a smoother and richer flavor, that’s less acidic than traditional coffee. The deep, cold brew flavor blends nicely with the creamy texture of the eggnog.
- 1/2 cup your favorite eggnog
- 1/4 cup milk of your choosing
- 1/4 cup cold brew
- 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
Use a blender to mix the eggnog, milk, and sugar until frothy. This should take 1-2 minutes. Pour into a mug that has coffee in it, top with whipped cream, and sprinkle on some nutmeg. You won’t be able to get enough of this eggnog coffee dream.
Yummy tip: Add a shot of rum for an extra kick of spiked sweetness!
Keep It Easy
Want a delicious winter coffee idea that tastes out-of-this-world good, but is incredibly easy to make? Make a mix of half coffee, and half hot chocolate. This warming half-and-half will brighten your spirits, and help you take on the day.
You can use any hot chocolate recipe with your Eldorado coffee, but we especially love this homemade hot chocolate from The Kitchn.
Yummy tip: Add a stick of peppermint or a drop of peppermint extract for even more holiday cheer!
Winter Coffee Goodness
We are so happy that the cold is finally here, because we get to break out some of our favorite warming coffee recipes for the winter.
What are your favorite ways to brew Eldorado coffee in the spirit of the season? Share your Eldorado cup on social media, and tag us for a feature of your winter coffee creations!