Our Top Picks of Winter Coffee Drinks

1 – A Delicious Gingerbread Latte 

Gingerbread is synonymous with the holiday season for many people worldwide. This gingerbread latte is the perfect adaptation of this traditional biscuit or cake. The gingerbread latte is a delightful and delicious hot drink that is much appreciated for its spicy, soothing taste. This cosy drink not only offers the familiar spicy ginger flavour profile but also holds a reputation for its potential digestive and well-being benefits. A gingerbread latte is made with coffee, milk and gingerbread syrup. It can also be sweetened with honey or sugar. An ideal choice for chilly days or moments of relaxation, the gingerbread latte is the quintessential seasonal drink, perfect for indulging in a touch of holiday magic!

For this recipe, we particularly recommend Cafés Lugat’s Huehuetenango Specialty Coffee Beans. These 100% Arabica coffee beans come from Guatemala and appeal to the widest possible audience with their medium roast. This coffee also offers gourmet notes of dark chocolate, cardamom, and nutmeg which perfectly complement the spicy sweetness of the gingerbread latte. 

If you’re looking for a top-notch gingerbread syrup, we have a recommendation for you: Sweetbird’s Gingerbread Syrup. This syrup is free from artificial colours and preservatives, free from GMOs, Vegan and made in the UK! What more could you want?

Now, let’s dive into the recipe:

1. Combine 15 cl of milk and 2 cl of ginger syrup in a milk pitcher, then heat the mixture without boiling using the steam wand of your espresso machine. At the same time, prepare a strong espresso. Set aside.
2. Pour the warm milk into a large glass and add the espresso. Stir to create a homogeneous drink.
3. Next, you can add homemade or store-bought vanilla-flavoured whipped cream. For a homemade whipped cream, place heavy cream and vanilla extract in a siphon. Add two nitrous oxide capsules, then dispense the whipped cream onto the drink. We recommend using a tablespoon for this to avoid spillage.
4. Now wasn’t that easy? Now all you have to do is enjoy your delightfully wintery beverage!

2 – Irish Coffee 

Next up, the wintertime classic: Irish coffee. Chances are, you already know what an Irish coffee is but in case you don’t, here’s a brief introduction. An Irish coffee is a hot drink made with hot coffee, brown sugar, whiskey and cream. Though the origins of Irish Coffee are debated, especially as coffee & spirit cocktails predate the appearance of Irish coffee by nearly 100 years, many attribute its creation to Joe Sheridan, a chef at Foynes Port near Limerick. Joe Sheridan is said to have created the drink in the winter of 1943 on a particularly cold and gloomy night when many passengers were stranded at the airport, in the hopes of cheering them up. Whether that’s true or not, this iconic drink is loved for its strong and satisfying taste and for its ability to give a nice boost of energy. The Irish Coffee, with its simple yet powerful composition, stands as a timeless choice for those seeking a comforting and spirited treat.

We recommend Cafés Lugat’s Dark’n Sweet Coffee Beans for an Irish coffee. These medium roast 100% Arabica beans are artisanally roasted in France and are originally from Nicaragua and Guatemala. This rich and sweet coffee offers notes of black tea, cocoa & praline that blend perfectly with the delicious indulgence of the whiskey in the Irish Coffee.

Let’s follow our recipe:

1. To make an Irish coffee at home, you’ll need to prepare your coffee using a French press. Then, pour 12 cl of coffee into your cup, then add 1 tablespoon of cane sugar and stir.
2. Next, heat 4 cl of whiskey in a bain-marie to the same temperature as your coffee, then add it to the glass. Alternatively, for an alcohol-free Irish coffee, replace the whiskey with 2 tablespoons of Monin’s Irish Syrup. This will add a subtle aroma of caramel and coffee with hints of butter and is ideal for creating Irish coffees without a drop of alcohol. This can also be used to replace the cane sugar (1 tablespoon) if you do want the whiskey but also want the added subtlety the syrup brings.
3. Then, in a shaker, add 2 cl full cream and a few ice cubes, then shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Gently pour the cream over the top of your drink, and enjoy!

3 – Pumpkin Spice Latte 

Last but not least, the Pumpkin Spice Latte! This autumnal coffee blend carries many coffee lovers through the winter months. With its lovely blend of aromatic pumpkin spice, rich espresso, and velvety steamed milk, this latte embodies the essence of fall in every sip. This original pumpkin-based recipe already has a large fanbase since Starbucks launched its pumpkin spice latte in 2003. While it may be a Starbucks winter coffee must-get, anyone can generally find PSLs anywhere. Nowadays, many coffee shops around the world offer their version of a pumpkin spice latte over the colder months. As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, the Pumpkin Spice Latte becomes a treasured ritual, offering a warm and nostalgic embrace that lingers long after the last traces of autumn have faded.

For a perfect Pumpkin Spice Latte, we suggest Cafés Lugat’s Altura Organic Coffee Beans. These 100% Arabica beans from Peru offer you a full-bodied cup and intense cocoa notes. More subtly, you’ll find notes of hazelnut and caramel, that will blend perfectly with the spices of the pumpkin spice latte. What is more, they are organic and specialty beans, offering an exceptional coffee experience.

Let’s get down to the recipe:

1. Start by preparing gingerbread crumbs or speculoos biscuit pieces to your liking. In a large glass, pour 2cl of Pumpkin Spice Syrup. We recommend Monin’s Pumpkin Spice Syrup, a fan-favourite that makes brewing your PSL easier than ever. With notes of baked pumpkin, warm cinnamon and nutmeg, your seasonal lattes have never tasted better! This syrup can be added to your lattes, mochas, shakes, dessert cocktails, or even your culinary treats.
2. Next up, froth 150ml of semi-skimmed or oat milk using a milk frother or the steam nozzle on your coffee machine, then carefully pour it into the glass. Next, make a shot of espresso using your favourite coffee beans or Café Lugat’s Altura beans and slowly pour it over the milk foam. Enhance the drink with a sprinkle of spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Top it off with gingerbread or speculoos crumbs as a garnish. For a little something extra, consider adding whipped cream on the top.
3. And that’s it, all you need to do now is sit back, relax, and enjoy your cosy and comforting winter drink. 

So, what’s your favourite winter coffee drink? At Maxicoffee, the votes are split! In any case, I’m sure you’ll agree that there’s nothing more comforting than cosying up with your favourite hot winter drink – be that one of these, a cup of tea, or a hot cocoa. If you’d like to discover more of our Christmas coffees, take a look at our selection of Christmas Coffee Beans. Our beans are sourced from the finest coffee plantations and have rich, aromatic flavours that embody the spirit of the holiday season. With hints of spices and a smooth, velvety texture, you’ll love sipping on these coffees!