A Cup of Cheer

Our senses, especially taste and smell, are strongly tied to memory. This is why we relate peppermint, gingerbread, pumpkin and cinnamon spice to the holidays. 

Many of us eagerly wait year-round for our favorite coffee shop or grocer to release holiday coffees and creamers. We fantasize about curling and cozying up in a plush blanket by a fire while sipping a frothy cinnamon coffee from a holiday mug. Others count down the days until they can go holiday shopping with a pumpkin beverage in hand. 

“Holiday coffees are so popular because of their connection to special times of the year,” said Jason Card, co-founder of Ology Coffee. “The different flavors of the holidays could be tied to people’s time with loved ones and experiencing the times of joy and thankfulness. Especially since many specialty coffees during the holidays revolve around cooking spices, it could be a connection to cooking and being in the kitchen.” 

While a certain behemoth brand might be known for its pumpkin spice latte, many local shops are brewing and selling tastier, more creative holiday coffees. Besides, what’s more heartwarming than sipping and shopping locally? 

Ology, which carries coffee products and spirits, offers both non-alcoholic and alcohol-based coffee drinks during the holiday season. The snickerdoodle latte, in particular, is popular. 

Lucky Goat Coffee also concocts specialty seasonal beverages, such as the Snowflake Crunch Latte, Roasted Nutcracker Latte and Candy Cane Mocha, but it excels in flavored holiday blends. Snowflake Crunch, for example, has become a cult classic, roasted with tasting notes of vanilla, hazelnut and cinnamon. Additional holiday blends include Roasted Nutcracker, with notes of toffee nut and cinnamon, and Christmas Blend, with smokey chocolate hints. 

“As we get older, it’s natural that our holiday seasons get busier and more stressful,” said Alex Conley, Lucky Goat’s head of education and product development. “I think people enjoy the nostalgia of a holiday-flavored coffee and the reminder of the fun of the season amid busyness.” 

What sets holiday coffees apart from the coffees we guzzle at our desks? The former are fleeting flavors that encourage us to slow down and enjoy — a reminder we should heed throughout the holiday season.  

Photo by Saige Roberts

The Ology Snickerdoodle Latte 

No one will judge if you pair this one with a Snickerdoodle cookie. It’s what Santa would do. 

• Brew your preferred espresso. Two ounces of espresso is advised. 
• Whether you make your own or purchase from a retailer, add ½ ounce of spiced brown sugar syrup and ¼ ounce of vanilla syrup to your espresso.
• Top with steamed oat milk and a dash of cinnamon. 

Photo by istock.com / agrobacter

Naughty List

Add some “holiday spirits” to your cup. Do note this recipe contains alcohol, so keep it away from Santa’s littlest helpers. 

• Brew your preferred espresso. Two ounces of espresso does the trick. 
• In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake up 2 ounces of Santa’s Goodies Ology Creme Liqueur.
• Combine the espresso and liqueur. 
• Then, because it’s the holiday season, pour a float of Ology Small Batch Bourbon on top.

Photo courtesy of Lucky Goat Coffee Co.

The Lucky Goat Snowflake Crunch Cafe Au Lait

Make Christmas morning more magical by treating yourself and your guests to the epitome of Christmas in a cup. 

• Brew your Snowflake Crunch in any drip coffeemaker. Using filtered water, brew your coffee at a ratio of 1:16. Lucky Goat generally recommends 2 tablespoons per 8 ounces of water to achieve this ratio without a scale. This is a great starting recipe for figuring out how much coffee to add based on the number of cups of coffee you want to brew.
• Steam/froth your milk of choice. Use a handheld frother or steam wand from an espresso machine to steam/froth your milk and top your coffee with it.
• Add a sprinkle of cinnamon, and enjoy by the fire.