November 2022

Impress Everyone You Care About with These Amazing Holiday Coffee Drinks

Let’s be honest: the holidays can sometimes be a mixed bag. There’s the great food, the family traditions, the amazing niece and nephew energy; and then there’s the political minefield, the (increasingly) weird uncles, and your one aunt who insists that everyone loves her four-bean casserole (we don’t). Why not head everyone off at the pass with some incredible holiday-inspired coffee drinks? These drinks are guaranteed to make Uncle Gary speechless, which, as we can all agree, is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

All recipes courtesy of our friends at Imbibe Magazine, a fellow Portland company devoted to all things delicious and boozy.

Winter Spice Latte


With winter months arriving it’s almost an instinctual response to want all things spice. This winter spice latte is both creamy and sweet with a punch of spice - designed perfectly for a weekend morning, rainy afternoon, holiday party, tree hunt or really whenever your heart desires. Garnish with a little cinnamon or grated nutmeg and it’s immediately more fancy and oh so good. For syrupy shots and milk steaming capabilities check out the LUCCA M58 espresso machine.

Ingredients:

  • 2 SHOTS ESPRESSO
  • 3/4 OZ. SPICE SYRUP
  • MILK OF YOUR CHOICE, TO TOP

GLASS: MUG

GARNISH: GRATED NUTMEG OR CINNAMON

Preparation:

Pull 2 shots of espresso into a mug. Add the syrup, and top with iced or steamed milk.

SPICE SYRUP: Combine 1 quart of hot water with 1 tsp. of fresh ground cinnamon, 1/2 Tbsp. fresh ground nutmeg, and 1/2 Tbsp. fresh ground cloves. Stir in 1 quart of sugar. Allow the mix to cool. Do not strain. Store in refrigerator. The syrup will last 2 weeks.

Winter Spice Latte - Imbibe Magazine

Hot Flat White Russian

This take on the classic White Russian blends all the ingredients we love - espresso, booze, and creamy oat milk. Served warm, this drink would be superb after an adventure in the cold, or cozied up at home - think adult hot cocoa. Elevate your steaming game with an at home barista setup like this.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 OZ. VODKA
  • 3/4 OZ. COFFEE LIQUEUR
  • 1 OZ. ESPRESSO
  • 6 OZ. OAT MILK

GLASS: MUG

Preparation:

Pour the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and a dash of cold oat milk into your glass or mug and give it a quick stir. Steam the milk, just like you would when making a coffee. You’re looking for that flat white ‘microfoam’ that’s thicker and lighter than milk, but not the froth you find on a cappuccino. Pour into the glass, as you would for a flat white or latte.

Hot Flat White Russian - Imbibe Magazine

Harvest Spice Cream Cold Brew

This autumn favorite is refreshing, sweet, packed full of caffeine and spices. It’s no wonder the growing popularity for this drink that reminds us so much of pumpkin pie. It has a pinch of salt which will highlight the flavors even more. Using freshly brewed cold brew will taste best, but brewing a slightly stronger iced coffee will also work.

Ingredients:

  • 6 OZ. COLD BREW (THE ROYAL USES COUNTER CULTURE'S BIG TROUBLE)
  • 2 OZ. HARVEST SPICE CREAM

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HARVEST SPICE CREAM

  • 10 OZ. HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM
  • 5 OZ. HARVEST SPICE SYRUP
  • 1 OZ. SALINE SOLUTION (5 GRAMS SALT AND 1 OZ. WATER)

HARVEST SPICE SYRUP

  • 2 CUPS HOT WATER
  • 2 CUPS SUGAR
  • 3/4 TSP GROUND NUTMEG
  • 3/4 TSP GROUND CLOVES
  • 1/2 TSP GROUND CINNAMON

TOOLS: SHAKER

GLASS: COLLINS

GARNISH: GRATED NUTMEG

Preparation:

Fill the glass with ice and cold brew, leaving 1 1/2 inches of room at the top. Dry shake cold Harvest Spice Cream in a chilled shaker until thickened (or use a pre-whipped batch). Pour shaken (or spoon whipped) cream on top of cold brew and garnish with grated nutmeg.

HARVEST SPICE CREAM

Combine and stir all ingredients (can mix in blender or standing mixer to whip entire batch ahead of time).

HARVEST SPICE SYRUP
Mix spices well with sugar, ensuring no clumps, then add the hot water and stir until sugar is dissolved. Let cool.

Harvest Spice Cream cold brew - Imbibe Magazine


Irish Coffee

The well established and well invented Irish coffee is a timeless favorite for a reason. The duo of brewed coffee and whiskey hits the system and instantaneously warms you to your very core. Ideal after a snowy adventure on the mountain or even better in the comfort of your own home. Use freshly brewed coffee for the best tasting Irish coffee you may have ever had.

Ingredients:

  • 2/3 CUP FRESH-BREWED HOT ESPRESSO OR COFFEE OF YOUR CHOICE

  • 1 TSP. WHITE SUGAR

  • 1 ½ OZ. IRISH WHISKEY

  • 1/3 CUP HEAVY CREAM

TOOLS: COFFEE BREWER, WHISK (OR ELECTRIC FROTHER)

GLASS: TODDY

GARNISH: FRESHLY GRATED NUTMEG

Preparation:

Preheat a heatproof glass with hot water and discard the water from the glass. Shake the cream in a cocktail shaker (or whisk with a small tubular whisk) to a thicker but still fluid consistency. Put all the remaining ingredients in the warm glass (sugar, whiskey, then coffee), making sure the sugar has dissolved and been stirred into the coffee and whiskey before gently layering the cream over the surface of the drink using a flat-bottomed spoon. Garnish with grated nutmeg, if using, and serve at once.


Irish Coffee- Imbibe Magazine

Photos: Imbibe Magazine

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