Buddy the Elf may say that singing is the best way to spread Christmas cheer, but a close second is spirits! Take your holiday cheer to new heights with this simply delicious recipe for a balanced cup of Boozy Coffee – Christmas style!
The lead-up to the holidays can be hectic, which is why it’s important to remember to unwind and cut loose. What better way to indulge in some holiday cheer than with a delicious drink!? This easy and delicious Boozy Coffee recipe has the perfect balance of caffeine and spirits to enjoy after Christmas dinner or even while you open gifts. It’s a great light and simple holiday drink and it makes a great alternative to some of the heavier holiday offerings.
Now don’t worry because Santa doesn’t start judging for next year’s naughty list until January. So let the festive spirit flow with this irresistibly easy coffee cocktail recipe!
Ingredients you need
Brown Sugar Cubes – Brown sugar is less refined and, therefore, more natural than white sugar. It also has a well-rounded depth of sweetness from the molasses that remain in the sugar, which is the perfect taste for cold winter days. Plus, brown sugar is a great way to keep this holiday favorite vegan-friendly!
Feel free to adjust the number of cubes you add to suit your personal tastes, and if you do not have cubes, use granular brown or cane sugar instead.
Enjoy a detailed read on using brown sugar in coffee.
Cointreau – This liquor has a wonderfully smooth yet bright orange flavor that screams of Christmas! Pair that with the robust taste of coffee and the warm, inviting flavors of holiday spices, and you have the perfect cold-weather cocktail!
Cointreau is a top choice for orange-flavored liqueurs, but you can substitute it with Grand Marnier for a similar flavor.
Clove, Cinnamon, and Ginger – This spicy blend makes every sip of this coffee into a sweet holiday gift! The wonderful trio of spices adds a warm and welcoming flavor to this delightful drink. Clove brings a nice, sweet licorice flavor, while cinnamon adds some warmth and the wonderful flavor is rounded out by the earthy kick of ginger.
Not only do these spices make the drink taste divine, but all three have anti-inflammatory and free radical fighting qualities that make this one holiday treat you won’t feel bad about!
Strong Coffee – This drink’s comforting citrus and spice notes need a bold flavor to bring them all together. So brew your favorite blend of coffee beans with a little extra strength for this supremely sippable holiday drink!
Use any brewing method you like for this delicious drink. This recipe is designed for two, but you can always brew a larger batch of coffee to make enough for the whole holiday party!
Whipping Cream – Nothing can beat homemade whipped cream, except perfectly sweet whipped cream made with vanilla sugar! Grab a carton of heavy whipping cream and some homemade vanilla sugar to make the ideal topping for this holiday indulgence!
Sprinkle with nutmeg or cinnamon for an even more intense Christmassy flavor!
One trick for making homemade whipped cream without a siphon or electric mixer is to pour the cream into a small food processor and process it until it becomes light and fluffy.
If you are watching your dairy, trade this ingredient for coconut whipped cream or non-dairy frozen whipped topping.
Boozy Christmas Coffee Step-by-step
How To Make Boozy Christmas Coffee From Scratch
- Step One: Combine the sugar cubes and Cointreau.
- Step Two: Sprinkle in the spices, followed by the coffee.
- Step Three: Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Step Four: Whip the whipped cream with vanilla sugar, then pipe it on top of the coffee. Enjoy!
Barista Tips
- Be sure to brew using clean coffee equipment and filtered water. These choices make for a clean and delicious coffee flavor in your final cup!
- Slow down and let the coffee cool! Not only will an extra hot coffee burn your tongue, but the heat messes with your taste buds and masks the wonderful coffee flavor.
- One trick to perfect home-brewed coffee is to always rinse the paper filter with hot water before brewing. Not only does this help remove any unwanted paper taste, but it also warms up the equipment so the coffee does not cool down in the midst of brewing.
Variations
- Swap Spirits – If you want to try another fun holiday flavor, trade the Cointreau for rum. The natural mild sweetness of rum is perfect for this drink. Alternatively, trade the orange-flavored liqueur for brandy to give this coffee more of a classic eggnog vibe.
- Non-Alcoholic – Making this drink non-alcoholic in today’s world is easy! Non-alcoholic spirits have blown up in popularity and can be found in stores practically everywhere. Seek out an orange-flavored non-alcoholic spirit or simply use orange juice with a little zest for extra citrus flavor.
- Switch Spices – Try an autumn-inspired take on this yummy drink by substituting the spices in this drink for a pinch or two of homemade pumpkin spice! This tasty blend of spices has similar flavors but with some extra warm and earthy flavor notes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boozy Coffee
Yes! This coffee has a very small amount of fat from the whipped cream. You can make it even lighter by using low-fat whipped topping or skipping the topping altogether.
The sweet, spicy, and silky smooth flavors in this luscious cup of holiday cheer pair well with sugar cookies, sweet bread, and pumpkin pie. It’s the perfect after-dinner drink for the Christmas season. It also brings cheer to cozy winter nights spent with the ones you love, so cuddle in tight and say cheers to some sensational coffee flavor!
Absolutely! If you need a boozy nightcap without the caffeine buzz, swap the regular beans for your favorite blend of decaf coffee.
More Recipes and Tips You Might Enjoy:
- Iced Eggnog Latte
- Eggnog Latte
- Christmas Coffee Creamer
- Cinnamon Syrup
- Caramel Coffee with Homemade Caramel Milk
- Caramel Coffee
- Oat Milk Coffee
- Coffee con Leche
- Using Brown Sugar in Coffee
- Coffee Gift Basket
- Gifts for Cold Brew Coffee Lovers
- How much Syrup to Put into Coffee?
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Boozy Coffee
Equipment
- Coffee cups
- Tall mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Piping bag with a star tip
Ingredients
- Brown sugar cubes
- 1.5 oz Cointreau can be replaced with rum, or a half rum, half Cointreau
- 1 pinch Clove, cinnamon, and ginger powder
- ½ Cup Strong coffee French Press, Aero Press, or Pour Over Coffee
- ⅜ cup whipping cream sweetened with 1-2 tsp vanilla sugar
Instructions
- Place one to two Brown sugar cubes in each coffee cup and drizzle with 1.5 oz Cointreau.Brown sugar cubes, 1.5 oz Cointreau
- Sprinkle the spices (1 pinch Clove, cinnamon, and ginger powder) on top and divide ½ Cup Strong coffee between the two mugs.1 pinch Clove, cinnamon, and ginger powder, ½ Cup Strong coffee
- Stir well with a long stemmed spoon until the sugar has dissolved.
- In a tall mixing bowl, whip ⅜ cup whipping cream with 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla sugar until stiff and pour into a piping bag with a star tip and pipe on top of the two coffees.⅜ cup whipping cream
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food and beverages unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
