Winter Coffee That Will Keep You Warm And Cozy

It’s cold outside, and you just want to bundle up with a cozy cup of winter coffee.

When you’re looking for a tasty way to keep yourself warm in these chilly months, it’s easy to forget about some of your favorite drinks. That’s why we’ve put together this list of our favorite hot coffee drinks!

Whether it’s an afternoon pick-me-up or something you enjoy at night when there isn’t quite enough time left in the day, here are some hot coffee drinks that will help you stay warm and happy during Fall and Winter!

First: Milk Frothing 101

Most of these coffee drinks require frothed milk, so it is important to master the skill of frothing before diving into the recipes below.

Start by heating the milk in a microwave until it is warm to the touch, but not too hot. Milk that’s too hot can cause serious injury if it spills, so be sure you test its temperature first.

Once the milk has warmed, you will need to rapidly wisk the milk to form the froth. You can do this manually, but using a milk frother will make it much easier and there are a number of inexpensive versions readily available.

If you have an espresso machine with a steaming wand, you can omit the microwave step and use the steaming wand to warm the milk instead.

In order to do this, place the steam wand just below the surface of the milk and turn on your frother.

While you’re waiting for your milk to heat, add a little bit of air by keeping the tip of the wand just above the surface of your milk. This will help expand to volume when you add in steam power.

When it’s time, turn on your frother to full power and make sure the steam tip is just under the surface of the milk.

Wait for about 45 seconds while keeping it at this level or until you get plenty of foam. You can test this by briefly removing your wand from the liquid and gently touching some foam with your finger. If it holds the impression, it’s ready!

For more detailed instructions on frothing milk, check out our blog post on How To Froth Milk For Coffee Drinks.

What Kind Of Coffee Should I Use?

Not all coffee types work well in these recipes. We recommend you use espresso or another very strong, finely ground coffee.

The reason for this is that because everything has been combined into one cup, the flavors of the different ingredients need to be intense enough to stand out on their own while also complementing each other.

If you use a lighter roast, the coffee flavor of your drink may get lost among the other flavors.

Experiment with a variety of different coffees to find the brew best suited to your taste.

Hot Winter Coffee Drink Recipes

Now that you’ve got milk frothing mastered, let’s get into some recipes!

Tennessee Mud

This tasty coffee drink combines Jack Daniels, Amaretto, and whipped cream to make a sweet and decadent treat.

You will need: 2 cups of hot coffee, 1 shot Jack Daniels, 1 shot Amaretto (or other almond-flavored liqueur), whipped cream, and some chocolate syrup. 

Start by filling the bottom half of your cup with hot coffee and then slowly adding the alcohols to create layers.

Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

Irish Coffee

Irish Coffee is a classic winter coffee drink that combines hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and whipped cream for a sweet treat.

You will need 2 cups of hot water, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 shot of Irish whisky (or whiskey), and whipped cream.

Start by filling the bottom half of your cup with hot coffee and then slowly adding the alcohols to create layers. Top with whipped cream and enjoy!

Coffee Grog

Coffee Grog is a winter coffee drink that is perfect for chilly days.

You will need 1 cup of hot coffee, 1 shot of dark rum (or brandy), honey, cinnamon.

Start by adding some honey to your hot coffee and stir to dissolve. Next, add the spiced rum or brandy. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Mulled Coffee Wine

Mulled coffee wine is a tasty winter coffee drink that has the warming flavors of mulled wine combined with spicy coffee.

You will need 1 cup of brewed coffee, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/8 tsp cinnamon, honey (to taste), and red or white wine (such as riesling). 

Start by pouring the hot coffee into a mug. Mix in the honey and spices until dissolved.

Add some warm wine, preferably red or a white Riesling if you prefer a sweeter drink. Stir and enjoy.

The Irish Bump

Baileys Irish Cream, hot coffee, and whipped cream…need we say more? This winter coffee treat is sure to please even the pickiest of party-goers.

You will need 1 cup of hot coffee, 3 tsp brown sugar, 1 shot of Baileys Irish Cream liqueur (or other cream liqueur), and whipped cream.

Dissolve the brown sugar into the hot coffee, add the Baileys Irish Cream, and top with whipped cream.

Cold Brew Martini

Fancy up your dinner party with this not-so-warm winter coffee cocktail.

You will need 1 oz vodka, 1/2 oz cold brew coffee concentrate, dry vermouth (to taste), and ice.

Mix the vodka and cold brew together in a shaker filled with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Add vermouth to taste and enjoy.

Cold Brew Hot Toddy

This winter coffee drink is perfect for all you whiskey lovers out there. It combines nutmeg, gingerbread extract, lemon juice (optional), honey (to taste), and hot coffee.

Combine the ingredients in a mug and top with whipped cream if desired.

Non-alcoholic Winter Coffee Recipes

White Mocha

The white mocha is a winter coffee classic. It combines white chocolate sauce, whipped cream, coffee, and some other fun ingredients to create something special.

You will need 1 cup of hot milk, 4 tbsp white chocolate sauce, 1 shot of espresso (or strong coffee), whipped cream, sanding sugar for garnish.

Combine the white chocolate sauce with the hot milk and froth. Add the espresso or strong coffee, top with whipped cream, and add some sanding sugar to garnish

Maple Coffee

Maple coffee brings back memories of chilly Fall days, and it is so easy to whip up a quick mug.

You will need 1 cup of hot coffee, 1 tsp maple syrup, whipped cream, and cinnamon.

Combine the ingredients in a mug and top with whipped cream and cinnamon.

Black Forest Coffee

If you love chocolate and cherries, you will fall in love with the black forest coffee. It combines chocolate syrup, cherry juice or syrup, whipped cream, and a drizzle of dark chocolate for a decadent treat.

You will need 1 c. of hot water, 4 tbsp chocolate sauce, 1 tsp chocolate extract (optional), 2 shots espresso (strong coffee), 2 shots of cherry juice or syrup, whipped cream, dried cherries (optional).

Combine the chocolate sauce and cherry juice with the hot water. Next, add the espresso or strong coffee. Top with whipped cream and garnish with some dried cherries or chocolate shavings if desired.

Eggnog Coffee Punch

Nothing says the holidays like eggnog and this winter coffee drink does not disappoint.

You will need 1 cup of eggnog, 1 shot espresso (or strong coffee), whipped cream, ground nutmeg for garnish.

Combine the eggnog and strong coffee in a mug and top with whipped cream. Garnish with some ground nutmeg or cinnamon.

This drink is also great spiked with a shot of brandy.

Christmas Peppermint Mocha

The combination of peppermint and chocolate in this winter coffee drink is so delicious, you’ll want to make this treat all year long.

You will need 1 cup of hot milk, 2 shots of espresso (or strong coffee), 3 tbsp chocolate sauce, 1 tsp peppermint extract, whipped cream.

Combine the chocolate sauce with the hot milk and froth. Add in the coffee, peppermint extract, and top with whipped cream.

*Pro-tip: take a less is more approach with the peppermint extract because a little goes a long way. Start with half a teaspoon and add more to taste.

Gingerbread Latte

If the smell of gingerbread brings back memories of going to grandma’s house, this winter coffee drink is sure to warm you up.

You will need 1 cup of hot milk, 4 tbsp white chocolate sauce, 1 tsp gingerbread extract, 2 shots of espresso (or strong coffee), whipped cream.

Combine the chocolate sauce with the milk and bring to a gentle boil. Next, add in the coffee and gingerbread extract. Pour into a mug and top with whipped cream.

Final Thoughts

We hope this article has given you some ideas for your next coffee drink. Explore the world of delicious hot drinks and get cozy with a cup that’s perfect for any time of day!