Drinks for the Holidays

 

Now that the holidays are just around the corner you are going to start seeing fun new drinks pop up everywhere.  Here is a list of drinks that you can't miss out on.

Eggnog Latte
If you don't like Eggnog you are crazy.  The Eggnog Latte is what I look forward to every year - I get the elastic waistband just for it!  Some say that spiked nog is the way to go.  I say they're wrong.  I usually cut my nog with a little bit of skim milk and so do many coffee shops.  This way you can still have great taste and feel less guilty about having a couple every day.  All you have to do is ask and the coffee shop can usually do it either way.  (Except at Starbucks where they refuse to let you have just eggnog because they're mean.)  No matter what though it still tastes amazing.  I would also suggest not adding any flavor shots because the eggnog itself has a lot of flavor and goes really well with espresso.  If you still think you need flavors added, go for something nutty like hazelnut or amaretto.

Peppermint Tea
Nothing warms you up quicker than a cup of tea.  Peppermint does such a good job putting you in the Christmas spirit too.  This is usually found as an herbal tea but can also be found as an added flavor to black teas.  It tastes best as an herbal tea because that is what it naturally is but then it has less caffeine.

Caramel Apple Cider
This might fall outside the caffeinated realm but it is still within the coffee shop realm.  Hot Apple Cider has always been a holiday staple and frequently spiked for the adults.  Next time add a little caramel instead and you have liquid sugar sweetness.  The spice and sweet work so well together!  My favorite comes from Mugby Junction (Winona, MN) where they add chai mix to their apple juice and use Ghirardelli Caramel Sauce (not syrup).

Pumpkin Pie Latte
I'm pretty sure that pumpkin tastes good no matter what you do with it.  The best if definitely in a latte though.  It's so smooth and caffeinated!  Of course you should be sure to top it off with whipped cream and a little nutmeg too.  Be sure to resist the urge you will feel to stick your face into the pumpkin and whipped cream goodness, because people will look at you funny and you'll probably burn your face.

Apple Pie Black Tea
This is one example of a tea that is much better when its loose leaf.  If it is a bagged tea it's just going to be flavored whereas  in loose leaf you will get your black tea leaves with pieces of actual apples along with all the spices.  This tea will make you feel all warm and fuzzy without having to go through the work of baking a pie!


Peppermint White Mocha
A lot of people like some peppermint in their latte but until you try it in your white mocha you ain't tried nothing yet!  The sweetness of the white chocolate goes so well with the spice and cool taste of peppermint.  My favorite variation is the Ho Ho Mint Mocha at Caribou where they put pieces of broken candy canes on top of the whipped cream.

Be sure to check these out this season because many of them are only carried through the holidays!