🎄 The best festive coffee recipes

December is the month when coffee becomes more than just a ritual. It becomes a moment of comfort, a festive ingredient, a treat shared with friends and family. At Café Castelo, we've selected three delicious and easy-to-make recipes to enjoy at home, so you can savor the holidays one cup at a time.

And to enhance these recipes, we suggest our flagship coffees of the season: the Ho-Ho-Ho, the warm Castelo Espresso, and the elegant Tanzania Peaberry.

☕ 1. Spiced Ho-Ho-Ho Latte

Comforting, sweet, festive

The Ho-Ho-Ho blend is THE most anticipated coffee of the year. With its notes of caramelized almonds, its smooth crema and its perfectly balanced vibrancy, it is the ideal base for a Christmas latte.

Ingredients (for 1 cup):

• 1 espresso or ½ cup of coffee with our Ho-Ho-Ho mix

• ¾ cup of warm milk (or plant-based milk)

• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

• A pinch of nutmeg

• Maple syrup or vanilla, to taste

• Whipped cream and cinnamon (optional)

Preparation :

1. Brew the Ho-Ho-Ho coffee.

2. Heat the milk with the spices (do not boil).

3. Create a light foam if you have a milk frother.

4. Pour the coffee into a cup, add the hot milk, and sweeten to taste.

5. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Castelo tip: Add a touch of sweetened condensed milk for an even more decadent version!

🍫 2. Christmas Mocha at Espresso Castelo

Generous, full-bodied, chocolatey

Castelo Espresso, It's a tribute to Italian tradition. Full-bodied, straightforward, with a roasted aroma reminiscent of dark chocolate, it's perfect for a rich and smooth mocha.

Ingredients :

• 1 espresso (or 2 oz) Espresso Castelo

• 3/4 cup of hot milk

• 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup (or melted chocolate)

• Whipped cream (optional)

Preparation :

1. Mix the cocoa with the chocolate syrup and a little hot milk to create a smooth base.

2. Add the espresso.

3. Gently pour in the hot milk.

4. Mix gently and add whipped cream if desired.

Suggestion : Sprinkle with cocoa or add dark chocolate shavings for extra indulgence.

🍸 3. Frozen Tanzanian Peaberry Cocktail

Subtle, fruity, festive

THE Tanzania Peaberry offers a very aromatic profile with notes of ripe fruit and chocolate, perfect for a subtle caffeinated cocktail, to be served at the end of a meal or during a festive happy hour.

Ingredients :

• 1 oz of coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa or Tia Maria)

• 1 oz of cream (or nut milk)

• 1 oz cold brew coffee (Tanzania Peaberry)

• Ice

• Nutmeg or orange zest for decoration

Preparation :

1. Brew the Tanzania Peaberry coffee in advance and let it cool.

2. In a shaker, add all the ingredients with some ice cubes.

3. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.

4. Strain into a short glass.

5. Garnish with grated nutmeg or a strip of flambéed orange zest.

Variant: Replace the cream with coconut milk for an exotic and even creamier version.

Offering or sharing a coffee during the holidays is much more than just a drink. It's a gesture of care, comfort, and conviviality. Whether it's a spiced latte, a generous mocha, or an elegant cocktail, coffees Ho-Ho-Ho, Castelo Espresso And Tanzania Peaberry are here for to enhance every moment of December.

And if you are looking to please a loved one or a colleague, don't forget: our coffee gift sets are available in store and online, for local, refined and always appreciated gifts.