Holiday Coffee Drinks

We are big coffee drinkers at our house so, of course, we have a favorite "after dinner" coffee drink that we will always offer guests when they are over. Or on the first night home after my daughter returns for Christmas, like last night! After a home cooked meal of chicken and dumplings, she declined dessert and instead said, "but I'll have one of those coffee drinks!"

They were also a big hit at our Christmas party, which is why I don't ever want to serve a dessert that is too rich or heavy. Our coffee drinks are really the dessert and all we need is a little something to go with our coffee. (like a snowball cake)

First, you must start with a good, strong coffee.

We have a built-in espresso machine in our kitchen which was a must when we re-modeled. It is the Miele Coffee System that makes espresso, steamed milk, straight coffee, or hot water. You can adjust it to any strength, grind, etc that you prefer. The water is part of the plumbing so it's very easy. We have it self-timed to turn on in the morning so we can just come out to the kitchen and push a button and we get a fresh cup of coffee just the way we like it. The coffee beans are ground right before each cup of coffee for the freshest cup each time.

So, for the coffee drinks, we use various syrups, depending on what our guest prefers such as gingerbread, almond roca, pumpkin, peppermint, vanilla, or even just chocolate (for a mocha)

Add 2 tsp. syrup to the cup (and 1 shot of whiskey for an after-dinner drink). Heat for 15 seconds in the microwave. Fill cup with espresso and stir. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg, crushed up candy canes, almond roca or other complimentary topping to go with drink. It's a sure coffee drink to delight your guest and get in the holiday spirit!

If you want any of the above coffee drinks for breakfast, omit the whiskey and after heating the syrup in the microwave, add streamed milk, espresso, top with whipped cream and sprinkle any complimentary topping over cream.

Nick and Sachiyo love the Carmel Macchiatos when they were here for Thanksgiving. Drizzle carmel in the bottom of the coffee cup. Heat in the microwave. Add steamed milk, espresso, top with whipped cream and drizzle the top of cream with more carmel. Perfecto!

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