Why coffee is the perfect ingredient for your holiday cocktails
Whether you’re hosting a festive holiday brunch, sharing an apéritif with friends, or looking for the perfect pairing for dessert, coffee is a wonderfully unexpected ingredient, lending itself to simple yet oh so tasty creations.
Versatile, aromatic, and effortlessly at ease with both sweet and bitter notes, it offers something for every palate. Explore our favourite holiday coffee cocktails, each crafted with a coffee from our Signature Collection. And yes — every one of these festive coffee recipes can be made with decaf coffee !
Easy Holiday Coffee Cocktail Recipes (Using Espresso or Brewed Coffee)
Raspberry Coffee Spritz
A holiday cocktail that’s as bright as it is refreshing. This reimagined coffee spritz brings together the tangy sweetness of raspberry, the gentle bitterness of Aperol, and the rich depth of a freshly prepared homemade espresso. Fruity, vibrant, and full of life… it’s a mix that wakes up the palate and gets you into the holiday spirit.
Ingredients (1 serving)
- 1 oz Aperol
- 1 oz de orange juice
- Juice of 1 lime wedge
- 1 oz Vital espresso (or strong coffee), slightly cooled
- 6-10 fresh or thawed raspberries
- Sparkling water, according to preference
Preparation
Muddle the raspberries into a purée (blend them for a smoother texture). Prepare a perfect espresso coffee, then shake it vigorously with the Aperol, orange juice, lime, and raspberry, along with ice. Strain into a glass and top with sparkling water to your liking. Garnish with a fresh raspberry or an orange zest.
Espresso Gin & Tonic
Bring a fresh, festive twist to your holiday gatherings with this citrusy espresso gin tonic. Refreshing and aromatic, it pairs the velvety depth of Vital with lively gin, bright lemon, and the light sparkle of tonic water.
Ingredients (1 serving)
- 30 ml (1 oz) freshly brewed, cooled Vital espresso (or any light roast coffee)
- 30 ml (1 oz) gin
- 2 cl tonic water (or to taste)
- Ice cubes
-
Lemon wedge, cranberries, and rosemary for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Brew a homemade espresso and let it cool slightly. In a large pitcher, combine the espresso and gin. Fill glasses with ice, pour the mixture overtop, and finish with tonic water. Stir slowly so drink stays fizzy, then garnish with a lemon slice, a sprig of rosemary, and a few cranberries for a bright, festive touch. It’s an easy espresso cocktail to make at home.
Chocolate Espresso Martini
Add a rich, indulgent note to your holiday evenings with this simple Espresso Martini recipe for the holidays. Smooth and lightly frothy, it brings together Vision espresso, vodka, and coffee and chocolate liqueurs. Prepare the base ahead of time so you can enjoy the moment with your guests — then shake it with ice just before serving and finish with a dusting of cocoa for a festive, irresistible flourish.
Ingredients (6 servings)
- 180 ml (6 oz, or 6 shots) freshly brewed, cooled Vision espresso (or any espresso from our espresso collection)
- 180 ml (6 oz) vodka
- 90 ml (3 oz) coffee liqueur
- 90 ml (3 oz) chocolate liqueur
- Ice
-
Cocoa powder or coffee beans for garnish
Preparation
Prepare 180 ml of Vision espresso and allow it to cool slightly. In a large shaker or pitcher, mix the espresso with the vodka and both liqueurs. Add plenty of ice and shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds, until the mixture is cold and lightly frothy. Pour into martini glasses and dust with cocoa powder for a festive touch.
For an even more laid-back holiday evening, prep the mixture in advance and keep it chilled. When you're ready to serve, just add the ice and give it a gentle shake — a simple way to enjoy a perfectly frothy Espresso Martini without missing a moment with your guests.
Read more for the single serving recipe!
Orange Coffee Digestif
This coffee cocktail brings together the intensity of Grand Marnier, the warmth of spiced rum, and the depth of espresso to create a sip that’s smooth and bold. A rich digestif that rounds off a holiday meal beautifully.
Ingredients (1 glass)
- 1 oz (30 ml) Grand Marnier
- 1 oz (30 ml) spiced rum
-
1 oz (30 ml) hot or cooled espresso
(We recommend a medium roast coffee like Instinct, or a decaf like Evolution) - 0.5 oz (15 ml) cream
- ½ egg white
- 0.5 oz (15 ml) orange juice
- Ice
- Orange zest or slice for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Add all the ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until the mixture is cold and lightly frothy. Strain into a glass and garnish with an orange slice or zest.
Spanish Coffee
Much like its Brazilian counterpart, Spanish Coffee is a classic — comforting, aromatic, and perfect for festive moments. It blends the sweetness of coffee liqueur with the warmth of rum and hot coffee for a drink that feels welcoming at any point in the evening. Prepare it quickly so you can savour every moment of the celebration, then finish with a swirl of whipped cream for an irresistible holiday flourish.
Ingredients (1 serving)
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 1 oz amber rum
- Hot coffee of your choice
- Whipped cream
Preparation
Pour the coffee liqueur and rum into a glass. Add the hot coffee and stir gently to blend the flavours. Top it off with a generous layer of whipped cream for a festive, dessert-like touch.
Festive Maple Affogato
A pure moment of holiday indulgence. This dessert cocktail pairs the richness of a hot double espresso with the cool sweetness of Coaticook vanilla ice cream. A splash of maple cream — or any cream liqueur you love — adds a silky, decadent finish. Simple, comforting, completely irresistible. The perfect meeting point between dessert, coffee, and festive joy.
We recommend preparing it with one of our decaf coffees, or with a bolder option like Impact.
Ingredients (1 serving)
- Double espresso (bold or decaf)
- Coaticook vanilla ice cream
- 1 oz maple cream or any cream liqueur
Preparation
It couldn’t be simpler: pour the hot espresso over one (or two!) scoops of ice cream, then finish with your cream liqueur. Discover more simple recipes of chilled maple coffees.
Coffee: The Holiday Cocktail Favourite
From fruity spritzes to creamy digestifs — and the ever-popular espresso martini — coffee lends itself to an endless range of festive recipes. These simple coffee cocktails add a warm, sophisticated touch to your celebrations while highlighting the aromatic richness of our Signature Collection.
