Winter Coffee Drinks: 20 Recipes for the Coldest Season

Legend has it that airport chef Joe Sheridan invented the Irish coffee on a cold evening, so it's only fitting that you rely on the classic coffee cocktail to keep you warm on a chilly winter night.

Hot coffee, sugar, and a few ounces of Irish whiskey create this delicious alcoholic coffee drink, and when topped with a dollop of whipped cream, it's a sweet way to keep warm all season long.

Typically, bonfires and s'mores are associated with the fall season, but Graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate taste just as good in the wintertime, too — and they get even better when you combine them with coffee.

You can whip up this rich and creamy spin on the classic latte when you need to get your daily chocolate fix. Trust us; only one sip, and you'll be begging for s'more!

We won't judge if your primary method of using Nutella is eating heaping spoonfuls of it straight from the jar.

However, you should know that the hazelnut chocolate spread is also a delicious addition to coffee drinks, including our hazelnut mocha.

This beverage is a warm, sweet tooth-satisfying treat. Just don't forget to top the finished product with a mound of whipped cream, a few chopped hazelnuts, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup — so good!

Are you looking for a super-simple hot coffee drink to kick you into high gear on an early winter morning? Meet the brown sugar latte!

Pull the same shot of espresso you always do, steam a bit of milk (or milk alternative), and add a bit of brown sugar, and voila! You've got a subtly sweet spin on the basic latte.

While some spend the holiday season sipping eggnog spiked with brandy, we prefer to add strong coffee to ours and make an eggnog latte, much like the one that used to be on the winter menu at Starbucks Coffee.

The combination of sweet eggnog, delicious joe, milk of your choice, sugar, and nutmeg is the perfect winter coffee drink, especially during Christmastime.

You know how "The Christmas Song" goes: chestnut lattes by an open fire, the scent of cinnamon in your nose.

Well, maybe those aren't the official lyrics, but that's the song you'll be singing once you've made a homemade toasted chestnut praline latte.

A pinch of ground cinnamon, chestnut praline flavored syrup, milk, and a brewed batch of your favorite coffee beans are all you need to create this delicious coffee drink.

Plus, it's a Starbucks seasonal menu item dupe, so feel good knowing that, with this recipe, you saved yourself a few dollars and a trip to the coffee shop.

Are you a sucker for a Starbucks cinnamon dolce latte, especially on a gloomy winter morning? We are, too.

The only problem is, it's hard enough to get out of bed on those chilly mornings early enough to make it to the office on time, let alone squeeze in a coffee stop on the commute!

That's why we're sharing this recipe: so coffee lovers can still get a dose of cinnamon-spiced coffee — no long drive-thru line required.

The caramel brûlée latte must be on your cozy coffee drink recipe list.

Combine caramel sauce, coffee (or one or two espresso shots, your pick!), French vanilla syrup, and heavy cream to create a creamy cup of caffeinated goodness.

Top it off with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of raw sugar to give your beverage the same sweet crunch of a well-made crème brûlée, and you're finished.

Is it a winter holiday drink if it doesn't have peppermint or candy canes?

As you can see from the rest of the delicious winter coffee recipes in this roundup, the answer is often yes.

However, peppermint is the unofficial flavor of the winter season, so we'd be remiss to exclude our peppermint mocha recipe from this list.

Here's something neat about this drink: leave the coffee out, and it becomes peppermint hot chocolate. It's almost like getting two recipes in one!

Sure, Santa Claus is probably very grateful for all the milk and cookies he gets on Christmas Eve, but we've always thought Old Saint Nick would probably appreciate a cup of coffee more.

Take the gingerbread latte, for example. The combination of ginger, maple syrup, sugar, cinnamon, milk, and nutmeg would still satisfy his sweet tooth, and the addition of caffeinated coffee gives him the energy he needs to get all his deliveries done in one night. It's a win-win, no? 

Ditch the plain old cup of black coffee and sip something a little sweeter, like the smoked butterscotch latte.

Our recipe is a dupe of the seasonal Starbucks offering with one noteworthy distinction: you don't have to wait for wintertime to enjoy it!

Coffee drinkers can enjoy a homemade smoked butterscotch latte whenever they want, though we maintain it tastes best on cold winter days.

The enticing scent of cinnamon not only makes a wonderful addition to a winter-themed candle; it also is a charming add-in to any delicious winter coffee drink.

That's why you'll find us sipping this sugar and spice Mexican coffee (inspired by the traditional café de olla) all season long.

All you need is coffee, cinnamon, chocolate syrup, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and whipped cream — stir in cloves and star anise, too, if you've got them — and in no time, you'll have a drink worthy of all your wintertime activities. 

A mocha latte, especially one made with white chocolate syrup, hits the spot no matter the season, and that's why our toasted white chocolate mocha recipe made it onto this recipe list.

Even though you made it at home, this cup of creamy chocolate goodness gives off all of the coffee shop vibes, especially if you crown it with whipped cream and a drizzle of white chocolate sauce.

What makes snickerdoodle cookies so appealing? Is it the array of spices responsible for their one-of-a-kind flavor? Or maybe it's the dessert's fun name.

Whatever your reason for enjoying the snickerdoodle might be, we're sure if you're a fan of the cookie and a self-proclaimed coffee aficionado, you'll love the snickerdoodle latte.

This recipe is an easy way to (literally) spice up your daily morning brew. And since its flavor is reminiscent of the classic winter holiday cookie, we think it's a perfect drink to add to your seasonal coffee rotation.

You don't have to sit there twiddling your thumbs until Starbucks brings the seasonal pistachio latte back to its coffee shops.

You can make a homemade version and enjoy the nutty, creamy combination of two shots of espresso, pistachio milk, pistachio syrup, and honey any time you like.

Wouldn't life be much simpler if it was socially acceptable to eat dessert for breakfast? We think so.

Fortunately, drinks like the red velvet latte exist to fill in the gap. Downing this rich chocolate delight isn't quite the same as eating a slice of moist red velvet cake, but we think it tastes close enough to the real thing to satisfy your cake cravings — and give you a burst of strong coffee flavor — in a pinch.

The horchata latte isn't your average morning cup, but don't worry; it can still put some pep in your step on an early winter morning. Plus, it tastes great, too!

Though horchata originated in Africa, it's now primarily enjoyed in Latin American countries. The creamy beverage made from rice, water, milk, sugar, and cinnamon sticks can be enjoyed on its own, but add a few espresso shots to it, and you've got a sweet pick-me-up to enjoy when you want a break from your usual brew. 

What's better than a chai tea latte? Why, a dirty chai tea latte, of course!

After all, adding a little coffee makes almost anything better.

You'd be surprised how nicely the array of spices in chai tea plays with your espresso's natural flavors. But then again, you don't have to be surprised; make the drink yourself, and you'll find out!

If you're looking for something that'll wow the booze enthusiasts and coffee fans at your holiday party, look no further than our holiday cocktail recipe.

Coffee ice cubes, vanilla vodka, and coffee liqueur — that's all you need to make your evening a bit more merry and bright. 

For many, enjoying a pan full of fresh, homemade cinnamon rolls is one of the best ways to start the day during the chilly season.

But unfortunately, baking them isn't always feasible on super busy mornings. Enter the next best thing: cinnamon roll-flavored iced coffee!

All you need is iced or cold brew coffee, ground cinnamon, maple extract, half-and-half, and about 10 minutes of your time, and BAM! — cinnamon roll cravings curbed.