Your New Favorite Holiday Tradition is in a Mug

Hey friends, Beau here! Can you smell it? That magical, once-a-year aroma that seems to float through the air from late November straight through to the New Year? It’s a mix of pine needles, sugar cookies, and… hope. Pure, unadulterated holiday hope. For me, that feeling isn’t complete without a warm, perfectly spiced mug in my hands.

I’m a firm believer that the best moments happen around food and drink. It’s the quiet pause before the kids wake up, the cheerful chaos of a holiday brunch, or the cozy quiet after a long day of wrapping presents. And right at the center of those moments? A great cup of coffee. But not just any coffee. I’m talking about a cup that tastes like Christmas morning feels.

That’s why I’m so ridiculously excited to share my recipe for Christmas Coffee Bliss with you today. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a jar of instant holiday spirit. We’re blending bold coffee, creamy cocoa, and a symphony of cozy spices to create a mix that’s going to become your go-to all season long. It’s simple enough for a sleepy Tuesday morning and special enough for your Christmas Day spread. So, let’s put the kettle on, grab our biggest mixing bowl, and create a little magic together. Your taste buds are about to send you a thank-you note.

The Christmas Eve Kitchen Calamity

This recipe always takes me back to a particularly chaotic Christmas Eve at my Grandma Lou’s house. I was about ten, and my job was to keep the adults caffeinated. Simple, right? I had the big percolator going, but I wanted to make it *special*. I started raiding her spice cabinet, adding a pinch of this and a dash of that directly into the coffee grounds. Cinnamon, a little nutmeg… it was going great until I grabbed what I thought was the clove jar. It was allspice. And I used a *very* generous hand.

The resulting brew was… potent. My Uncle Frank took one sip, his eyes went wide, and he declared it tasted like “a Christmas tree fell into a cup of coffee.” We laughed until we cried. But you know what? we all drank it. And every year since, someone brings up “Beau’s Spice Bomb Coffee.” It became a weird, wonderful part of our family lore. This recipe is the refined, perfectly balanced, and absolutely delicious version of that childhood experiment. It captures all the warmth and nostalgia without any of the, ahem, forest-floor undertones.

Gathering Your Coffee Bliss Ingredients

This is the fun part! We’re essentially building our own little holiday flavor bomb. Here’s everything you’ll need. The beauty of this is that most of it is probably sitting in your pantry right now.

• 2 cups Powdered Creamer: This is our base for that rich, creamy texture. Chef’s Insight: I use a plain, non-dairy creamer because it dissolves beautifully, but feel free to use a dairy-based one or even a coconut milk powder for a tropical twist!
• 1½ cups Hot Cocoa Mix: Hello, chocolatey warmth! This adds a depth of flavor that makes the coffee feel like a decadent treat. Substitution Tip: If you only have unsweetened cocoa powder, you can use it, but you may want to increase the sugar slightly to balance the bitterness.
• 1½ cups Instant Coffee: The star of the show, providing that essential caffeine kick and robust coffee flavor. Don’t skimp here—get a good quality instant coffee you enjoy on its own.
• 1½ cups Sugar: Sweetens the deal. Substitution Tip: This is a fantastic place to customize! You can easily swap this for coconut sugar, a granulated sugar substitute like monk fruit, or even brown sugar for a deeper, molasses-like note.
• 1½ tablespoons Ground Cinnamon: The king of cozy spices. It’s warm, sweet, and fundamentally “Christmas.”
• 1 tablespoon Ground Ginger: This adds a little spicy zing and warmth that plays so nicely with the chocolate and coffee.
• ½ teaspoon Ground Clove: A little goes a long way! Clove brings an intense, aromatic warmth that is quintessentially holiday. It’s the secret weapon.
• ½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg: Nutty, warm, and slightly sweet. It rounds out the spice profile perfectly.
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cardamom: My personal “chef’s kiss.” Cardamom has a complex, citrusy, floral aroma that elevates the entire mix from “spiced coffee” to “gourmet holiday experience.” Don’t skip it!

Brewing the Magic: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, team, time to assemble our masterpiece. This is literally one of the easiest things you’ll ever make, but I’ve got a few little hacks to make it even better.

Step 1: The Big Mix
Grab the largest mixing bowl you have. I’m not kidding. You want plenty of room for everything to get to know each other without puffing out in a cloud of powdered sugar. Add all of your dry ingredients—the creamer, cocoa mix, instant coffee, sugar, and all those glorious spices. Now, here’s my pro-tip: if you have a whisk, use it! A whisk is your best friend for breaking up any little clumps and ensuring every single tablespoon of mix is perfectly uniform. If you don’t have a whisk, a fork works just fine. Mix, mix, mix until you see a consistent color and no streaks of individual ingredients remain. Your kitchen should already be smelling incredible.

Step 2: The Jarring Ceremony
This is where it gets real. You’ll need a clean, completely dry airtight container. Mason jars are my go-to because they just look so darn charming lined up on the counter. Carefully funnel or spoon your Christmas Coffee Bliss mix into the jar(s). As you’re doing this, give it a little shake to settle the mix and get rid of any air pockets. Tap the jar gently on the counter to help it settle. You want to pack in as much joy as possible! Seal it up tight.

Step 3: Storage for Maximum Freshness
Find a cool, dark, and dry spot for your jar. A pantry shelf is perfect. The spices and coffee are sensitive to light and heat, so keeping them stable will ensure your mix stays vibrant and flavorful for weeks. Properly stored, this bliss in a jar will keep its magic for up to 2 months.

Step 4: The Moment of Truth: Serving It Up
This is the reward! Boil some fresh water. Place 2 to 3 heaping tablespoons of your Christmas Coffee Bliss mix into your favorite mug. I’m a 3-tablespoon guy—I like my coffee strong and sweet. Pour about 8 ounces of hot water over the mix and stir vigorously until everything is dissolved and you have a beautiful, frothy, aromatic brew. Now, for the pièce de résistance…

How to Serve Your Cup of Christmas Bliss

How you serve this is part of the fun! This isn’t just fuel; it’s an experience.

First, the topping. A giant dollop of freshly whipped cream is non-negotiable for me. Let it float on top like a snowy cloud. Then, for a little festive flair, give it a tiny dusting of the coffee mix itself, or just some cinnamon or cocoa powder. If you’re feeling extra, a cinnamon stick makes the perfect edible stirrer.

Think beyond the morning cup, too. This is your secret weapon for holiday entertaining. Set up a “Christmas Coffee Bar” at your next brunch or party. Put the jar of mix out with a cute scoop, a kettle of hot water, an array of mugs, and all the toppings: whipped cream, peppermint sticks, chocolate shavings, and caramel sauce. Let your guests build their own perfect cup. It’s interactive, delicious, and takes the pressure off you as the host!

Make It Your Own: Festive Flavor Twists

The basic recipe is a dream, but the real joy is in making it your own. Here are a few of my favorite riffs on this Christmas classic.

• Peppermint Patty Twist: Add ½ cup of crushed candy canes or peppermint baking bits to the mix. It creates a delightful chocolate-mint coffee that feels like a liquid dessert.
• Spiked & Spiced (For the Grown-Ups): When preparing a single mug, add a splash of Irish Cream, Peppermint Schnapps, or Kahúa to the finished drink. It’s the ultimate cozy evening treat by the fire.
• Gingerbread Lane: Boost the ginger to 2 tablespoons and add ¼ cup of powdered butterscotch pudding mix. This creates an incredible, deep, molasses-like gingerbread flavor that is out of this world.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Super simple! Just use a coconut or almond milk-based powdered creamer and ensure your hot cocoa mix is also dairy-free. Everyone gets to join the party.
• Lower-Sugar Sip: Replace the sugar with a zero-calorie granulated sweetener like erythritol or allulose. The spices and cocoa are so flavorful, you won’t miss a thing.

A Few More Thoughts from My Kitchen to Yours

This recipe is a living, breathing thing in my house. I’ve been tweaking it for years. The cardamom was a recent addition after a friend brought me some from her travels, and it was a total game-changer. I also love making a huge batch of this in early December and dividing it into smaller jars. They make the most thoughtful, heartfelt gifts for neighbors, teachers, and friends. I just tie a ribbon around the lid, attach a tag with the serving instructions, and boom—instant holiday hero. It’s a gift that says, “I hope your mornings are cozy and bright.” And honestly, what’s better than that?

Your Christmas Coffee Questions, Answered!

I’ve made this enough times (and received enough emails from you all!) to know what questions might pop up. Let’s tackle them head-on.

Q: My mix seems a little clumpy. What did I do wrong?
A: You likely did nothing wrong! Humidity is the culprit here. If your mix gets clumpy, don’t panic. Just give it a good stir or a vigorous shake in the jar before you scoop. For a super-smooth texture, you can pulse the clumpy mix in a food processor for a few seconds to break it all up.

Q: Can I use decaf instant coffee?
A: Absolutely! This is a fantastic option for a cozy evening drink. Just swap the regular instant coffee for decaf one-to-one. The flavor will be just as wonderful.

Q: The cloves are a bit strong for my taste. Any advice?
A: Clove is a powerful spice, and I get it! Next time, you can reduce the clove to ¼ teaspoon or even leave it out. You could also add a pinch of black pepper for a different kind of warm spice that’s a little less intense.

Q: How long will this mix really stay fresh?
A: In an airtight container in a cool, dark pantry, it will be at its best for about 2 months. The coffee and spices will slowly lose their potency after that. I don’t recommend refrigerating it, as that can actually introduce moisture.

Christmas Coffee Bliss

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• Author: BeauCollier

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Description

Christmas Coffee Bliss

Prep Time: 5 min | Yield: ~40 servings

A cozy, chocolatey, spiced coffee mix that turns every cup into a festive experience. Perfect for gifting or enjoying at home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Mix:

• 2 cups powdered creamer (dairy or non-dairy)

• 1½ cups hot cocoa mix

• 1½ cups instant coffee

• 1½ cups sugar (or substitute with coconut sugar, monk fruit, or brown sugar)

• 1½ tbsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tbsp ground ginger

• ½ tsp ground clove

• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

• 1 tsp ground cardamom

Optional Toppings/Decorations:

• Whipped cream

• Cinnamon sticks

• Cocoa powder, cinnamon, or crushed candy canes

Optional Twists:

• Peppermint: Add ½ cup crushed candy canes or peppermint baking bits

• Spiked (Adults Only): Add Irish Cream, Peppermint Schnapps, or Kahlúa to prepared mug

• Gingerbread Lane: Increase ginger to 2 tbsp + ¼ cup powdered butterscotch pudding mix

• Dairy-Free: Use coconut/almond milk creamer and dairy-free cocoa mix

• Lower-Sugar: Replace sugar with zero-calorie sweeteners like erythritol or allulose

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Instructions

1. Mix It Up

• In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients.

• Whisk or stir thoroughly to remove clumps and ensure even distribution.

2. Jar It

• Transfer the mix to a clean, airtight container (Mason jars work perfectly).

• Tap gently to settle, and seal tightly.

3. Store

• Keep in a cool, dark, dry place for up to 2 months.

4. Serve

• Scoop 2–3 heaping tablespoons of mix into your favorite mug.

• Pour ~8 oz hot water over the mix and stir until fully dissolved.

• Top with whipped cream, a cinnamon stick, or a dusting of cocoa/cinnamon for festive flair.

5. Hosting Tip

• Create a “Christmas Coffee Bar”: provide jars of mix, scoops, hot water, mugs, and toppings for an interactive, crowd-pleasing station.

Notes

• Clumpy mix? Stir or pulse in a food processor briefly.

• Decaf option: Swap instant coffee one-to-one.

• Too much clove? Reduce to ¼ tsp or skip; consider a pinch of black pepper for warmth.

• Keep it fresh: Pantry storage is best; avoid refrigeration to prevent moisture.

Nutrition

• Calories: 90 kcal per 2 tbsp mix prepared with hot water
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 15 mg
• Fat: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Let’s keep it real—this is a treat! It’s a festive, indulgent coffee designed for joy. Here’s a rough breakdown per 2-tablespoon serving of the dry mix, prepared with hot water (without whipped cream). Remember, these values can vary based on the specific brands of ingredients you use.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Makes: ~40 servings
• Calories: ~90 kcal
• Fat: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Sugar: 15 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Sodium: 15 mg
• Caffeine: ~60 mg (will vary with coffee brand)
• Contains: Dairy (if using dairy-based creamer or cocoa mix)

One Last Sip of Wisdom

Well, my friends, there you have it. Your new secret weapon for the most wonderful time of the year. This Christmas Coffee Bliss is more than just a recipe; it’s a feeling. It’s the promise of a quiet moment of peace, the warmth of a shared laugh with family, and the simple, profound joy of a really, really good cup of coffee.

I hope this recipe brings as much warmth and happiness to your kitchen as it has to mine. Don’t be afraid to play with it, to make it yours, and to share it generously. That’s what Feastical is all about.

Now, I’ve got to go—my mug is empty and in desperate need of a refill. Wishing you and yours a season filled with delicious flavors and joyful moments. Happy brewing!