6 Holiday & Fall Coffee Flavors to Try

As the temperatures begin to drop and the days shorten, that can only mean one thing – fall is on the horizon. And with the change in seasons comes the arrival of flavorful seasonal brews. These coffee traditions aren’t limited to one culture. From the United States to Ethiopia, coffee adds a touch of warmth, spice, and comfort to the season, ending the year on a high note. Let’s look at holiday drinks you can make at home.

Fall Coffee Flavors

1. Pumpkin Spice

Pumpkin spice lattes have almost become synonymous with fall. Made with pumpkin puree and steamed milk, the fall favorite is full of spiced, autumnal flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and pumpkin. This flavor medley is typically complimented by the bold taste of espresso or other smooth specialty coffee beans. While you can head to your go-to café for a pumpkin spice latte, you can also make one at home! Let the natural sweetness and citrus notes of Black Honey coffee enliven your pumpkin spice, or use the bold smoothness of our Stout Brazil coffee beans to help you capture the essence of fall in a cup.

2. Caramel Apple

Caramel apple is one of our favorite fall coffee flavors, evoking the feeling of cozying up on a chilly October evening. Experience the tart and honey-like sweet flavors of apple and the rich, sweetness of caramel by making a caramel apple latte or macchiato at home. The Braeburn apple notes of our Nicaragua coffee would pair well with this drink, along with the juiciness of Zambian coffee. 

3. Maple Pecan

Maple syrup may be harvested in the spring, but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying its flavors come autumn! Maple pecan coffee is infused with the sweet and buttery flavors of pecans and complex flavors of maple syrup – sweet with subtle notes of caramel, vanilla, and nuts. Experience these fall coffee flavors with pure maple syrup, pecan butter or syrup, and our Black Honey or El Salvador coffee. Our Salvadoran coffee features tasting notes of brown sugar with a nutty finish, offering a beautiful balance to maple pecan. Alternatively, add a Costa Rican coffee to add notes of citrus and chocolate to your drink.

Holiday Coffee Flavors

4. Peppermint Mocha

The rich, complex chocolate flavors of mocha and distinctive peppermint harmoniously blend to create one of the most popular holiday flavors – peppermint mocha. You’ll need bittersweet chocolate or cocoa powder, mint extract (crushed candy canes can work), and of course, high-quality coffee beans. Bold and smooth with notes of dark chocolate, our Stout Brazilian coffee would make an excellent addition. 

5. Gingerbread

Gingerbread features a molasses-like sweetness, plus warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. This makes them a delicious coffee flavor for fall or the holidays! Gingerbread has very nuanced flavors – vanilla, brown sugar and molasses, spices, and orange zest. You want your coffee to bring out these flavors. Black Honey shares gingerbread’s natural sweetness and citrus notes, while Nicaragua - Del Este features a similar brown sugar finish.

6. Eggnog

The comforting blend of creamy eggnog, warm cinnamon and nutmeg, and single-origin coffee perfectly encapsulate the holiday season. Be sure to choose a coffee that pairs well with these holiday flavors. The complex flavors of tobacco and sweet-tart Braeburn apple notes in Nicaragua coffee and sweet, juicy Zambian coffee are two options to try.

Holiday Coffee Traditions Around the World

Much like how American cafés and retailers introduce fall coffee flavors, various regions practice their own customs surrounding coffee.

Italy

Sweet panettone – a sweet bread filled with raisins and candied fruit – is an Italian Christmas staple. A slice of this festive cake is typically enjoyed alongside a cup of bold espresso or coffee. Many tear a piece and dip it in their coffee to let the bread soak up the liquid.

Ethiopia

Buna tetu is a communal ceremony that literally translates to “come drink coffee.” In many households, it’s performed everyday, but it’s also performed to celebrate life’s milestones and special occasions, like a holiday. Raw coffee beans are washed, roasted on a mitad (an iron pan), ground in a mortar, then put into a jebena (a traditional Ethiopian pot made of clay) for brewing. It can last anywhere from one to a few hours!

Mexico

Rosca de Reyes is a traditional sweet, buttery bread that’s eaten late in the holiday season in Mexico with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Another tradition is enjoying Café de Olla, a traditional Mexican coffee served for special occasions like Christmas and Día de los Muertos. Coffee is brewed in an earthen pot with cinnamon sticks and piloncillo, or unprocessed cane sugar.

Brew Holiday and Fall Coffee Flavors

Coffee connects people and cultures worldwide, and the holidays are a great time to embrace that. Whether you’re enjoying a pumpkin spice latte or discovering the traditions of coffee in Ethiopia or Mexico, these seasonal drinks offer real warmth and comfort. As you savor your fall coffee, think about the rich traditions behind it.