Christmas Coffee Mix

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 0 minutes (Heat milk when serving)

• Total Time: 10 minutes

• Yield: 16 servings (approx. 2 cups of dry mix)

• Intensity Level: Easy (Beginner-friendly)

• Spice Intensity: Medium-Warm (Balanced cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove)

• Coffee Flavor Intensity: Bold & Robust

• Dietary Profile: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free (Can easily be made Vegan/Dairy-Free)

Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl

• Fine-mesh sieve or sifter

• Whisk or silicone spatula

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Airtight glass jar or decorative mason jar (16 oz / 1 pint capacity)

• Funnel (optional, for layering jars)

Ingredients

Dry Coffee Mix Base

• 1 cup (100g) Instant Espresso Powder or high-quality instant coffee granules

• ¾ cup (150g) Dark Brown Sugar (packed, or substitute with coconut sugar)

• ½ cup (50g) Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (Dutch-processed for a deeper chocolate flavor)

• ½ cup (60g) Powdered Milk / Heavy Cream Powder (use coconut milk powder for a vegan version)

• 1 ½ tbsp Ground Cinnamon

• 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg (freshly grated produces the best flavor profile)

• 1 tsp Ground Ginger

• ½ tsp Ground Cloves

• ½ tsp Fine Sea Salt (balances sweetness and enhances cocoa flavor)

Serving Add-Ins (Per Mug)

• 8 oz (240ml) Hot Water or Milk (Whole milk, oat milk, or almond milk)

• ½ tsp Vanilla Extract or vanilla bean paste

• Whipped cream (for topping)

• Crushed candy canes or cinnamon sticks (for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare and Sift the Dry Ingredients

Place a fine-mesh sieve over a large mixing bowl. Add the unsweetened cocoa powder, powdered milk, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, and fine sea salt. Sift the ingredients together into the bowl to break up any stubborn cocoa or spice clumps.

Step 2: Combine the Mix

Add the dark brown sugar and instant espresso powder to the sifted spices. Using a wire whisk, blend the mixture thoroughly for 1 to 2 minutes until the color is uniform and no pockets of brown sugar remain.

Tip: If your brown sugar has hard lumps, break them up with the back of a fork or run the entire mixture through a food processor on pulse mode for 10 seconds.

Step 3: Package and Store

Transfer the finished Christmas Coffee Mix into a clean, completely dry airtight glass jar. Store the jar in a cool, dark, and dry pantry away from direct heat or moisture.

How to Serve the Perfect Christmas Coffee

Single Portion (Standard Mug)

1. Heat your liquid: Warm 8 oz (240ml) of milk, water, or a 50/50 mix of both until hot (around 160°F–170°F / 70°C–75°C). Avoid boiling the milk to prevent scorching.

2. Add the mix: Scoop 2 to 3 tablespoons of the Christmas Coffee Mix directly into your mug.

3. Dissolve: Pour 2 tablespoons of hot liquid over the dry mix first. Stir vigorously with a spoon or miniature milk frother to form a smooth paste.

4. Fill and stir: Pour in the remaining hot liquid while stirring constantly until fully dissolved and smooth.

5. Garnish: Top with a generous dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of extra cinnamon or cocoa, and a crushed candy cane or cinnamon stick for stirring.

Large Batch for Holiday Parties (Slow Cooker Method)

1. In a 4-quart slow cooker, combine ½ cup of Christmas Coffee Mix with 8 cups (2 quarts) of whole milk or oat milk.

2. Whisk thoroughly until the powder dissolves.

3. Cover and set to LOW for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until hot and steaming.

4. Turn setting to WARM and allow guests to serve themselves using a ladle.

Flavor Variations & Customization

• Peppermint Bark Mocha: Stir ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract directly into your hot mug before topping with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

• Salted Caramel Holiday Coffee: Add 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce to the mug along with the mix, and finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the whipped cream.

• Boozy Holiday Latte: Add 1.5 oz of Irish cream liquor, coffee liqueur, or spiced rum to your hot mug after stirring in the coffee mix.

• Dairy-Free / Vegan Version: Replace the traditional powdered milk with coconut milk powder or oat milk powder, and prepare the hot drink using unsweetened oat, almond, or soy milk.

Storage & Shelf Life

• Pantry Storage: Stored in a sealed, airtight glass jar in a cool, dry place, the dry mix stays fresh for up to 6 months.

• Moisture Protection: Keep the jar away from steam (do not hold an open jar directly over a steaming pot or mug) to prevent the sugars from clumping.

Complete Nutritional Information

Nutritional values are calculated per serving of dry mix (approx. 2 tablespoons / 25g).

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	85 kcal	—
Total Fat	1.0 g	1%
Saturated Fat	0.6 g	3%
Trans Fat	0.0 g	—
Cholesterol	2.5 mg	1%
Sodium	90 mg	4%
Total Carbohydrates	17.5 g	6%
Dietary Fiber	1.8 g	6%
Total Sugars	13.2 g	—
Added Sugars	11.5 g	23%
Protein	2.1 g	4%
Vitamin D	0.1 mcg	1%
Calcium	55 mg	4%
Iron	0.9 mg	5%
Potassium	210 mg	4%