The 12 Days of Coffee: A Holiday Countdown for Caffeine Lovers

Because nothing says “holiday spirit” like surviving December with a cup permanently attached to your hand.

December in Denver is officially in full swing—which means twinkly lights, traffic near every shopping center, and the annual debate of whether the weather will bless us with snow… or sunshine that tricks you into leaving your coat at home only to discover you’re freezing two hours later and now questioning all your life choices. Amid the chaos of gift-buying, event-hopping, and aggressively Googling “easy holiday side dishes,” we’re offering something far more joyful: The 12 Days of Coffee.

That’s right. From cozy classics to festive twists, here are 12 coffee drinks and pairings to keep you fueled, merry, and maybe even a little too caffeinated as we count down to Christmas. Drink one a day… or stack them all on December 23rd when the panic shopping hits. We don’t judge.

Day 1: Peppermint Mocha to Kickstart the Cheer

The official beverage of “Okay fine, I admit it’s the holiday season.” This drink is minty, chocolatey, and festive enough to make even the Monday-est Monday feel merry. It’s basically holiday spirit in liquid form—like the North Pole melted into your mug. One sip and suddenly you’re humming Mariah Carey against your will.

Day 2: Eggnog Latte for Peak Festiveness

Eggnog is one of those holiday mysteries—what is it exactly? Why do we only drink it in December? No one knows, but steamed into espresso, it becomes the warm, velvety treat you didn’t know you needed. It’s rich, nostalgic, and delightfully over-the-top. Best enjoyed while wrapping gifts or avoiding wrapping gifts.

Day 3: Gingerbread Latte (Your Mug-Sized House of Spice)

It’s cozy. It’s sweet. It tastes like you’ve been transported into a gingerbread house where everything smells like cinnamon joy and zero responsibility. This latte gives you all the cookie flavor without having to bake anything—which, honestly, is the true magic of the season.

Day 4: The Cozy Cappuccino + a Good Book Pairing

A cappuccino is a timeless, no-fuss comfort drink—simple foam, bold espresso, pure serenity. Pair it with a good book (or the book you pretend you’re reading whenever someone asks what you’re into), and you’ve got the perfect moment of quiet in a month filled with too many social obligations. Bonus: It makes you look extremely intellectual.

Day 5: Maple Latte for a Taste of Mountain Winter

If December had a flavor, this would be it. Smooth espresso with a drizzle of maple syrup delivers that warm, fireside feeling—even if the closest thing you have to a cabin is your apartment with a scented candle. It’s sweet, woodsy, and extremely Colorado-core.

Day 6: The Classic Americano (for Holiday Shopping Endurance)

Bold. Strong. Uncompromising. The Americano is the drink equivalent of putting on your “I will not cry in Target” armor before tackling holiday shopping. Perfect for powering through mall crowds, website glitches, and the existential dread of discovering shipping deadlines passed three weeks ago.

Day 7: Cinnamon Roll Latte + Real Cinnamon Roll (We Insist)

This is the day to embrace pure indulgence. The warm sweetness of the cinnamon roll latte paired with an actual cinnamon roll creates a holiday breakfast experience that feels like a hug from inside your ribcage. It’s decadent, comforting, and worth every single sticky-fingered moment.

Day 8: Dark Roast + Chocolate Pairing (For the Cozy Evenings In)

A deep, bold dark roast brewed to perfection pairs beautifully with a square (or bar…) of chocolate. It’s the ideal treat for a quiet holiday night in—with blankets, cozy socks, and zero plans. Think of it as a tiny, delicious reward for surviving the month so far.

Day 9: Chai Latte for the “I Want Coffee but Something Different” Mood

Warm spices, creamy sweetness, and cozy aromas make chai the star for anyone craving a break from their usual espresso routine. It’s soothing, grounding, and deeply comforting—like being wrapped in a soft holiday scarf but without overheating in a Denver grocery store.

Day 10: Holiday Cold Brew (Because Denver Weather Can’t Make Up Its Mind)

Some days it’s 15°, some days it’s 60°—and Colorado cold brew lovers remain undefeated. A festive cold brew with a hint of vanilla or sweet cream keeps things cheerful even on the surprisingly warm days that trick you into thinking winter isn’t real. It’s refreshing, caffeinated, and seasonally rebellious.

Day 11: Turmeric Ginger Latte for a Bright Holiday Boost

A golden latte that brings warmth, spice, and a sense of “okay, maybe I can survive the holidays.” It’s soothing after long days, late nights, or too many holiday cookies. If December had a wellness drink, this would be it—your cheerful, antioxidant-packed sidekick.

Day 12: The Vanilla Latte (A Calm, Cozy Finish to the Countdown)

We’re closing out the holiday coffee countdown with a true classic: the vanilla latte. Smooth, comforting, and universally beloved, it’s the drink you turn to when December has thrown every peppermint, gingerbread, and spiced concoction your way and you’re craving something simple and grounding. A vanilla latte is warm, mellow, and timeless—like the coffee equivalent of sinking into a soft blanket after wrapping the last gift. It’s the perfect, peaceful finale before Christmas morning officially arrives.

Bonus: Give the Gift of Coffee (Or Coffee Gear!)

If you’re still hunting for a last-minute present—and let’s be honest, most of us are—coffee gifts are always a solid win. A Rise Café gift card, a bag of your favorite beans, or a cozy holiday drink makes any caffeine-lover instantly cheerful.

But if you want to go beyond the classics, we’ve got you covered. Check out our blog Unique Gift Ideas for Coffee Lovers for thoughtful, creative, coffee-forward gifts like cold brew makers, mug warmers (ideal for those of us who keep forgetting our cup on the counter), and even a cup holder for the bike-commuting barista in your life.

And if you’re looking for something even more whimsical or outside-the-box, this curated list of unique gifts from Uncommon Goods is full of holiday treasures, clever stocking stuffers, and coffee-friendly finds that will score you major “thoughtful gift giver” points.

Pair any of these ideas with a Rise Café gift card (or a promise of a Vanilla Latte on Day 12 of this countdown), and you’ve basically wrapped up holiday cheer in a mug.

So whether you’re celebrating the season, avoiding the season, or simply living from cup to cup like the rest of us, we hope our 12 Days of Coffee bring you joy, warmth, and just the right amount of caffeine-fueled holiday magic. Stop by Rise Café this month—we’ll keep the coffee flowing while you survive December one sip at a time.

And if you’re craving even more holiday fun, don’t forget to revisit last year’s classic: Naughty or Nice? Your Coffee, Santa’s Judgment. Because nothing pairs better with a festive latte than finding out whether Santa thinks your drink order makes you wholesome… or mildly unhinged.