No one knows exactly why the โholiday blendโ is a staple in coffee culture, but each year it returns, and is most welcome. Here at Sprudge we’ve been collecting our very favorite holiday coffee blends each season since 2013โthe very work of creating this article for you is its own form of seasonal nostalgia and warm feeelings in the Sprudge offices. This year’s collection is bursting at the seams with whimsical flavor descriptions, delicious coffees from around the world, and the careful blending work of master coffee roasters at the very top of their crafts. Let’s dive in shall weโone bag for yourself to drink, another two to gift, and you should be all set for the holidays.
Amavida Coffee “Holiday Blend”
Celebrate the 2021 holiday season with Amavida Coffee’s “Holiday Blend”, made absolutely ideal for gifting thanks to a limited edition gift box. A blend of coffees from Honduras and Ethiopia, this coffee is approachable and cozy, with notes of baked fruit, jam, and brown sugar. Please note that the SKU for this particular product is ELF-002 (emphasis on the elf).
Blue Bottle Coffee “Winter Blend”
The folks at San Francisco-based roaster-retailer Blue Bottle Coffee things keep nice and non-denominational each year with their simply named Winter Blend, a two-bean assortment of Ethiopian and Guatemalan coffees. But the Blue Bottle mug runneth over from there with holiday shopping options, from a special edition mugย to an experimental gift setย or even your very own personal Oji dripper, just what little Farnsworth asked for this gift-giving season. Order Blue Bottle Coffee โ “Winter Blend” here.
Dogwood Coffee โ “Snow Emergency”
One coffee, two ways, one delicious blend: a washed andย a natural Suke Quto coffee from Ethiopia can be found in this year’s edition of Snow Emergency from Minneapolis roaster Dogwood Coffee. “Pairs well with Ski Masks, Choppers and Ice Scrapers” lol. Dogwood is also home to a broad selection of merch, including snazzy camp cups and cozy bear sweaters. Order Dogwood Coffee โ “Snow Emergency” here.ย
Equator Coffees โ “Holiday Blend”
It’s hard not to love the brigther side of holiday flavors, that zippy, zingy thing that happens when milk chocolate meets candied citrus and clove. This blend from Equator Coffees is the winner of an annual in-house friendly competition amongst Equator’s team of roasters, and comes courtesy of roaster Alex Spishakoff. It’s a melange of El Salvador Los Pirineos Bourbon, Ethiopia Halo Hartume, and Guatemala CODECH. Read much more about this blend here.
Go Get Em Tiger “Humbuggle”
Humbuggle! The team at LA’s Go Get Em Tiger have a dreamy holiday offering this year, drawing up coffees from Kenya and Colombia. I appreciate that GGET’s website has a prescribed field of uses of Humbuggle, including “after a teriffic feast” and “in a winter morning haze”, having been both of these places myself.
Joe Coffee โRockefellerโ
An annual favorite here at Sprudge HQ, Joe Coffeeโs Rockefeller release is perfect for whatever holiday you might be celebrating this year, but truly idea for Hanukkahโitโs a festival of lights in a cup. This year enjoy a Red Catuai from Fincas Mierisch in Nicaragua, and know that a portion of each purchase supports Go Fund Bean. Order Joe Coffee โRockefellerโ here.
Intelligentsia Coffee Roasters โSpecial Holiday Bundleโ
Intelligentsia has a lovely seasonal holiday releaseโthe Celebration Blendโbut they also offer an opportunity to go big in the form of the Holiday Special Selection Bundle. This set of coffees is special indeed: Ethiopia Gesha Village and Bolivia Finca Takesi Gesha. Order Intelligentsia Coffee Roasters โSpecial Holiday Bundleโย here.
Olympia Coffee โHoliday Blendโ
Olympia Coffee Roasters may win this yearโs coveted holiday flavor descriptor award, to wit: โFlavors of candied citrus and the aroma of fresh-cut Christmas trees.โ That sounds like exactly what I want to be drinking right now. The coffee itself is a well-considered Ethiopia Yirg x Guatemala El Templo collab.ย Order Olympia Coffee โHoliday Blendโ here.
Partners Coffee โMiracle On North 6th Streetโ
NYCโs own Partners Coffee are here with a very New York take on a holiday blend, the โMiracle on North 6th Streetโ โ itโs just a few subway stops from 34th Street, after all. Enjoy a blend of coffees from Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Honduras. Order Partners Coffee โMiracle On North 6th Streetโย here.
PERC Coffee โHoliday Blendโ
Perc Coffeeโs Holiday Blend makes a few things clear: this coffeeโs origin is โthe heartโ, and it tastes like โfruitcake and snuggiesโ. On the cover of the bag is a smiling cartoon Narwhal. Someone you know doesnโt just want this coffee for the holidays, they need this coffee for the holidays, and it is your responsibility to give it to them. Order PERC Coffee โHoliday Blend” here.
Pilot Coffee Roasters โHoliday Seasonal Blendโ
Torontoโs Pilot Coffee Roasters are here with a lovely holiday blendโโextremely versatile and soul-warmingโโfeaturing coffees Costa Rica, Guatemala and Colombia. A portion of every purchase helps support the The Red Door Family Shelter. Order Pilot Coffee Roasters โHoliday Seasonal Blendโ here.
Onyx Coffee Lab โFramilyโ
Now in its fifth year, Onyxโs annual Framily release is a โholiday coffee that embodies of the joy of spending time with friends and family.โ This year that means an organic washed Ethiopia Hambela coffee, a coffee that drinks great solo but would also not be amiss with a bit of milk and sugar. Perfect for the whole fram.ย Order Onyx Coffee lab’s “Framily” here.
ReAnimator Coffee Roasters โHoliday Blendโ
Always home to some of the coolest art in the coffee scene, this yearโs Holiday Blend features a design by Cat Park, and features coffees from Central America and Africa. Perfect for the art and design fan on your holiday shopping list. Order ReAnimator Coffee Roasters โHoliday Blendโ here.
Detour Coffee Roaster โHoliday Blendโ
This coffee boasts โthe sophistication and complexity of a Kevin McAllister booby trapโ, which, bravo to whomever wrote that for the Detour website. The classic Ethiopia + Kenya paradigm is amplified with high quality offerings from Yirgacheffe and Kirinyaga.ย Order Detour Coffee Roaster โHoliday Blendโ here.
Victrola โHoliday Blendโ
We love when roasters use the holiday blend concept as a canvas for original art, and Vicrolaโs bag in 2021 is nothing short of stunning. This blend builds on the work of Luis Alberto Balladarez in Nicaragua, paired with coffees from a cooperative in Uganda and the Burundian chapter of the International Womenโs Coffee Alliance. An impressive outing from Victrola. Order Victrola โHoliday Blend” here.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters โEvergreenโ
Two really beautiful coffees go into this yearโs holiday offering from Stumptown: Ethiopia Nano Challa and Guatemala Bella Vista. The latter is produced by Luis Pedro Zelaya, and the former comes courtesy of the Nano Challa Cooperative in the Jimma Zone of western Ethiopia. Look for notes of citrus and vanilla, accompanied by creamy milk chocolate. Order Stumptown Coffee Roasters โEvergreen” here.
Portrait Coffee Roasters โKindredโ
The 2020 Sprudgie Award winner for Notable Roaster, Portrait Coffee of Atlanta are offering a light, bright winterโs day of a holiday blend this year, with notes of โcranberry and lemonโ. Coffees are sourced from Ethiopia and Guatemala, and are โmeant to be the perfect company during the Winter season.โ Order Portrait Coffee Roasters โKindredโ here.
Camber Coffee โCambrrrr Winter Blendโ
Thereโs just something magic that happens when two really special coffees get combined. This blend from Bellingham, Washingtonโs Camber Coffee splits the work of Ethiopiaโs Bedhatu Jibicho with Honduran coffee producer Danny Moreno, fusing the Yirgacheffe and Santa Barbara. The final results are โsweet, round and juicyโโperfect for the holidays. Order Camber Coffee โCambrrrr Winter Blendโย here.
