Sip Into the Holidays: Memphis Coffee to Make Your Season Bright

Looking for a festive cup of cheer this holiday season? Memphis has no shortage of delicious and creative seasonal sips to get you in the spirit. From locally roasted coffee with homemade syrups to indulgent takes on classic winter flavors, these spots are serving holiday magic in every mug.

All I want for Christmas is to find flavors that make me feel merry and bright…luckily for me Memphis has so much to offer. I know all of the standard holiday flavors like peppermint and chocolate, but I was excited to see the Memphis twist on the flavors we all know and love.

Ethnos Coffee Roasters

8817 Chaffee Rd

https://ethnos.coffee

A true hidden gem in Arlington that greets you with the smell of fresh coffee beans and a smile as soon as you walk through the door. Their winter menu includes: Gingersnap Latte, Winter Elixir, Peppermint Mocha Latte, and the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea.

What I Ordered: I had to try their Peppermint Mocha Latte because they make their own peppermint flavor, in-house, but I’ve got to go back for their customer-favorite, the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea.

green matcha coffee held up in front of ethos door

Muggin Coffeehouse

606 N. Main St

Instagram: @muggin_coffee

No need to mug, just head to Muggins' new location. Although they don’t have a concrete holiday menu, they did have holiday flavors you could add on to create your own signature cup of holiday cheer.

What I Ordered: I ordered a matcha latte with a nutty marshmallow syrup. They offer FREE refills and if you’re a caffeine lover, you can’t beat that.

City & State

2625 Broad Ave.

https://cityandstate.us

Walking into City & State feels like entering into the universe of your favorite Hallmark movie. Their seasonal menu has: Lumberjack, Eggnog Chai, Wabbit Season, Bramble Berry Mocha, and Strange Brew.

What I Ordered: Eggnog is one of my all-time favorite flavors and who doesn’t want to kick it on Broad Ave with an Eggnog Chai?

holiday decorated coffee cup held up in front of christmas tree

Biggby Coffee

200 S Germantown Pkwy Ste #101

https://www.biggby.com

Biggby coffee has a “BIGG List O’ Drinks” with something for everyone, but once I saw hot chocolate I had to get it. Their seasonal menu consists of: Peppermint Stick Mocha Latte, Snow Mint Mocha Latte, Cookie Butter Latte, Winter Wonderland Latte, Avalanche Latte, Strawberry Shortbread Latte, and the Caramel Waffle Cone Latte.

What I Ordered: Hot Chocolate is a staple for the holiday season so I ordered their White Hot Chocolate and they give you the option to add espresso if you need it.

All of these flavors made me feel like I was a Memphian in Winter Wonderland. With so many holiday flavors and different cups to try, what would you order?

About the Author

Hi, Hii. I’m Carmen Monèt and I am a free-lance journalist from Memphis, TN. I’ve always had a love for storytelling and actually I used to say that I was providing a voice for the “voiceless;” but as I’ve grown as a writer I’m learning that we’ve always had a voice, we just didn’t have the platform to express ourselves.

So I listen a lot, but I also get to connect with people so much. My daughter Cabella is the best part of my entire life, and she has pushed me to actually follow my dreams of becoming a real writer. I hope that people are able to really feel the passion and vulnerability that I infuse in my writing, and be teleported into the story.

Build your perfect Memphis meal:

If I could build my version of the “perfect” meal in Memphis, we’d have to take a drive around the city and make a few stops. I’m a certified taco lover, and currently TacosNGanas has been my go-to for some good shrimp tacos. Once we leave there, let's slide over to Slider Inn, and order the “Mix & Match,” granted we’re doing more matching than mixing, because I only ever order their fried Buffalo Chicken sliders with no pickles, ofcourse. Now our next stop has some of the best food I’ve ever tasted, but what stood out the most to me was their creamy mac & cheese, I’m a southern girl and I love me some mac & cheese. Last but not least, we’ve got to walk just a couple of doors down to Babalu for some fresh guacamole. I can assure you that there is absolutely nothing cohesive about this picnic, but none of the flavors will disappoint you.

Why do you love Memphis:

Memphis is just such a cultural powerhouse. This city that I love has given me so many beautiful memories. Each day I get to experience it from a different view, but in that, I still get to experience the underlying feeling of community. The people here are some of the best people in the world. There are local artists whose eyes will light up when they see you supporting them and singing along with them. There are locally-owned and operated restaurants that care about you actually being satisfied with your meal and their service. One of the things I love and think about the most is how Memphis has been able to “bounce-back” to life and actually living, after so many doors were closed forever due to COVID; but, I can’t say that I’m surprised, our perseverance is unwaivering.