If you’re anything like me, your memories of the holidays are tied up with sensory experiences: the smell of pies and cookies baking in the oven, the scent of pine and dried orange garlands, the welcome sound of a bottle popping at a holiday party, and that first taste of a hot, seasonal latte.
San Antonio holds nothing back when it comes to the holidays. If the Riverwalk lights are anything to go by, there are more treats lurking behind every store and café than there are in your advent calendar.
From eggnog to holiday lattes; festive cocktails to apple cider, I’ve rounded up the best seasonal sips the Alamo City has to offer this year.
Coffee, Chai, Oh My!
Local favorite Merit Coffee is serving up four seasonal drinks this December. Returning this year is the Candy Cane Mocha, a personal favorite of mine: festive, not too sweet, rich with velvety dark chocolate, and a slight punch of mint. For extra nostalgia, each mocha is served with a mini candy cane on the side (sit in or to-go). New drinks include the Fruity Cranberry Cold Brew Spritz and Not Your Grandma’s Nog: the former combines tart cranberry and mulling spice syrup with sparkling water and cold brew toddy, the latter uses dairy-free Chobani oat nog with nutmeg and spiced chai. Last but by no means least, have yourself a Merry Little Matcha: creamy matcha with white chocolate and peppermint, topped with a festive mint foam. Cool and perfect for sipping while you drive around the lights, or shop til you drop.
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Indy Coffee makes their own syrups in-house year round, but the quality (and taste) shines through in their two holiday sips — a gingerbread latte (served hot or iced) and a peppermint mocha latte.
Whatever downtown adventures you have planned this holiday season, you’ll be rewarded with a stop-off at Estate Coffee Co. This effortlessly cool space is a great backdrop for relaxing with a thoughtfully-crafted, delicious holiday beverage. Their seasonal flavors include Maple Bourbon — maple syrup that has been aged in bourbon barrels; and Peppermint Mocha, a minty-twist on their signature Ghiradelli mocha syrup.
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Press Coffee on Broadway has been transformed into a winter wonderland — drop in and stay a while, enjoying one of their holiday coffee specials, or a warming hot chocolate. This greenhouse space is the perfect spot to catch up with a friend or enjoy a hot drink and a pastry with your mini.
Hot Chocolate
My favorite place for a holiday hot chocolate is actually the San Antonio Botanical Garden. If you’re attending their Illuminate light display this year, be sure to go early and grab one (and some reindeer food!) from the festive kiosk at the entrance. Kids will love their creamy, dreamy hot chocolate with whipped cream — adults will be kept warm by their cups, spiked with Bailey’s Irish Cream, Jameson whisky, and more.
Imagine Christmas in Paris with a hot chocolate and croissant date at La Boulangerie — a little corner of France, right here in San Antonio. This unassuming spot on Broadway is the perfect place to have a special breakfast (or a moment to yourself) before a day at The Doseum or Witte museums.
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You’ll find great hot chocolate on the “not coffee” menu of ACM team favorite CommonWealth coffee house. Smooth, creamy, and sweet, this classic pour is a no-frills, must-have hot chocolate for adults and kids alike.
The best of the rest: take a hot chocolate break from shopping at La Cantera at the Sweet Paris creperie and cafe; or stop into Kilwins in Alamo Plaza and sip a cup of cocoa while you pick up holiday fudge, chocolates, and nuts.
Festive Cocktails
If you like your holiday tipples with a kick — or just want to make the most of a festive date night this season — San Antonio has a number of holiday pop-ups that are right down Santa Claus’ Lane.
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The Miracle on Commerce St. pop-up returns for another year, transforming the Esquire Tavern on the River Walk into the most festive of bars. Cozy up with a festive spin on a classic, the Christmopolitan, or enjoy a Crooked Antler, made with ruby port. Lovers of all things Kitsch will enjoy sipping a Stocking Stuffer or Christmasasaurus from the kind of Santa mug your Grandma collected.
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If you love the classic Christmas movie “A Christmas Story” — and a cocktail — head to Blitzen’s at the El Colegio Bar at the Omni La Maisón del Rio. The cocktail menu has been created by Drink Masters judge Julie Reiner, and there’s something for everyone. Tequila lovers will enjoy the Baby It’s Cold Outside; Bourbon fans can sip on the Naughty or Spice; while the Frost Bite is an homage to that most festive of spirits: rum. If you overindulge on a holiday sip, themed bar bites and snacks include Santa’s Secret Cookies and reindeer nuggets.
Wrap up warm on a cold night and head to The Plaza San Antonio’s outdoor bar: Anaqua has been transformed into A Miracle on Arciniega St. for the holiday season this year. Toast your own s’mores at the fire pit while sipping on festive cocktails like the Mistletoe Mule (made with sugar plum-infused vodka) or the Rudolph’s Red Nose Martini for ultimate Christmas date-night vibes.
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Last but by no means least, make a reservation at the Chicken N Pickle Holiday Hideaway pop-up — a ski lodge-themed bar near UTSA with a martini flight, build-your-own boozy hot chocolate, and a warming Tipsy Elf made with Maker’s Mark among its offerings. Every reservation includes a shareable red pepper hummus and charcuterie appetizer.
Not Your Average Nog
If you can look beyond Clark and Cousin Eddie at the punch bowl during the family party on Christmas Eve, you’ll see that Eggnog is making a quiet comeback. And no, it doesn’t have to be yellow, overly sweet, and mass produced. Head to your local H-E-B and look for the glass bottles of 1836 classic seasonal eggnog and Dr. Nog — eggnog flavored milk, perfect for splashing in your morning coffee or enjoying at the breakfast table. Produced by family-owned and operated 1836 Farms (located outside of Dallas, in Terrell) this is not your average nog.
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I hope you’ve enjoyed this round up of festive drinks in San Antonio! Whether you’re making memories at home, out seeing the spectacular lights on the Riverwalk, or starting a day of festive adventures — have a happy holidays.
