4 Vegan Christmas Costa Drinks to Try | Secret Recipes

Merry almost mid December! I told you in my last post this was going to be a quick run up to Christmas! Wherever you may be this season or whatever you may be up to there's always one small pleasure in life many of us often look forward to when it comes to the colder, twinkly light months.

Christmas drinks.

Now I'd like to add a wee disclaimer here that I have great love for our local independent coffee shops and by no means is this me bashing our absolute gems. Although based around Costa Coffee, which we all undeniably get a little bit of excitement for come the classic coffee shops this time of year, these recipes are as versatile as can be so can hopefully easily be tailored and asked for at your local independent coffee shop of choice. Being a converted vegan (for longer than I ever imagined I would be able to and loving it) I also want to celebrate and share all the marvelous vegan options Costa now has for fellow vegans out there, be it looking for their Christmas drink fix or trying to navigate the unknown waters of just starting out vegan. Likewise, although I've titled this post as secret recipes (not so secret now though are we!) they are very much quite basic little tweaks thus being kind to your worn out local baristas and reducing the chances of a coffee-concoction-related barista maestro meltdown. Thus let us be kind to our fellow barista, extend your secret recipe ideas to the small independent coffee shops you love and celebrate with a bit of Christmas joy in our seasonal coffee, or hot chocolate for that matter.

Thus is the words of Jesus Christ himself, "I give unto you"..

Four of my very own vegan friendly Costa Christmas secret recipes! P.S, even if you aren't vegan these aren't anything wild like a flaxseed whip. Many of them just take a change of milk to tweak the flavour to that of a familiar sweet treat you might know, not simply to make the drinks dairy free. Give it a whirl and try something delicious you might never have thought of trying before.

All drinks, tweaks and editions veganised to the best of my knowledge using the Store Allergen Guide of November December 2020, found on the Nutrition and Wellbeing page of the Costa Coffee UK website.

Side note: for all of the below you will need to order the drinks as listed otherwise, bless the cotton socks of, your Barista will not know what the heck you are on about asking for an Eggnog Delight! To make your drinks a vegan, ensure to ask for no cream and no dairy.

Festive Brownie

• Mocha (reduce by one shot of coffee)
• Coconut milk
• + Gingerbread syrup

This one has got just about something festive for everyone. Coffee and chocolate lovers can unite in yuletide satisfaction with the Festive Brownie mocha! A little like a sweet ginger cake, the Festive Brownie has a cosy warmness to it that just makes you feel, well, cosy and Christmas-y! Reducing your chosen sized mocha by one shot of coffee just takes away the overpowering intensity of coffee and leaves for a warming Christmas sweet spiced chocolate delight. The coconut perfectly compliments the hint of coffee to make a creamier, gentle sweet blend rather than harsh spices and makes it reminiscent of a warm chocolate brownie mix, with a hint of Christmas. Perfect for a cold Winter's walk window shopping, or city stroll or working merrily away on your laptop from the coffee shop window. This one’s a treat for anyone with a sweet tooth but with a love for a hint of coffee to, in a merry Christmas drink concoction. 

Eggnog Delight

• Chai latte (reduce by one shot of coffee)
• Almond milk
• + Vanilla Syrup

Next up, a classic of course, how could I not? Tis the season for ordinary folk to become one with and the expect drinker in non-alcoholic eggnog beverages, like fuel to Santa's sleigh! This one took a little experimentation to say the least but what I stumbled upon in the end was a beautiful cockle-warming Christmas spice to your everyday coffee. The perfect Winter's spice, reminiscent of other familiar hot eggnog drinks, with a good Christmas kick, yet cosy but not too sweet. If I could describe it in a chestnut shell, something a little different but still Christmas-y and warming in every way. This would be perfect for your avid coffee lover and all things Christmas fanatic and also a great alternative for those who aren't at one with a super sweet tooth but still want something Christmas-y! If you've a bit of a sweet tooth like myself, I'd recommend opting for coconut milk for a creamier taste.

I can assure you - tried during an oat milk crisis of 2018 - to my coconut-tasting dislike, adding coconut milk does not make it taste coconut-ty! 

Black Forest Gateaux Cake*

• Iced Black Forest Hot Chocolate

Now this one I've starred* because it's not technically a secret recipe of mine; Costa already make this! I did not know this until I blurted out with great excitement the make-up of an Iced Chocolate with Black Forest syrup, envisioning a Black Forest Gateaux-style drink, to Connor for him to announce to me... this already existed! So basically, you wanted to ask for an Iced Black Forest Hot Chocolate, obviously without cream. This one is a cool refreshing drink option yet still all things sweet and Christmas-y. 

Like a fresh black forest gateaux served straight out the chiller on Christmas day!

The perfect merry sweet pick me up for busy Christmas shopping, studious Blogmas writing or those Christmas film watching, present wrapping marathons.

Hazelnut Truffle Hot Chocolate

• Hot chocolate
• Coconut milk
• + Hazelnut syrup

Last but not least is my all time festive favourite, a drink stumbled upon in a merry chance of fate that I look forward to fondly come the Winter months. The Hazelnut Truffle Hot Chocolate. A long time ago, I'm not sure what lead to this happening, but getting a Starbucks (as you do as a Tumblr/ Instagram obsessed teen out Christmas shopping) the absolutely lovely barista recommended I try a hot chocolate with hazelnut syrup, and if I didn't like they'd even make a new one free of charge! Well let me tell you, there was no looking back!  From that very first sip to each and every first sip of my first Hazelnet Truffle Hot Chocolate of the year, I immediately think, Ferrero Rocher in a hot chocolate. ❤ Reminiscent of the little gold wrapped balls we all resonate with as a chocolate only for the most indulgent of moments, this is by far my most favourite of the four secret recipes and can certainly be ordered almost anywhere. Many the year before trying coconut milk I'd often enjoy this tipple with oat milk, which is a lovely slightly gentler touch for anyone not big on sweetness. Otherwise opt for coconut milk and just sip in a chocolate-y Christmas heaven. The hint of hazelnut isn't overpowering and it makes for the perfect Nutcracker appropriate, all round chocolate lovers Christmas drink delight.

And there you have it. 'twas the night before Christmas and all were stirring, even the mouse!

Before the festive season sleigh rides before our eyes why not try one of my four vegan friendly secret costa recipes, be in at any of your local coffee shops, and add that extra sprinkle of Christmas magic to your festive countdown. I am all festive drink'ed out now after writing this post so that Hazelnut Truffle Hot Chocolate last night may have been my last for now! If you try any of the secret recipes be sure to tag me, be it Instagram (@elliebowsandsparkles)  or Twitter (@EBandSparkles), and I'd love to know your thoughts!

Merry sipping!

Until my next cosy Christmas post,

Ellie Xx

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