Capital Caff: Get In the Holiday Spirit With These Seasonal Coffee Offerings

Don't talk to me until I've read Capital Caff: Your guide to the latest in coffee happenings around Beijing.


If you're looking for a caffeine fix this holiday season that goes beyond basic pumpkin spice, then Beijing's coffee shops have got you covered. From festively decked out mochas to orange-infused treats, here's a rundown of some very special seasonal coffees and where to grab them.

Christmas Donut Mocha by A Twosome Place

A Twosome Place has taken the classic mocha and given it a Christmas makeover, promising a little extra for those of us with a sweet tooth. Enter the Christmas Donut Mocha (圣诞多拿圈莫加 Shèngdàn Duōnáquān Mòjiā). While it stops short of involving an actual donut, it makes up for it with a head of donut-shaped cream, pieces of stone fruit for sourness, and bits of rosemary for fragrance.

A Twosome Place (Multiple Locations)
8 Jianguomen Outer Street No. IFC Mansion F1 Unit 103
建国门外大街8号IFC大厦一层103单元

Christmas Specials from Baker & Spice

Baker & Spice is upping the Christmas and winter theme with a number of Christmas offerings, like a Gingerbread Latte (姜饼拿铁 Jiāngbǐng Nátiě), a classic latte with the addition of chocolate sauce, cinnamon powder, and a mini-gingerbread man cookie; and a Tiramisu Americano (提拉米苏美式 Tílāmǐsū Měishì), a black coffee topped with tiramisu flavored foam.

Baker & Spice (Multiple Locations)
F1, 11 Sanlitun North Road, Sanlitun Taikooli North, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯北路11号太古里北区地下一层

Cinnamon, Spice & Everything Nice at Seesaw Coffee

Seesaw spices winter up with a few holiday options, the first of which is a Citrus & Cinnamon Americano (香橙肉桂美式 Xiāng Chéng Ròuguì Měishì). At first sip, it might be a little on the sweet side – with a few plum notes here and there – but boy does the cinnamon go far!

Seesaw is also offering a Velvet Gingerbread Latte for a bit of Christmas spirit...

...as well as a Silky Cheese Latte (丝绒芝士拿铁 Sīróng Zhīshì Nátiě), covered with crushed pistachio.

Seesaw Coffee (Multiple Locations)
F1, Bldg 81, Courtyard 4, Gongti North Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工体北路4号院81号楼一层

Sunny-Side-Up Cinnamon Latte by Metal Hands

A basic cup of black coffee always hits the spot, but sometimes the mood calls for something a little more novel. Enter the Sunny-Side-Up Cinnamon Latte (肉桂荷包蛋 Ròuguì Hébāodàn) from Metal Hands, which sees a latte topped with egg not a real egg, mind you, just foam made to look like an egg and cinnamon powder for a spicy winter treat.

Note: The Sunny-Side-Up Latte is only available at their Qingnianlu and Dongsi branches. 

Metal Hands Coffee

Qingnianlu Store
101 Chaoyang North Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区青年路朝阳大悦城一层

Dongsi Store
6 Nanyang Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区南阳胡同6号

Gingerbread Latte by Ralph's Coffee

The name of the game this season is gingerbread, and Ralph's Coffee is jumping on board with their own Gingerbread Latte. Ralph's Gingerbread Latte sees full-bodied coffee combined with steamed milk and ginger syrup. Add in some freshly baked gingerbread or cranberry-flavored cookies and you're in for a real treat.

Ralph's Coffee
F1, S6-10A, 19 Sanlitun Road, Sanlitun Taikooli South, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯太古里南区一楼S6-10A

Read: Capital Caff: A Slew of Cafés to Check Out for Autumn 

Images: Dianping