As a coffee snob myself, I feel qualified to give coffee snobs a little bit of a tough time. Coffee snobs have a bad reputation for being too close-minded or unwilling to try new things. But like anything, I think we all just get stuck in our ways. This is true of any aficionado, the same way that whiskey or wine drinkers always seem to have their preferences.
Sometimes, all you need is a recieve a gift for an item that you wouldn’t have otherwise bought for yourself. Whether it’s a whiskey-influenced coffee or a new blend from a small-batch roastery, this ultimate holiday coffee bean guide will give you inspiration for the true coffee snob in your life. From coffee alternatives to “just-because” add-ons, these thoughtful coffee gifts will make for a memorable (and easy) gifting season.
Whiskey-influenced coffees
Whiskey-influenced coffees are a great gift for any whiskey-loving man in your life. After all, who wouldn’t want to combine influences of two amazing beverages into one? Double Neat’s small-batch roasted beans have a real whiskey infusion, for a classic bold, smooth flavor (plus, they’re Organic and come in many varieties including whole bean and K-cup). Another popular pick for whiskey-influenced coffees is Tattersall Barrel Aged Whole Bean Coffee, sustainably sourced from Ethiopia and aged in Tattersall Rye Whiskey barrels. For the coffee drinker who is really picky about quality, Lifeboost Coffee also has a Bourbon Barrel variety.
Small-batch roastery coffees
Only true coffee lovers and snobs understand the joy we get from trying a new small-batch roaster’s coffee. I’m not much of an alcoholic beverage drinker, but I imagine this is similiar to a wine lover trying a new winery. Even if your gift recipient already has a favorite coffee roaster, it is always fun to try something new. This year, some of my favorites for every type of coffee lover are:
- Klatch Coffee’s Dancing Reindeer Blend, perfect for the holiday-inspired blend for dark roast coffee lovers or Devocion’s Limited Edition Holiday Blend
- For medium roast lovers: Jim’s Organic Coffee Holiday Blend
- For the sampler pack lovers: Gigawatt Coffee Sample Packs, for a little exploratory coffee journey or the Java Planet Gourmet Coffee Sampler Pack
- For the health-conscious coffee drinkers: Heirloom Coffee Roasters is a great choice too, you can’t go wrong with any of their regenerative coffees. All of their coffees are backed by accredited lab testing at origin, at the port, and after roasting. Purity Coffee is another trusted choices for “clean coffee” with many holiday gift sets available this year.
- For the ongoing gift: Lady Falcon Coffee Club’s 3-month subscription also makes a fun gift
Coffee alternative products
Coffee alternatives like mushroom coffee remain a popular choice, even years after their initial “hype”. If you’re seeking a hoilday gift for someone who has ditched traditional coffees. Personally, I think these types of products have come a long way over the last couple of years. Now, there’s so many options on the market that taste great. This holiday season, some of my favorites to consider gifting include:
- VAHDAM Ashwagandha Coffee, perfect for daily stress support and immune support throughout the winter
- Laird Superfood’s holiday collection has some fun flavors like Peppermint Mocha and Pumpkin Spice
What to pair with your gift
OK — this might sounds cliche, but pairing a coffee gift with a coffee accessory is never a bad idea for a more complete, thoughtful gift. You might be surprised how many so called “coffee snobs” don’t have some of the coolest coffee gadgets on the market. If you’re looking for something fun or unique to pair for a complete coffee gift, here are some of my personal favorites:
- A heated mug: Yes, this makes coffee gift guides every year — and for good reason. You can’t deny that warm coffee hits the spot. A classic choice is the Ember 3 Mug, available in sleek, neutral finishes for the coffee-drinking guy in your life.
- Travel mugs: Ok, there’s a good chance the coffee drinker in your life already has a million mugs. I know I do. But if they don’t already (or just love to collect new colors), I do love some of the fun new colors of the HydroFlask travel mugs or Stanley’s new holiday collection mugs.
- Easy pairing: If you want a pre-configured gift set, check out the fun Sightglass Roadie Holiday Set which comes with both beans and a fun travel mug.
