So it’s December. Today we come out of Lockdown 2 and go into Tier 2. No one would have known what I was talking about his time last year – 2020 has created its own new vocabulary! What this means is all shops and bars and restaurants are now open. But no drinking parties without substantial food allowed. And no meeting up with your friends (unless it’s outside) at the pub or at home. Okay it’s not going to be the most social of Decembers. But it is the season to be jolly (and jolly careful obviously). Time to embrace the arrival of Christmas.

Thankfully coffee shops have stayed open in Lockdown 2, unlike version one. Happy to get my regular caffeine fix. For me the first sign of Christmas is the arrival of Christmas coffee. Come November, festive cups start to appear and those coffee decisions become all the more tricky. I can’t resist tasting everything and this year I’m sharing the world of Christmas coffee with you. You don’t need much of a sweet tooth (I don’t have one) to get into the spirit and try some of these delicious offerings. Oh and there’s special Christmas sandwiches on the menu too…loving my first taste of Christmas.

What’s on the menu

Cafe Nero

My first festive coffee is always a Gingerbread Latte. A firm favourite. Cafe Nero’s is great and this year they are also offering Salted Caramel. Add whipped cream for more indulgent richness. Loving the Cafe Nero cups, too.

Also loving the Pigs on Blankets! A sublime mix of sausage, bacon, cheese and cranberry. Thinking of starting a campaign to keep this on the menu all year round. I mean, look at it!

There’s also a raft of panini including turkey feast and brie, bacon and cranberry and a vegan festive feast.

Starbucks

The original festive trio are back as it says on the sign. Toffee nut, Eggnog and Gingerbread lattes to choose from. Eggnog screams Christmas to me (I’m a big fan) – well done Starbucks.

Plenty of food offerings, too. My favourite: The one with…the gravy layer sandwich. Christmas dinner in a sandwich – pulled ham hock, turkey, smoky butternut squash and cheddar sandwich with a layer of sourdough and steeped in gravy. Fabulous.

Loving all the posters too…

Pret a Manger

More gingerbread and salted caramel at Pret. Bold move making Christmas baby blue and pink. Great signage.

I’m totally Pretting the halls with Pigs in Blankets – I can’t help singing it as I walk down the street.

And the Christmas dinner sandwich. Thick slice of British turkey with port and orange cranberry sauce, herby pork stuffing and baby spinach leaves. Finished with a dab of free range mayo and crispy onions. Every mouthful transports you to the Christmas table…and 50p is donated to the homeless.

Costa Coffee

I’m not much of a chocolate eater and when I rarely treat myself to one I’d like it to be the purple one. I don’t think I’m alone in this – and Costa has grabbed the chance to make its Christmas coffee The Purple One. It’s almost disconcerting that this coffee tastes exactly like that little sweetie – oh and you’ll be given your very own purple one with it, too. Happy days.

There’s a wide choice food-wise including a turkey feast sandwich, pigs under blankets and in blankets with mac and cheese! Seriously. There’s a few vegan options, too, including the turkee, cranberry and stuffing toastie – all the flavours of Christmas and meat free.

I haven’t even gone into the wide range of sweet options. From mince pies to panettones, gingerbreads to shortbreads and cookies to cakes. And hot chocolate in various guises. Not something I drink but they sound truly delicious.

Time to celebrate Tier 2 with some festive flavours. Christmas is here!

I selected these four coffee shops to review because they are all a five-minute walk from my house. And because I love the effort they all go to to make Christmas come alive. Do you have a favourite Christmas coffee shop treat? I’d love to hear about it.