Thanksgiving Coffee Drinks: 3 CBD Recipes From Morning to Night

Thanksgiving is a long, full day, and the right Thanksgiving coffee drinks can carry the table from the first pot of coffee to the last slice of pie. This year, our kitchen is following an old Italian rhythm. Creamy, milky coffee comes in the morning. A sharp little espresso arrives after the big meal. Then something warm and caffeine-light closes out the evening.

Italians are famous for skipping cappuccino after late morning. Milk feels heavy after a large meal, so espresso takes its place at the table. As it turns out, that habit is also a smart way to plan a holiday drink menu.

Below are three easy recipes, one for each part of the day. Each takes about five minutes and uses High Level CBD coffee or cocoa. Every recipe also comes with a printable recipe card for the kitchen counter. Better still, the cold brew for the espresso martini can be started two days early, so Thursday stays calm. Our full French press cold brew recipe is at the end of this post.

What Are the Best Coffee Drinks for Thanksgiving Day?

The best Thanksgiving coffee drinks match the moment. A rich, milky latte suits a slow holiday morning. After dinner, a cold, foamy espresso martini feels lighter than another mug of hot coffee. Finally, a cocoa without coffee lets guests who skip caffeine at night enjoy something warm, too.

Here is how the three recipes compare at a glance:

All three drinks are built for hosting. The components can be made a day or two ahead, and every recipe is easy to multiply for a crowd.

Tiramisu Latte Recipe: Dessert in a Morning Mug

This tiramisu latte tastes like the classic Italian dessert, poured into a mug. Strong coffee and cocoa form the base. On top sits a cloud of vanilla mascarpone cream, finished with a dusting of cocoa and a ladyfinger on the side for dipping.

It is the kind of drink that makes a holiday morning feel special without much work. Moreover, the morning is exactly when Italian tradition welcomes milk in coffee, so this one belongs at breakfast. A bold roast such as Elevation Dark Roast, with its dark chocolate and caramel notes, pairs especially well with the mascarpone.

Why Bloom the Cocoa First?

The first step is pouring hot coffee straight over the cocoa powder. The heat makes the cocoa "bloom," so it dissolves smoothly instead of clumping. As a result, the chocolate flavor runs all the way through the coffee and deepens it.

CBD Espresso Martini: An After-Dinner Coffee Cocktail, With or Without Alcohol

Between the conversation, the family and the dishes waiting in the sink, the evening after Thanksgiving dinner asks a lot of a host. That is why an espresso martini is such a good fit. It brings the after-dinner espresso of Italian tradition to the table, only cold, silky and crowned with foam.

This version starts with High Level cold brew concentrate instead of hot espresso. Cold brew is naturally smooth and already chilled, so it shakes up beautifully without melting the ice too fast. In addition, the concentrate is made ahead, which means each drink comes together in about five minutes.

The recipe below is alcohol-free and uses a non-alcoholic spiced spirit. For guests who prefer a classic cocktail, the recipe card includes a version with vodka and coffee liqueur.

The Secret to the Foam

The foam on top comes from one thing: a hard shake. Twenty seconds of vigorous shaking with plenty of ice whips air into the coffee. Then a double strain, through the shaker strainer and a small fine-mesh strainer, keeps the foam smooth and free of ice chips.

Three Coffee Beans for Good Luck

The three coffee beans floating on top come from the Italian custom of serving sambuca con la mosca, "with the fly." Traditionally, the three beans stand for health, happiness and prosperity. It is a lovely wish to share at the end of a Thanksgiving meal.

Peppermint Cocoa: A Cozy, Coffee-Free Evening Drink

By late evening, plenty of guests are ready to skip coffee. This peppermint cocoa gives them something warm and festive to hold while the pie comes out. It is made with High Level CBD Drinking Chocolate, which blends rich Ecuadorian cocoa with full-spectrum CBD and freeze-dried vanilla marshmallows.

Our favorite base is coconut milk. Oat or coconut milk keeps the cocoa light after a big meal, in the same spirit as the Italian habit of skipping heavy, milky drinks after dinner. Any milk works, though, and the drinking chocolate is gluten-free, nut-free and soy-free.

Go Easy on the Peppermint

Peppermint extract is strong. Just ¼ teaspoon is enough for a large mug, and more can always be added. A heavy hand can make cocoa taste more like toothpaste than dessert, so taste first and adjust slowly.

How Can Thanksgiving Drinks Be Made Ahead?

Most of the work for these Thanksgiving coffee drinks can happen before the holiday. That way, Thursday is about pouring and enjoying, not measuring. Here is a simple timeline:

• TuesdayStart the cold brew concentrate. It needs 12–36 hours to steep.
• WednesdayPress and strain the cold brew. Make a jar of simple syrup. Mix the mascarpone cream and keep it covered in the fridge.
• Thanksgiving morningBrew the coffee, froth the cream and serve tiramisu lattes with breakfast.
• Before dinnerPut the coupe glasses in the freezer so they are frosty by dessert.
• After dinnerShake the espresso martinis, one or two at a time.
• EveningWarm a pot of peppermint cocoa for anyone skipping caffeine.

One batch of cold brew in a 1-liter French press yields about 20 oz of concentrate. That is enough for about 10 espresso martinis at 2 oz each. For a bigger gathering, simply make two batches.

Serving CBD Drinks to Thanksgiving Guests

A thoughtful host lets guests know what is in their glass. Mentioning that a drink contains CBD lets each person choose what feels right for them. A few easy habits help:

• Say which drinks contain CBD when serving them, or add a small card next to the tray.
• Keep a pot of regular coffee nearby for anyone who prefers a version without CBD.
• Offer the alcohol-free espresso martini first; CBD and alcohol together can feel more relaxing than either one alone.
• Guests who are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or subject to drug testing should check with a healthcare professional before enjoying CBD.

High Level coffee and cocoa are made with full-spectrum CBD from Kentucky-grown hemp, and every batch is verified with a third-party Certificate of Analysis. Hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3% THC is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.

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What Makes High Level CBD Coffee Right for Holiday Recipes?

Recipes like these depend on two things: coffee that tastes great on its own and CBD that is measured the same way in every cup. High Level was built around both.

• 25 mg of full-spectrum CBD per serving of coffee, with a consistent, measured dose
• Small-batch, Kentucky-grown hemp
• Coffee roasted to order in an organic and Kosher-certified facility
• Third-party Certificate of Analysis on every batch
• More than 50 years of experience sourcing and roasting specialty coffee

Co-founders Angelica and Randy bring together backgrounds in nutrition, education and more than 20 years of cannabis extraction science. As a result, the CBD blends into the coffee and cocoa without the grassy aftertaste that can overpower a recipe.

How to Make CBD Cold Brew Concentrate in a French Press

The espresso martini starts with cold brew concentrate, and it is worth learning on its own. A French press makes the job simple. The coffee steeps slowly in water, then the plunger filters out the grounds, with no special equipment needed.

A batch of concentrate is also the base for many other drinks. Pour it over ice with a little water for iced coffee. Add hot water for a smooth, low-acid cup of hot coffee. It works just as well in lattes, mochas and holiday cocktails. Because every 2 oz of concentrate contains about 25 mg of full-spectrum CBD, the dose stays consistent no matter how it is served.

Why Let the Coffee Bloom?

Freshly roasted coffee holds carbon dioxide. Letting the wet grounds rest for 5 minutes before adding the lid releases that gas. As a result, the flavor is fuller and the brew is less sour.