CAFE SESSION WITH STEVE: NOVEMBER 2024

Hello, coffee lovers, and welcome to our November Café Session! Can you believe it’s already November? It feels like the world barely had time to peel off the Halloween face paint before diving headfirst into Christmas lights and holiday jingles. But let’s not skip over the greatness of November, okay? It’s the month of epic food, stretchy pants, and, of course, that little thing called being thankful. Plus, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about unique gifts for the coffee lovers in your life. (Spoiler alert: you don’t have to give coffee beans. We’ve got some fun ideas for that in this session!)

Speaking of November surprises, how about those Broncos? They didn’t completely fall apart these last few games, and almost beating the Chiefs? Wild. I mean, who misses a field goal from that close? But hey, progress is progress, and at least it keeps things interesting.

This month, we’re diving into coffee drinks that pair perfectly with your Thanksgiving feast—because trust me, you’ll want to sip something delicious while dodging questions about your life plans from relatives. So grab a cup of something warm (or iced, because Denver weather is unpredictable as ever), and let’s savor the best of November together. Cheers to coffee, gratitude, and maybe even a Broncos win!

WHAT’S AN EASY BUT IMPRESSIVE COFFEE DRINK TO MAKE AT FRIENDSGIVING?

When I first saw this question, I for sure thought someone was finally asking me about making fancy cocktails for their dinner. But, since this is a coffee blog and not a mixology masterclass, I guess we’re sticking to caffeinated drinks for the masses. If you’ve read any of my blogs before, you already know I’m not your go-to guy for cocktails anyway. I usually cut out the middleman and go straight for the tequila—my mixers stay separate from my booze, thanks very much. So, let’s dive in. How can you make a killer cup of coffee to impress your friends before the post-dinner festivities begin?

Whether you are planning for a group dinner or trying to elevate your coffee game to impress your friends, I have always thought making a big French Press is a great way to treat yourself to a nice cup of coffee and, like most activities, it is relatively easy to make after a little bit of familiarization (we have a blog about that – click HERE to check it out). After years of working in all kinds of coffee shops, I’ve grown to appreciate how a French Press slows things down. It’s not one of those “hurry up, I have a meeting in five minutes and I need coffee fast!” situations. It’s meant for sharing, lingering, and refilling—kind of like a bottle of wine at the table, but, you know, caffeinated.

Now, if you’re looking for something a bit fancier, let me tell you about a friend of mine who decided to whip up espresso martinis for her birthday party. She asked me to pull thirty shots of espresso, which she then saved in the fridge until party time. Granted this is not the cheapest way to go about filling everyone's cup, but it lets you keep the buzz going with some caffeine to keep you awake. I first saw this trick back when I was working in the Denver Tech Center, where these guys from an Italian restaurant used to stop by every Friday night to grab 4–8 shots of espresso. They’d take it back to the bar and make their own “car bombs” with espresso and cream instead of the Irish cream liqueur to give them a pick-me-up before heading out for the night. It was weirdly genius.

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is experiment a little! Whether you’re keeping it classic with a French Press or shaking things up with espresso cocktails, you might just stumble upon your new go-to drink for every holiday gathering.

I LIKE TO GET FRIENDS AND FAMILY GIFTS FROM MY LOCAL COFFEE SHOP, BUT WHAT ARE SOME GOOD GIFTS YOU COULD FIND OTHER THAN COFFEE BEANS?

This is a great question! As someone who’s had family members working for coffee companies since I was a teenager, I know a lot about giving coffee-related gifts during the holidays. I remember my parents practically making public service announcements to family friends: “If you don’t want coffee gifts, let us know now because that’s what you’re getting.” At one point, my dad worked for a big coffee company in California, and coffee gifts became the go-to. And why not? When you work somewhere that makes consumer goods, it’s easy, it’s convenient, and—let’s be real—you probably get it cheaper than everyone else.

But let’s talk about gifts beyond just coffee beans. Typically, around the holidays, local coffee shops will stock up on non-perishable items like coffee travel mugs, t-shirts, or things of that nature. At one shop I managed, we sold gift sets that our team lovingly assembled, featuring everything from beans to flavored syrups and even tools to make your own specialty coffee at home. You could easily DIY a gift set like this! Grab a cheap basket, throw in some fun coffee-related goodies, and seal it up with shrink wrap (pro tip: a hair dryer works wonders to seal the shrink wrap and keep it all looking neat).

For something less traditional, consider ordering baked goods from your local coffee shop. If they partner with a local bakery, like we do here at Rise with Scratch Family Bakery (quick shoutout—Michelle’s cookies, muffins, and pastries are some of the best in Denver! Stop by to try them when you have a chance!), you could even ask if they’ll do a special order for you. Imagine gifting a box of incredible cookies or pastries that you know are a hit—talk about an easy win!

Shopping for gifts at your favorite coffee shop isn’t just thoughtful; it’s a great way to support small businesses. Plus, if you’re picking up branded merch, you’re helping with their marketing, too. I like to think I’m a walking advertisement for my favorite local spots when I wear their hats or t-shirts out to sporting events or around town.

So, next time you’re grabbing your morning cup, keep an eye out for gift ideas—because nothing beats giving (or getting) a little local love during the holidays.

If you have a topic or question you’d like me to tackle next month, don’t hesitate to ask! Submit an anonymous question or problem below. No name or email required.