A Cup of Joe and a Holiday Cocktail in Kansas City

As the weather cools in Kansas City, thoughts of the Crown Center Ice Terrace, Kansas City’s only public outdoor skating rink, begin to enter our minds as way to embrace Midwest winters. The Country Club Plaza is also a favorite destination throughout the year, but perhaps most so in the evenings between Thanksgiving and mid-January when the miles and miles of holiday lights outline the Spanish architecture. Nothing beats an evening horse-drawn carriage ride on the Plaza, snuggled under the blankets, followed by a warm nightcap at any of the Plaza’s great restaurants and coffee bars.

But where else can you discover a hot cup of Joe or even better a seasonal festive adult beverage? Whether you prefer an artisan swirl in your espresso or an artisan twist in your cocktail, we’ve got several places to your warm the core and take an edge off the day.

A LOCAL CUP OF JOE:

“Fast, friendly service and a great menu. The liquid sunshine and breakfast burrito are amazing” (Britt S. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/fimf0) – Coffee Girls in Waldo

The Filling Station

“Love this place as a work spot. You can usually find an outlet, the light is wonderful, the food and coffee are consistently great and really reasonably priced.  Bonus points: the staff has pretty good music taste and it’s always at a reasonable volume” (Meli I. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/fimNW) – Filling Station on 2980 McGee

“Scooters is very affordable, they have a large selection of beverages and light fare, are centrally-located downtown, and friendly staff makes this a great coffee spot” (Jose C. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/finl4) – Scooters Coffee

“Love! Great chai latte and that ganache brownie ruined me for all other pastries. It also helps that the baristas are absolutely lovable” (Angela L. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/fio2a) – Lattéland Espresso & Tea

SoHo Cafe & Bakery

“Impressive breakfast and lunch menu written in beautiful handwriting on the chalk board menus including delicious breakfast croissants and mouthwatering panini’s. The best part of SOHO is their “to die for” lattes” (Sara D. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/fioJI) – SoHo Café & Bakery downtown

“I don’t make it out to Waldo often, but when I do, I love knowing that I have a great place to get a cup of coffee. One More Cup has both excellent beverages and pastries” (Matt E. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/fip3G) – One More Cup in Waldo 

“What do you want from the quintessential coffeehouse?  Well, you want coffee, done right, period.  They do it! What else is there?” (Krysztof N. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/fm4TB) – Broadway Café

“This place is delightful. I stop in pretty much every morning for a large coffee, and it’s always hot and fresh. The fancy coffee–lattes, mochas and such–is also delicious (Angela L. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/fm59Z) – Mud Pie Bakery & Coffeehouse

Quay Coffee

“Quay Coffee has become my go to spot for a caffeinated pick me up. Why? Because the dudes here know how to brew java and make espresso drinks” (Alicia H. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/fm5oA) – Quay Coffee in Rivermarket

“The setting, ambience, coffee, location is awesome.  This is probably one of the best Mocha’s I’ve had.  Free Wi-Fi was very fast, too” (Tiger W. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/fm5NO) – Mildred’s Coffeehouse in Crossroads

“How does a legendary Irish balladeer and beloved son of the KC Irish scene top all the things he does so well on his plate now?  He opens a Café” (Sean S. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/fm5Z4) – Eddie Delahunt’s Café

Roasterie Cafe

“Great coffee and great spot for people-watching. The baristas serve up some of the best lattes in town. The Roasterie Cafe even offers chocolate truffles from Christopher Elbow and Annedore’s” (Lilian O. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/fm6h1) – Roasterie Café in Brookside

“Everything I have tried at Parisi has been great – pour over coffee, cappuccino, latte, all really good. The baristas are very knowledgeable about the beans they use and the brewing methods. This is a fine little coffee house in a beautiful historic train station” (Christopher S. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/fm6vm) – Parisi Café in Union Station

“By far the best coffee shop in KC. It’s like a cross between Cheers and a coffee shop with baked goods” (Brad J. on Yelp! http://ow.ly/fm6T6) – Crossroads Coffehouse 

SEASONAL COCKTAILS TO WARM THE SOUL:

Huntsman’s Toddy by Jenn Tosatto @ Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange:

• 1 1/2 oz Samogon
• 1 oz Mulled Honey Cider Syrup
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• Hot Water
• Build all ingredients into a footed mug and top with hot water. Stir, and garnish with grated nutmeg.

Squash-Buckler by the mixologists at The Boot:

• Appleton white rum
  

  The Squash-Buckler

• Pumpkin Puree
• Cream
• Lemon
• Simple
• Angostura
• Grated cinnamon

Caffé Corretto by sommelier Doug Frost

• 1 cup of traditional espresso
• 1 oz of grappa or Samogon (adds a tasty grape-based smoothness)
• Stir to mix, serve hot

FOR THE HOLIDAY SWEET TOOTH:

Christopher Elbow Drinking Chocolates

Christopher Elbow Drinking Chocolates:

• Venezuelan Spiced Drinking Chocolate
• Cocoa Noir Dark Drinking Chocolate
• Peppermint Drinking Chocolate
• Mocha Drinking Chocolate

Holiday Wassail

• 1 gallon apple cider
• 1 large can pineapple juice (unsweetened)
• 3/4 cup tea (can use herb tea)
• 1 Tablespoon whole cloves
• 1 Tablespoon whole allspice
• 2 sticks cinnamon