Choosing Hazelnut Drinks at BIGGBY Coffee: A Nutty & Malty Guide

Choose your hazelnut drink at BIGGBY Coffee by the base drink first. Pick a latte for a smooth, mellow nuttiness. Pick a mocha for a richer chocolate-hazelnut flavour. Pick an iced or blended drink for something refreshing and dessert-like. Pick brewed coffee with a hazelnut flavour shot for the lightest touch. Then adjust the amount of syrup, the milk and the size until the drink tastes as nutty, sweet and toasty as you like. The menu changes by season and by store, so check your local BIGGBY drink menu or ask the barista which hazelnut options are available.

What does nutty and malty mean in a coffee drink?

Nutty and malty describe a family of warm, toasty flavours. In coffee, these notes come from roasting the beans and from added ingredients such as hazelnut syrup, chocolate or certain milks.

• Nutty: tastes like roasted nuts such as hazelnut, almond or peanut. Hazelnut flavour is buttery and slightly sweet, with a roasted edge.
• Malty: tastes like toasted grain, biscuit, cereal or malted-milk sweets. It adds depth and a rounded sweetness without tasting sugary.
• Roasty: the deeper, toast-like character of coffee itself. It is more pronounced in darker roasts and in espresso.

Hazelnut works so well with coffee because the two share these roasted notes. A hazelnut drink at BIGGBY tastes best when the nuttiness blends into the coffee rather than sitting on top as pure sweetness. That balance is the goal when you choose and customise your order.

Which hazelnut drinks can you order at BIGGBY Coffee?

Hazelnut drinks at BIGGBY are usually built by adding hazelnut flavour to a standard menu drink. That drink can be a latte, mocha, brewed coffee, iced drink or blended drink. Hazelnut may also appear in seasonal or signature drinks, so check your store's current drink menu. Ask the barista if you don't see it listed. The formats below are common ways to enjoy a hazelnut flavour at a coffee shop like BIGGBY Coffee.

Hazelnut latte

A latte is espresso combined with steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Adding hazelnut gives a smooth, creamy drink in which the nuttiness is gentle and rounded. A hot hazelnut latte is the most balanced starting point if you are new to flavoured coffee.

Hazelnut mocha

A mocha is a latte with chocolate added. Chocolate and hazelnut together recall classic chocolate-hazelnut spreads and confections. The result is richer, sweeter and more dessert-like than a hazelnut latte. Choose it when you want an indulgent treat rather than an everyday coffee.

Brewed coffee with hazelnut

Adding a hazelnut flavour shot to brewed (drip) coffee keeps the coffee front and centre with a light nutty aroma. This is the leanest option. It suits people who usually drink their coffee black or with only a splash of milk.

Iced hazelnut drinks

An iced latte or iced coffee with hazelnut tastes brighter and more refreshing. Cold temperatures mute sweetness slightly, so the nutty flavour can seem softer than in a hot drink. Iced versions are a good choice for warm afternoons and outdoor get-togethers.

Blended hazelnut drinks

A blended drink combines coffee or a cream base with ice and flavourings into a thick, milkshake-like texture. Blended hazelnut drinks are the sweetest and most dessert-like format. They usually work best as an occasional treat or a shared indulgence.

Coffee-free hazelnut options

Hazelnut can usually be added to hot chocolate or steamed milk, which is useful for children, caffeine-sensitive guests or late-evening outings. Ask whether decaf espresso is available if you want the latte experience without the caffeine.

How do the hazelnut options compare?

The best hazelnut drink depends on how strong, sweet and rich you want it to be. The table below compares common formats so you can match a drink to your taste and occasion.

Drink style	Flavour profile	Sweetness and richness	Best for
Brewed coffee with hazelnut	Coffee-forward, light nutty aroma	Low	Everyday cup, black-coffee drinkers
Hot hazelnut latte	Creamy, mellow, toasty-nutty	Medium	Morning meetings, first-time flavoured coffee
Iced hazelnut latte	Smooth, refreshing, softer nuttiness	Medium	Warm days, outdoor gatherings
Hazelnut mocha	Chocolate-hazelnut, deep and roasty	Medium to high	Cold weather, treat moments, sharing with dessert
Blended hazelnut drink	Dessert-like, sweet, creamy	High	Occasional treats, celebrations
Hazelnut hot chocolate or steamer	Sweet, nutty, no coffee bitterness	Medium to high	Kids, evenings, caffeine-free guests

How do you customise a hazelnut drink to your taste?

Customise a hazelnut drink by adjusting four things: the base, the amount of syrup, the milk and the strength. Small changes make a noticeable difference. Follow these steps:

1. Choose the base. Decide between brewed coffee, a latte, a mocha, an iced drink or a blended drink, using the comparison above.
2. Set the sweetness. Flavour syrups add both taste and sugar. If you prefer a subtler, more coffee-like drink, ask for less hazelnut syrup than standard. Ask whether a sugar-free hazelnut option is available if you are limiting sugar.
3. Pick the milk. Milk changes the nutty-malty balance (see below).
4. Adjust the strength. An extra espresso shot makes the drink more roasty and helps it taste less sweet. Decaf keeps the flavour without the caffeine.
5. Add a complementary flavour if you like. Vanilla softens hazelnut and makes it creamier. Caramel adds a toasted-sugar depth that leans malty. Chocolate turns the drink toward a mocha.

Which milk suits a nutty and malty hazelnut drink?

Your milk choice can make a hazelnut drink nuttier, maltier or lighter. Plant-based options vary by store, so ask which ones your BIGGBY location carries.

• Whole or 2% dairy milk: creamy and neutral. It lets the hazelnut and espresso stand out.
• Oat milk: naturally cereal-like and slightly sweet. It adds a malty, toasted-grain note that pairs especially well with hazelnut.
• Almond milk: lighter in body with its own nutty taste. It doubles up on nuttiness but feels less rich.
• Other plant milks: coconut adds a tropical sweetness that can compete with hazelnut. Soy is creamy and fairly neutral.

A note on nut allergies

A hazelnut drink is flavoured to taste like hazelnut. Ingredients and kitchen practices still vary, and coffee bars handle many flavourings and nut-based milks. Anyone with a nut allergy should ask BIGGBY staff about allergen information and the risk of cross-contact before ordering.

Which hazelnut drink fits your occasion?

Match the drink's richness to the moment. Lighter drinks suit focused or everyday settings, and richer drinks suit relaxed, celebratory gatherings.

• Morning meeting or work catch-up: a hot hazelnut latte or brewed coffee with hazelnut. These are comforting without being heavy.
• Study session or long conversation: a hazelnut latte with reduced syrup. It stays pleasant to sip over time and doesn't become cloying as it cools.
• Weekend brunch with friends: a mix of hazelnut lattes and mochas, so guests can choose lighter or richer.
• Summer picnic or outdoor meet-up: iced hazelnut lattes, which travel well and stay refreshing.
• Birthday or small celebration: a blended hazelnut drink or hazelnut mocha as the treat, ideally with dessert to share.
• Evening get-together: decaf hazelnut lattes or hazelnut hot chocolate. Guests keep the cosy flavour without the caffeine before bed.

How do you order hazelnut drinks for a group?

Order hazelnut drinks for a group by offering a small range rather than many custom drinks. This approach keeps the order simple and still gives everyone a choice.

1. Count your guests and note any needs. Check for caffeine-free, dairy-free, low-sugar or nut-allergy requirements.
2. Choose two or three hazelnut options. For example, offer a hazelnut latte, a hazelnut mocha and a decaf or coffee-free version.
3. Include at least one plain option. Not everyone enjoys flavoured coffee, so a plain brewed coffee or unflavoured latte is a thoughtful addition.
4. Ask for clear labels on the cups. Labels help when several drinks look alike, especially dairy versus plant-based milk.
5. Plan the timing. Pick up hot drinks just before guests arrive. Iced drinks dilute as the ice melts, so serve them promptly.

What foods pair well with hazelnut drinks?

Hazelnut drinks pair best with foods that share toasty, buttery, chocolatey or caramel notes. They also go well with fruit-forward bakes that offer a fresh contrast.

Food	Why it works	Best drink match
Butter croissants or shortbread	Buttery richness echoes the buttery side of hazelnut	Hot hazelnut latte
Biscotti or almond cookies	Crunchy and nutty, made for dipping	Brewed coffee with hazelnut
Brownies or dark chocolate	Builds a chocolate-hazelnut flavour pairing	Hazelnut mocha
Banana bread or oat bars	Malty, grainy sweetness complements nuttiness	Hazelnut latte with oat milk
Berries, apples or pear slices	Fresh acidity balances a sweet, creamy drink	Iced hazelnut latte or blended drink
Egg-and-cheese breakfast sandwich	Savoury, salty food offsets the drink's sweetness	Hazelnut latte with reduced syrup

As a rule, pair sweeter drinks with less sweet food. A blended hazelnut drink alongside a rich frosted cake can feel heavy, while the same drink with fresh fruit feels balanced.

How should you serve takeaway hazelnut drinks at home?

For a gathering at home, serve takeaway hazelnut drinks in suitable glassware and keep them at the right temperature. A little presentation makes a simple coffee run feel like a hosted occasion.

• Hot lattes and mochas: pour into pre-warmed ceramic mugs. You can warm them by rinsing them with hot water first. Mugs keep the drinks warm longer and let guests enjoy the aroma.
• Iced drinks: serve in tall clear glasses with fresh ice. Clear glass shows off the layers of milk and coffee. Use double-walled glasses if you want to avoid condensation.
• Finishing touches: a light dusting of cocoa powder or a few chopped toasted hazelnuts on the side adds a nutty aroma. Skip the nuts if any guest has a nut allergy.
• Serving order: offer lighter drinks first and richer mocha or blended drinks with dessert.

What are good alcohol-free alternatives to boozy hazelnut coffees?

Hazelnut drinks at BIGGBY are alcohol-free and make a natural replacement for after-dinner coffees made with hazelnut liqueur. They deliver the same nutty, dessert-like character, so every guest can join in, including drivers and people who don't drink alcohol.

• Instead of a hazelnut-liqueur coffee: serve a hot hazelnut latte topped with whipped cream, if available, and a sprinkle of cocoa.
• Instead of a chocolate-nut cream liqueur: serve a hazelnut mocha, ideally decaf for late evenings.
• Instead of a creamy dessert cocktail: serve a blended hazelnut drink in a chilled glass as the evening's treat.

If some adults at your gathering choose to drink alcohol, offering these alcohol-free hazelnut options alongside makes the occasion more inclusive. It also makes it easy for everyone to pace themselves.

Choosing your hazelnut drink with confidence

The simplest way to enjoy hazelnut drinks at BIGGBY is to start with the base that matches your mood. Then fine-tune the sweetness, milk and strength until the nutty and malty notes feel balanced with the coffee. For gatherings, offer a small range of options, label the cups, pair the drinks with complementary food and include decaf or coffee-free choices. That way, every guest leaves with a cup they enjoy and a moment worth remembering.