The return of our Mele Kalikimaka Blend means one thing: the holiday season is officially here at Honolulu Coffee! Each year, this special coffee brings the spirit of aloha to your cup. This year's blend is sweet, fruity, and a whole lot of fun, thanks to a coffee our team has been waiting years to bring back.
Coffee Origins
The 2026 blend features notes of strawberry guava, tropical fruit, cinnamon sugar, and angel food cake. It's like a strawberry guava cake in a cup! It might sound a little wild, but trust us, it all comes together. The first sip is bright and candy-sweet, followed by a warm finish of vanilla, sugar, and hazelnut.
Much like Hawai‘i itself, a place where people and cultures from all over come together, we've combined coffees from around the world. This year's blend includes coffees from Bali, Guatemala, Mexico, and our very own Honolulu Coffee Farms in Kona:
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Bali, Natural Processed (40%) – Bold, sweet, and bursting with fruit
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Guatemala, Washed Processed (25%) – Clean and balanced
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Mexico, Washed Processed (25%) – Smooth and mellow, building the base of the blend
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Honolulu Coffee Farms, Kona, Washed Processed (10%) – Lilikoi, dark chocolate, and raw honey
Back in the Blend: Coffee from Bali, Indonesi
Source: Royal Coffee
Our team favorite is finally back! We try to source this Bali coffee every year, but it usually arrives too late for the holidays. The weather, harvest, and processing all have to line up just right for it to get here in time.
This year, everything lined up. When our roasting team tasted through samples, the Bali was the boldest and cleanest coffee on the table. At 40% of the blend, it plays a leading role in bringing our holiday blend to life!
Behind the Blend
Thomas Keisling, Honolulu Coffee Co.'s Head Roaster
Every coffee we roast has a job to do. Our 100% Kona coffees let the flavors of our farm shine, honoring the hard work of Ryson, our Farm Manager, and his team. Our Lokahi blend is the easy, everyday favorite. Mele Kalikimaka gets to break the rules, and this year, it's all about the Bali.
"Because that natural process brings such an in-your-face, candy-fruit punch, the washed Guatemala and Mexico act as the peanut butter to the Bali's jelly," says Thomas Keisling, our Head Roaster. "Not many people want to just spoon straight jelly out of the jar."
The Guatemala and Mexico give the cup a smooth, cake-like base, and our Kona adds a touch of the islands. The result is a true dessert coffee. "You wouldn't eat dessert for every meal," Thomas says, "and when you finally get it, it feels like a reward." For our team, this blend is a sweet treat at the end of a long year, and we can't wait to share it with you.
Sip the Season
We asked our team to share their favorite brewing methods, and it turns out there’s no one-size-fits-all favorite! Whether you prefer drip, pour-over, espresso, or cold brew, this blend shines in every cup.
Have fun experimenting with different brewing methods and recipes to bring out its juicy, tropical fruit notes.
Whether you're sharing it with friends and family or treating yourself to a quiet moment at home, Mele Kalikimaka is our way of celebrating community, connection, and the sweet moments that make the season bright.
Mele Kalikimaka Blend is now available online and at all Honolulu Coffee cafés while supplies last. Prefer it freshly brewed? We'll also be offering it as our featured drip coffee every morning until 11am. (Note: Ala Moana cafe will be serving it until 1pm.)
