Peppermint Trail Treats | 2023
Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee's Peppermint Trail is the epicenter for epic holiday treats! After shopping Downtown's local stores, you might be in the mood for a sweet pick-me-up. Explore coffees, cookies, ice creams, and more. November 24 through January 7, 2024!
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The Phoenix Pharmacy & Fountain
Start the Peppermint Trail at The Phoenix Pharmacy and Fountain with loads of treats on their menu, including two holiday ice creams to try: their famous Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream is back, plus this year, they'll have a new seasonal Eggnog Shake! The soda fountain atmosphere takes you back in time, while you savor each bite with family and friends. You might want to plan more than one trip!
Ham'n Goodys
Ham'n Goodys is decorating their famous lemon cookies with Christmas trees, snow flakes, holly berries, reindeer, and more—just in time for your holiday gathering. After grabbing cookies on Gay Street (these go quick, so call ahead to order), head to Market Square to drop your letter to Santa into Santa's cookie-themed mailbox. A sweet outing if you ask us! Plus, be on the lookout for peppermint brownies and cupcakes, holiday pies, and holiday-flavored cookies.
Spice & Tea Exchange
Did you know? Spice & Tea Exchange has a full-service tea bar in the back of the store where you can order delicious holiday teas! Tis the season to try Chocolate Candy Cane Black Tea, enchanting Sugar Plum White Tea, cozy Red Hot Toddy Herbal Tea, and more! A trip is in our near future!
Cafe 4
If the Grinch was a cheesecake, it would be the Peppermint Crunch Cheesecake at Cafe 4. Dark chocolate cookie crust filled with creamy peppermint cheesecake, topped with whipped cream and everyone's favorite —peppermint bark. This is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!
Coffee Shop at Maker Exchange
Visit the Coffee Shop at Maker Exchange located inside the Marriott for a Peppermint Fog Tea! Earl Grey Tea with frothy milk, peppermint syrup, garnished with crushed peppermint. Add a shot of espresso for an added burst of energy to get through the shopping list!
Jacks of Knoxville
Don't miss out on Jacks host of creative holiday coffee, like the decadent Santa's Cookies with vanilla bean, peppermint, espresso, milk, and salted shortbread cookie topping. Or, opt for the delicious Nutcracker with flavors of almond and hazelnut topped with sugar plum fairy dust. The O' Christmas Shrub is a fascinating drink with juniper, orange, and cardamom. They also have Gingerbread Jack, Peppermint Trail Mocha, and Not Mulled Wine. Everything sounds amazing!
Coffee & Chocolate
Just around the corner from Market Square, grab adorable Christmas Chocolates from Coffee & Chocolate shaped liked snowmen and Christmas trees filled with creamy chocolate ganache and house-made caramels. These cute lil things sell fast! They've also perfected a winning peppermint trio of truffles, hot chocolate, and mochas. Enjoy your treat on their outdoor table as you people-watch the shoppers headed from the Square to Gay Street.
Cruze Farm
Step inside the already festive red-and-white Cruze Farm Ice Cream to have your Peppermint Trail wishes come true with a long list of holiday ice cream flavors – Candy Cane ice cream and toppings, Peppermint Bark Shake with candy cane ice cream, chocolate flakes, whipped cream, crushed candy cane, topped with a cherry; Peppermint Hot Chocolate; Peppermint Mocha; and Candy Cane Brownie Churn with candy cane ice cream and brownies, topped with more brownies and crushed candy cane. Plus lots of other holiday flavors you're going to want to try—at least once!
Status Dough
Celebrate the season with Status Dough! Order up a Peppermint Chocolate Cake Doughnut or a Chocolate Glazed Old Fashioned paired with a peppermint mocha, and you're in for an afternoon treat that will get you through that holiday shopping hump! Plus, go home with a dozen of your favorite buttermilk old fashioned, glazed, or flavorful cream-filled doughnuts for your guests at home.
Bistro at the Bijou
Experience farm-to-table brunch, lunch, or dinner at its finest at the Bistro at the Bijou. Unwind with their Peppermint Trail special – tasty Peppermint Ice Cream with Oreos!
Mahalo Coffee Roasters
Jingle over to Mahalo Coffee Roasters on Union Ave for a very merry Stocking Stuffer – one of the more unique flavors on this list! It's an orange mocha inspired by the Terry's Chocolate Orange candy. Plus other seasonal flavors, like White Mocha and Peppermint sure to warm you down to your toes, and Cabin Fever – a shaken espresso paired with horchata and topped with a smoking cinnamon stick for that "sitting around the fire" feeling!
Lonesome Dove
It doesn't get better than sweet creamy cheesecake married with minty candy canes to take a winter dessert to the next level! Try a Peppermint Cheesecake at Lonesome Dove. Beautiful and delicious!
Awaken Coffee
Awaken Coffee is the king of seasonal coffees – and a must-stop destination with more holiday drinks than you can try! We love the Peppermint Mocha , Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate, Almond Joy to the World, but you also have to try the Gingerbread Latte, Eggnog Latte, and The Grinch – a twist on the matcha green tea latte. Can't decide...try a flight! Not only will these warm drinks make your taste buds tingle, but the holiday decorations and the Christmas Tree will warm your heart!
Kilwins
Kilwins is dripping in sweet, sweet peppermint with fan-favorite peppermint stick fudge, a delightfully sweet and slightly crunchy treat—plus other special holiday fudge flavors! They also have peppermint ice cream, bark, squares, and other yummy goodies like caramel apples, chocolate-covered pretzels, marshmallows, fudge, hot chocolate and Santa and Mrs. Claus-decorated candies.
The French Market
Ooh la la! For something sweet to eat, try The French Market Crêperie's Magical Cookie Butter Crepe topped with white chocolate, cookie butter crumble, chocolate chips and sparkle sugar! For something sweet to drink, order up a White Chocolate Peppermint Latte, Maple Chai Tea Latte, Caramel Chocolate Cupcake Latte, or Hot Cocoa! Trust us, you have to visit this holiday season!
K Brew Coffee & Bagels
Stop by K Brew in the Embassy Suites on Gay Street for a caffeine boost while holiday shopping. Their Peppermint Mocha is a classic, because nothing goes better together than the flavors of peppermint, chocolate, and coffee. But there's more too! Their newest drink, the Sea Salt Maple Latte is the perfectly balanced flavor to get you through holiday shopping.
The Tomato Head
What's a holiday season without crackle cookies? Grab one (or a dozen) homemade, "snow-dusted" Peppermint Crackle Cookies from Tomato Head. The warm flavors of chocolate and peppermint will satisfy your holiday sweet tooth – and make all your holiday guests feel welcome!
Petro's Chili & Chips
Visit Petro's on Market Square for Peppermint Dusted Rich Hot Chocolate, which tastes all the merrier with a hearty Petro® Bowl with chili, chips, and toppings. For dessert, order a peppermint-chocolate chip North Pole Christie Cookie. Aren’t the holidays better with something oh-so-hot chocolatey?
Frothy Monkey
Frothy Monkey's seasonal barista drinks include a Gingerbread Latte and a Cranberry Orange Espresso Tonic. We're making a couple of trips to their covered patio on Gay Street to enjoy the Peppermint Trail!
Chesapeake's
The swirled red-and-white Peppermint Cheesecake at Chesapeake's is a beautiful dessert perfect for the holiday season. Grab a slice during weekday lunch or Sunday brunch before hitting the shops. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Proper Popcorn
Proper Popcorn has popped up several holiday mixes we're looking forward to! The red, white, and green Festive Mix is as colorful as it is delicious, the Red Cinnamon popcorn comes with a kick, and the Reindeer Munch is a fan-favorite with candy pieces, pretzels, cereal, and white chocolate!
Hello Tea House
After a day of holiday shopping, head over to Hello Tea House for a well-deserved reward from their holiday menu including Hot Cocoa with Boba, Peppermint Bubble Milk Tea, and Cinnamon Lattes. This tea house on Gay Street also has crepes, fresh fruit teas, cheese foam tea, and more! It's a Peppermint Trail stop sure to surprise you!
Good Golly Tamale
Good golly, it’s the holidays! You’ll find more than hand-rolled, specialty tamales at Good Golly Tamale. They’re upping their dessert game with Chocolate Peppermint Cookies! Don’t miss this tradition on the Peppermint Trail in the Old City.
Rocket Fizz
Rocket Fizz is the sweetest place on Market Square. You’ll find the most delicious selection of nostalgic candies, quirky sodas, and the latest brands of toys and sweets from around the world. A must stop on the Peppermint Trail for peppermint sweet treats, stocking stuffers, and a whole lot of sugary fun.
Starbucks on Gay Street
Don’t forget more coffee! Starbucks on Gay St has a full list of peppermint choices including Peppermint Mocha and Peppermint White Mocha (hot and iced), Peppermint Hot Chocolate, and Peppermint White Hot Chocolate. Don't forget the Peppermint Brownie Cake Pops!