As winter rolls around and holiday cheer fills the air, I among many other people look forward to the Starbucks Holiday menu, featuring new drinks and, of course, all of the returning fan-favorites. As soon as these drinks are released, the store is filled with many waiting to order and feel the spirit of the winter holidays. This year’s menu consists of some new refreshers, a chai, a mocha, and a few lattes, that I couldn’t wait to try.
Peppermint Mocha – Rating: 5/5 stars
Every holiday season, Starbucks’ Peppermint Mocha reappears on the menu, marking the official start of the Christmas season for many Starbucks fans. The moment I heard this drink was back, I was immediately filled with excitement!
When I order this drink, happiness fills me. The warm cup filled with deliciousness is the perfect drink for a winter day. All of the flavors perfectly encapsulate the holidays. With a chocolatey-mocha base, the peppermint becomes the real star of the show. If you look at the actual drink itself, you might notice its rich dark brown chocolate coloring, which has a sort of creaminess to it due to the milk. Minty and sweet, this drink tastes like peppermint bark.
This is definitely my favorite out of all the holiday drinks at Starbucks. The peppermint adds a refreshing side to this drink, whether you get it iced or warm. Personally, I prefer it warm, but either is delicious. I 100% recommend this drink!
Caramel Brulée Latte – Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
The Caramel Brulée Latte is a very tasty drink. Although it is very sweet, the flavor is perfect for winter. When I took that first sip it was almost as if I had just been given a warm, sugary hug. The first sip is a comforting wave of caramel, with just enough coffee flavor to balance the sweetness.
What sets this latte apart from other caramel-flavored drinks is the unique caramel brulée sauce, which provides a deeper, slightly toasted flavor. However, the sweetness can be overwhelming for many people, especially with the full-sugar version. For those who prefer lighter flavors, the Caramel Brulée Latte might feel too sugary.
However, in my opinion, this drink was delicious as a warm treat and immediately made me want to watch a Christmas movie in a winter cabin and watch snow falling down outside the window.
Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai – Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
The Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai from Starbucks is a twist on traditional holiday flavors, combining chai with the sweet notes of gingerbread; it is served iced with oat milk. The drink starts with a base of spiced chai tea, which brings a blend of cinnamon, making it the perfect warm winter spice mix. The gingerbread flavor adds a sweetness, creating a festive flavor that creates a cozy feeling.
What makes this drink stand out is the oat milk, which adds a smooth texture that goes well with the spiced chai. It doesn’t overpower the flavors of the other ingredients. The oat milk’s sweet and mild flavor helps to balance the spice and sweetness.
The iced version is a refreshing treat while still keeping that comforting holiday flavor at its core. This is a perfect choice for those who enjoy a good chai but want something lighter than a hot latte. It’s a great option for anyone looking for a holiday beverage that’s a little different from the usual peppermint or caramel options. If you’re a fan of chai or gingerbread, the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai is a good choice.
Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte – Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
In my opinion this drink tastes very similar to a regular almond milk latte. When I tried this drink for the first time it was a sip from a friend’s and she added the new sugar cookie cold foam. This addition made the drink. When I went back to Starbucks I ordered the drink expecting the cold foam only to find out that you have to order it separately. It wasn’t bad, but there just wasn’t anything special without the foam.
This wouldn’t deter me from ordering the drink though, and many people seem to like it. I honestly think that if they included the iced cookie cold foam with the drink the flavor would be immediately elevated, so Starbucks if you’re reading, maybe try adding the foam! But, if you like more of a light and simple flavored latte that is less sweet than this might be the drink for you!
Chestnut Praline Latte – Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
When I ordered this drink I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but it was surprisingly very good. The combination of chestnut and praline seemed interesting, and I wasn’t sure how the flavors would come together in a latte. Although the base of the drink is essentially a classic latte, the chestnut and praline flavors elevate the drink.
The chestnut flavor, in particular, was nutty without being too overwhelming. It brought a warmness to the drink that felt inviting, like a toasted nutty flavor you might find in a winter treat. What I appreciated most was that the chestnut wasn’t too strong and had a soft flavor that mixed well with the sweetness of the rest of the drink.
While the drink is certainly a simple latte at its core, the light nutty and sweet flavors make it feel like a special seasonal treat. It’s not too heavy, but it has enough flavor to make it stand out from more basic options. All in all, the Chestnut Praline Latte surpassed the expectations I had set, offering a balanced sweetness and a comforting, cozy vibe that made it the perfect drink for chilly days.
NEW Cran-merry Drink – rating: ⅗ Stars
One of the first things that caught me off guard was this drink’s milky color, juxtaposing the fact that it is a refresher. This was a result of the recipe calling for coconut milk. The unexpected color was nice as it was a light milky pink when the white coconut milk and pinky-red refresher was actually mixed, but it also came with a minor turn-off; the coconut milk occasionally caused the ingredients in the drink to separate, which was a bit surprising at first.
When it came to flavor, I enjoyed this refresher more than the others, and I believe the lack of cinnamon played a significant role in that. The cinnamon flavor, while fitting for other Christmas drinks, can sometimes feel heavy, and without it, this refresher felt lighter, which I appreciated. Additionally, the coconut milk added a unique flavor that complemented the other ingredients in a subtle yet interesting way.
While it wasn’t my personal favorite out of all the refreshers, it certainly wasn’t bad and I could see others enjoying it.
NEW Cran-merry Refreshers (Lemonade and Orange) – Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
When I first tried these new drinks, I was really expecting something similar in taste to the Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher, which has a fruity and refreshing flavor. However, I was surprised to find that both the Cran-merry Lemonade and the Cran-merry Orange Refreshers had an unexpected kick — due to the hints of cinnamon. This spiciness was not something I was expecting, and it kind of threw me off. Instead of the light refreshing flavor I was hoping for, this drink had an almost warmth and spice that felt out of place.
Although the flavor might not have been my favorite, the pinky-red color was very pretty, and gave the drink a nice appearance.
Personally, I wasn’t the biggest fan of these drinks, and I feel that they didn’t meet the expectation I had set. However, I think that Starbucks did a good job creating refreshers while trying to capture all the different flavors of the holidays. Although I didn’t enjoy these drinks very much, I do think that there are some people who would. If you enjoy the flavor of sweet cinnamon gum then you should most definitely try out this fun holiday refresher!
In all, although not all of the drinks were my favorite, Starbucks never fails. Every drink has their own unique flavors that add to the growing menu. Honestly, I would recommend any of the drinks, as none of them are necessarily bad but just may not be my favorite. I hope everyone has a happy holiday and makes a stop at Starbucks to pick up a drink!
