Starbucks Holiday drink Menu review 

By Lucia Tellerico, 2027

Published 12/12/2023

In the spirit of the holidays, Starbucks releases special holiday drinks every year. This year they have brought back some classic, timeless flavors as well as adding a new flavor to the 2023 menu. After trying every drink, here are my opinions on each one.

The Peppermint Mocha can be ordered hot, iced, or in a frappuccino, and it is one of Starbucks’ winter classics. It is a sweet chocolatey coffee with a cool minty finish, and is topped off with their famous homemade whipped cream and delicious chocolate curls. 

Starbucks offers their Caramel Brulée Latte hot, iced, or in a frappuccino. It is a sweeter, creamier coffee beverage great for people who like a simpler flavor choice. This is also a great option for this holiday season, especially if you don’t want to stray too far away from Starbucks’ classic year-round flavors. 

The new flavor of 2023 is the Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai Latte which can be made both hot or iced. This drink has a sweeter taste than a classic chai and the oatmilk has a very distinct flavor. The gingerbread spices mix together perfectly with the chai spices, and overall is a really delicious drink.

The Gingerbread Latte can only be ordered as a hot beverage, but it is another winter classic at Starbucks. It is a somewhat basic drink, but it definitely captures the essence of the holidays, and the gingerbread spices complement the coffee well. However, you can still taste a little bit of the coffee bitterness so if you don’t really like the taste of coffee, this may not be the drink for you.

Starbucks’s Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte can be ordered both hot and iced. It is a very sweet drink that is perfect for people who need caffeine but don't like the coffee flavor. This beverage tastes exactly the same as eating a sugar cookie, and it is even topped off with red and green holiday sprinkles for even more sweetness and holiday cheer.

The Chestnut Praline Latte comes in both hot and frappuccino form. This drink has a strong nutty scent, but when you take a sip, it has a smoother, sweeter flavor. If you are hesitant about trying this drink because of the nut flavor please note that the nut taste isn’t nearly as strong as it smells. However, if you are allergic to chestnuts, I would recommend avoiding this drink.

Starbucks’ White Chocolate Mocha is offered both hot and as a frappuccino. It is a lighter take on their classic mocha, but is just as delicious and wintery. The drink is very sweet and is topped off with their homemade whipped cream. This is another simpler drink that is a great option if you don’t want to go out of your flavor comfort zone as much this holiday.

Furthermore on December 1st, Starbucks released their limited time holiday cold foams. They are now offering flavors such as peppermint chocolate, caramel brulée, sugar cookie, and chestnut praline which can be added to any drink. However, they cost either $1.25 or 25 stars in the app. Overall, these drinks really are delicious and are filled with holiday spirit. Enjoy your Starbucks drink and happy holidays!