On Nov. 7th Starbucks launched its new holiday menu, bringing back classic festive drinks and introducing new seasonal treats. The lineup includes returning favorites and a few new additions designed to celebrate the flavors of the season, from peppermint and cinnamon to chocolate-nutty blends.
This year’s holiday menu features a mix of festive drinks and seasonal treats. These new beverages include the Peppermint Mocha, Carmel Brulee Latte, Iced Sugar Cookie Latte and Breve and Iced Gingerbread Chai, while new food items range from the Sugar Plum Cheese Danish and Cranberry Bliss Bar to the Polar Bear Cake Pop, Snowman Cookie and the year-round Cinnamon Pull-Apart. Each item offers a taste of the season, from classic holiday flavors to fresh, limited-time creations.
Charlotte’s Picks:
1/5 Iced Sugar Cookie Latte: The Iced Sugar Cookie Latte has an intensive sweetness from the first sip, making the drink difficult to enjoy more than a few sips. The sugar cookie flavor was barely noticeable and got lost beneath the overpowering coffee taste. The red and green sprinkles on top adds a cute and cheerful holiday look, but the flavor of the drink doesn’t live up to its presentation. For those that love extremely sweet, strong coffee drinks, this might be the drink for you.
3/5 Snowman Cookie: This cookie has a pretty design, with a sprinkled snowman wearing a scarf. The white chocolate shell was hard and the shortbread cookie underneath was dry and flaky, with an excessive amount of crumbs. The flavor of the cookie was bland, with a slight hint of vanilla. The overall design of the cookie was pretty, with a touch of white sprinkles at the bottom, but the flavor was bland and the texture of the cookie was dry.
4/5 Cinnamon Pull-Apart: The Cinnamon Pull-Apart is one of Starbucks’ best holiday bakery items. Served warm, this pastry is soft, gooey, and rich in cinnamon flavor that isn’t too strong. The sweetness is well-balanced between sweet and savory, making it a cozy treat for a cold fall or winter morning. Each bite pulls apart perfectly, and reveals a fluffy and buttery center. Overall, this pastry was soft, sweet, and pairs perfectly with a warm drink.
Caroline’s Picks:
3.7/5 Peppermint Mocha: The Peppermint Mocha is a comforting returning classic that leans more toward a dark chocolate flavor than an overly sweet milk chocolate one. The peppermint adds a refreshing holiday kick without overpowering the mocha, making it feel festive but familiar. The whipped cream on top brings just the right touch of sweetness and creamyness to balance the richness. It’s a cozy, holiday staple that’s perfect for anyone who prefers a deeper, less sugary chocolate drink.
3.2/5 Iced Gingerbread Chai: The Iced Gingerbread Chai is a creamy, spiced drink that feels very festive. The chai brings a warm, nutty flavor that pairs well with the cinnamon and gingerbread cold foam, giving it that cozy holiday feel. However, it is very sweet, almost to the point of being overpowering, so it is best for people who like a very sweet drink. Still, the creaminess and balance of spice keeps it enjoyable, making it a fun, seasonal option for anyone looking to try something new.
4.5/5 Polar Bear Cake Pop: This cake pop has a cute winter design, with a polar bear dressed in a Santa hat, capturing the spirit of the holidays. Beneath the white icing shell, the soft, dense vanilla cake is both moist and flavorful. The chocolate coating is sweet but not overpowering, adding a nice crunch that contrasts well with the soft cake inside. Unlike other cake pops, this one doesn’t taste artificial or overly sugary. Overall, this treat was a well-balanced and charming seasonal dessert that added nice holiday cheer.
