A Definite Ranking of the Best Holiday Drinks at Starbucks, From Most to Least Festive
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Although I frequent my local Starbucks more than I'd like to admit (the spelling of my name has been perfected after many fails), something special happens during the holidays: I crave coffee five times more than usual. Maybe it's their festive holiday cups with candy cane stripes and red and green polka dots, or the soothing warmth sipping on a latte gives in comparison to the freezing temperatures outside, or their glittery new merchandise, or maybe, just maybe, it's their amazing holiday flavors. Yep, it's definitely that. During the Winter months, I skip my boring almond milk latte and spice things up with festive flavors ranging from eggnog to caramel brulée. I've tried all of them (many times) and ranked the best ones by how quickly they put me in the holiday spirit. Spoiler alert: it doesn't take much, and they're all freakin' delicious, but some still came out ahead of others.
Eggnog Latte
This is what Starbucks holiday drink dreams are made of! The Eggnog Latte perfectly blends Christmas nostalgia with being a bit more of a grown-up (if early morning coffee runs make you a grown-up). Officially the first Starbucks handcrafted holiday beverage, this eggnog concoction was created in 1986 behind the espresso bar at Il Giornale (which later merged with Starbucks), simply by steaming up a pitcher of eggnog and milk. Spiced with a dusting of ground nutmeg, this is absolutely the way to ring in the holiday season.
★★★★★
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Even though the Pumpkin Spice Latte is fantastic, I know it's not exactly a Winter holiday drink. It is, however, the drink that signals the start of the entire holiday season and the colder months to come, and more than anything, the blend of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove is spicy and so, so good. How could I not include it?
★★★★★
Peppermint Mocha
When it comes to festive quotient, the Peppermint Mocha is pretty far up there. Introduced in 2002, this flavor is comprised of rich espresso, chocolate, holiday peppermint, and whipped cream. Originally thought up as a twist on traditional holiday candy, it actually was served with red sugar sprinkles in the early 2000s (definitely prefer the superaddictive chocolate curls it includes now!). This is Starbucks's most popular holiday flavor to date, and honestly, I get it. Like all other holiday flavors, it's available hot, iced, or as a Frappuccino. Craving a new DIY? Make it using this at-home recipe instead.
★★★★
Christmas Blend
Long before the Peppermint Mocha was thought up in the early 2000s, or even before the Eggnog latte was concocted in 1986, Starbucks rang in the holidays with their unique Christmas blend. Originally scooped by hand and packaged in brown kraft paper, this full-bodied coffee has spicy notes crafted with dark-roasted Latin American and mellow Indonesian coffees. To top it all off, it includes rare Sumatra beans, aged to bring out notes of cedar and black licorice. The spiciness of this blend makes it absolutely spot on for the festive season. Even if you can't snag a reusable holiday cup this year, this will definitely fill you with cheer!
★★★★
Toasted White Chocolate Mocha
Compared to the Peppermint Mocha, the Toasted White Chocolate version is like the equally cute but possibly *a bit more* boring cousin. Don't get me wrong, the holiday sugar sprinkles and crispy white pearls atop the whipped cream could put anyone in the holiday spirit almost instantly, it's just that the flavors are more subdued. Ingredients include a caramelized white chocolate mocha sauce that's mixed with espresso and steamed milk to create an elegant, creamy, still pretty festive drink.
★★★★☆
Chestnut Praline Latte
This rich, nutty drink is wholesome and festive while still feeling a bit more "adult" than its sprinkled counterparts. The Chestnut Praline Latte perfectly blends the flavors of caramelized chestnuts with toffee sugar and spices like cinnamon, ginger, and clove. After adding in the espresso and steamed milk, it's all topped off with whipped cream and spiced praline crumbs. All the flavors are truly a match made in heaven, and I'm hoping someone will turn it into a donut or cupcake recipe.
★★★★☆
Caramel Brulée Latte
Even thought I only give the Caramel Brulée Latte three stars, caramel is actually my favorite flavor in the world. Salted Caramel ice cream? I'm there. Caramel sauce? I will literally put it on any possible food. But that's exactly the reason this flavor just didn't feel like it achieved the sheer greatness it could have. The possibly too-sweet rich Caramel Brulée sauce blends with espresso and steamed milk, and it's topped with whipped cream and the same caramel brulée topping. Maybe a salted caramel version would be more exciting? Starbucks, I'm available to taste test whenever!
★★★☆☆