When you step into a warm Starbucks this holiday season, you’re immediately surrounded by an aroma of gingerbread, peppermint, and various other festive scents. Starting each winter season, while standing in line, you may have difficulty deciding which limited edition drink to choose. Luckily, we have compiled a list of each Holiday drink along with their description, a personal rating, and the drink we believe will connect you most with the holiday season.
Peppermint Mocha (4/5 stars)
The Peppermint Mocha is your typical hot chocolate with a minty twist. Topped with sweet whipped cream, the drink features mocha—a blend of espresso and chocolate sauce. Arya Jamkhandi (ʼ26) wishes there was “a little more peppermint because it tastes similar to a regular mocha.” We agreed the mint flavors could have been more prominent; however, this drink is perfect if you are seeking classic, tried-and-true holiday flavors.
Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte (3.5/5 stars)
The Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte is a typical iced latte with gingerbread flavors and festive sprinkles on top. However, those sprinkles are where the festivity of the drink ends. While it has a pleasant coffee flavor, we did not taste the sugar cookie that we were expecting. Instead, we found the latte to be overly sweet. As sophomore Ethan Liu says, “If you don’t like sweet coffee, don’t get this drink.”
Caramel Brulée Latte (4.5/5 stars)
The Caramel Brulée Latte is an espresso latte with a special caramel brulée-flavored sauce, whipped cream, and caramel brulée bits. Jamkhandi puts the unique flavor profile into words: “The caramel flavor is not overpowering; it’s sort of a musky caramel flavor.” The caramel brulée latte warms your insides with its delicious taste and is reminiscent of the fall and winter seasons. Overall, this was one of the top drinks that we tried.
Gingerbread Oat Milk Latte (2/5 stars)
The Gingerbread Oat Milk Latte is an oat milk infused latte with notes of gingerbread—cinnamon, ginger, and allspice. Despite its promising name, the latte does not taste like gingerbread in the slightest and has a shockingly overpowering taste of coffee. In comparison to the Iced Gingerbread Chai latte, which we tasted later, “This one doesn’t taste like gingerbread at all,” says Isabel Xiao (ʼ26). Lacking the anticipated sweetness and holiday charm associated with iconic gingerbread, the latte fails to evoke the festive spirit we had hoped for.
Chestnut Praline Latte (2.5/5 stars)
The Chestnut Praline Latte contained the strongest notes of coffee, which would be perfect for a coffee-lover. That being said, we could find neither the chestnut nor the praline in this drink. However, we still preferred this drink over the Gingerbread Latte. When asked about this signature holiday classic, Taylor Morrissey (ʼ26) chimes in, “It’s good for a coffee option, but if you want something distinctly Christmas or holidays, you’re not going to find it in this one.” The coffee’s assertiveness, though slightly overpowering, didn’t entirely overshadow our enjoyment of the drink, which is why we preferred it to the Gingerbread Latte.
Iced Gingerbread Chai Latte (5/5 stars)
Concluding the panel, we tasted the Iced Gingerbread Chai Latte, which consists of a classic iced chai with gingerbread syrup. We enjoyed the spicy chai flavor and the perfect amount of gingerbread flavoring, which did not obscure the aromatic taste of chai. The flavors meld together to create the perfect holiday drink. Ethan Liu (ʼ26) sums up the Chai Latte perfectly: “You get the spices and the chai but you also get a gingerbread and holiday taste… it’s just an infusion of spices!”
After careful consideration, we’ve settled on our top pick to elevate your holiday mood: the Iced Gingerbread Chai Latte. However, no matter which drink is your favorite, they all turn coffee breaks into cherished moments of seasonal delight. From the classics to the more innovative, Starbucks’ new lineup is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
