Whilst we’ve only just had Bonfire Night, the coffee shops have all released their festive menus and we wanted to be the first to try them out! We visited Costa, Caffe Nero and Starbucks to sample their new selections; here’s what we thought of them!
Costa Coffee
Billionaire’s Hot Chocolate
This new delight brings their sweet millionaires shortbread to life in drink form.
Cathy C – Although at first I was terrified when I saw how much syrup was going into this, I can only say the end result was flawless. It’s a biscuit in a cup. Just as sweet as the Black Forest Hot chocolate in my opinion but feels more filling.
Emily T – This was extremely sweet – but I’m not saying that as a bad thing! Just make sure to mix in the caramel syrup at the bottom to make the whole drink a dreamy delight. I wouldn’t recommend anymore than a small though!
Francesca B – it was really delicious like the shortbread crumbs on top were so good but then the caramel at the bottom you have to keep stirring otherwise you get a big clump of caramel at the end and it’s too sweet
Black Forest Hot Chocolate
Costa’s Christmas classic features with a cherry syrup, freshly whipped cream, sour cherry sauce and black forest chocolate sprinkles.
Laura F – Brought back to Costa by popular demand, I can certainly see why! The cherries and chocolate were a match made in heaven and not too sweet. I had mine with a Christmas toasted sandwich; the perfect combination to get me through the rest of the bitterly cold November winds!
Emma T – Who knew cherry and chocolate would go so well together? Topped with a nice amount of cream and glittery chocolate curls, this hot chocolate is definitely something I would get from the Christmas menu again!
Black Forest Frostino
The icy version of the festive favourite is new for this year and comes in just one size.
Charlotte M – Very good despite tasting oddly minty at the beginning, assuming this was just due to the syrup not being mixed properly. You’ve got to have it with cream or it would be a very sad frostino.
Spiced Hot Apple
This winter warmer is fragrant and comforting, complete with a cinnamon stick.
Cathy C – Like a spicier non-alcoholic mulled wine, it really helps if you still haven’t totally shake Freshers flu like me! Not to everyone’s taste but less sweet than the hot chocolates if you fancy something a bit different.
Honeycomb Latte
The standard latte gets flavoured with honeycomb syrup, topped (of course) with freshly whipped cream and chocolate-coated honeycomb pieces.
Emily B – My favourite of the Christmas drinks but you have to eat the honeycomb with the whipped cream, because if they drop into the coffee they go all hard and weird!
Lindt Hot Chocolate
Upgraded from last year’s shot sized serving, luxurious Lindt is blended with the signature Costa Hot Chocolate.
Lana S – Perfect for a chocolate lover! Luxurious and creamy, every sip was better than the last. The perfect drink for a cold winters day. I will definitely be buying it again!
Caffé Nero
Salted Caramel Latte
The classic latte gets a makeover with the addition of Salted Caramel syrup.
Immy H – This was great and the sweetness nicely counteracted the coffee flavour. A great drink if you aren’t a massive fan of coffee but want to get that caffeine buzz that you’re missing out on!
Clementine Hot Chocolate
This milky chocolate drink is mixed with clementine syrup before being topped with whipped cream and Belgian chocolate sprinkles.
Immy H – Essentially liquid Terry’s chocolate orange (GREAT you may think) but it was far too sweet and sickly – need to cut back on the orange syrup I think!
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
This hot chocolate with salted caramel syrup gets topped with cream, salted caramel sauce and chocolate flakes. You can also add marshmallows for 30p.
Emily V – It’s very sweet and more caramel than salted in my opinion, but if you are a caramel fan you’ll love it – they don’t skimp in the flavour here!
Starbucks
Fudge Hot Chocolate
The standard Starbucks drink you know and love gets combined with fudge syrup and topped with whipped cream and fudge pieces.
Emily V – As you drink this, the fudge pieces slowly melt into the drink making it taste creamy and decadent. It’s definitely a sugary sweet treat rather than an everyday beverage, but it’s delicious! I’d suggest getting it to-go because that gives the fudge pieces time to melt in rather than eating them all at once.
Image Sources
1, 2, 3 – Writer’s Own