My favorite time of the year has finally arrived! Cloudy skies. Frost on the grass in the morning. Boots and scarves. Always below 45°F outside. And, of course, the Starbucks Holiday Menu! There are six delicious options on the menu this year, and I’m going to rank them based on a variety of totally official, very objective factors (taste, concept, vibes, appearance, etc.). I’m going to do my best not to let my personal preferences outweigh reality, but let’s face it: I can only promise so much.
6. Irish Cream Cold Brew
Unfortunately, this drink gets last place. It’s not bad at all, but it just isn’t anything special. Irish cream syrup is the only thing making this different from a regular cold brew with cold foam. It tastes good, but it just isn’t festive enough to get a spot higher on the list.
5. Toasted White Chocolate Mocha
This drink is moving in the right direction, but again, you can get a regular white chocolate mocha any time. The “toasted” aspect does give it a couple of points, plus the red sprinkles and white pearls are definitely the most festive toppings of any of these drinks.
4. Iced Sugar Cookie Almond milk Latte
You might have expected this to be higher on the list because of how festive it is. What screams the holidays like sugar cookies? And the red and green sprinkles! But major points are lost because this is an iced drink. You don’t sip an iced coffee sitting next to the fireplace staring out at the snow. A festive holiday hot cup is required in order to be in the top three!
3. Caramel brûlée Latte
This drink is actually my favorite! “So why isn’t it #1?” Because I’m objective and fair, that’s why! I just think this drink tastes the best, but the ones above it are more over the top on the holiday vibes. Technically, you could get a caramel latte anytime, but unlike #5 and #6, the caramel brûlée syrup really is cozier and actually different than the regular caramel syrup.
2. Peppermint Mocha
Controversial, I know, but I don’t like the peppermint mocha! I said it! I just really don’t like mint, but I know this is super popular among normal people that do. Peppermint is such a distinctly wintery flavor, and adding it to a comforting and creamy mocha just tastes like the holidays.
1. Chestnut Praline Latte
The ultimate holiday drink! Chestnuts roasting on an open fire! Caramelized nutty syrup! SPICED praline topping! From top to bottom, every aspect of this drink is the epitome of the holidays. It may not be the most popular or the most well-known, but between taste, festivity, and pure vibes, it stands strong in the #1 spot.
Now, I feel like I have to close this out with an honorable mention of THE best holiday drink Starbucks ever had: the Gingerbread Latte. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we’re getting that back anytime soon. But there are still six delicious choices to pick from, so go out and get yours!
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