Do you hear that? Christmas is back at Starbucks! Here’s your guide to the new and returning drinks, as well as some customized options. Bundle up, sit down, and savor that first sip of your favorite holiday beverage, available starting November 6th.
By Jayne Turner – Staff Member
Sugar Cookie
Available as a hot or iced latte, cold foam, or Frappuccino.
Sugar cookie syrup is back and reformulated! This sticky sweet syrup made it debut in 2021 as the first advertised nondairy holiday drink at Starbucks. Originally served with almond milk, this year it will come with 2%. Since Starbucks removed the upcharge for nondairy milks, don’t be afraid to ask for your favorite nondairy milk in this drink!
The syrup this year is even tastier than it was last year. Though it was previously too sweet, this year it’s perfect as-is. It’s still a sweet treat, but the flavor is more like a genuine sugar cookie, fresh out of the oven – the kind with homemade icing.
My favorite way to order this is iced with oat milk or as a shaken espresso. Just ask for a shaken espresso, no classic, substitute sugar cookie, and oat milk.
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Caramel Brulée
Available as a hot or iced latte, cold foam, or Frappuccino.
The Caramel Brulée is a classic holiday flavor at Starbucks. Dating all the way back to 2008, customers always look forward to this drink around the holidays. This unique flavor is caramelized, toasty, and buttery.
This drink is best enjoyed hot. Swirled with warm milk and topped with whipped cream and a caramel sugar topping, it’s a classic for a reason. This one is also great in Frappuccino form, for those warmer winter days.
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Gingerbread
Available as a hot or iced latte, cold foam, Frappuccino, or iced chai
Gingerbread syrup has always been a strange concept to me. It is a difficult flavor to do right. It often comes across less like a baked good and more like a Red Hot.
However, the Gingerbread Iced Chai is an exception. The spicy on spicy combination is so good. This drink is warm, sweet, and decadent.
My favorite way to enjoy Gingerbread syrup is in a hot chocolate. Ask to add just one or two pumps of gingerbread to your preferred sweetness for a holiday twist on traditional hot cocoa.
Peppermint Mocha
Available as a hot or iced latte, cold foam, or Frappuccino.
The peppermint mocha is a holiday classic, conjuring visions of peppermint bark, candy canes, and Christmas cheer. Starbucks actually offers peppermint syrup throughout the year, so you can enjoy peppermint mochas anytime. However, it isn’t until the holidays that they receive the delicious chocolate curl topping.
My favorite way to order this minty beverage is with fewer pumps of syrup. Whether you choose hot or iced, this drink comes with twice the amount of syrup as any other drink. Do yourself a favor and ask for half the sweetener. Here is some more information about sugar in Starbucks drinks, if you’re more health conscious.
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Coming later in the season…
Starbucks has been trying a new format for seasonal releases. Instead of doing everything all at once, they do multiple smaller releases to maintain excitement.
Later this winter, Chestnut Praline will join the lineup. We will also receive the highly anticipated return of eggnog. When it was discontinued in 2021, many fans were disappointed.
The holidays are meant for indulgence. Start with your coffee! Starbucks has options for everyone, and if you’re aiming to watch your sugar, you can request less syrup, skip the whip, or choose nonfat or almond milk. Happy sipping!
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Author: Jayne Turner is a freelance writer from Orange, California. She has a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience with an emphasis on language and cognition. She has ten years of musical theatre experience and a lifelong love of reading. Utterly excited by the brain, she brings a fresh Gen Z perspective to the topics that intrigue us most.
