The Starbucks Holiday Menu features both new drink options and different treats to satisfy all appetites. photo courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks Coffee has officially launched their holiday menu, and the items are delectable.
Something I look forward to every year is the day Starbucks drops their cheerful holiday menu. On November 7th of this year, the menu switched from various pumpkin and fall themed drinks to several holiday drinks, including the classics like peppermint hot chocolate and the snowman cake pop. This season, Starbucks has also included new additions to the holiday menu, such as the Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refresher and the Turkey Sage Danish. With all of these festive drinks and foods freshly out for the season, I decided there’s nothing better to do than review each menu item.
The Peppermint Mocha
This drink is by far my favorite on the holiday menu. The Peppermint Mocha combines two flavors that blend together perfectly: chocolate and peppermint. The festive refreshment is made hot but can also be transformed into a cold beverage on ice. Personally, I like it iced, but, as the weather progresses to the winter season, there is nothing better than a steamy version of this drink to warm you up. According to the menu, the drink combines Starbucks’ classic espresso with the rich mocha sauce and then, of course, the new peppermint syrup. The drink can be topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls. This sweet treat is definitely a great option for those who have a sweet tooth, as well as anyone looking for a power up during the day. If I could describe the drink from the first sip, I would say this mocha is very strongly flavored on the peppermint side, but also similar to one of Starbuck’s year long drinks, the Java Chip Frappuccino. The Peppermint Mocha can also be made in frappuccino form, which is done by combining the ingredients with ice in a blender. This form of the beverage is thicker and more like a milkshake rather than a coffee drink. From steamy to icy, all presentations of the Peppermint Mocha are delicious. I would rate the Peppermint Mocha a 10/10.
The Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte
This coffee drink’s base is from the Blonde Espresso – which is seen on the Starbucks menu year round – as well as the signature sugar cookie flavored syrup. The frosty delicacy contains almond milk and can be topped with the red and green sprinkles. My first impression of the latte was different from the Peppermint Mocha, but this drink still did not fail to bring me holiday cheer during my first impression. This latte wasn’t as sweet as I expected, and the trace of almond milk and vanilla flavor blended nicely with the coffee. This drink comes both hot and iced. I prefer the hot version of the latte because it brings comfort on a cold day. The iced drink or the frappuccino version of this drink are also an admirable option for a cold sweet treat. This coffee drink would receive a 6/10 from me.
The Cran-Merry Orange Refresher
This new addition to the Starbucks Holiday Menu was thrilling to hear about. Personally, I love the Starbucks refreshers due to their versatile options, such as the ability the customer has to add coconut milk or lemonade. This drink offers both of these; there is the “Cran-Merry Drink” which is the refresher but with creamy coconut milk, and then the “Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refresher” which is the same drink containing lemonade instead of water. According to the Austin American Statesman, the description of this refresher is just as it sounds; the drink is made from flavors of sweet orange, cranberry, and other spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. These flavors together successfully accommodate both the refreshing and festive tastes. After trying this drink and the version with coconut milk, I am happy to say that I absolutely loved the combination of the cranberries with the cinnamon flavor. This drink is unique and a great addition to the Starbucks Holiday Menu. The rating I would give this refresher is an 8/10.
The Caramel Brulèe Latte
Wake up dessert lovers! This holiday drink is perfect for individuals looking for something rich and sweet. The drink combines espresso with a caramelized brulee sauce. The drink is soft and creamy with a sense of burning sugar that just lingers at first sip. Although it may sound overly sweet, I was taken by surprise when tasting this drink. The latte is not too sugary, as it still captures the delicious flavors of caramel. I prefer this drink warm because the beverage is almost like a rich caramel dessert. I would rate this drink a 7/10.
The Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai
Looking for a nostalgic drink? There is nothing better than that familiar flavor of sweet gingerbread. This iced option combines the signature chai latte with warm gingerbread spice and optional gingerbread cold foam to top it off. I was taken aback by this sweet and delicious drink. The foam added a creamy touch that brought cozy feelings for the winter season. The chai itself is already a perfect drink for both the fall and winter due to the warm spices the drink incorporates, bringing joy. All of these components made a perfect combination when I first tried this chai drink, and I was even tempted to add the included gingerbread cold foam to other drinks of my choice. I would say this menu item was very appealing to me as either a morning drink, or even a treat during the day. On a scale from one to ten, I would rate the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai an 8/10.
Turkey Sage Danish
Getting into food items, I was ecstatic to try the Turkey Sage Danish. This new addition was definitely not my personal favorite, but it was still warm and filling. Coming straight from the Starbucks Menu, this pastry is described as “a savory turkey sausage lightly tossed in a creamy béchamel sauce, encased in a crisp, flaky laminated pastry.” In my opinion, this food item was not as good as it sounds; the bread on the outside was not very soft. Technically, this could be an error in the preparation process, so I am certain that other customers may find this to be really tasty. I would rate the Turkey Sage Danish a 5/10.
Cold Foam Variety
Topping off this review on the Starbucks Holiday Menu this year, I am excited to say one of my favorite components is the cold foam that can top off any drink of choice. All drinks can be customized by adding additional flavors, like the sweet cold foams, and the new flavors for the season include the Gingerbread Cream Cold Foam, the Nondairy Sugar Cookie Cream Cold Foam, and the Peppermint Chocolate Cream Cold Foam. Each and every single one of these cold foams was absolutely phenomenal, as they added a delectable, exhilarating flavor to a drink as simple as a blonde espresso. I was content when trying all of these cold foams, and there was no better way to wrap up each of these holiday drinks.
