Starbucks Holiday Drinks Review
Visiting Starbucks is a weekly and even a daily occurrence for many people. Starbucks knows how to market, advertise and brand their products to customers in the most appealing way possible, this is obvious in their holiday menu success. Since 1986 –when their first handcrafted holiday drink was introduced – the seasonal menu has evolved with more drinks each year and the creation of their holiday cups in 1997. For over 30 years, the day that Starbucks releases their new holiday flavors marks the beginning of the holiday season for so many people.
This year, on November 3rd, Starbucks announced their six holiday beverages that would be part of the menu. I took this opportunity to try each holiday beverage and review each of them. I primarily critiqued the drinks in regards to flavor and the “holiday feel.”
The first one I tried was the Peppermint Mocha. Starbucks describes this as: “espresso and steamed milk join peppermint-flavored syrup and mocha sauce –all topped with whipped cream and dark-chocolate curls.” Sorry peppermint fans - I had pretty high expectations for this one but that changed after I tried it. While there is definitely the taste of mocha, the dominant flavor is peppermint. I wish that I enjoyed it more, though, because it is such a classic holiday taste.
The Irish Cream Cold Brew was by far my favorite drink. “This is cold brew sweetened with Irish cream-flavored syrup and finished with sweet cream cold foam and a strike of cocoa powder.” While it doesn’t scream “holiday,” the Irish Cream Cold Brew is a delicious coffee experience that I would recommend to all coffee lovers.
The next one was the Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte. I didn’t really have high hopes for this one just because some of my friends had tried it before me and said it was gross. The drink is “sugar cookie-flavored syrup with blond roast espresso and almond milk over ice.” In my opinion, it tastes like watered down coffee. It wasn’t anything special and didn’t have any holiday spirit.
The Toasted White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino is a frappuccino roast coffee, milk and caramelized white chocolate flavors.” I hadn’t had a frappuccino since sixth grade, but I remember loving them. This drink, though, was way too sweet and bland. It kind of tasted like straight sugar, and the only reflection of holiday spirit were the red and green sprinkles put on top.
The Chestnut Praline Latte was another drink that I enjoyed. This is “espresso and steamed milk with notes of caramelized chestnut and spices.” I thought the spices went so well with the latte flavor. The drink perfectly exhibits the holiday flavor that you can only get during this season.
Finally, I tried the Caramel Brulee Latte. This is a caramel brulee sauce “with espresso and steamed milk.” This drink tasted so much like the regular caramel latte. Although it tasted good, the flavors weren’t unique to the holidays.
This review reflects my opinion and, in the spirit of the holidays, I encourage you to try each one for yourself.
By Caroline Cranman