When the Starbucks holiday menu drops each November, people flock to the cafes to buy a coveted red cup filled with one of the brand’s signature seasonal drinks. The annual rotation features a few new Starbucks Christmas drinks in addition to classics, like the peppermint mocha, that have graced the menu in years past.
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Your guide to Starbucks Christmas Drinks
If it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, it might be thanks to the holiday menu at Starbucks.
Each year in early November, Starbucks announces its holiday lineup of Christmas drinks and seasonal bakery treats, with the menu being available in stores a few days later. The fall lineup, usually announced in August, includes the famous pumpkin spice latte and is usually still available until supplies run out.
These short-lived Starbucks drinks feature the cozy flavors of the season, from eggnog to hot chocolate. With classic recipes like the peppermint mocha and newer concoctions like the Irish cream cold brew, the introduction of the seasonal menu items feels like the beginning of the holiday season to many raving fans.
Tips for ordering Starbucks Christmas drinks
Many drinks at Starbucks can be customized with different types of milk and sweeteners. Here are some tips and tricks for ordering from the Starbucks holiday menu:
- If you are sensitive to sweetness, ask the barista to use half the amount of syrup in the cocktails.
- Many of the drinks can be ordered dairy-free with your choice of soy milk, oat milk or almond milk.
- For sugar-free drinks, ask to substitute the syrup for sugar-free syrup, if it’s available. Most stores carry plain sugar-free syrup, sugar-free vanilla syrup or sugar-free cinnamon syrup.
The most popular Starbucks Christmas drinks
Whether you like apple cider, coffee, tea or hot chocolate, there’s a cozy drink you’ll love on this list of popular Starbucks holiday drinks over the years. These are some of customers’ favorites:
Current Holiday Drinks
“My favorite Starbucks holiday drink is the Chestnut Praline Latte. It's sweet and flavorful without being over the top, and the scent and flavor reminds me of all the times I've spent outside at Christmas tree lots in the winter.”
— Michelle Price, Honest and Truly
“I really enjoy the toasted white hot chocolate from Starbucks around the holidays. I’m someone who doesn’t drink caffeine, so it’s really nice to have a warm drink option that I can enjoy with my coffee-drinking friends and family.”
— Gen La Rocca, Two Cloves Kitchen
“It isn’t Christmas until I’ve had my first peppermint mocha from Starbucks. And sometimes Christmas starts in July. While billed as a seasonal drink, patrons can order it year round,” said . “The peppermint is so refreshing and pairs perfectly with the creamy mocha base. The whipped cream on top adds to the luxurious experience.”
— Jennifer Osborn, Kitchen Serf
Discontinued Holiday Drinks
Fall drinks
Cozy drinks available year-round
FAQ
Every season, the chain serves its holiday drinks in red cups, which feature a new design each year. Participating stores celebrate Red Cup Day on Nov. 17 each year, when customers can order one of the holiday beverages to receive a free, limited-edition, reusable red cup. The holiday cups are an initiative by Starbucks to reduce waste. Customers are encouraged to bring them in every time they order a drink instead of receiving a disposable paper cup.
The advent of new holiday recipes and trends typically means a few drinks get kicked off the list, making each year’s menu differ from previous years.
Besides the gingerbread latte, other discontinued holiday drinks include the eggnog latte, the cherries jubilee mocha and the juniper latte. However, you can still order some of the discontinued drinks from the Starbucks secret menu.
And though the seasonal menu’s cozy, warm drinks take center stage, the usual drinks like the vanilla latte, caramel macchiato and Starbucks refreshers are still available.
A version of this article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.
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