‘Sip the Season

Starting+Nov+2%2C+Starbucks+gets+ready+for+the+holidays+with+their+festive+holiday+special+drinks.+Any+hot+drink+that+a+customer+orders%2C+gets+gifted+one+of+their+holiday-designed+drinks.

Starting Nov 2, Starbucks gets ready for the holidays with their festive holiday special drinks. Any hot drink that a customer orders, gets gifted one of their holiday-designed drinks.

By Kendyl Groisser, Assistant Online Editor

The white snow falling onto the ground, flashing lights on neighboring houses, Mariah Carey on the radio: all signs that the holiday season is coming. However, there is one other sign that people all over the world wait for. On Nov. 3, Starbucks released its line of holiday drinks, bringing back old and new highly anticipated drinks to get people in the holiday spirit. Here are some of the most popular Starbucks holiday-themed beverages as the season approaches.

Peppermint Mocha
First up is the Peppermint Mocha. For 16 years, this drink has been known as the Starbucks holiday drink, in fact, it is so popular it is now available all year round. There is something so special about getting a Peppermint Mocha during the holiday season. The first few sips of this drink have a minty taste, as it is topped with peppermint sprinkles. It is a perfect mix of espresso andhot chocolate with York peppermint patty characteristics. The peppermint in the drink is not too overpowering, as you can still taste the sweetness of the drink. The Peppermint Mocha is the staple holiday drink and face of the holiday specials that Starbucks has to offer.

Irish Cream Cold Brew
The Irish Cream Cold Brew is the ideal combination of creamy and subtly sweet on top, with bitter and balanced beneath the cloud of foam. It is a signature cold brew, a coffee drink many enjoy, but has a slight holiday twist to it. This drink is made with a newly developed Irish cream syrup, with a dusting of cocoa sitting on top. While it has slight hints of vanilla and chocolate, the sweetness is not overbearing. Coffee lovers cannot go wrong with this drink. The drink as a whole provides some very holiday-like spirit that has got many Starbucks lovers into the festive mood.

Caramel Creme Brûlée Latte
This drink is exactly as it might seem – sweetness overload. If you have a huge sweet tooth, this is the drink for you. It tastes like a worse version of the regular Caramel latte. Somehow, the amount of sugar in this drink is not enough to get rid of the bitterness of the espresso. While the mix of sweet and bitter may sound appealing, the flavors do not mix well, instead, they clash. It is nothing like the warm and sugary Creme Brulee dessert and does not deserve a lot of attention.

Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte
This drink is a hit or miss with consumers either loving it or hating it. While sometimes this drink is enjoyable, the making of it is inconsistent. The flavoring of a sugar cookie is not guaranteed, since the almond milk can sometimes overpower the cookie flavor. However, it is the only dairy-free holiday drink. The sprinkles for this drink are a must because without them, it would have zero to no flavor. Although the name of this drink can be deceiving, as it seems like a sugary and delicious treat, Starbucks consumers should be careful when ordering this drink.

Toasted White Chocolate Mocha
If someone is looking for a very sweet and chocolatey drink, then the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha is perfect. The first sip of this drink is filled with Starbucks’ Holiday Sugar Sparkles and followed by their signature whipped cream. The actual drink is a rich espresso paired with the taste of caramelized white chocolate combined with steamed milk. For coffee lovers, this drink might not be the best choice as it tastes more like hot chocolate and less like a mocha coffee. For the amount of sugar that is in this drink, it is not too overbearing in the slightest, making the drink very enjoyable. This drink can be ordered iced or hot, but most prefer the hot version as it has a toasty and warm flavor.

Chestnut Praline Latte
This drink is available for consumers as a hot or iced latte. The love for this drink has also given Starbucks a chance to venture out and create its newest version, the Chestnut Praline Frappuccino. The Chestnut Praline Latte is mixed with a caffeine-free creme base and topped with a combination of whipped cream and chestnut crumbs. Its rich chestnut flavor paired with spiced praline, tastes both balanced and complex. This sweet and toasty duo transforms a tasty latte into a real holiday treat!

Starbucks’ holiday specials are something that their consumers can always depend on during the winter season. The variety of different drinks gives consumers the ability to find something that they will love and enjoy this holiday season.