8 Best Starbucks Holiday Drinks (Everything You Need To Know About Starbucks Holiday Drinks + Holiday Drinks From Around The World)

The holidays are around the corner, and there’s nothing better to put you in a festive mood than the perfect holiday drink, especially from Starbucks. Read on to find out the best Starbucks Holiday Drinks you should look forward to.

From the festive design of Starbucks’ signature red cups to the delicious holiday drinks options they offer, we can’t think of a better way to usher in the festive season. We spend all year excited just thinking about which of their classic holiday drinks will be coming back, and which exciting new version will be added to the menu. When there are so many good choices, it’s hard to decide which is the best holiday drink for you. But not to worry, we have compiled a list of the all-time favorites Starbucks Holiday drinks you need to know about, as we anticipate the festive holidays.

What Are Starbucks Holiday Drinks?

The meaning is in the name. The Starbucks Holiday drinks are the special drinks Starbucks offers around the holiday season. To add to the merriment of the season, Starbucks blesses us with a special menu of creatively crafted drinks, that combine different flavors that remind us of the sweetness and coziness of the season.

Starbucks started this tradition over 30 years ago with old-time classics like the Eggnog latte. Over the years they’ve introduced new drinks and improved old ones, so there is something exciting to look forward to each year. Having tried their holiday drinks, we can tell you for a fact that they are always worth the year-long wait.

When Can I Order Starbucks Holiday Drinks?

Like all Starbucks seasonal drinks, the holiday drinks are only there for a season. So, unfortunately, we can’t enjoy them all-round, which is okay, because that just makes them even more special. Being holiday drinks, it goes without saying that Starbucks offers them during the holidays. That is the Winter season during the Christmas-New Year holiday period.

The exact dates vary every year, probably to build anticipation in their customers. But if past years are any indication, then you should expect to order the Starbucks holiday drinks anytime during the first weeks of November. The drinks remain available until around the early weeks of January before they are slowly phased out to give way to other seasonal drinks.

How To Order Starbucks Holiday Drinks.

Ordering the drink is simple, just tell the barista the drink you are interested in having, whether it is the Peppermint Mocha or the Irish Cream Cold Brew. You would have to specify the drink size. All of them have the options of Tall, Grande, and Venti. Some like the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha also offer the short option while the Irish Cream Cold Brew has the Trenta size option. All the drinks are also available as Frappuccino, hot or iced drinks.

If you want to make yours extra special then you can customize your holiday drink which is something we love about Starbucks. There are many holiday flavors and syrups you can choose from and play with, to come up with the right flavor for you. And if you are vegan then you can swap the milk for a selection of non-dairy options. The choice is all yours.

How We Choose The Best Starbucks Holiday Drinks

So, how can you trust that our list of the best Starbucks holiday drinks is truly the best? Well, aside from experience, we have carefully selected each drink based on its popularity, appearance, taste, and uniqueness.

Like we said Starbucks has had this tradition for over 30 years, and certain drinks are old-time classics. The drinks on this list are those that never fail to make it to the menu every single year. Not just that, these are also Starbucks holiday drinks many people across the world have reported having enjoyed them.

Appearance and taste are also key factors in how we selected these drinks. Being holiday drinks, their look and taste should be able to remind us of the holidays. Each of the drinks on this menu is guaranteed to do just that based on your preference. Creativity and uniqueness also played a factor in our selection, because for them to be the best, they need to stand out from the rest.

8 Best Starbucks Holiday Drinks.

Here are the best Starbucks holiday drinks to know about and look out for this coming holiday season:

Peppermint Mocha.

Most people would save the best for last, but we decided to start with it. This particular favorite is all over the world and has never been missed in the menu since its debut in 2002. Now 19 years heading to 20, this drink remains a global favorite for many, including us.

This drink offers the ultimate festive mashup, with the combination of steamed milk, roasty espresso, mocha sauce, and cool peppermint flavor syrup. It is especially the perfect choice if you have a sweet tooth. You can have it hot or cold, but we’d recommend having it as a Frappuccino if you want to dilute a bit of the sweetness with the blended milk and ice.

If you are in South Korea and not a big fan of peppermint, you can try the Snow Mint Chocolate, another popular Starbucks mint holiday drink there. A white Christmas tree-inspired drink made with a refreshing combination of mint chocolate, Jeju Malcha, and sweet white chocolate.

Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte

The most recent addition to the Starbucks Holiday drink menu and the most unique. It is the first originally crafted non-dairy option the company has ever released. So, if you are a vegan and you enjoy eating the Starbucks sugar cookies then you should know a sip of this tastes just like a bite of your fav cookies.

It is made of two shots of creamy almond milk, sugar cookie flavored syrup, and blonde espresso. The final touch is a topping of red and green cookie sprinkles for that touch and feel of the festivities. Since its release, it has quickly become a fan favorite. There are also some variations of it in different parts of the world. For example, in Japan, you can have the caramel Almond milk latte that uses the rich buttery caramel syrup instead. In Canada, you order the sugar cookie oat latte that uses oat beverages instead of almonds milk.

Caramel Brulee Latte.

This is an option you won’t get tired of and while it’s not officially a holiday drink, it’s available from Autumn, all through the holidays up to Spring. One sip of the drink and you are instantly reminded of Christmas time. It has a combination of rich buttery caramel with a hint of cinnamon paired with hot milk, espresso, and topped off with whipped cream and toppings that resemble the sweet crunchy feel of burnt sugar.

If you want something cold, then you have the option of ordering the toasted caramel Brulee cold brew of the secret menu. Both versions are especially a favorite in the US and Canada, although if you are in Japan the Crème Brulee Latte, it’s not as sweet but just as good.

Gingerbread Latte

Right from the name you can already get the feel of festivities and Christmas merriness. We all know that the gingerbread men and their quaint houses are the embodiment of the holiday spirit. But opposed to having to go through the trouble of making the cookies yourself, one sip of this drink will give you that sweet taste and memory of a gingerbread cookie with a nice cup of coffee, on Christmas morning.

The drink is a combination of milk and espresso paired with ginger-bread flavored syrup and warming spices and topped off with whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground nutmeg. It doesn’t get more holiday than that, does it? This drink is especially a favorite in Europe, the Asian Pacific, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. In some parts, you can also have the Chocolaty Gingerbread latte which is the cocoa-filled version that’s just as good.

Toasted White Chocolate Mocha

This is another amazing sugar bomb choice for sweet tooth coffee lovers looking for a go-to holiday drink from Starbucks. Since its debut in 2017, this drink has never missed the menu and has been a favorite, especially in the US and Japan. If you have already tasted the usual Starbucks White Mocha then you need any convincing.

Imagine that mocha topped with whipped cream, toasted marshmallows, and a colorful sprinkle of candy pearls to remind you of the colorful holidays. Although, in Japan, they use sparkling golden sugar toppings instead of candy pearls. What we love most about this drink is that it has the right balance of sweetness and creaminess, and is perfectly smooth whether as a hot or cold drink.

Eggnog Latte

Can there ever be Christmas without the ultimate Christmas holiday drink? Of course not. That is why the Eggnog latte is one of the founding holiday drinks rumored to have been released way back in the 80s. The drink has been on and off the menu through the years, and even though it was missing in 2021, it is still a favorite for many.

If you’ve always wondered what eggnog would taste like with coffee, then sip this drink. The combination of the sometimes-overwhelming sweetness of eggnog with the bitterness of espresso, topped with some cream and ground nutmeg gives you the perfect balance of flavors.

Chestnut Praline Latte

If you are looking for something warm and spicy to keep you warm throughout the holiday season then this is the drink for you. We love the hint of earthiness that comes from its taste and how a sip reminds you of the cozy feeling you get sitting in front of the fire on a cold and snowy night.

The drink is a combination of a handful of spices including cinnamon and cloves, paired with espresso, milk, caramelized chestnut, and topped off with whipped cream and spicy praline crumbs. We love how well all these flavors combine to give the perfect balance of sweetness, and we know you will too.

Irish Cream Cold Brew

This is another recent option released in 2020 and has been a buzz ever since. It’s been a favorite in US and Canada and will most likely make it to this year’s Holiday drinks menu. If you are not a sweet tooth and want something cold and refreshing then this cold brew option is the one to try. The drink is made up of a strong coffee flavor, paired with Irish Cream flavored syrup and topped off with creamy vanilla cold foam and a dash of cocoa powder.

Informative Section

What Starbucks drinks are holiday drinks?

Regular Starbucks drinks that you can get all year round and double as holiday drinks are the Caramel Brulee Latte that’s available from Autumn to Spring, and the White Mocha that double as the Toasted white chocolate mocha over the holidays.

What do Starbucks holiday drinks taste like?

It depends on the type of drink you choose, some have a hint of cinnamon, others mint. Overall, they are mostly sweet and have a combination of flavors that remind you of the festive season.

What is the most popular holiday drink at Starbucks?

The most popular holiday drink at Starbucks, all around the world is without a doubt the Peppermint Mocha.

What do you order at Starbucks for Christmas?

If you feel like being in a festive mood, you can order one of their holiday drinks and pair it with one of their variety of holiday-themed foods like the Snowman cake pop or cookie. Otherwise, you can order any of your regular favorites from the usual menu.

Are Starbucks holiday drinks still available?

Starbucks drinks are only available between early November up until the end of the winter season in early January.

What is Red Cup day at Starbucks?

Red cup day at Starbucks is a day every year when Starbucks gives out free reusable red cups in the spirit of the festive season and it usually falls in early November.