What are the Holiday Drinks at Starbucks? (Do Starbucks holiday drinks have caffeine + More Information)

During the holidays, Starbucks is the go-to coffee shop. What are the holiday drinks at Starbucks? Read on to find out more.

During the holidays, there is nothing that excites me more than having Starbucks holiday drinks. My favorite is the Pumpkin Spice Latte which satisfies everything I look for in a holiday drink. Other holiday drinks at Starbucks are Peppermint Mocha, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Toasted Caramel Brȗlée Cold Brew, Caramel Brȗlée Latte, Santa Claus Frappuccino, Chestnut Praline Latte, Salted Caramel Mocha Latte, and Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte. The review below has listed all the mentioned holiday drinks, with information on ingredients, taste, and more details.

Peppermint Mocha

We start the list with one of the best holiday drinks started by Starbucks. It has garnered consistent fans since its introduction back in 2002. Customers who have gushed over the drink made it possible for it to be an all-year-round drink. You can get the drink hot, iced, or as a Frappuccino. The beverage delivers a minty yet sweet taste. There is no reason not to love this sugar-loaded drink with more than one flavor. However, the main flavor which has a prominent taste is peppermint syrup. It goes over steamed milk mixed with the company’s brewed espresso, topped with whipped cream and chocolate curls.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Starbucks customers globally wait for that time in the year when the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back on the menu. The company lists it as the most iconic holiday drink since it records special orders and sales. It was initiated in 2003 and has remained on the menu. Pumpkin spice latte is a burst of fall-themed spices; cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, which tastes heavenly. The barista creates the drink by mixing brewed espresso with milk, pouring pumpkin spice sauce over it, topping it with whipped cream, and sprinkling a pumpkin spice at the tail end.

Toasted white chocolate mocha

Toasted white chocolate mocha is a recent addition to Starbucks holiday menu; introduced in 2017. Sugar overload describes this drink perfectly. You can get the drink in Frappuccino, hot or iced. There is nothing not to love about this drink; it has notable differences from the White Chocolate Mocha; contains toasted marshmallows with festive toppings. Starbucks achieves this drink by infusing toasted white chocolate mocha sauce with brewed espresso and topping with holiday sugar sparkles with crispy white pearls topping, giving that delicious finish. If you are sugar conscious, the sweet taste might be a bit much, but you can enjoy the drink once in a while.

Toasted caramel Brulee cold brew

Sitting at position four in the list is Toasted Caramel Brulee Cold Brew. Starbucks added the drink in 2020 and has impressively had fans ever since. The drink is a result of combining Toasted White Mocha sauce and Caramel brȗlée. Many of us would not imagine a resulting cup of deliciousness; it tastes buttery with rich notes of coffee in cold brew. The sweet cream in the cold brew adds sweetness to the drink, and it is better with whipped cream and a caramel brȗlée topping finish.

Caramel Brȗlée Latte

Right after Starbucks Toasted Caramel Brȗlée Cold Brew is caramel brȗlée latte which has a few years listed on the holiday menu. Unfortunately, the drink is only available in the US and Canada. Starbucks creates the drink from its signature brewed espresso, mixed with steamed milk and caramel brȗlée sauce and given a whipped cream finish, spiced with caramel brȗlée sugar bits. The topping finish provides the drink with a burnt, smoky taste, however, all the sugar in the caramel sauce makes the drink undeniably delicious which is perfect for the cold season.

Chestnut Praline Latte

Starbucks Chestnut Praline Latte is a must-drink during the holidays, which had its debut in 2014. The drink has a decent spicy taste in the chestnut praline syrup that fits the holiday theme. The sweet and spicy notes are fit to keep you warm through a cold night. Unfortunately, the drink is only available to US and Canadian customers. The barista makes the drink by blending their signature brewed espresso with milk, drizzled with flavorful chestnut praline syrup topped with whipped cream and chestnut praline topping finale.

Santa Claus Frappuccino

It is one of the best Frappuccinos on the holiday menu. Not only is it sweet, but it also is very appealing. Santa Claus Frappuccino has a strawberry shortcake taste. Starbucks creates the drink by layering strawberry puree, whipped cream topping, and holiday-themed red-green sprinkles at the top. Initially, the drink was a Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino customization, giving its way to the secret menu. Given that they only recently included it on the secret menu, it has yet to garner fans.

Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

Unfortunately, the Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Latte is no longer available. The drink is a mix of different syrups, which explains the amount of sugar in the drink. Despite the sweet notes, the salt finishing twists it. Starbucks makes the drink with toffee nut syrup, mocha sauce, caramel sauce poured over brewed espresso, and milk topped with whipped cream. The highlight of the drink is the sea salt finishing which defines the drink’s identity.

Irish cream cold brew

One of the best iced holiday drinks is Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew. It is perfect for customers who usually order a cold brew. It balances bitter coffee, sweet vanilla, and chocolate in Irish cream syrup. Starbucks makes it by mixing brewed coffee with Irish cream syrup, poured over ice and Irish cream cold foam finishing sprinkled with cocoa powder. A perfect choice if you are looking for a drink with a classic coffee taste but not overly bitter.

Iced sugar cookie almond milk latte

The list would be incomplete without the Iced sugar cookie almond milk latte, a recent addition having its debut in 2021—a good option for lactose intolerant customers in the US. The sugar cookie syrup is a burst of sweetness. Starbucks creates this drink by combining blonde espresso with sugar cookie flavored syrup, which gives it a distinct taste that has drawn many customers. The finishing is red and white sprinkles which fits the holiday theme perfectly.

FAQ Section

Are there Starbucks holiday drinks on the secret menu?

Yes, there are several holiday drinks on Starbucks’ secret menu. Santa Claus Frappuccino, Chestnut Praline Chai Latte, Candy Cane Frappuccino, Peppermint Bark Frappuccino, Candy Cane Cold Brew, and Sugar Cookie Chai Latte, to mention a few.

Do all Starbucks holiday drinks have caffeine?

No, there are Starbucks holiday drinks that contain no caffeine. Some are Eggnog Crème Frappuccino, Chestnut Praline Crème, Toasted white hot chocolate, and Caramel Apple Spice, to mention a few.