On November 7, Starbucks launched it’s annual holiday menu and with new drinks and mixed reviews, this is my take on the variety of drinks.
Starting off strong with the Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte, this drink has become a favorite for many, including me. It is kind of hit or miss though, depending on the Starbucks location, but when it turns out good, it’s really good. When it doesn’t turn out right, it just tastes like very artificial vanilla.
Another classic is the Peppermint Mocha. Unfortunately, I am not a fan. I can understand why it is such a loved drink, but it’s just not for me. The mocha flavor is too strong and the flavor is very overpowering.
A new drink this year is the Cran-Merry Refresher. While I don’t appreciate the floating cranberries in the drink, I do like it. The flavor is very reminiscent of Christmas, but in a revised way, not in an overdone, peppermint way. The flavor is very cranberry heavy and I don’t taste much orange, but overall a solid drink for when you are feeling festive but want a fruity drink.
Next on the menu is the Caramel Brulée Latte. As much as I want to like this drink, I just can’t. It is way too sweet and the flavor is overwhelming. Maybe if you get two pumps of the Caramel Brulée syrup, instead of the regular four, it might be a little better.
Along with the Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte, another non-dairy option is the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai. This drink is overall very good. What I will say though is that it doesn’t taste that different from a regular chai, and I don’t get much gingerbread flavor. I personally like chai, so I don’t mind the lack of additional flavor. But you are only paying 20 cents extra for the Iced Gingerbread Oat Milk Chai compared to a regularly Iced Chai.
Lastly, I tried the Chestnut Praline Latte. It was not good at all. It honestly just tasted like water with cinnamon. I was really disappointed by this drink, I expected more.
If I were to have you try any of the drinks, it would be either the Cran-Merry Refresher or the Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte. Both are very good options to feel festive.
