With the holiday season within reach, the scent of the bitter and chocolatey taste of the new Starbucks holiday drinks takes charge of our senses. 

Caramel Brulée Latte (Clara)

This drink tastes like a snickerdoodle cookie in latte form. The cozy flavors of caramel and espresso combine to make a drink perfect for someone who might not be the most fond of coffee. I’d highly recommend this drink, even if you’re vegan (a substitute of almond milk doesn’t at all ruin it, but adds to the warm taste). The Caramel Brulée Latte is delicious and destined to warm up your belly this holiday season.

Peppermint Mocha (Sophia)

The drink didn’t taste quite like what I thought initially, yet I really enjoyed it. It tasted like an espresso hot chocolate with a hint of peppermint. I expected the peppermint flavor to be overwhelming, but I was pleasantly surprised by the well-balanced taste. The peppermint mocha was topped with whipped cream and chocolate curls, adding seasonal charm. I would recommend this to someone with a taste for sweeter holiday drinks, as it makes for a perfect drink to pair with watching Christmas movies on a cold night.

Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino (Abby)

The first sip I took of this drink was wonderful. It had a strong peppermint flavor that complimented the undertones of chocolate nicely. It wasn’t too sweet, but not too bitter either. The Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino would be perfect for someone who would like a holiday drink but is also craving a milkshake. I would order it again, if I wasn’t too embarrassed to ask the barista. 

Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte (Molly)

I didn’t like coffee, until now. The first sip I took of the Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte was surprising. The coffee wasn’t too strong, and the almond milk and sweetness fit with it well. When I opened the lid, I found holiday themed sprinkles that made the drink all the more exciting. I definitely recommend the Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte to anyone who would like a warm and delicious holiday drink! 

Irish Cream Cold Brew (Truman)

This drink was very good for the first few sips. The sweet Irish cream mixed with the classic Starbucks cold brew flavor was a winning combination. I was having a truly unique and enjoyable experience. However, once I got past the Irish Cream, and the white foamy froth at the top of my cup dissipated, I realized that the magic was gone. For a few sweet, lingering moments, I had been enjoying a wonderful holiday beverage. Now I was just drinking coffee with ice in it. Not that just plain iced coffee is a completely raw deal. It just wasn’t the pure holiday experience I was looking for. 

Chestnut Praline Latte (Laura)

The first sip I took was just foamy, melted whipped cream. The foam had a sweet, cinnamon sugar mixture on top that added to the foam’s flavor. A few sips after, it was all coffee. It was very sweet and had a hint of chestnut flavoring. This drink definitely adds to Starbucks’ holiday feeling. This drink wasn’t too sweet but wasn’t too bitter.  I would order the Chestnut Praline Latte again and I recommend this drink to people who like coffee that is not too sweet.