The rich scent of cocoa and the cozy warmth of spiced lattes fill the air, marking the return of holiday beverages. With the chilly weather settling in, there’s nothing quite like wrapping your hands around a warm cup of seasonal comfort.
Both Dunkin’ and Starbucks will serve their holiday drinks throughout December and will stop selling in January. Each brand offers a mix of warm and chilled options, perfect for any preference this holiday season.
Hot drinks
Warm drinks are perfect for chilly days, and both Starbucks and Dunkin’ deliver with their festive menus.
Starbucks’ hot offerings include the classic Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulee Latte and the spiced Chestnut Praline Latte. In 2023, they introduced the Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai which feels like a warm hug in a cup.
With each sip, the spice of the chai and the sweetness of the gingerbread complemented each other well, creating a harmonious flavor that wasn’t overly sweet or overwhelming. The oat milk added a creamy texture and naturally sweet, slightly nutty flavor, unlike traditional cow’s milk, which has a more neutral taste and a creaminess which makes it a perfect cozy drink for chilly days.
Dunkin’s warm beverage lineup features the Peppermint Mocha, Toasted White Chocolate latte and the White Hazelent Bark coffee. Dunkin’s Peppermint Mocha is a hot drink that combines peppermint with chocolate, aiming to deliver a cozy holiday feel. Right away, the chocolate flavor stood out, bold and strong, which made it a satisfying choice for fans of hot cocoa vibes with just a hint of peppermint freshness.
Cold drinks
Chilly beverages add a refreshing twist to holiday menus, and both Starbucks and Dunkin’ offer chilled options for fans of holiday flavor, like peppermint, chocolate, warm spices and nostalgic treats like gingerbread or sugar cookies.
Starbucks’ cold offerings include the Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino, Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte, Cran-Merry Orange refreshers and Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai. The Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino is a creamy, icy drink that has a refreshing burst of flavor. The hint of peppermint was cool, but subtle, making it feel festive without overshadowing the sweet white mocha. This drink is perfect for those who prefer a milder coffee flavor but still want an energizing boost.
The Holiday Sugar Cookie Latte is Dunkin’s cold take on a holiday treat, meant to capture that cookie flavor in a drink. Unfortunately, the texture was pretty watery, so it didn’t have the smooth, creamy feel you’d expect in a latte. The sugar cookie flavor was definitely there and tasted fun, but it lacked the richness to make it feel like a satisfying holiday drink. Other cold holiday drinks that Dunkin’ sells are the White Hazelnut Bark Iced Coffee and Peppermint Mocha Signature Latte.
Starbucks and Dunkin’ each offer a variety of holiday drinks, both hot and cold, to suit different tastes. Starbucks’s cold options, like the Peppermint Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino ($5.45 for a tall) provide a creamy and festive experience while they’re hot Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai ($5.65 for a tall) offers milder holiday flavor. Dunkin’s hot drinks such as Peppermint Mocha ($4.19 for a small) deliver a cozy, bold chocolate flavor with a hint of peppermint, and their Holiday Sugar Cookie Latte ($4.69 for a small) adds a chilled twist. With both brands offering a range of seasonal flavors at different price points, there’s a holiday drink for every preference.
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