Once November arrives and the pumpkin carving and fall-themed activities of October have subsided, many people begin to shift their spirit towards the Christmas season’s promise of nostalgic traditions and welcoming flavors. Fueling the early start to the season is coffee and food chain Starbucks, who never fail to invite holiday cheer with the arrival of their classic Christmas flavors and themed cups each year. 

The holiday menu made its debut on Friday, November 6th, signaling that it’s time to turn on the Christmas radio and prepare for the most wonderful time of the year. Starbucks also continued its annual tradition of giving out their classic reusable red holiday cups for free on the first day of Starbucks’ Christmas to each customer who purchased a drink from the holiday menu. This year, the holiday menu includes 6 drink items, 4 whole bean holiday-themed roasts, and 5 food items, many of which are returning flavors that customers highly anticipate the arrival of each year. Here are a few of the beverages that you should be sure to get your hands on while the season lasts.

Peppermint Mocha

The Peppermint Mocha is a longtime favorite of Starbucks usual’s, returning for its 18th year in rotation. Featuring, espresso, steamed milk, sweet mocha sauce, and peppermint flavored-syrup and topped with a generous serving of whipped cream and dark chocolate curls, this beverage is sure to ignite some holiday spirit. Available hot, iced, and blended!

Caramel Brulee Latte

The Caramel Brulee latte features warm hints of a classic treat, combining espresso, steamed milk, caramel brulee sauce, and whipped cream topping into one cup of goodness. If you’re not a fan of coffee but don’t want to miss out on the caramel brulee flavor, try it as a milk steamer!

Eggnog Latte

A coffee-turned twist on a favorite Christmas beverage, the eggnog latte combines rich, steamed eggnog with Starbucks’s signature espresso. Topped with a dusting of ground nutmeg for extra flavor!

Not to mention, each seasonal sip is served in one of the four-holiday cup patterns, specially designed for the optimal holiday experience. Creative director for Starbucks Jeff Wilkenson states that “Our thought behind the cups this year was about people carrying them out in the world as messengers of joy”, hence the 2020 theme “Carry the Merry”. However, the holiday spirit doesn’t end there. Starbucks locations are now decked out in decor, which makes it the perfect place to settle down with a Peppermint Mocha in hand and your computer to finish out the last few week’s worth of school of the semester, or even join a live lesson. Whether you are ready to embrace Christmas in its entirety or are committed to waiting for Thanksgiving first, there is no excuse to pass on trying out the 2020 Starbucks holiday menu!

Citations

Peiper, H., & Surdi, C. (2020, November 5). The holiday season has arrived at Starbucks. Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/holiday-season-at-starbucks/

Savor the flavors of Starbucks holiday food and beverages. (2020, November 5). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/savor-the-flavors-of-starbucks-holiday-food-and-beverages/