We Tried Every Starbucks Holiday Drink and There’s One Clear Winner

As a coffee addict and former barista, I consider Starbucks’ seasonal menu drops to be the most holy of all holidays. This winter brings nine drinks to the menu, from new additions (hello, Cran-Merry Orange Refresher!) to returning favorites (welcome back, Gingerbread Oat Milk Chai). We put all nine drinks on the holiday menu to the test. (For science, of course!) Here’s how every drink on the Starbucks winter menu ranks, from never-ordering-again to best-in-class.

9. Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha

The White Chocolate Mocha is the first coffee drink I ever tried. I was visiting New York in February, and as a Floridian pre-teen, it was cold. While stepping into a West Village Starbucks for some warmth, I ordered up a (hot!) White Chocolate Mocha and was instantly smitten. All this to say, I have a lot of love and fond memories for this drink. But once peppermint syrup is added, it’s just too much! The classic peppermint syrup clashes with the heavenly white mocha sauce, so this one is a skip in our book.

8. Cran-Merry Orange Refresher

For the holiday season, Starbucks added a cranberry spin to their beloved refreshers. Beyond cranberry, there are hints of orange and warm spices, giving it a more holiday feel. The cranberry flavor is surprisingly tart, which is lovely for the first few sips, but drinking a full cup of  it gets old real quick. We tried the refresher on its own and with the lemonade mix, but the coconut milk came out on top! It’s best described as a Christmassy pink drink, but without caffeine, this drink isn’t one we’re likely to order again.

7. Gingerbread Latte

While not an “official” holiday offering, the Gingerbread Latte can be ordered anytime there’s a gingerbread drink on the menu. It’s a classic latte infused with warm gingerbread flavor. (For what it’s worth, you can just as easily order a gingerbread cappuccino!). Overall, I really enjoy this flavor —just not as much as its chai counterpart (more on that later).

6. Peppermint Mocha

The Peppermint Mocha is a winter classic. It’s decidedly sweet and indulgent, but still has a classic coffee flavor. This drink also holds the distinction of being one of the chain’s highest calorie drinks ever, solidifying it as more of a dessert than a morning caffeine fix. But you do you! 

5. Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew 

Though it debuted on the fall menu, this bestseller is sticking around for the winter season. As a pecan pie fan, I appreciate this salty-sweet twist on the classic cold brew. The drink feels festive but retains its coffee base—helping you avoid a sugar coma come afternoon.

If you love the idea of a festive cold brew but aren’t feeling the salted pecan flavor, try topping your coffee with one of these new holiday creams instead: Peppermint Chocolate Cream, Sugar Cookie Cream, Chestnut Praline Cream, Gingerbread Cream, or Caramel Brûlée Cream.

4. Caramel Brûlée Latte  

Caramel lovers, this one’s for you. The Caramel Brûlée Latte toes the line between overtly sweet and just-sweet-enough for a daily coffee run. The crunchy caramel brûlée topping and hints of butterscotch make this a solid pick for wintertime.

3. Chestnut Praline Latte

This might be a controversial choice, but the Chestnut Praline Latte earns a spot above the Caramel Brûlée Latte. Both are fantastic, but the former’s caramelized chestnut flavor is truly what winter dreams are made of.

2. Iced Gingerbread Oat Milk Chai 

Gingerbread and chai might seem ordinary on their own, but together, they create the ultimate feel-good latte. To me there’s nothing that tastes more like cozy winter vibes than an Iced Gingerbread Oat Milk Chai (yes, even as an iced drink—it’s just that good!) The only downside of this otherwise perfect drink is the lack of caffeine—add a shot of Blonde Espresso for an energy boost without overpowering the sweet taste.

1. Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte 

If you’ve ever eaten raw cookie dough or enjoyed licking batter off a spoon, this drink is for you! Unapologetically sweet, it’s reminiscent of the icing on Christmas cookies thanks to a festive topping of red and green sprinkles. The almond milk gives it a lighter touch, but for a more indulgent (and still dairy-free) option, swap the almond milk for oat milk. We promise—life will never be the same.

Starbucks’ winter and holiday drinks are available until mid-January, with a few lucky ones sticking around longer. If past seasons are to be trusted, we can expect the second winter menu drop in the second week of January.