If you’ve already ordered your fair share of pumpkin spice lattes, something new is coming—and sooner than you think. Starbucks holiday drinks are back for 2023, and your favorites are on the menu, along with a new bev (or maybe even two, depending on your store).
But first, I know you’re wondering: When do Starbucks holiday cups come out? The famous red cups—along with the holiday drinks themselves—will officially be back at the coffee chain starting tomorrow, Thursday, November 2. There will be four different cups this holiday season featuring splashes of Barbiecore-esque pink, as well as a cutie new holiday cold cup for your iced teas and cold brews.
Now…drumroll please…there is a brand-new drink on the menu this year! The iced gingerbread oat milk chai will join favorites like the peppermint mocha, caramel brûlée latte, chestnut praline latte, and iced sugar cookie almond milk latte. Plus, select locations in the US that serve Oleato beverages (the buzzy coffee drinks that are infused with olive oil) will also have an extra holiday drink on the winter menu, the Oleato gingerbread oat milk latte.
Not sure what seasonal drink to choose tomorrow? I’ll break down the full Starbucks holiday menu below.
What is on the Starbucks holiday food menu this year?
We can’t forget the treats. Returning holiday food items from last year include the Cranberry Bliss Bar, Gingerbread Loaf, Peppermint Brownie Cake Pop, Snowman Cookie, and Sugar Plum Cheese Danish. They’ll pair perfectly with the various holiday drinks, listed below.
Iced gingerbread oat milk chai
Meet the new bev on the block. Made with a blend of oat milk and black tea infused with cinnamon and warming spices and topped with a sprinkle of spice topping, it’s your favorite iced chai with a hint of festive gingerbread you’ll love. It’s also coffee-free, though you can of course add a shot of espresso to make it a dirty gingerbread chai. And secret-menu alert: Having the gingerbread syrup on hand means you can low-key order a gingerbread latte again (but you didn’t hear it from me).
Oleato gingerbread oat milk latte
The first Oleato holiday drink, this latte is made with blonde espresso roast infused with Partanna extra-virgin olive oil, steamed oat milk, and notes of warm gingerbread. Then it’s finished with a ginger citrus sprinkle for a holiday-cookie aroma. This drink is available only at Starbucks stores that offer Oleato beverages, so be sure to check the store locator to see whether your store is one.
Peppermint mocha
This classic Starbucks holiday drink is back again. Made with espresso, steamed milk, mocha sauce, and peppermint syrup, it also comes topped off with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls. As for customizations, you can get it hot, iced, or even in Frappuccino form, and made with the alt-milk of your choice, or skip the whipped cream. I also love ordering a peppermint hot chocolate, if you prefer a holiday drink without coffee.
Iced sugar cookie almond milk latte
First introduced in 2021, this sweet drink is made with almond milk by default and has sugar-cookie-flavored syrup, blonde espresso, and red and green sprinkles on top. You can sub in your favorite milk if you don’t want almond, and the drink can also be made hot.
Caramel brûlée latte
If you like your drinks to basically be a dessert in a cup, the caramel brûlée latte is for you. A blend of espresso, steamed milk, and caramel brûlée sauce, it’s also topped with whipped cream and caramel brûlée bits. Note that this drink can’t be made dairy-free (there’s milk in the caramel sauce), but you can still customize your milk selection or skip the whip for a lighter version.
Chestnut praline latte
This festive bev is made with espresso, the steamed milk of your choice, and chestnut praline syrup, then topped with whipped cream and spiced praline crumbs. Then, of course, you can customize by going iced or skipping the whip.
So what’s the best Christmas Starbucks drink?
This one’s entirely up to you. Though some drinks are sweeter or stronger than others, you can also ask your barista to customize them to your preferences (type of milk, number of shots of espresso, etc.). If you’re not sure where to start, try the Peppermint Mocha; it’s been a favorite menu item for over 20 years.
