As the year draws to a close, twinkling lights, chilly air, and cheerful tunes signal the arrival of the holiday season. Amidst this festive ambiance, Starbucks unveils its eagerly anticipated lineup of holiday drinks, each concoction promising to deliver a taste of seasonal joy in a cup. However, beyond the decorative cups and catchy names lies the true essence of these beverages. Are they simply gimmicks wrapped in a festive bow, or do they genuinely encapsulate the spirit of the holidays?

Starbucks, known for its year-end offerings, never fails to stir up anticipation with its array of seasonal beverages. Ellie Comprix and Surin Bong are back for another Starbucks drink review, but this time include the comments of Sophomore Quincey Hack.

Peppermint Mocha (hot): 9/10

Reminiscent of a cozy evening by the fireplace, this drink blends rich espresso, velvety steamed milk, and a hint of peppermint. It has a particularly powerful flavor, strong in its rich chocolatey taste. For the most part, it tasted just like a hot chocolate with notable hints of peppermint woven in, rather than a coffee. It is a classic choice that resonates with those seeking the comforting embrace of tradition during the holidays (or if you particularly enjoy the taste of toothpaste in your coffee).

Gingerbread Latte (hot): 2/10

When first smelling this drink, you may expect a warm and spice-filled taste to go along with it. However, the drink itself disappoints with a lack of robust flavor. It may have been an issue with our particular order, as the coffee tasted diluted, possibly due to excessive water.  The drink was said to have blonde espresso, which is likely the cause of the lighter taste. This drink may be a good choice if you do not like strong coffee. We collectively agreed this would be a 2/10.

Caramel Brulee Latte (hot): 7/10

This drink had a great presentation with whipped cream over the top, dotted with crunchy caramel brulee toppings. It was quite sweet and milky, and the coffee was detectable though not overpowering. So, it is more suited for those who drink coffee for the taste rather than caffeine. Without much bitterness, Quincey described this as similar to warm milk with sugar while Ellie said it tasted like cheese? (did I ever say this??)  The only downside is that the flavor lingers in your mouth a bit with an aftertaste. Overall this drink is great for caramel lovers that are looking for a twist on the regular caramel lattes and macchiatos.

Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte (iced): 6/10

With green and red sprinkles dusting the top, this drink also carries a very festive and on brand look. While maybe pleasant for some, we did not personally enjoy the Sugar Cookie flavor.  The taste was somehow stuffy, without much of a crisp or refreshing aspect leaving it a little one-dimensional. Descriptions of it resembling a “watered-down blended cookie” might not entice those seeking a rich, indulgent treat. However, if you are one that enjoys sugar cookie candles and flavors, then this drink delivers exactly that. Since the drink is made with almond milk, that makes it a great choice for non-dairy drinkers. But, this does mean that the taste of the drink is a bit mixed with that of the almond milk, which gives a more watered-down taste.

Chestnut Praline Latte (hot): 8/10

Amidst the celebration of familiar favorites, Starbucks also introduces new additions to its holiday lineup. The Chestnut Praline Latte, with its nutty undertones and caramelized chestnut essence, offers a unique twist to the seasonal palette. Its earthy flavors evoke images of a cozy holiday feast, making it a worthy contender in this year’s selection. Ellie’s enthusiastic declaration of, “I actually like this one,” stands as a testament to the latte’s potential to enchant even the most discerning of palates. Described as reminiscent of a typical Starbucks latte, the drink seems to deliver more in aroma than in flavor.

Iced Gingerbread Oat Milk Chai Latte: 2/10 or 9/10

For those that have read the previous Starbucks review (Fall edition) you may already know the group’s opinion on the flavor of Chai (deplorable, stuffy, simply disagreeable with taste buds)—it is an acquired taste. Unfortunately or fortunately, this drink tastes exactly like how it sounds from the title, with strong flavors of spices and gingerbread. But if you are not familiar with the taste of gingerbread, like Quincey apparently, who said it tastes like graham crackers, you may disagree. From the smell, only the chai is really noticeable, however the gingerbread spices come out while drinking to make a balance of holiday flavors. If you are deciding which gingerbread latte to get, definitely get this one.

Whether you go to Starbucks to fuel up for intense holiday shopping or to finish homework over a break, be assured that at least one of these six drinks will satisfy your cravings. But do not be like us and order all of them, because Starbucks is expensive, and high school students are not exactly rich.