The weather is frosty and snow is falling. It’s time to enjoy a hot cup of coffee. (Unless you’re craving an iced coffee of course)! I’m personally an iced coffee kind of gal, but love a hot drink from Starbucks around this time of year.Ā Throughout the last couple of weeks, I’ve tried out each of Starbucks different coffee drinks for the holidays. It’s been quite the adventure!
Here is my pretty “extra” 2018 Starbucks holiday drinks review. This post features some yummy cold varieties for all of my iced coffee lovers out there! ā
Starbucks Holiday 2018 Review
Trying Fun & Different Coffee Drinks
1. Juniper
So, let’s talk about Starbucks’ newest holiday drink–the Juniper Latte. After reading quite a few reviews stating that this festive drink tastes like “Christmas in a Cup,” I was pretty curious.
Starbucks notes that a Juniper Latte consists of espresso, steamed milk, juniper syrup, and “has a light, pine-like flavor with delightful citrus undertones.“
Y’all, call me Scrooge or The Grinch for saying this, but I didn’t enjoy this drink at all! When I took my first sip, it tasted pretty magical. I felt like I was walking through a snowy woodland. Unfortunately, the Juniper Latte kept getting stranger with every sip.
The citrus undertones clashed with its earthy flavor. I was left with a strange aftertaste. It did kind of taste like a “Christmas Tree in a Cup,” but in the oddest way possible. As Ariana Grande would say…..thank you, next!
Rating: 4/10
2. Peppermint Mocha
Have you ever tried Olive Garden’s yummy after-dinner mints? Well, think of those in beverage form. If you’re a mint and chocolate fan, this may be the drink for you.
Via Starbucks, this holiday classic features “espresso, steamed milk, sweet mocha sauce and peppermint-flavored syrup.” The Peppermint mocha has a nice rich, chocolatey taste.
I also ordered the frappuccino variety, and find that I prefer this drink most in its original latte form. Maybe because it reminds me so much of a cup of hot chocolate. Overall, the Peppermint Mocha Latte will give you comfy vibes. A great way to warm up on a cold winter day!
Rating: 9/10
3. Chestnut PralineĀ
A great holiday lineup. The Chestnut Praline Latte makes you feel like you’re enjoying a cabin getaway, sitting by the fireplace and cozied up with a book.Ā
The drink’s nutty taste and hint of caramel work well together. Although it’s not my favorite Starbucks drink, this chestnut flavored latte is still a tasty, classic, and reliable choice!Ā
Rating: 7/10
Update: January 2020!
It’s been a good almost two years and this is now my absolute favorite drink. Maybe the Chestnut Praline is an acquired taste, but it’s totally worth it! I love the nutty undertones and find that this is the most unique holiday drink on the menu. If your Starbucks is still offering this drink, definitely give it a try!
New Rating: 10/10
4. GingerbreadĀ
I absolutely love the idea of coffee that tastes like a gingerbread house. The Gingerbread Latte consists of “sweet and delicately spicy gingerbread flavors” and is “topped with whipped cream and ground nutmeg.”
This drink is quite sweet, but the gingerbread flavor adds a nice little kick. I thought this was one of the most complex drinks n terms of flavor, and enjoyed the nutmeg topping.Ā
A fun and festive choice. I would say try the hot or iced variety though, as the frappuccino version was a bit overpowering.
Side note: Alejandro tried a Gingerbread Latte for the first time this year and almost gagged. Maybe my boyfriend is just a gingerbread hater, y’all–who knows!
Ā Rating: 7.5/10
5. Caramel BrƻlƩe
I really wanted to like this drink because my go-to order at Starbucks is a Caramel Macchiato (or frapp). I’m sad say this, butĀ it fell pretty short and was just “meh.”
The Caramel BrĆ»lĆ©e didn’t really give me a distinct flavor, except for being overly sweet. I tried the frappuccino variety, and that was even sweeter. I’ll stick to my Caramel Macchiato!
Rating: 5/10
6. EggnogĀ
Sigh. I’m biased because eggnog has never been my thing. However, the Eggnog Latte is not exactly an experience I’d like to repeat again.Ā
Growing up, my mom and grandparents would buy the refrigerated eggnog from Jewel, so I decided to order my eggnog latte iced. Although I remember hating it as a kid, I thought maybe I’d change my mind as a 20-something year old. Also, it’d probably taste better with coffee, right?
To quote Randy Jackson, it’s going to be a no from me. Out of all the different coffee drinks I tried, this one was my least favorite!
Rating: 1/10
7. Toasted White Chocolate Mocha
The Toasted White Chocolate Mocha gives me winter wonderland vibes. We’re talking snow days, candy canes, and sleigh rides. āļøāļø
This drink is made with “espresso, steamed milk and flavors of caramelized white chocolate.“
Finally, the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha is topped with sugar sparkles and white pearls.Ā They add such a cute touch! š¬
The perfect drink for a cozy winter day!
P.S. Both the hot and iced versions are amazing! š
Rating: 10/10
I hope you have an awesome rest of your day, lovelies! x
Have you tried out Starbucks different coffee drinks for the holidays? Which variety is your favorite? Also, are there any drinks you’re curious about?
Oh Nunzia!!! You brave soul! Thank you for going out & trying all of these flavors for us. ā” I’m hooked on the Chestnut Praline right now & too nervous to try the others. I’m gonna have to give the Toasted White Chocolate one a try next but, it seems the other ones aren’t worth the $$! I am so not an eggnog gal either & gingerbread is also a bit iffy for me. š The juniper one was the interesting to me but the citrus part made me stay away! Whew! Lol.
Omg, Hunida!! It was truly a caffeine filled adventure lmao! Letās just say that Iām glad I like coffee ššš Iāve noticed that a lot of peoples faves are either the Chestnut Praline or Peppermint Mocha. Theyāre both great drinks! Iām probably partial to the Peppermint Mocha cause it reminds me of hot chocolate lol
If youāre into sweet drinks, the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha is soooo tasty, Iād totally recommend it!! I liked the Gingerbread, but Alejandro absolutely hated it!! šEverything else was either meh or a pass (especially the Eggnog, thatās an experience Iād never like to repeat again š) Also, the citrus in the Juniper was just so strange lol!!!
Thanks for reading, love! I hope you had a good day! š x
Hahaha well, it seemed like a truly fun adventure & so perfect to do during this season!! š I’m not that into peppermint but, my boyfriend just loves that peppermint mocha, too!!
I do like a sweet drink for dessert so I will have to try that Toasted White Choco next time!! Thanks again for going through this experience so I know what to and what NOT to try next time I go. š <3
The white mocha sounds SO up my street, how delicious!! xx
It’s honestly so magical, Chloe–the White Chocolate Mocha reminds me of marshmallows, snow, and sparkles ššall the good things in life hehe!! x
Peppermint Mochas are my favourite!
I knew I wouldn’t like the Juniper Latte so I haven’t tried it, I hate gin so I was pretty sure Juniper wouldn’t be for my. Your review confirms it, I will NOT be trying that drink this year!
I feel the same about eggnog. I’ve never been a fan, but every year I always try it thinking “maybe this is the year I’ll like eggnog”. Why do I never learn!? Happy Holidays Nunzia!
Peppermint mochas are just so classic, they’re delicious!!
Omg, Cleia, the Juniper Latte was just an absolute no! Take it back, Starbucks….this ain’t it ššI’m glad I was able to help with your decision on the matter! š I think with Eggnog, it seems like such an “adulting” drink, so I really want to love it, but it never happens for me lol!!
Happy Holidays, hon!! x
Juniper is one of those tastes that you either love or you hate. Same with eggnog I think!
What a gret blog post! I love the Chestnut Praline hot or cold. That’s such a shame about the caramel. I agree with you that a peppermint mocha would work better as it’s minty choccy. You look so cute in your pink hat and coat btw #winterstylegoals
Aww, thank you so much, Chrissie! š
The Chestnut Praline drink is yummy! Initially, I thought I was going to prefer the Caramel BrĆ»lĆ©e more, but it was pretty blah in comparison lol! Also, the Peppermint Mocha is sooo delicious hot! I just had one today actually hehe! š
Thanks for reading, hon!! Hope you had a great weekend!! x
Hey Nunzia number 7 seemed like the best one on the list. Good review.
Mom
Thanks, Ma!! I’m glad you liked the review! šThe Toasted White Chocolate Mocha was sooo good! I think you’ll like it cause it’s sweet lol! šš
I loved this blog post!! In the UK, theyāve released a salted caramel brownie hot chocolate for Christmas and itās amazing!
Thank you, Rebecca!! šOMG that sounds incredible!! Wish they had that flavor available in the US! I mean…brownie and salted caramel, how could you go wrong!! x
The Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Peppermint Mocha and Chestnut Praline sound yummy!
They all were tasty! I had never tried the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha before this year, and it ended up being my fave hehe! šāļø