In 1997, Starbucks released their “red cups” along with their seasonal holiday drinks for the first time. This year, the 25th year, Starbucks announces new foods and beverages. Drinks include the Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Irish Cream Cold Brew and, returning for its second holiday season, the non-dairy Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte.

The bakery menu includes a new favorite, the Chocolate Pistachio Swirl, and the returning Reindeer Cake Pop, Sugar Plum Cheese Danish, Cranberry Bliss Bar and Snowman Cookie.

After taking a trip to Starbucks with Emerson High School junior Nick D’Agostino, we used our senses to give the best rating of the best sounding drinks.

Iced Caramel Brulée Latte

When taking one sip of this iced treat, I can taste the whipped cream and an instant hit of caramel. The aftertaste was a sweet taste of a milked coffee. Although this drink is perfect for the holidays with the caramel chunk sprinkles and the whipped cream, it tastes like any other caramel coffee that can be bought during the summer or any other season. The rating I would give it would be a solid 7/10. 

Iced Sugar Cookie Latte

After a sip of this sweet drink, you instantly get the taste of sugar cookies. The name of the drink compliments the flavor and it was more than Nick D’Agostino was expecting. After asking him questions and interviewing him on this drink, he explains his exact thoughts when drinking his latte.

“It tastes like a sweet candle. It was almost metallic like. It is very sugary and it tastes like a sugar cookie. It’s very tasty and you can taste all of the flavors in the name. Very sweet,” says D’Agostino. 

The official rating of this drink is 8/10. 

Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino

After taking one sip of Starbucks’ most favorite frappuccino, you taste the peppermint and chocolate. The peppermint tasted almost fresh compared to the other coffee drinks. The peppermint overpowered the chocolate, but it wasn’t too strong. It is a perfect drink to have during the month of December, and I cannot wait to have it during Christmas time. The whipped cream brought it all together, and the chocolate curls that it topped gave it the rating it deserves. The rating I would give it would be a solid 10/10. 

No matter what drink you order off of the Starbucks’ holiday menu, I am sure you will not be disappointed! We hope you have a great Starbucks experience, and Happy Holidays!