As the holiday season approaches, Starbucks is back with its 2024 holiday menu. This seasonal menu offers a variety of festive drinks designed to spark up the holiday spirit. From the classic Peppermint Mocha to the Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte, there are a lot of choices available. However, do these seasonal offerings live up to the hype? Here’s a review of the top holiday drinks at Starbucks this year.

Peppermint Mocha

The Peppermint Mocha is Starbucks’s most popular holiday drink, and it’s back for 2024. With its signature blend of espresso, steamed milk, mocha sauce, and peppermint syrup, topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder, this drink is definitely a fan favorite. The cool, minty peppermint flavor pairs perfectly with the rich chocolate mocha, making it a sweet and festive choice. The drink has a nice balance with espresso giving it bitterness to mesh with the sweetness of the peppermint and chocolate. If you love peppermint, this drink is an essential part of your holiday season.

Caramel Brulée Latte

The Caramel Brulée Latte is another returning favorite. Made with espresso, steamed milk, and caramel brulée syrup — topped with whipped cream and caramel brulée topping — the brulée offers a sweet, dessert-like experience. The Caramel Brulée Latte is everything you could want in a winter drink: smooth, rich, and almost nostalgic. The caramel flavor is warm and the brulée topping adds a nice crunch. While it’s sweet, the espresso helps balance out the flavors, creating a drink that’s still sweet without being overwhelming. This drink is perfect for anyone who loves caramel desserts.

Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte

My personal favorite of this season, the Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte, is made with almond milk, espresso, and sugar cookie-flavored syrup. It is also served iced for a refreshing twist. This drink has a sugar cookie flavor that’s light and sweet, without being overpowering. The almond milk gives it a creamy texture, but it is not as rich as a traditional latte which is made with normal milk, making it a great choice for people who like lighter drinks (but the almond milk can be substituted for regular milk, oat milk, etc.). Additionally, there are sprinkles over the top which gives the drink a festive feel. You could also add vanilla sweet cream cold foam or sugar cookie cold foam over the top to make it sweeter. It is a solid option for anyone looking for a dairy-free holiday drink.