As a peppermint enthusiast, November is an exciting time for me as coffee shops release their holiday drinks. Cafes drop their pumpkin spice and pick up cranberry, gingerbread and peppermint. However, holiday drinks can be pricey.
Coffee, tea and various other drinks are very expensive these days, but sometimes you need a pick-me-up, especially around the holidays. It’s important to know which holiday drinks are worth the money.
While I may be the pickiest eater in the world, I know my way around a Starbucks and Dutch Bros menu, and thus have established myself as qualified to review the holiday drinks from Starbucks, Dutch Bros and Black Rock Coffee Bar. With this self-established authority, I vow to ensure my fellow Wildcats buy drinks that are worth their while and worth their money.
First, let’s start with the big guns, Starbucks. On Nov. 6, Starbucks released their holiday drinks.
I began with the iced Sugar Cookie Latte. This drink was brought back after a couple years break and Starbucks fans are excited. The drink truly does taste like a sugar cookie and the sprinkles add a bit of flare. While I do not immediately associate the latte with the holidays, it does have a cozy flavor that I will definitely be putting in my order rotation.
Next, I tried the iced Gingerbread Oat Milk Chai. This drink had a good gingerbread flavor and tasted like the holidays as it was flavored with the classic holiday spices. However, because of the oat milk, the gingerbread cold foam doesn’t stay on the top as well as usual. Personally, I would prefer this drink with regular milk.
Lastly, while it is not a new drink, the Peppermint White Hot Chocolate does not get enough recognition. This is probably my favorite non-coffee holiday drink that I look forward to every year. It tastes like a melted candy cane and is the epitome of the holidays. If caffeine is needed, the Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha is also amazing and tastes similarly to the hot chocolate.
On to Dutch Bros, released on Nov. 1. I first tried their Mistletoe Rebel. While it tasted good, it was just raspberry and pomegranate flavored and did not taste like a holiday drink. In addition, there was green glitter glaze on top that did not taste very good. Although the drink would be less festive, it would taste better without it.
Next, I tried the Hazelnut Truffle Hot Mocha. This drink was amazing, I could probably finish it in five minutes. It tasted like a holiday drink and is perfect for a chilly day. However, the iced version left a little to be desired. For some reason, it does not have the same flavor profile when it is iced.
Of course, I had to try a non-caffeinated beverage so I ordered their Candy Cane Hot Cocoa. This was a classic peppermint hot chocolate, but I could easily make it at home or in my dorm for way cheaper. Additionally, it is nowhere near as good as the Peppermint White Hot Chocolate from Starbucks.
From Black Rock, a place I am a little less familiar with, I first tried their iced Peppermint Bark Blondie, also released on Nov. 1. This drink was very good. I am a big fan of their Blondies and I love the quality of their coffee. It tastes very festive and I would definitely order it again.
Next, I tried their iced Eggnog Latte. I was not a big fan of this one. While I normally like eggnog, the mixture of eggnog and espresso did not work. It was really thick, and I went to Dutch Bros right after to get a different drink.
The standout drinks from each place were the Peppermint White Hot Chocolate from Starbucks, the Hazelnut Truffle Hot Mocha from Dutch Bros and the iced Peppermint Bark Blondie from Black Rock.
While we may not have the same taste buds, it may be worth considering these comments when deciding what holiday drink you choose to spend your money on.
