Starbucks holiday drinks are iconic in that they seem to kick off the holiday season. Look up from your phone and someone around you is probably holding a red or green printed cup, sipping on a Gingerbread Latte. But Starbucks holiday drinks aren't just a fun celebration for your taste buds here in the US—THEY'RE TAKING OVER THE PLANET. Kidding. But, there are a lot of different holiday-inspired drinks. Here's a look at Starbucks around the world.
Speculoos Latte
Where It's Available: Asia Pacific
You've heard of Cookie Butter, right? Well this is it, but in latte form. This holiday bevvie (also known as the Caramel Cinnamon Cookie Latte in some place) copies the cookie butter flavor by mixing caramel with espresso, and tops it with whipped cream and spiced cookies.
Snowy Cheese-Flavored Latte
Where It's Available: China
Now, cheese might seem like a weird thing to mix with coffee, but hear us out. We're not talking shreds of cheddar on top of your brew. The cheese (like the stuff in cheese tea) is more of a sweet cream cheese that sits at the top, like a thicker whipped cream topping. This latte is a little different, though, in that it's made with a baked cheese-flavored sauce that's mixed with espresso and topped with whipped cream, blueberry sprinkles, and star-shaped crisps for aesthetic.
Salted Caramel Brownie Hot Chocolate
Where It's Available: Europe, Middle East and Africa
This hot cocoa is on another level. It mixes steamed milk with mocha sauce and salted caramel sauce. Then the drink is topped with salted caramel brownie-flavored whipped cream, brownie crumbles and salted caramel brittle. WHAT?
Christmas Strawberry Cake Milk
Where It's Available: Japan
Strawberry Christmas Cake is a Japanese holiday tradition made with sponge cake, whipped cream and strawberries. Inspired by the cake, this holiday beverage combines steamed milk, strawberry compote and white mocha syrup, topped with whipped cream, strawberry topping and crushed biscuits. It's not exactly a Frappuccino but can be made into one.
Christmas Dessert Latte
Where It's Available: China
Another winner hailing from China! This latte is inspired by British Christmas Pudding and is made with steamed milk, espresso, and Christmas pudding-flavored sauce. It's topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce and a mixed fruit sprinkle.
Dark Cherry Mocha
Where It's Available: Latin American and the Caribbean
The Dark Cherry Mocha is like if Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia had a lovechild with a cup of joe. It's made with espresso, bittersweet mocha sauce, dark cherry-flavored syrup, steamed milk and topped with sweetened whipped cream.
Christmas Brulée Latte
Where It's Available: Europe, Middle East and Africa
Take a crème brûlée and make it fashion. This drink combines steamed eggnog milk with crème brûlée sauce and espresso, and a dash of Christmas Brulée sprinkles.
Hazelnut Mocha
Where It's Available: Argentina and Uruguay
This ain't your typical hazelnut coffee. It's made with hazelnut-infused bittersweet chocolate, espresso and steamed milk. Then, it's topped with whipped cream and mocha drizzle. It's available hot, iced or as a Frappuccino.
Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha
Where It's Available: Latin America
Cranberries are a staple in Thanksgiving and Christmas dishes, so it's no surprise they've found their way into coffee. This beverage mixes espresso, steamed milk and white chocolate, and is topped with whipped cream, cranberry drizzle and crystallized cranberry sugar.
Duo Cocoa Mocha
Where It's Available: Asia Pacific
If you like chocolate, listen up. This one mixes espresso with dark chocolate and white chocolate, and is topped with whipped cream (because, duh). But then, the topping is split—it's half drizzled mocha sauce and half crunch cocoa nibs. Order it hot, iced or as a Frappuccino.
Toffee Nut Crunch Latte
Where It's Available: China, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Europe
It's like candy in a cup, combining expresso with buttery toffee sauce and toasted nuts (and yes, whipped cream). Served hot or over ice.
Flat White With Cinnamon Spice
Where It's Available: Europe, Middle East and Africa
For this drink, take a regular flat white and toss in flavors of cardamom, vanilla and cinnamon spice. Cinnamon spice sugar is actually steamed into the milk and poured over the hot espresso. This can also be ordered as a latte!
While the US is most known for serving Peppermint Mocha and Gingerbread Lattes around the holidays, Starbucks has a knack for surprising us with more drinks throughout the season. Remember the Christmas Tree Frappuccino? So keep your eyes peeled, or plan a vacation to and try one of the above holiday drinks this year.