It’s the most wonderful time of the year. You know what that means: Starbucks holiday drinks have graced us with their cheery presence! I don’t know about you, but I was definitely counting down the days until I could officially order a Peppermint Mocha, one of my favorite drinks during the holidays. What leaves you feeling more in the holiday spirit than these classic drinks?
…But what happens if you want to switch it up this holiday? These are my top picks for Trader Joe’s substitutes to the Starbucks classic holiday drinks, that will leave you and your bank account thanking you before the gift-giving season commences!
The Originals:
Their four signature holiday drinks this season include: peppermint mocha, chestnut praline latte, toasted white chocolate mocha, and caramel brûlée latte.
…versus…
The Switch-Ups:
Starbucks Peppermint Mocha versus Trader Joe’s Chocolate Peppermint Almond Beverage
Even the most die-hard Peppermint Mocha fans will have a tough time saying no to this velvety Trader Joe’s substitute. This rich peppermint and cocoa combo makes an amazing holiday treat after a nice long walk in the sweater-weather temperatures.
Starbucks Chestnut Praline Latte versus Trader Joe’s Gingerbread Coffee
You simply can’t go wrong with this gingerbread coffee. Nothing screams festive more than a steaming cup of coffee — that smells like everyone’s favorite holiday cookie. A classic staple in your winter pantry, switch up your usual order with this smooth and delectable holiday treat!
Starbucks Toasted White Chocolate Mocha versus Trader Joe’s Draft Latte: Dark Chocolate and Peppermint
I’m going to be completely honest… as I am writing this brief little story on my favorite holiday drinks, I am in fact sipping on this exact latte. I considered myself a genius when I came across these little drinks, each under $3. Not only did my bank account thank me after my regular $6-7 dollar Starbucks daily (sometimes two or three times a day) coffee purchases, but my body did too. Each one of these are 2 1/4 cups of coffee — and you can definitely tell. For us college students, the holidays can be the best of times (going home, yay!) and the worst of times (final exam season!). So, make sure to stock up on these for the upcoming weeks and they’ll leaving you ready to study and feeling extra-festive!
Starbucks Caramel Brûlée latte versus Trader Joe’s Wintry Blend Coffee
Granted, this is not an exact swap for the Starbucks drink, but this Wintry Blend ground coffee with spices is perfect for the holidays. Trader Joe’s makes plenty of sweet creamers (many of which are caramel based), and this is the best winter-time coffee base to pair alongside the sweeter creamers! Not only do you get several uses out of this medium roast coffee, which is heavily bodied with spices, but you can add or detract the amounts of sweetness by choosing your flavor of cream.
Next time you find yourself near a Trader Joe’s, make sure to pop inside and pick up these festive holiday drink swaps! You will save a ton of money (it really adds up), and around the holiday season, you never know when this could come in handy! If you, or a friend, are feeling extra crafty, spend a few minutes in the store, and play around with all of their teas, coffees, and creamers. You never know what surprise you might find this holiday season.
Now, I call that a holiday win for Trader Joe’s!