As the holiday season arrives, Starbucks employees prepare to serve their annual holiday-themed beverages and treats. Starbucks stores across the United States and Canada released their annual seasonal menu on November 7 for customers to enjoy during the holiday, consisting of five fan-favorites: Peppermint Mocha, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte and Eggnog Latte. The treats included the Cranberry Bliss Bar, the Holiday Turkey and Stuffing Panini and the Sugar Plum Cheese Danish. I decided to try all five holiday drinks in honor of the holiday season and ranked them accordingly from my most to least favorite.

#1 Toasted White Chocolate Mocha

Though I stuck with the iced beverage, you can enjoy this beverage hot, iced or Frappuccino blended. The presentation itself really reflects the holiday season, and the beverage left my taste buds wanting more. This beverage differs from a regular white mocha as the white mocha becomes caramelized. It combines with the espresso perfectly, and the whipped cream adds extra creaminess. To top it off, holiday sugar sprinkles and crunchy white pearls sit on top of the whipped cream to add that holiday spirit, ranking this drink my top choice.

#2 Chestnut Praline Latte

Seeing that I prefer iced beverages over hot ones, I ordered the Chestnut Praline Latte iced as well. Coming in at second place, this latte deserves this title as it contains a variety of spices including cinnamon and ginger that pair well with the caramelized chestnut flavoring. The whipped cream topped with the spiced praline crumbs made this beverage a win.

#3 Caramel Brulée Latte

Perfect for a cold winter morning, the Caramel Brulée Latte warms both your hands and heart. For caramel lovers, this beverage contains a thick Caramel Brulée sauce that combines well with the espresso. Ordering this beverage hot allows the whipped cream to melt into your beverage giving it a creamier taste. In my opinion, this beverage lacks the festive holiday vibes present in the first two and lands in third place.

#4 Peppermint Mocha

Considering I dislike anything peppermint, I knew what I set myself up for before going in. However, I tried my best to keep an open mind and hoped that I would enjoy this fan-favorite beverage. I personally think the peppermint-flavored syrup overpowered the espresso and mocha sauce. The whipped cream topped with dark chocolate curls saved this beverage from placing last place. 

#5 Eggnog Latte

I ordered this beverage hot, which helped enhance the flavor of the steamed eggnog and espresso. However, I never knew how eggnog tasted until I tried this drink. I expected a sweeter taste, but instead, it made me think of a glass of warm milk with a raw egg inside. After the first sip, I definitely knew that this beverage placed last for the lack of spices incorporated and overly thick consistency.

Starbucks’ seasonal menu contains a variety of beverages and treats that may or may not impress your tastebuds. For the most part, these beverages left my tastebuds quite satisfied (with the exception of the Eggnog Latte), along with my wallet as Starbucks introduced their Happy Hour in honor of the holiday season. Beginning every Thursday of the month of December from 2-7 p.m., customers can enjoy two handcrafted beverages for the price of one. Head to your nearest Starbucks and pick yourself up a sweet treat for the day!