Starbucks fans, rejoice! The highly anticipated 2024 Holiday Menu has officially launched, bringing back beloved classics and introducing exciting new offerings. On November 7, the coffee giant embraced the holiday spirit not just with fresh drinks but also by debuting festive new cups adorned with four eye-catching designs.
This year's holiday menu features eight delightful beverages and five scrumptious food items. Among the highlights are the brand-new Cran-Merry Orange Refreshers and returning favorites like the iconic Peppermint Mocha and the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai.
The Cran-Merry Orange Refreshers, at just 100 calories per grande, promise to wake up your taste buds with their combination of sweet orange, tart cranberry, and inviting warm spices. This refreshing drink, shaken with real cranberries, can be ordered as the Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade for those who enjoy a little zest. And for coconut lovers, there’s the Cran-Merry Drink, featuring the same flavors blended with creamy coconut milk and topped with real cranberries.
The Peppermint Mocha, returning for its 22nd year, remains a holiday staple. With 440 calories per grande, it's made from Starbucks' signature espresso, steamed milk, rich mocha sauce, and peppermint syrup—all topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls. Customers can enjoy this drink hot, iced, or as a blended Frappuccino. Another returning favorite, the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai, features warm chai spices mixed with creamy oat milk and non-dairy gingerbread cream cold foam for those caffeine-seeking festive fans.
Rounding out the lineup of returning holiday drinks are the Caramel Brûlée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, and Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte. Each drink is available hot, iced, or blended, catering to fans who like their treats either warm or cool. Each of these drinks has its own personality: the Caramel Brûlée Latte offers delightful caramel notes, the Chestnut Praline Latte brings spicy holiday vibes, and the Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte is perfect for those wanting something lighter.
If you're after something to bite on, Starbucks has also introduced fresh food options. The new Turkey Sage Danish, filled with turkey sausage and béchamel, is perfect for the savory pastry lover. Meanwhile, sweet treats like the Dark Toffee Bundt, Penguin Cookie, and Snowman Cake Pop offer festive flavors just waiting to be indulged. Classic favorites like the Sugar Plum Cheese Danish and the Cranberry Bliss Bar are also back on the menu to delight those with a sweet tooth.
For those who keep their drinks health-focused, nutritionists are here to help navigate the seasonal indulgences. While the drinks are undeniably festive, many of them contain high levels of sugar and calories. Experts recommend noticing the nutritional value and considering alternative options or modifications.
For the Cran-Merry Orange Refreshers, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Courtney Pelitera noted concerns over their sugar content, particularly highlighting the added sugars found across the variety. With 20g of added sugar minimum for the basic refresher, it’s easy to see how these delicious drinks stack up on the sugar scale.
The Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai, known for its delightful flavors, still contains 45g of sugar, and nutritionists caution against common ingredients like sodium benzoate present in many syrups, even when perceived as festive. Reducing the number of syrup pumps can mitigate some of the sugar without losing the holiday cheer.
The Peppermint Mocha is another crowd favorite, but with 440 calories and 54g of sugar, this drink can be quite hefty. Nutritionists recommend ordering it with fewer pumps of syrup, forgoing whipped cream, or downsizing to cut calories—substitutions anyone can ask for gently from their barista.
Similarly, the Caramel Brûlée Latte boasts several calories and sugar moments, warranting similar modifications. Customers can request fewer pumps of caramel sauce or exclude the topping to create something that's still festive yet less caloric. The Chestnut Praline Latte and the Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte also present opportunities for healthy adjustments, with dietitians explaining how ordering smaller sizes significantly impacts sugar and calorie intake.
Alongside the drinks, Starbucks has expanded its selection of holiday cold foams available to complement cold brews. The new Gingerbread Cream Cold Foam brings sweet and spicy gingerbread flavors, and the Peppermint Chocolate Cream Cold Foam adds festive cheer on top of iced options.
The five flavors of cold foam are delicious, and this year’s selection continues the trend of playing with seasonal flavors to keep customers excited. Guests can sip on the Chestnut Praline Cream Cold Foam for creamy flavor or indulge with the rich Caramel Brûlée Cream Cold Foam.
Starbucks’ hefty lineup means there’s something for every sort of holiday craving—whether it’s something bright and fruity or rich and creamy. The season promises warmth, festivity, and indulgence across the menu, as fans seek to celebrate with every sip.
This year's holiday launch marks Starbucks' continued commitment to exciting flavors and festive experiences, ensuring loyal consumers have plenty to look forward to during this jovial season. With holiday cups, tasty drinks, and memorable treats, it’s no wonder Starbucks maintains such popularity during the holidays.
So, what will you try first? With such tempting options, the choice may be the hardest part! Make your way to the nearest Starbucks and embrace the holiday spirit one cup at a time.