The month of December is arguably the best month of the year, as many holiday festivities commence – ugly sweaters, colorful draping lights, giant decorated trees, and delicious snacks. Whether or not you celebrate the holidays, this season always brings back feelings of nostalgia from childhood memories of glittery crafts, watching The Polar Express in a dimly lit classroom, with a hot cup of cocoa.
Year after year, two major drink chains, Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks, each release a new holiday drink menu that embodies the warm feelings associated with the season. The holidays would not be complete without a taste of the holiday menu at our favorite shops. This begs the question: who does it better – Dunkin or Starbucks?
To find an answer to this question, we took it upon ourselves to try out both Dunkin and Starbucks’ drink menus to see which one brings about the most holiday cheer.
Starbucks Holiday Drinks: Are They Worth the Hype?
The holidays are here, and Starbucks is back with its lineup of seasonal drinks. From peppermint and chocolate to caramel and spice, these beverages promise to bring festive cheer in every sip. But at six dollars and sometimes more for a grande size, are these drinks really all that – or just overpriced sugar bombs? Let’s take a closer look at some of the seasons favorites and here’s an honest take on each one:
Peppermint Mocha – As a longtime fan of chocolate and mint, I was excited to revisit this holiday classic. I had my doubts on this drink but the mix of espresso, mocha sauce, and the peppermint syrup felt like sipping on a warm, cozy winter night. It was rich, creamy, and had just the right balance of sweetness and minty freshness. However, it’s like dessert in a cup; it’s too heavy. If you’re not into super-sweet drinks, you might find it overwhelming by the last sip. For me, it’s a once a season type of drink, but not something I’d drink regularly,
Rating 7/10 – Festive and delicious, but a little too sweet for everyday sipping.
Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte – I had high hopes for this one since it’s marketed as a lighter option, and also since I like sugar cookies. The first sip was buttery and smooth, with a subtle nuttiness from the almond milk. The sugar cookie flavor wasn’t as bold as I expected, which was a little disappointing. The red and green sprinkles on top are fun, but they don’t add much beyond aesthetic. While it’s a nice change from heavier drinks like the Peppermint Mocha, it still felt a little bland.
Rating 6/10 – A good pick if you prefer mild flavors, but it’s not as exciting as the others.
Salted Caramel Crunch Cold Brew– As someone who LOVES iced coffee year-round, this drink was definitely a hit for me. The cold brew was smooth and not too sweet on its own, but the salted caramel cold foam on top added a creamy richness that elevated the drink. The crunchy caramel topping was a fun addition to the drink and it wasn’t over the top. It’s definitely on the sweeter side, but the saltiness helped balance it out. If you’re a fan of caramel, this one is definitely a winner.
Rating 9/10 – Perfectly balanced and a great pick for iced coffee lovers out there.
Gingerbread Cream Cold Foam – I was really excited for this one since this was my first time trying it, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The cold brew was solid and the cream cold foam added a nice smooth texture. However, the gingerbread flavor was too subtle. I didn’t really know what to expect in terms of taste, but I expected more of the warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to come through. It’s a good option if you like subtle flavors but for me it didn’t scream “gingerbread” and it wasn’t festive enough.
Rating: 5.5/10 – Loved the concept, but it needs bolder gingerbread flavor to stand out.
Dunkin Holiday Drinks : Sip, Savor, or Skip?
The Dunkin Holiday menu, time after time, is stacked with delicious drink options incorporating various types of flavors. As a long-time Dunkin enjoyer, I took it upon myself to rate a few Dunkin drinks to see if they are worth the money. Do they bring out that long-awaited festive feeling? Let’s see!
Cookie Butter Cold Brew – Dunkin’s delicious cold brew with cookie butter cold foam, and cookie pieces on top was a personal hit for me. It had just the right amount of sweetness and the cookie butter flavor was perfectly paired with the coffee’s flavor.
Rating: 9.6/10 – Perfect amounts of flavor and festive feeling.
Holiday Cookie Signature Latte – An iced latte with brown sugar cookie syrup, a toasted almond shot, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and cookie crumbles on top. With the name ‘holiday’ in the menu, I had high hopes for this drink but was slightly disappointed in the taste. The drink was moderately sweet but in my opinion the almond flavor overpowered the cookie butter flavor. Rating: 6.5/10 – Definitely was a bit of a miss for me.
Peppermint Mocha– The peppermint mocha was amazing for me, with its mixed aspects of minty flavor and chocolatey-ness. As someone who doesn’t enjoy coffee as much due to its heavy flavor, I really enjoyed the peppermint mocha because the coffee taste wasn’t overpowering, and the chocolate and mint were the main stars. I really enjoyed the fact that Dunkin puts whipped cream on top of the drink, to really sweeten the drink, and add that festive feeling to it.
Rating: 9/10 – A gorgeous pairing of peppermint and coffee.
Both Starbucks and Dunkin know how to bring the holiday spirit into their drinks, and the seasonal menu is definitely worth exploring if you’re into festive flavors. That said, not every drink will be for you. Personally, the Salted Caramel Crunch Cold Brew was the standout, followed closely by the classic Peppermint Mocha. The Sugar Cookie Latte and the Gingerbread Cold Foam are more subtle, so they’re great if you want something lighter. For Dunkin, the Cookie Butter Cold Foam was delicious, while the Holiday Cookie Signature Latte was a bit disappointing.
If you haven’t tried these yet, grab one before the season ends and see which one fits your holiday mood!