Every year, students head into the holiday season with high hopes. Hopes for the new year ahead? Of course not. The months of November and December traditionally bring about a flurry of major exams and projects.
Instead, what brings many Chadwick students hope is the annual Starbucks Holiday Menu. With highly caffeinated sweet drinks and pumpkin-spiced everything, what’s not to love?
To really see if this year’s Holiday Menu lives up to the hype, The Mainsheet editorial team splurged and tried nearly every item among the seasonal offerings, all to bring you, our loyal readers, a truthful review of the drinks and treats bombarding your Instagram feeds.
The results: mixed. The process: exciting. The aftermath: the Manhattan Beach Public Library bathroom. Let’s get into it.
Iced Caramel Brûlée Latte
After the initial sip, you may be feeling overwhelmed with this one. First, you’re hit with coffee, then vanilla and caramel, and lastly a slightly sickly, nondescript sweet wave.
While the drink is undoubtedly a tasty treat, brace yourself for the sugar explosion. Our editors agree there’s definitely a lot going for this drink, as well as a guaranteed sugar crash.
Rating: 6/10
Iced Pecan Oat Milk Latte
While this latte may not come with a mountain of whipped cream or crunchy caramel bits, this nutty coffee is a delightful balance of blonde espresso shots and dairy-friendly oat milk.
The flavors of the drink are subtle, and you definitely won’t find an overpowering coffee taste. Out of all the caffeinated beverages, this latte holds strong as one of the top favorites.
Rating: 9/10
Cran-Merry Orange Refresher
Adorned with freshly cut cranberries, this addition to Starbucks’ iconic Refreshers line is fun, fierce, and appropriately festive.
For those of you who like to add a dollop of cranberry jam to the side of your Tanksgiving meal, we definitely recommend this drink.
The only downside is that the beverage lacks individuality and memorability.
Rating: 8/10
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin
If you’re in a pumpkin-spice-everything-nice mood, treat yourself to the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin. The pool of cream cheese is crowned with caramelized brown sugar and pumpkin seeds. At times, however, the muffin can come out dry and grainy. But that’s a very, very rare case. Overall, the editorial board would recommend this sweet treat for all.
Rating: 9/10
Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai
Want a nice, complementing drink to cleanse your palate after the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin? Well, you’re in luck because the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai is just the beverage for you, especially if you love sweet drinks. Starbucks’ pumpkin-flavored drinks are definitely the way to go. This one has a strong pumpkin spice flavor, with a soft cold foam to top it off. Even though we’re heading into winter, this fall drink still reigns supreme on the holiday menu.
Rating: 10/10
Snowman Cake Pop
The question begs to be asked: What’s wrong with a cake pop? The simple answer: not much. Starbucks’ seasonal cake pop is relatively simple. The cake doesn’t have much flavor, but it’s coated and decorated with a delicious and soft white-chocolate coating. Eating it is generally an enjoyable experience, one arguably touched with childhood glee… as what’s more truly fun than eating cake on a stick?! But in all honesty, not much going on here.
Rating: 6/10
Penguin Cookie
Starbucks never disappoints with its product designs. This adorable shortbread cookie is dressed up in a chocolaty frosting, but the taste is nevertheless dry and crumbly. If you’re just looking for something sweet and buttery, it absolutely does the job of a cookie.
Rating: 6/10
Peppermint Mocha
Nothing captures the spirit of winter quite like Starbucks’ hot Peppermint Mocha. This hearty drink is your holiday equivalent of the Pumpkin Spice Latte in the fall. There’s nothing novel about this annual tradition, but it’s a classic that will always be one of the most beloved holiday drinks.
Rating: 8/10
In all, if you’re a Starbucks fan, this year’s Holiday Menu is something to be grateful for! So take some time over break to be thankful for family, friends, and, of course, good food!
The Mainsheet 