by Angelina Ricottone
The holiday season isn’t just about twinkling lights and festive music. It is also a highly anticipated time by foodies, as Starbucks and Dunkin’ roll out their delicious holiday treats. From warm, spiced drinks to sugary baked goods, both chains bring back fan favorites, while also introducing new creations made to capture the flavors of the season. Whether you’re a long standing Peppermint Mocha fan, or loyal to a classic Sugar Cookie Latte, these limited-time treats help make the winter a little less gray and a lot more delicious.
Every year, Starbucks’ holiday menu triggers the unofficial start of the holiday season, bringing familiar flavors and cheer to all coffee lovers. Some of the most popular picks for a warm holiday drink include the Caramel Brulee Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, and the Eggnog Latte. For the iced coffee lovers, Starbucks also carries the Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte and The Iced Gingerbread Oat Milk Chai during the season. In addition, Starbucks also releases festive treats such as the Snowman Cookie – a warm sugar cookie in the shape of a snowman! The newest addition to the menu includes the Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread. It is a muffin-like treat with cinnamon spice and brown sugar. For most, these seasonal drinks and baked goods turn ordinary coffee runs into a fun winter tradition.
Dunkin’s holiday menu alike brings a festive twist to their signature favorites, offering seasonal flavors to brighten cold winter mornings. The Berry Sangria Refresher has been a hit this season, as their refreshers tend to do well all year round. Additionally, The Peppermint Mocha Latte is a fan-favorite, returning every year with the same familiar peppermint and white chocolate blend. For a limited time, you can get your hands on Dunkin’s new Cookie Butter Cloud Latte. While it may not fall under the umbrella of ‘winter flavors’, this espresso with brown sugar and cookie flavoring/topping is the newest addition to Dunkin’s menu.
Both Starbucks and Dunkin’ use their holiday menus to do more than just serve coffee; they create comfort and joy during the coldest months of the year. By bringing back seasonal favorites and introducing new treats, each brand gives customers something familiar yet exciting to anticipate, proving that even a simple cup of coffee can bring warmth and comfort during the holidays.