14 Best Starbucks Christmas Drinks for a Festive Holiday Sip
Christmas shopping, chilly mornings, and neighbourhood light displays all call for something delicious to sip. And if your idea of a festive treat involves chocolate, peppermint, caramel, or gingerbread, Starbucks gives you plenty of inspiration.
The best Starbucks Christmas drink depends on what you enjoy. A Peppermint Mocha is a natural pick for chocolate lovers, while a Sugar Cookie Latte suits anyone who prefers a bakery-inspired coffee. There are also iced options for people who keep ordering cold drinks through sweater season.
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What’s Coming to Starbucks for Christmas 2026?
Starbucks has announced a November 5, 2026 holiday launch, with returning Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Sugar Cookie Latte, and Gingerbread Chai drinks. New additions include a Tiramisu Velvet Latte, Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew, and Apple Pomegranate Refresher.
The announcement is a preview, so check your country’s menu for local availability. Drinks below marked as past seasonal favourites appeared on previous menus; that does not confirm their return in 2026.
1. Peppermint Mocha
If you’re choosing just one classic Christmas coffee, make it a Peppermint Mocha. Espresso, milk, chocolate, and peppermint create that familiar chocolate-and-candy-cane combination.
It’s a good starting point if you like rich drinks with a refreshing mint finish. The hot version is especially appealing for a slow winter morning.
Best for: Chocolate lovers who want a traditional holiday flavour.
2. Iced Peppermint Mocha
Prefer your coffee cold? The iced version brings the same chocolate-and-mint pairing to a drink you can sip while running errands.
This is an easy choice if you already enjoy iced mochas and want a festive change. For a less sweet order, ask whether your store can reduce both the peppermint syrup and mocha sauce.
Best for: Year-round iced coffee fans.
3. Caramel Brulée Latte
The Caramel Brulée Latte combines espresso and milk with caramel brulée sauce, finished with whipped cream and a crunchy topping on the previously published menu.
Think of it as a dessert-style coffee for someone who would choose caramel over peppermint. Its appeal is the combination of creamy coffee and sweet caramel flavour.
Best for: Fans of rich caramel drinks.
4. Sugar Cookie Latte
A Sugar Cookie Latte brings a cookie-inspired twist to your usual coffee order. It’s an appealing choice when you want something festive without chocolate or strong spice.
The milk used in the standard recipe can differ by market. Canada’s 2025 version used oat beverage, so check the local menu rather than assuming every Starbucks serves the same recipe.
Best for: People who love sweet bakery flavours.
5. Iced Gingerbread Chai
For a holiday drink with plenty of spice, try an Iced Gingerbread Chai. The previously published Canadian version paired chai with oat beverage and gingerbread-flavoured foam.
It’s a tempting order if your favourite Christmas baking includes gingerbread cookies. Although it isn’t an espresso drink by default, chai contains caffeine.
Best for: Chai fans looking for a seasonal twist.
6. Tiramisu Velvet Latte
Newly announced for 2026, the Tiramisu Velvet Latte is inspired by the Italian dessert. Starbucks says it will come hot or iced with mascarpone-style cold foam and a cocoa-and-coffee dusting.
Consider this one if you want to branch out from peppermint and caramel. It’s a new drink to put on your list, rather than a tried-and-tested recommendation.
Best for: Dessert-inspired latte lovers.
7. Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew
The new Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew gives cold coffee fans another holiday option. Like the latte, its announced finish includes mascarpone-style foam and cocoa-and-coffee dusting.
It could be a fun change from your usual cold brew with sweet cream, particularly if the topping is what you look forward to most.
Best for: Cold brew drinkers curious about the new menu.
8. Apple Pomegranate Refresher
Christmas drinks don’t have to taste like cookies. Starbucks’ newly announced Apple Pomegranate Refresher features apple flavour and pomegranate-flavoured pearls.
This is one to watch if you prefer fruity iced drinks to creamy coffee. It offers a different direction for your holiday order.
Best for: Fans of bright fruit flavours.
9. Snowy Apple Refresher
The announced Snowy Apple version adds coconut milk to the new apple-and-pomegranate drink.
Choose it if a creamy fruit drink sounds more appealing than a latte. As with the other new additions, check your local launch menu for the exact name and availability.
Best for: People who enjoy coconut milk Refreshers.
10. Chestnut Praline Latte
Past seasonal favourite; 2026 return not confirmed in the announcement checked.
Chestnut Praline is one to watch for if you enjoy nutty, caramel-like holiday flavours. It returned to Starbucks menus later in the 2025 season.
It would suit someone who wants a festive latte without a mint flavour. Check the current menu before planning your coffee run around it.
Best for: Fans of cosy, nutty flavours.
11. Eggnog Latte
Past seasonal favourite; 2026 return not confirmed in the announcement checked.
The Eggnog Latte returned in 2025 after time away from the menu. For eggnog fans, it’s a nostalgic drink worth keeping an eye out for.
If you enjoy the creamy flavour of traditional eggnog, this could be your preferred holiday coffee when available.
Best for: People who already love eggnog.
12. Sugar Cookie Cream Cold Brew
Past seasonal favourite; check the current local menu.
Canada’s 2025 holiday menu included vanilla-sweetened cold brew topped with sugar cookie cream foam and festive sprinkles.
The layered drink is a useful option to remember if you want a cookie-inspired flavour with a cold brew base.
Best for: Cold coffee fans who enjoy flavoured foam.
13. Iced Sugar Cookie Cream Matcha Latte
Past seasonal favourite; check the current local menu.
This drink appeared on Canada’s 2025 holiday menu, combining an iced matcha latte with sugar cookie cream foam.
It offers a different take on holiday sweetness for someone who prefers matcha to coffee. Matcha contains caffeine, so it isn’t a caffeine-free alternative.
Best for: Matcha lovers interested in a festive topping.
14. Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Previously offered holiday option; check current availability.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate is an appealing choice when you want chocolate and mint without an espresso base. It appeared among Starbucks Canada’s eligible holiday drinks in 2025.
Try it if the chocolate-and-candy-cane pairing appeals to you but a coffee drink doesn’t. Chocolate can contain some caffeine, so don’t assume it’s completely caffeine-free.
Best for: A warm chocolate treat without espresso.
How to Choose Your Starbucks Christmas Drink
Start with the flavour you actually enjoy. Peppermint Mocha suits chocolate-and-mint fans, Caramel Brulée is a natural pick for caramel lovers, and Gingerbread Chai is worth considering if you prefer spice.
If dessert-style coffee isn’t your thing, look at the fruity Refresher options or check whether your store offers a seasonal brewed coffee.
For a less sweet drink, ask about reducing syrup or sauce. Changing the milk alone won’t remove the sweetness from those ingredients. You can also leave off whipped cream or cold foam if you prefer a simpler finish.
If you need a dairy-free order, check the entire recipe. Sauces, whipped cream, and toppings may contain dairy even when the drink uses a plant-based milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Starbucks Christmas drinks come out?
Starbucks has announced November 5 for its 2026 holiday launch. Check your country’s Starbucks announcement and local app for the menu available near you.
What is the best Starbucks Christmas drink?
For a classic holiday flavour, my pick is Peppermint Mocha. If you dislike mint, start with Caramel Brulée Latte or Sugar Cookie Latte instead.
Are Starbucks holiday drinks available iced?
Several are. Peppermint Mocha and Caramel Brulée have previously been offered iced, and the new Tiramisu Velvet Latte is announced in both hot and iced versions.
Do all Starbucks stores have the same Christmas drinks?
No. Menus differ by country, and individual stores can run out of seasonal ingredients. Past availability also doesn’t guarantee a drink will return the following year.
Can I order a decaf Christmas drink?
Ask about decaf espresso for an espresso-based drink. It still contains a small amount of caffeine, and switching espresso doesn’t remove caffeine from chocolate, tea, matcha, or other ingredients.
More Drinks to Explore
Looking for more ideas for your next coffee run or a festive night at home? Browse these drink roundups:
