Starbucks holiday drinks arrive as CEO plans to scale back standard menu

The holidays are still a bit away, but at Starbucks, you can get into the spirit starting tomorrow, November 7. That’s when the coffee chain rolls out its festive holiday menu. The lineup includes one new refresher, some holiday drinks that have been around for decades, and some sweet and savory grub. Since CEO Brian Niccol took over in September, there already have been a slew of welcome changes at Starbucks, such as no added fees on nondairy-milk drinks and the return of the condiment bar and handwritten (in Sharpie) names on cups—a more personal throwback to the brand’s earlier days. Baristas have been pushing for changes, too.

“We’re refocusing on what has always set Starbucks apart—a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather and where we serve the finest coffee, handcrafted by our skilled baristas,” Niccol said in a press release at the time.

And now with the holiday menu, the favorites are back, and then some: There’s the Peppermint Mocha, a signature Starbucks creamy latte that’s been around for the past 22 holiday seasons. It’s available hot or iced and can also be ordered as a blended Frappuccino. Others include the returning Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte, and Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai.

Beyond coffee, the chain is introducing the Cran-Merry Orange Refresher, which has orange and cranberry flavors and such holiday spices as cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The Refresher can be made with water, lemonade, or coconut milk. Also, six seasonal cold foams will be available, including a new Gingerbread Cream and Salted Pecan options.

New holiday food items include a Turkey Sage Danish, a Dark Toffee Bundt, a Penguin Cookie, and a Snowman Cake Pop, which will join the returning Sugar Plum Cheese Danish and Cranberry Bliss Bar.

And Starbucks’s holiday cups, which have become a hot topic, will make a return this week. Kristy Cameron, creative director for this year’s holiday cup designs, said in a press release that there’s a certain excitement when the holiday cups return and that “genuine moments of joy and coffee” inspired the bright, bold new designs.

“Whether that’s coffee trees growing, beans roasting, cups toasting, or lights glowing, we wanted to share the warmth of our coffeehouse and the anticipation of the red cups arriving with our customers and partners.”

We can practically hear the first few chords of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”