The “season of joy” began for Starbucks as the 2023 holiday menu was released in coffeehouses across the country on Nov. 2. The highly anticipated and limited edition menu will be in stores from Nov. 2 until the end of the year.
This season, the menu features two brand-new holiday drinks: the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai and the Gingerbread Oatmilk Latte alongside returning drinks like the Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, and Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte.
As part of an annual tradition, the cups are served in the company’s limited-edition holiday cups, which blend green, pink, white, and red hues in all four different designs.
Additionally, the chain reintroduced five winter-themed pastries: Gingerbread Loaf, Peppermint Brownie Cake Pop, Cranberry Bliss Bar, Snowman Cookie, and Sugar Plum Cheese Danish.
Year after year, Starbucks’ holiday menu helps to increase sales and profits for the company. According to Investopedia, just one day after the menu was released, Starbucks’ shares increased by more than 10% in value.
In an exemplification of the excitement that the holiday menu generates, many were eager to try the holiday-themed drinks.
Sophomore Ashlynn Son was excited to try the Gingerbread Chai to elevate the Iced Chai Tea Latte that she usually orders, yet ended up disappointed.
“It was not as good as I expected it to be. The fall menu’s Pumpkin Chai was such a hit, and I had the same expectations for the new Gingerbread Chai. Yet, the drink lacked the gingerbread flavor in the foam, and it just tasted like a normal chai,” Son said.
On the contrary, other customers like Carlmont senior Yura Park liked the flavors that the drinks had to offer.
“I really liked the Sugar Cookie Latte because it was the perfect balance of sweetness and coffee flavor,” Park said.
Spanish teacher Eva Parker highly anticipated the arrival of the holiday menu as she enjoys starting her mornings at Starbucks with a festive drink.
“Since I’m from Montana, when I get a chai latte I am reminded of snowy winter days and wanting a hot drink to warm myself up,” Parker said.
In addition to the drinks, the store’s red and green decorations elicit additional excitement for the general holiday season.
“Seeing all the stores’ festive decorations on the cups and aprons makes me super excited for the holiday season, and puts me in a cheery mood,” Park said.
