The festive season isn't quite the same without a seasonal beverage.
While I could be talking about a Christmas cocktail or two, I'm also thinking about some of the limited edition coffees and hot chocolates that always seem like the perfect drink for this time of year as it gets colder and the nights get darker.
Starbucks is getting in on the hype as it's revealed its 2025 holiday line up, with some returning favourites.
From 6 November, the coffee shop is bringing back the Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Iced Sugar Cookie Latte, and Iced Gingerbread Chai.
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As well as holiday drinks, the bakery will also bring back the fan-favourite Snowman Cookie, as well as the Cranberry Bliss Bar and Sugar Plum Cheese Danish. New this season is the Polar Bear Cake Pop and Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread.
While the new drinks are exciting, loyal Starbucks fans have been calling out some of their favourites from previous years that unfortunately haven't made the cut for this year.
One person wrote on social media: "RIP Cranmerry."
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Another asked: "Woah where’s the chestnut praline latte?"
"Egg nog latte, pretty please?" begged a third.
Another person shared: "I’m still very mad there’s no apple crisp this year. I want my brown sugar apple shaken espresso."
The new festive menu comes after we've been able to embrace the return of the seasonal icon Pumpkin Spice Latte, which returned on 26 August.
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The PSL made its debut in 2003, and Starbucks has previously said it's their most popular seasonal beverage. And it's easy to see why. It's made with real pumpkin, and combines Starbucks Signature Espresso and steamed milk with a flavour combination of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. It's topped with whipped cream (for the indulgent) and you can traditionally have it hot, iced or in some cases, blended.
Earlier this year, the coffee retailer introduced changes to the menu and the pricing strategy, in line with customers’ creativity around add-ons and ‘secret menu’ orders.
Courtesy of the Starbucks mobile app, it was reported customers could see a host of alternative menu options inspired by social media trends and word-of-mouth ideas that have spawned some inventive ‘secret menu’ items.
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The four new options listed last month include: cookies on top, dragon fruit glow-up, lemon, tea and pearls, and white mocha. The app also features Starbucks’ explanations for what these entail.
Niamh Spence