One of my favorite things about the holiday season is treating myself to one of Starbucks' mouth-watering festive drinks.
These limited-edition beverages are hotly anticipated; you can expect queues out the door when they're finally released.
Quick Answer: When do Starbucks holiday drinks come out in 2024?
The Starbucks holiday drinks have just been announced, and the U.S. holiday menu launched on November 7th. Highlights included classics like the Peppermint Mocha, as well as the new Cran-Merry Orange Refreshers. (Holiday lineups vary by country.)
Excited to know more about what the lineup might be?
The rest of this article will go in-depth into the details about when Starbucks releases the Christmas drinks and what the craze is all about.
I'll also go over the 2024 drinks you can expect on the menu, so read on!
What are the Starbucks holiday drinks in 2024?
The full list of Starbucks holiday drinks for 2024 has just been announced!
In the U.S., Starbucks highlighted the following holiday drinks starting from November 7th:
- Cran-Merry Orange Refresher (New!)
- Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refresher (New!)
- Cran-Merry Drink (New!)
- Peppermint mocha
- Caramel brulée latte
- Chestnut praline latte
- Iced sugar cookie almondmilk latte
- Iced gingerbread oatmilk chai
Starbucks also brought back the gingerbread latte and peppermint mocha this year, which haven't been available in the last few years.
So, if you've missed gingerbread flavors as much as I have, savor every sip and enjoy them while they're around.
If you're outside the U.S., you may see a different lineup.
For example, Starbucks Asia's website previewed drinks like the Salted Pretzel Cocoa Oatmilk Latte/Frappuccino and the Toffee Nut Crunch drinks.
Please note that the menu is subject to change depending on the country you're in.
When are Starbucks holiday drinks released?
In the U.S., you can expect the holiday drinks menu to go live in early November in any given year:
- 2021's menu was launched on November 4th.
- 2022's menu was launched on November 3rd.
- 2023's menu was launched on November 2nd.
This year, the date has been set for November 7th, 2024, and the holiday menu typically runs into early January (depending on location and supplies).
That gives you just over two whole months to try out all the holiday drinks range and sneak in a few extra cups of your favorite recipe.
Why are Starbucks' holiday drinks so popular?
Starbucks is a highly regarded brand enjoyed worldwide. From humble beginnings in the 1970s, the coffee chain rapidly expanded to dominate the market and establish itself as the world's largest coffee chain.
Tip: Check out this article to learn more about the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd coffee waves and how Starbucks had one of the biggest roles in the second coffee wave.
Starbucks' success is due to its strategic marketing, and its holiday drinks menu is no exception.
Released in time for Thanksgiving, the hype surrounding their release quickly reached a fever pitch.
Hints and teasers dropped on social media result in fans scrambling to be the first through the door to discover the range.
Each year, you can expect classic staples like the peppermint mocha, along with one or two new concoctions guaranteed to delight your taste buds.
Let's not forget the iconic reusable red cup, either. Starbucks often releases seasonal cup designs each year, and Red Cup Day promotions can vary by location.
What Starbucks holiday drinks can we expect for 2024?
If you're excited to see what might show up on your local Starbucks holiday menu in 2024, you're not alone.
However, the menu items that appear can vary by country, and Starbucks typically confirms the full lineup close to launch day.
Some regions share previews in advance. For example, Starbucks Asia's website posted a holiday drinks preview, but availability can still vary by country and store.
I know, it's super frustrating. Believe me, the prospect of waiting even a few weeks to know is killing me.
To keep things simple, I'll highlight a few holiday staples and flavors you'll often see, depending on where you order.
Let's take a look at some of the drinks that might make a comeback this year, as well as those that have been a staple for a long time.
Peppermint mocha
The big favorite (and old familiar) peppermint mocha has been a holiday menu staple since it debuted in 2002.
The Grande size of the drink is made with:
- Two shots of espresso
- Four pumps of sweet mocha sauce
- Steamed milk
- Four pumps of peppermint syrup
- Whipped cream
- Dark chocolate flakes
The chocolate, mint, and coffee combo gives you the sweet yet tangy taste of candy canes and Christmas in one cup.
Caramel brulée latte
Decadent to the last sip, this sweet and indulgent drink has been a popular holiday menu item since 2009.
A Grande size will get you:
- Two shots of signature espresso roast
- Steamed milk
- Four pumps of caramel brulée sauce
- A generous helping of whipped cream
- Caramel brulée crumbs
This particular drink is a fan favorite that returns yearly. As tasty as a dessert, this makes braving the weather to take a trip to Starbucks worthwhile.
Chestnut praline latte
Chestnuts have a sweet but distinctive flavor, which could have easily been a flop in a coffee drink.
However, when it comes to flavor, Starbucks knows what it's doing and has managed to weave in the chestnut flavor perfectly.
On the menu since 2014, a Grande will get you:
- Two shots of signature espresso roast
- Steamed milk
- Chestnut praline syrup (four pumps)
- Whipped cream
- Crumbs of delicious praline
I love to get this drink, sit in a cozy chair in my local Starbucks, and watch the hustle and bustle of the holiday season go by.
Toasted white chocolate mocha
One of the newer kids on the block, first released in 2017, the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha is already a firm favorite, offering a velvety, rich taste sensation.
Perfect for those seeking something extra rich to drink.
This beverage is quite versatile, as you can request it in any form, whether hot, blended (Frappuccino), or iced.
It comes with the following ingredients:
- Two shots of signature espresso roast
- Steamed milk
- Milk foam
- Four pumps of caramelized white chocolate mocha sauce
- Whipped cream
- Sugar sprinkles
- White sugar pearls
This one has become a repeat holiday menu item in many markets.
Irish cream cold brew
Debuting in 2019, this is the newest addition to the classic menu. People love it for its flavor and simplicity.
This delicious drink is made by combining cold brew coffee with four pumps of Irish cream syrup and pouring it over ice.
It's then topped with a hint of cocoa and finished with vanilla cream cold foam.
This holiday drink is a fun and festive choice if you enjoy cold brew with a sweet, creamy finish.
Eggnog Latte
Starbucks reintroduced gingerbread flavors in 2023, after a few years away.
While it didn't appear in the last two years, it could likely return for the 2024 release.
This drink contains:
- Two shots of espresso
- Steamed eggnog
- A smattering of nutmeg
This drink is a must for anyone who loves this classic Christmas drink.
However, I must say this isn't for everyone. The eggnog taste isn't subtle, so you'll need to really enjoy the taste of eggnog to appreciate this fully.
Gingerbread Latte
Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are all infused into gingerbread, and the taste is simply heavenly.
There's no surprise that this is a firm favorite holiday drink. However, it hasn't been seen on the menu since 2019 in its original form.
Two espresso shots, four pumps of gingerbread syrup, and steamed milk topped with cream and nutmeg make up a warming treat for cold winter days.
I live in the hope that this holiday drink will make a comeback. Who knows, maybe 2024 will be the year.
If this is not the case, you can also make your own gingerbread latte from the comfort of your home with this easy-to-follow recipe.
What were the Starbucks holiday drinks in 2023?
Starbucks finally brought back the gingerbread in 2023, which had been absent from their holiday menu since 2019.
Along with that, these were the highly anticipated coffees you could get last year:
- Iced gingerbread oatmilk chai
- Oleato gingerbread oatmilk latte
- Peppermint mocha
- Caramel brulée latte
- Chestnut praline latte
- Iced sugar cookie almondmilk latte
Overall, 2023 was a great year for Starbucks' holiday drinks, offering a variety of delicious options to choose from.
What were the new Starbucks holiday drinks in 2022?
In 2022, Starbucks brought back a couple of staples and a few new delicious drinks for their holiday season:
- Peppermint mocha
- Caramel brulée latte
- Chestnut praline latte
- Toasted white chocolate mocha
- Irish cream cold brew
- Iced sugar cookie almondmilk latte
Starbucks' 2022 holiday drinks menu wasn't particularly exciting and featured numerous rereleases.
However, along with the new additions, staples like the peppermint mocha are always a big hit!
What were the favorite Starbucks holiday drinks in 2021?
In 2021, Starbucks released a range of classic staples, which consisted of the following:
- Peppermint mocha
- Toasted white chocolate mocha
- Caramel brulée latte
- Chestnut praline latte
- Irish cream cold brew
The 2021 holiday season also saw the debut of a brand-new drink called the iced sugar cookie almond milk latte.
This was a plant-based beverage option.
It remains to be seen whether the iced sugar cookie almond milk latte will return in 2024 or if Starbucks will replace it with something equally enticing.
What I do know is that you can expect to see at least one new recipe making its debut in 2024.
If you don't already, follow Starbucks on social media so you can stay informed when they start promoting their holiday menu.
You may also find that yourself some promotional offers!
Also, don't forget to use my Starbucks nutrition tool below, so you can see the full breakdown for the drink that you're going to order:
Starbucks-style drinks: DIY hacks
If you want to get a head start on the holiday drinks craze, I have some fabulous recipes.
First up are my sauce recipes. I have the following sauce recipes to add to your daily coffee:
These recipes give an extra dimension of richness to your coffee, and with a twist of nutmeg or cinnamon powder, you'll have a festive beverage ready to go.
I have also perfected my cinnamon brown sugar syrup, which is so delicious when added to a latte.
Or, you can try my gingerbread syrup. If that doesn't taste like Christmas, I don't know what does!
Mix and match the syrups and sauces to create your ultimate holiday beverage with a variety of flavors.
Final thoughts
Whether you're a diehard fan or a casual coffee sipper, it's hard to ignore the hotly anticipated Starbucks holiday drinks menu.
You can be sure that when the day comes, Starbucks will be full of excited people dying to discover the new menu.
If you want to get in on the action, set aside some time in your calendar to visit Starbucks on November 7th and see what enticing new drinks they may have added.
However, be prepared for a long line of Starbucks enthusiasts when you arrive.
