Picture this: snow falling outside, a crackling warm fire, and you with a blanket and Starbucks in your hand; it’s not just coffee, it’s winter done right. From the sweet treats to the fun drinks, and an early heads up on a new drink (hint hint), Starbucks is the perfect place to go to whether you’re starting your day or need something comforting to end it. Who doesn’t love a hot latte from their favorite local coffee shop? I know I do! 

Stepping into Starbucks during the winter season is like entering a cozy haven where the air is filled with the inviting smell of freshly brewed coffee and sweet, festive spices. The highlights of the seasonal menu are the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai Latte and the Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte, Caramel Brulee Latte, and Chestnut Praline Latte, which capture the essence of the holidays. Junior Haley Peckham’s face lights up and she says, “The Sugar Cookie Latte tastes so good; it’s sweet and gives all the feels of Christmas!” The Caramel Brulee Latte gets all the attention, especially from freshman Ainsley Lacadie, “It’s very good, and my favorite thing about it is the cold foam! It greets you with a buttery scent, caramelized sugar, and rich taste.” Meanwhile, the Chestnut Praline Latte is warm with a nutty scent, with the subtle hints of brown sugar and roasted chestnuts giving off a sense of Christmas nostalgia. Personally, my favorite, The Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai Latte, has the best blend of gingerbread and spice of chai. It’s refreshing and welcomes the first sip with cold foam, cinnamon, and ginger, giving the vibe of freshly baked holiday cookies. With both having good reviews junior Mia Espinoza gets excited about the topic, “It’s my favorite drink, but get it iced; it’s better like that, and the cold foam is amazing.” Then we get the opposite view, “The Gingerbread Chai is so buns,” senior Leena Egbert says with a laugh. Enjoying it in the atmosphere of Starbucks, surrounded by soft music and conversation, is the way to go. 

 Diving into the new season comes with new treats. The new items, like the Red Velvet Loaf Cake, a swirled cake with cream cheese icing, is perfect with one of the seasonal drinks.  One could also enjoy the Pistachio Cream Cheese Croissant that is flaky with a creamy, nutty filling or the returning favorites that feel like home, like the Chocolate Pistachio Swirl which is a blend of sweet chocolate and crunchy pistachios, Pull Apart Cinnamon Bread that brings warmth into the season with the scent of cinnamon and texture of soft, pillowy bread, and the Polar Bear Cakepop, a vanilla cake pop decorated as a polar bear bringing the winter vibes. 

Every year, Starbucks has its fun merch come out for the holidays. The 2025 holiday merch has gone viral for its new Hello Kitty and returning Barista Bear items. Starbucks collaborated with Sanrio to release a limited-edition Hello Kitty tumbler, mug, stuffed Hello Kitty, and cold cups. The Barista Bear is a beloved part of an annual holiday collection. A clear bear cup with a fun straw comes wearing a Starbucks hat, in which you can choose whatever cold drink to your liking in the cup! 

Starbucks, during the holiday season, is more than just a cafe; it’s a cozy area for a winter chill that captures the holiday spirit in a unique way with new flavors to savor. Getting the new treats and beverages turns the everyday coffee run into a festive experience!

Brooklyn Botts, Staff Writer 

Junior Brooklyn Botts is a staff writer for the 2025-2026 Colonel News site. She likes country music, fall aesthetics, and Adam Sandler movies.