Tired of the same old drink? Try some barista approved new recipes that are unofficially on the menu.
There is something about the word “holiday” that makes consumers go feral, and the holiday flavors at Starbucks are no exception. The winter season is the busiest time of the year for us baristas, all because of the holiday syrup craze. The thing is, the variety of holiday syrups offered have not changed in the two years I have worked as a Starbucks barista. You would think that after a while customers would get tired of these flavors, yet people come back year after year to try the exact same flavors and the exact same drinks.
Personally, I’m the type of person who gets tired of drinking the same thing every single day. Luckily, my job as a barista allows me to get creative and make drinks that are not officially on the menu. If you are searching for a new flavor combination or a unique drink order, this is for you. Let me present some of my favorite unofficial holiday drinks, invented by yours truly.
Sugar Cookie Mocha Frappuccino
If you have a sweet tooth, this one is for you. The Sugar Cookie Mocha Frappucino is a perfect blend of icy and sweet, providing a nice sugar rush for anyone looking for a sweet treat.
How to order:
-Order a mocha frappucino with half pumps of mocha, half pumps of sugar cookie syrup
-Ask for java chips
-Ask to add sugar cookie topping and cookie crumble topping
Salted Caramel Brûlée Cold Brew
Need a caffeine rush? Containing 205 mg of caffeine in a grande (medium), the salted caramel brûlée cold brew is your best friend for late night exam cramming. This drink is a nice balance between sweet and bitter, perfect for those who like the taste of coffee. Prefer a sweeter drink? No worries, just add an extra pump of vanilla syrup.
How to order:
-Order a cold brew with two pumps of vanilla syrup (add one extra for a sweeter drink/when ordering a Venti [large])
-Ask for caramel brûlée cold foam
-Ask to add a packet of salt in the cold foam
-Ask for caramel brûlée topping
Gingerbread Cinnamon Latte
Gingerbread is a fan favorite, but can be overpowering in large quantities. The cinnamon helps balance the flavors to create a smooth, creamy drink. Personally, I like it hot but it is also delicious cold!
How to Order
-Order a gingerbread latte (hot or iced)
-Ask for one pump less of gingerbread
-Ask for no whipped cream
-Ask for cinnamon powder steamed in the milk
Cinnamon Dolce Vanilla Shaken Espresso
This drink is special because while it’s not necessarily made from holiday syrups, the taste reminds me of winter flavors. If you liked the Horchata flavor introduced this summer, you’ll definitely love this! Bonus: this can be ordered year round since it does not contain seasonal syrups.
-Order a shaken espresso with blonde shots
-Ask for no classic syrup
-Ask for half pumps of cinnamon dolce and half pumps of vanilla syrup
-Ask for almond milk for the best finishing taste (soymilk is also a great alternative!)
Peppermint Strawberry Iced Mocha
Peppermint mochas are one of the most popular holiday drinks. This is a leveled up version. The strawberry cold foam gives a similar taste to a chocolate covered strawberry.
How to order
-Order an iced mocha
-Ask for one pump of peppermint
-Ask for no whipped cream
-Ask for strawberry cold foam
-Ask for dark chocolate curls topping
Iced Strawberry Matcha
Not a big coffee person? I have the perfect solution. As a matcha lover and defender (it does not taste like grass), I love to find ways to spice up my matchas. Now, a strawberry matcha normally isn’t considered a winter drink, but my personal motto is that a matcha is perfect for any time of the year. This drink is my most frequent order.
How to order:
-Order an iced matcha with no classic syrup and oatmilk
-Ask for vanilla syrup
-Ask for strawberry puree on the bottom
-Ask to be made upside down
-Ask for half of the milk to be blended with matcha and half of the milk in the cup
-Layer matcha blend on top of puree and milk
These drinks are super fun twists on the beloved holiday drinks. If you need to use up your Dining Dollars before the end of the semester, try one of these. You just might find your new favorite order!
