Starbucks has officially traded pumpkin spice for gingerbread, sugar cookies and everything Christmas. With the holiday season approaching, the coffee chain has released its winter menu, featuring a mix of returning favorites and new seasonal drinks. As someone who loves a good Starbucks run, I decided to put the menu to the test. I recruited a group of friends to help me review the drinks and even brought along my dog, Ruby, for her own taste test. After several sips, mixed reactions and a few disagreements, here is what we thought. I rated each drink based on three categories: taste, everyday drinkability and holiday vibes. 

Sugar Cookie Latte 

First up was the Sugar Cookie Latte, which immediately caught my attention with its red and green sprinkles. Unfortunately, there were approximately four of them. If Starbucks is going to advertise a drink with festive sprinkles, I feel like they could at least be a little more generous. Despite the disappointing decorations, the drink itself was surprisingly good. The coffee and sugar cookie flavors blended well together, creating a drink that was sweet without being overwhelming. Unlike some flavored lattes, the coffee didn’t completely overpower the sweetness, which I appreciated. Overall, this was a solid holiday drink and one I could see myself ordering again. 

Taste: 8/10
Everyday Drinkability: 8/10
Holiday Vibes: 9/10 

Apple Pomegranate Refresher 

Next was the bright green Apple Pomegranate Refresher, complete with popping pearls. Between its color and the little balls floating around, this drink looked like something the Grinch would order at Starbucks. My first sip brought an immediate sugar overload. It tasted like a combination of a lollipop, gummy bears and apple juice. While some of my friends loved the candy-like flavor, others were not nearly as impressed. Personally, I thought it was a little too sweet. My biggest issue, however, was that it didn’t taste like winter. If someone handed me this drink in the middle of July, I wouldn’t question it. Other than its Grinch-inspired appearance, nothing about it reminded me of the holiday season. Still, if you’re someone who loves fruity and sugary drinks, this might be worth trying. 

Taste: 5/10
Everyday Drinkability: 4/10
Holiday Vibes: 5/10 

Iced Gingerbread Chai 

The Iced Gingerbread Chai was easily one of my favorites. As a chai lover, I had high expectations, and this drink definitely delivered. The combination of gingerbread flavor, chai, cinnamon and cold foam was exactly what I wanted from a winter Starbucks drink. The cold foam was especially good, adding just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the spices. Unlike the refresher, this drink actually tasted like the holidays. It was sweet, creamy and had just enough gingerbread flavor without being overpowering. I could easily see myself ordering this throughout the winter, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it became my regular Starbucks order for the season. 

Taste: 10/10
Everyday Drinkability: 10/10
Holiday Vibes: 10/10 

Tiramisu Latte 

The Tiramisu Latte was probably the most debated drink of our entire taste test. Some of my friends thought it tasted like chocolate milk, while others described it as watered down. After trying it, I could understand both sides. The chocolatey flavor was enjoyable, but the drink needed to be mixed well for everything to come together. We also tried both the hot and iced versions, which sparked another debate. Personally, I preferred the hot version. The warmth brought out the flavors more and made the drink feel richer and better suited for the winter season. While the iced version wasn’t bad, I think this is one of those drinks that’s simply better hot. Overall, the Tiramisu Latte was another favorite of mine, although I would definitely recommend giving it a good stir before taking your first sip. 

Taste: 8.5/10
Everyday Drinkability: 8/10
Holiday Vibes: 8/10 

Bonus Review: Ruby’s Winter Puppuccino 

Of course, I couldn’t review the winter menu without including one very important taste tester: my dog, Ruby. While the rest of us debated coffee flavors and holiday sweetness, Ruby had a much simpler assignment, trying the winter Puppuccino. Served in a small, holiday themed cup filled with whipped cream, the treat was easily the least complicated order of the day. Ruby appeared much more interested in getting another taste than analyzing the flavor. Unlike my friends, she had no complaints about sweetness, presentation or whether it actually tasted like Christmas. Based on her enthusiasm, I think it’s safe to say she approved. Although the Puppuccino isn’t exactly a new winter drink, it certainly earned a spot in our review. 

Taste: 10/10 (according to Ruby)
Everyday Drinkability: 10/10
Holiday Vibes: 10/10  

Final Thoughts 

Overall, Starbucks’ winter menu had some hits and a few misses. The Iced Gingerbread Chai was my favorite, with the Tiramisu Latte coming in close behind. The Apple Pomegranate Refresher might appeal to people who love particularly sweet drinks, but I still think it belongs on a summer menu. And while Ruby wasn’t exactly the toughest critic, she seemed pretty satisfied with her order. Whether you’re a coffee lover, a chai fan or just looking for something festive, the winter menu has plenty of options worth trying.