Starbucks Holiday Drinks Reviewed: 2026 New + Returning Drinks Ranked

Is the new Tiramisu Velvet Latte worth it? We ranked and reviewed all of the Starbucks holiday drinks for 2026, new and returning, so you know what to order and skip. Or simply do a massive taste test with friends. We think it’s the best way to kick off the season and spread holiday cheer!

A hand holding a festive red Starbucks cup outdoors in a park setting.

Starbucks’ 2026 holiday menu launched today, November 5, and it’s a bit of a departure from the usual peppermint-and-gingerbread lineup. There’s a tiramisu-inspired latte, an apple-pomegranate Refresher, and a couple of new chai and matcha twists. Here’s my full ranking of the new and returning drinks.

Dates to know:

Nov 5: Holiday menu launches
Nov 10: Mystery Bearista Glass Cold Cups arrive
Nov 17: Red Cup Day (free reusable cup with a handcrafted holiday drink, while supplies last)
Dec 1: Original Bearista Glass Cold Cup returns to select stores

Quick Ranking (Best to Worst)

Tiramisu Velvet Latte: [9/10]
Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew: [8.7/10]
Iced Caramel Brulée Cream Chai: [7/10]
Peppermint Mocha: [8.5/10]
Apple Pomegranate Refresher: [8/10]
Iced Sugar Cookie Cream Matcha: [6/10]
Caramel Brulée Latte: [8/10]
Sugar Cookie Latte: [7/10]
Gingerbread Chai: [8.5/10]
Snowy Apple Drink: [6/10]

NEW: Tiramisu Velvet Latte

Score: [9/10] · Hot or iced · Contains caffeine

What it tastes like: Signature Espresso with milk and vanilla syrup, topped with Velvet Mascarpone Cold Foam and a dusting of cocoa. It’s the tiramisu flavor as a latte: creamy, custardy and cocoa-forward.

Order this if: you want a dessert-style coffee, or you’re bored of peppermint.
Skip if: you like your lattes less sweet. A grande has roughly 460 calories and 55 g sugar (iced: 470 calories, 56 g sugar).

Pro tip: Ask for fewer pumps of vanilla. The mascarpone foam carries the tiramisu flavor, so you lose very little.

NEW: Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew

Score: [8.7/10] · Contains caffeine

What it tastes like: Cold brew with vanilla syrup, mascarpone cold foam and a cocoa dusting. It has the same flavor profile as the latte, but the cold brew base keeps it more coffee-forward.

Order this if: you want the tiramisu flavor without as much sweetness or as many calories (about 330 and 37 g sugar for a grande).
Skip if: you only drink hot coffee.

NEW: Apple Pomegranate Refresher

Score: [8/10] · Caffeine-free or light caffeine

What it tastes like: Crisp apple flavor with popping pomegranate-flavored pearls. You can also get it as a lemonade version or as an Energy Refresher.

Order this if: you want something light, or you’re not a coffee person. It’s the lowest-calorie new drink at 90 calories and 19 g sugar for a grande.
Skip if: you want something cozy. This one’s bright and fruity.

NEW: Snowy Apple Drink

Score: [6/10] · Coconutmilk

What it tastes like: The Apple Pomegranate Refresher blended with coconutmilk for a creamier, milder take (about 130 calories for a grande).

Order this if: you like creamy fruit drinks and want something lighter than a latte.
Skip if: you want the pomegranate tartness front and center. The regular Refresher has more of it.

NEW: Iced Caramel Brulée Cream Chai

Score: [7/10]

What it tastes like: Chai with caramel brulée sauce and caramel brulée bits. There’s also a hot Caramel Brulée Chai.

Order this if: you love chai and caramel brulée.
Skip if: you’re watching sugar. The iced version has about 58 g.
Heads up: Caramel Brulée foam can’t be made nondairy.

NEW: Iced Sugar Cookie Cream Matcha

Score: [6/10] · About 50 mg caffeine

What it tastes like: Matcha topped with sugar cookie cold foam and red and green sprinkles. It’s the most festive-looking drink on the menu.

Order this if: you want a lower-caffeine holiday drink.
Skip if: you’re not a matcha fan.

RETURNING: Peppermint Mocha

Score: [8.5/10] · Hot or iced

The classic. Peppermint syrup, mocha sauce and espresso. A hot grande has about 440 calories and 54 g sugar.

RETURNING: Caramel Brulée Latte

Score: [8/10] · Hot or iced

Espresso, steamed milk and caramel brulée sauce. It’s rich and sweet, with about 410 calories hot and 400 iced.

RETURNING: Sugar Cookie Latte

Score: [7/10] · Hot or iced

The lightest coffee drink on the menu. The iced version is about 210 calories and 31 g sugar.

RETURNING: Gingerbread Chai

Score: [8.5/10] · Hot or iced

Spiced chai with gingerbread flavor. Hot is about 200 calories, and iced runs higher at about 310.

Holiday Cold Foams (add to any iced drink)

Velvet Mascarpone, Gingerbread Cream, Peppermint Chocolate Cream, Sugar Cookie Cream and Caramel Brulée Cream. All can be made with protein (about 15 g extra in a grande). Velvet Mascarpone and Caramel Brulée can’t be made nondairy.

Close-up of festive Starbucks coffee cups with holiday-themed designs by a window. Starbucks holiday drinks

Final Verdict

Best overall: Tiramisu Velvet Latte
Best for coffee lovers: Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew
Best non-coffee/light option: Apple Pomegranate Refresher
Lightest coffee drink: Iced Sugar Cookie Latte
Skip if you don’t like sweet drinks: Iced Sugar Cookie Latte, Iced Caramel Brulée Cream Chai

Cheers and Happy Sipping! Bring on the Holidays with these fun options!

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