Starbucks holiday 2022 lineup, products, and reviews!

It’s the best time of the year for those of us who love both Starbucks and the holidays. For 2022, Starbucks is coming back with many of its classic favorites.

The launch for the in-café Starbucks 2022 holiday lineup is currently available. It launched Thursday, November 3rd. In mid-October grocery products became available.

(Related: See what Starbucks is offering for their newest fall, holiday, winter, spring, and summer seasonal menus.)

(Please note that this article contains affiliate links, and that means that I may earn a commission if you buy something. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

There are no new drinks for this 2022 holiday season. Last year we saw the Sugar Cookie Latte as the featured new drink and it is returning for this season. The Irish cream cold brew is also coming back for 2022.

Starbucks says of this holiday season, “Nothing says the most magical time of the year like the Starbucks red cup returning. This year is extra special as Starbucks celebrates 25 years of the iconic holiday cup and the return of a full menu of seasonal handcrafted beverages and festive food.”

Starbucks has released the details for their at-home grocery products, and those are in grocery stores or on Amazon now. They have one new offering, the Gingerbread Flavored Roast & Ground Coffee, which are also available in K-cups.

Starbucks café holiday options

Starbucks holiday drinks launched on Thursday, November 3. They will be available for November and December.

Starbucks has been known to launch another drink in December. It doesn’t always happen, but with no new drinks for this drop, it makes one hope for a new one coming in another month!

Drinks and food

Here are the in-store options. This is the same drink lineup as last year. There is one new food addition.

Drinks

🍪 Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte
“Back for a second season, the Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte combines sugar cookie syrup, Starbucks® Blonde Espresso, ice, creamy almondmilk, and is topped with festive red and green sprinkles.
Want to make it at home? Check out my Sugar Cookie Latte recipe!

☕ Peppermint Mocha
“Turning 20 this year, the Peppermint Mocha has become one of the most beloved holiday beverage on the menu. The beverage, which debuted in 2002, features espresso combined with steamed milk, mocha sauce and peppermint-flavored syrup, topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls.”
Want to make it at home? Get peppermint syrup and mocha sauce!

🧊 Irish Cream Cold Brew
“The Irish Cream Cold Brew unites bold, super smooth Starbucks Cold Brew with Irish Cream syrup, which is then topped with vanilla sweet cream foam and a strike of cocoa powder.”
Want to make it at home? Get Irish cream syrup (or make it at home), and spray sweet cream foam.

✨ Caramel Brulee Latte
“Espresso, steamed milk and rich caramel brulée sauce are combined and topped with whipped cream and caramel brulée topping to create the Caramel Brulée Latte.”

🔥 Toasted White Chocolate Mocha
“Festive flavors of caramelized white chocolate mocha sauce meet espresso and steamed milk to create our Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, which is then finished with whipped cream and a topping of holiday sugar sparkles and crispy white pearls.“

🌟 Chestnut Praline Latte
“The Chestnut Praline Latte features espresso, steamed milk and the flavors of caramelized chestnuts and spices topped with whipped cream and spiced praline crumbs.”

That means these drinks are NOT returning:

• NOT RETURNING: Eggnog Latte for 2022 (If you have a The Human Bean or Black Rock Coffee near you, they have eggnog this year!)
• NOT RETURNING: Gingerbread Latte for 2022 (Try the Sugar N Spice drink at Dutch Bros if you want a similar-tasting drink!)

Food

• NEW: Chocolate Pistachio Swirl (basically a chocolate & pistachio cinnamon roll!)
  “The NEW Chocolate Pistachio Swirl’s creamy chocolate filling with notes of cinnamon and coffee is swirled into buttery brioche-inspired dough with mint chocolate chips and topped with chopped pistachios.”
• Reindeer cake pop
  “Vanilla cake with chocolaty icing is finished with a festive red nose and antlers to make the Reindeer Cake Pop.”
• Sugar Plum Cheese Danish
  “The Sugar Plum Cheese Danish features cream cheese filling surrounded by a fluffy Danish and topped with spiced sugar plum spread.”
• Cranberry Bliss® Bar
  “A blondie cake with tart dried cranberries, garnished with a layer of cream-cheese icing, orange zest and a sprinkle of dried cranberries make up the beloved Cranberry Bliss Bar. Also available for purchase by the tray.”
• Snowman Cookie
  “The fan-favorite Snowman Cookie starts with a buttery shortbread snowman dressed up in white chocolatey icing.”

Review: Sugar Cookie Latte

First, in Starbucks’ marketing and promotions, they are billing this as a cold drink. All the promotions I’ve seen have listed it as the “Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte.” But you can also order it hot.

By default, this drink comes dairy-free with almond milk. That’s a nice benefit for those of us, like myself, who can’t handle drinking a full cup of dairy.

So, what did it taste like? With the first sip, I tasted almond and warm sweetness. I kept drinking and then noticed a bit of a smooth butter flavor coming through. Did I enjoy this drink? Yes!

Personally, I love almond flavors and already order most of my drinks with almond milk so it felt “normal” to me. If you don’t like almond flavoring or are not used to drinking almond milk, it might take some getting used to it. You can always ask for a different type of milk.

This drink isn’t as sweet as some of the holiday ones. Especially compared to a peppermint mocha which is literally sugar in a cup. So, it’s a nice change. It’s a milder flavor and does remind me of spritz cookies.

Just a note on the marketing for this drink. I’ve seen Starbucks refer to it both as being reminiscent of a decorated sugar cookie AND a spritz cookie. This seems odd to me, but the flavor, mainly because of the almond, is much more like a spritz cookie. Which is fine by me, because I love spritz!

Do I think you should run out and order this drink? Well, maybe not run, but next time you’re at a Starbucks, definitely give it a try!

Hot paper cup design for 2022

The design for Starbucks holiday cups has four designs and focuses on a red, white, and green color scheme. Trees and stars feature on the cups.

These designs are fairly generic and remind me of their last few years. They are fun and cute but nothing exciting.

Red Cup Day

Starbucks’ Red Cup Day is the day they give away free reusable red cups with any holiday (or fall if still available) hand-crafted beverage order. For 2022, this day is Thursday, November 17.

Stores often run out as they are only given a limited amount, so be sure to go early.

FAQs

(These answers are based on Starbucks’ official replies on their Facebook page.)

Can I place a mobile order and still receive a free red cup?
Yes, while supplies last. You can also order from Uber Eats and get a free red cup.

What if I order more than one holiday beverage?
“Customers will receive one Starbucks red cup for every qualifying holiday beverage purchased. For example, if a customer orders 5 qualifying holiday beverages they will receive 5 while supplies last.”

Will Target Starbucks have free red cups too?
“Yes, This offer is good at participating stores in the US and Canada stores while supplies last, including Starbucks in Target or wherever you buy groceries.”

Does it matter the size? Can it be hot or cold?
“Any size hot, iced, or blended fall or holiday beverage. PSL, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato count too, where available!” and “Any size hot, iced, or Frappuccino® blended beverage fall or holiday drink. Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Frappuccino® Blended Beverage qualifies as a holiday beverage.”

NOTE: They said the same last year but then when I went to the store, I was told it had to be a grande or venti drink. I heard many others complain of the same!

Can I redeem my points and still get a free cup?
“Yes, you can redeem a Reward for a qualifying beverage to get a Starbucks reusable red cup, at participating stores and while supplies last!”

What drinks are actually included?
Below are the drinks, and keep in mind that iced or blended (meaning Frappuccinos) options are also included.

Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato, Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, Hot Chocolate, Irish Cream Cold Brew, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Peppermint Mocha, Peppermint White Hot Chocolate, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Pumpkin Spice Latte, Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte, Toasted White Hot Chocolate, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, White Hot Chocolate

Note: Starbucks Christmas Blend brewed coffee and Christmas Starbucks Reserve™ are not included in this offer.

Cup, Mug, and Tumbler Merch

Starbucks tumblers, mugs, and cups are very collectible and also make great gifts. They have new designs for each season and for this 2022 holiday season, the options do not disappoint.

Glitter Floral Cups with Straws

Starbucks says “The new Gradient Bling Cup comes in two of the season’s trendiest colors, a jewel-toned teal and a pink blush. And for even more holiday joy, the matching ornaments are the perfect addition to holiday decor.”

These cups are fun and festive, and coming in a 5-pack makes it easy on the pocketbook. They also are available in cute matching ornaments!

Glitter Bubble Cup

This tumbler is festive and fun all in one. Starbucks says “For fans of all things shiny and bright, this metallic cup is sure to stand out and make any holiday gathering a little more festive.” This screams New Year’s Eve to me but is also great for the whole winter season.

These options are available at Starbucks stores in the US.

Red Woodland Lace Mug

I love how this mug feels Christmas-y but not obviously so. It will work well for the whole winter season or for someone who doesn’t celebrate the holiday. Starbucks says of it “No other color screams Christmas more than burning red—one of the hottest hues this season—and this mug is the perfect vessel for any hot holiday Starbucks beverage.”

Other options

Other options for this season include a Shiny Mint Tumbler, Ion Ombre Tumbler and Gradient Bling Cup (24 oz), and Matching Ornaments.

At-home coffee and grocery products

Increasingly more Starbucks products are made available at grocery stores for at-home beverage making and consumption. It’s a welcome addition for those of us who love coffee at home!

As of October 18, Starbucks says this year’s at-home grocery products will be available in stores.

If you want to try out all of this year’s ground coffees, you can order a variety 3-pack from Amazon.

I usually have good luck finding Starbucks grocery options on Amazon or at Target. If you don’t see something available, it should be showing up soon.

NEW! Starbucks Gingerbread Flavored Coffee

This new gingerbread ground coffee option is nice to have available since Starbucks doesn’t currently offer a café gingerbread latte option. Of this new option, they say “Aromas of cinnamon and clove and a note of sweetness are blended with our lightest roast coffee for a heartwarming treat.”

You can find this on Amazon as ground coffee, in K-cups, or at most grocery stores and Target.

Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Coffee

Of the peppermint mocha coffee options, Starbucks states, “Rich chocolaty notes meet minty joy in this heartwarming treat. Together our lightest roast and winter’s celebrated flavors create a festive favorite with just the right amount of cocoa-peppermint sweetness.”

You can find peppermint mocha K-cups and ground coffee beans on Amazon and at grocery stores.

Starbucks Holiday Blend Coffee

The Holiday Blend ground coffee beans which have been offered by Starbucks for many, many years is also back. Starbucks says of the 2022 blend, “We combined bright, lively Latin American and smooth, earthy Indonesian beans and roasted them to bring out their full flavors. Layered, balanced, and sweet with herbal and maple notes.” This is a perfect coffee to pair with any holiday or winter brunch or dinner.

Both options of the Holiday Blend—ground beans and K-cups—are currently available through Amazon and grocery stores.

Starbucks Christmas Blend

Everyone’s seasonal favorite coffee, Christmas Blend, is also coming back. Starbucks says this 2022 option is “a balanced, sweet and toasty blend of bright Latin American beans and rich Sumatran coffee.” With its”layered notes of sweet maple and herbs” this coffee makes a delicious pairing for any holiday dinner or get-together.

This blend usually launches after Thanksgiving, and when available you will be able to find it on Amazon, at grocery stores, and in a Starbucks café store.

Starbucks Hot Cocoa

Starbucks offers a variety of hot cocoa options available online and in grocery stores. Any of these would make a perfect gift or purchase for yourself for those cold winter mornings!

• Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa Mix also available in K-pods
• Starbucks Hot Cocoa, Marshmallow
• Starbucks Hot Cocoa, Double Chocolate
• Starbucks Hot Cocoa, Salted Caramel
• Starbucks Hot Cocoa, Peppermint

If you are looking for a stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift, these cute-ly packed ornament-themed hot chocolate options are perfect! Available in peppermint and marshmallow.

Starbucks syrups for holiday drinks

Whether you are trying to save money this year by making coffee at home, or just love to have syrup on hand to make your favorite drink, these are my suggestions for the holidays.

• Starbucks peppermint syrup
• Starbucks toffee nut syrup
• Recipe for Irish cream syrup
• Recipe for sugar cookie syrup
• Starbucks cinnamon dolce syrup (or try the recipe!)
• Starbucks hazelnut syrup

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