When the holiday season rolls around, the red cups at Starbucks are a universal sign of festive cheer. But if you want to elevate your coffee run and try something truly unique, you have to look beyond the standard menu.
Thanks to creative baristas and the magic of custom orders, the "Secret Menu" is full of holiday delights. Here are three of the best holiday-edition Starbucks secret menu drinks and exactly how to order them!
1. The Santa Claus Frappuccino
If Christmas joy could be captured in a cup, it would look like this. This Frappuccino is a beautiful, frosty blend of red and white that looks just like Santa’s suit. It’s sweet, creamy, and has a delightful crunch from java chips.
How to Order It: Ask your barista for a Venti Toasted White Mocha Crème Frappuccino. Request 4 pumps of toasted vanilla syrup, add java chips, and ask for extra strawberry drizzle around the inside of the cup. Finish it off with whipped cream and festive red and green sprinkles.
2. The Rudolph Frappuccino
For those who need their caffeine fix mixed with holiday sweetness, the Rudolph Frappuccino is a must-try. It combines the classic coffee Frappuccino base with the nostalgic, buttery taste of sugar cookies and rich mocha.
How to Order It: Start by ordering a Venti Mocha Frappuccino. Ask to substitute the regular syrup with sugar cookie syrup. Request extra mocha drizzle around the cup and top the whipped cream with red holiday sugar sprinkles to represent Rudolph’s shiny nose!
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3. The Velvet Hot Chocolate
Sometimes you just need a cozy, warm drink to combat the winter chill. The Velvet Hot Chocolate takes the standard Starbucks hot chocolate and turns it into a decadent, ultra-rich dessert in a mug.
How to Order It: Ask for a Venti Hot Chocolate made with breve (half-and-half) instead of standard milk for extra creaminess. Ask for no mocha sauce, but instead add 5 pumps of vanilla syrup and 7 scoops of java chips stirred in. Top it off with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls.
Next time you are at Starbucks, don't be afraid to pull up these custom orders. Your barista might have to do a little extra work, but the festive flavors are entirely worth it!