12 Starbucks holiday LTOs not found in the U.S. … yet
By Heather Lalley on Nov. 13, 2018Starbucks, with its ever-popular Pumpkin Spice Lattes and much annual hubbub surrounding its holiday cups, knows how to leverage a seasonal beverage for maximum buzz.
While U.S. consumers are likely familiar with the coffee giant’s holiday drinks such as the Peppermint Mocha, Eggnog Latte, Caramel Brulee Latte and Gingerbread Latte, they may be unfamiliar with the holiday beverages available only in the chain’s international units.
Here’s a look at some of the festive drinks offered at Starbucks locations around the globe. Which ones, if any, would be a hit with U.S. customers?
1. Christmas Strawberry Cake Milk
This new drink, available in Japan, is made with steamed milk, strawberry compote and white mocha syrup, topped with whipped cream, strawberry topping and a crushed biscuit. It’s also available in Frappuccino form.
2. Snowy Cheese Flavored Latte
Some operators have been trying to introduce U.S. audiences to cheese tea, but it hasn’t quite gone mainstream yet. This new drink, served in China, combines espresso with baked cheese-flavored sauce. It’s topped with whipped cream, blueberry sprinkles and star-shaped crisps.
3. Toffee Nut Crunch Latte
This sweet concoction is available in China, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Europe. Available hot or iced, it includes espresso with butter-toffee and toasted-nut flavorings. It’s garnished with whipped cream and a toffee-nut topping.
4. Christmas Dessert Latte
This drink is inspired by British Christmas pudding, though it’s available only in China. It’s a mix of steamed milk, espresso and Christmas pudding-flavored sauce crowned with whipped cream, caramel sauce and mixed fruit sprinkle.
5. Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha
Available in Latin America, this seasonal beverage includes espresso, steamed milk and white chocolate that’s topped with whipped cream, cranberry drizzle and crystallized cranberry sugar.
6. Duo Cocoa Mocha
This new Asia-Pacific offering combines espresso with swirls of dark and white chocolate. The drink, available hot, iced or as a Frappuccino, is topped with whipped cream, with one side drizzled with mocha and the other decorated with cocoa nibs.
7. Speculoos Latte
The flavor of Belgian spice cookies called speculoos is highlighted in this drink, served in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time. It’s been available in other markets as a Caramel Cinnamon Cookie Latte. The beverage, available hot, iced or as a Frappuccino, is topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle and crumbled spice cookies.
8. Dark Cherry Mocha
Served in Latin America and the Caribbean, this beverage combines espresso with bittersweet mocha sauce, dark cherry-flavored syrup and steamed milk, topped with sweetened whipped cream.
9. Hazelnut Mocha
Stores in Argentina and Uruguay serve this drink, made with espresso, steamed milk, bittersweet chocolate and hazelnut flavor. It’s served hot, iced or as a Frappuccino, topped with whipped cream and mocha syrup.
10. Christmas Brulee Latte
Eggnog milk, creme brulee sauce and espresso are topped with Christmas Brulee sprinkles in this seasonal drink that’s available in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
11. Salted Caramel Brownie Hot Chocolate
This indulgent offering, served in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, blends steamed milk, mocha sauce and salted caramel sauce. It’s topped with salted caramel brownie whipped cream, brownie crumbles and salted caramel brittle.
12. Flat White with Cinnamon Spice
Espresso mixed with cardamom, vanilla and cinnamon is served as a seasonal Flat White or latte in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Milk frothed with cinnamon-spice sugar tops the drink.