The 15 School Days of Christmas: Some holiday coffee shop drinks belong on naughty list

Anne Hampton, News Editor

December 11, 2024

Many companies release holiday drinks, some as early as in November. Photo via Pexels.com

Since Nov. 1, brands have been rushing to release holiday products and profit off of the commercialization of the season. Focusing primarily on holiday drinks, this can go one of two ways. When done well, the product can be an instant hit that will be missed when the season ends. But when done poorly, all that customers are left with is a drink that is mediocre at best, with a snowflake or a Santa Claus slapped on the cup.

The 15 School Days of Christmas: Some holiday coffee shop drinks belong on naughty list

Dunkin’ Cookie Cold Brew

The Cookie Butter Cold Brew should be on the menu all year round. Photo via Dunkin’

Dunkin’s Cookie Butter Cold Brew tops all other seasonal drinks they’ve released. The coffee perfectly replicates the flavor of a Christmas cookie without tasting overly artificial. There seems to be a common trend where Dunkin’ releases the most perfect, delicious seasonal drinks – just for them to be taken off the menu one or two months later and replaced by a subpar celebrity collaboration menu. The Cookie Butter Cold Brew should be on the menu all year round. Unlike pumpkin or peppermint-flavored products, cookie flavor isn’t a seasonal concept and shouldn't be limited to the holiday menu.

Starbucks Almond Sugar Cookie Latte

It’s a festive non-dairy favorite that tastes great both hot and cold. Photo via Starbucks.

Starbucks’ is known for having pretty solid seasonal menus, and this year is no different. Although their highly anticipated “Cran-merry” drink is kind of disappointing, their Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte is much better. The coffee itself has a good balance of sweetness without being too harsh, and the red and green sprinkles that top it off are a cute touch. The latte is overall really good, and much like Dunkin’s Cookie Cold Brew, it deserves a permanent spot on the menu. It’s a festive non-dairy favorite that tastes great both hot and cold.

Red Bull Iced Vanilla Berry

Red Bull released an Iced Vanilla Berry energy drink for the winter. Photo via Red Bull.

Red Bull released an Iced Vanilla Berry energy drink for the winter. The drink is all right, but besides the marketing, it doesn’t stand out as a seasonal addition. If the words “Winter Edition” weren't plastered on the front, nothing would set it apart from their other products. Overall, though, the flavor is definitely better than most Red Bull drinks, and it’s different from the basic peppermint and Christmas cookie flavors that other brands often recycle every year.

Alani Winter Wonderland

The brand itself refuses to reveal the exact flavor of the drink, but many agree it’s some sort of cranberry and coconut mix. Photo via Alani Nu.

Alani Nu’s Winter Wonderland energy drink is great – but not right away. The brand itself refuses to reveal the exact flavor of the drink, but many agree it’s some sort of cranberry and coconut mix. During the first few sips, the drink is kind of harsh and off putting, but after trying it multiple times, it gets a lot better. The fact that it’s marketed as a seasonal flavor is really what pulls people in. Had it been in a regular can with a different name, the drink would be much less popular. Pretty high expectations were set for the winter release, as Alani’s Halloween release, “Witches Brew,” was so much better. It’s safe to say that those expectations were not met.

Sprite Cranberry

Sprite released a cranberry twist on their classic soda. Photo via Sprite.

Despite its popularity and advertisements, Sprite Cranberry is awful. Its flavor can be compared to the nasty taste of drinking out of a cup that hasn’t been cleaned since the last time it was used. Overall, it tastes really off because the cranberry flavor is too harsh and bitterly sweet. Cranberry Canada Dry takes the same concept and does it better. Although tasting more artificial, Canada Dry better incorporates the flavor into its product and deserves more attention.

About the Contributor

Anne Hampton, News Editor

News Editor Anne Hampton is a junior and a third-year member of the Purbalite. She enjoys shopping and hanging out with her friends.

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The 15 School Days of Christmas: Some holiday coffee shop drinks belong on naughty list

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