It is the time of year when the air is getting colder and there is talk of snow in the air. Getting ready for the warm cheerful feelings that this season brings. In response, coffeeshops are putting away the fall flavors and setting up for the holiday season. Starbucks is all set for Christmas. This year’s winter favors are New Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Caramel brûlée latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, Toasted White Mocha, Irish Cream Cold Brew.

     Sadly Starbucks did do away with the Eggnog and Gingerbread flavor. However, they have released two new flavors: Caramel brûlée latte, Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte. Of the new flavors the carmel brûlée is one of the least favorite among Tigard students interviewed. 

     Junior Lily Brenner summed up the general opinion that it tasted burnt. 

     Senior Maggie Troxell, a barista at a Starbucks in Tigard, was hired in June. “I’m not a fan of the caramel brûlée because it tastes burnt,” Troxell said. “Brûlée is supposed to be a warm toasty flavor though it almost tastes charred.” According to Troxell, from October to January all of the cups,menus, and aprons are red for the holidays. Also, about ⅖ of the orders contain some sort of Christmas items. 

     Every year they always have the most popular out of all the seasonal drinks,according to Troxell this year it is their peppermint mocha. This flavor is a recurring one but it still gives people the warm feelings that the holiday brings. It is the perfect blend between peppermint, chocolate and coffee. Not too much peppermint to overpower the other flavors. 

     Another popular flavor is their toasted white mocha. The perfect drink for the chilly weather. The caramelized white chocolate and the espresso mesh together to create a wonderful blend of flavors.

     A few people found that the Caramel brûlée latte and the Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte were lacking. Some have said that it lacked flavor as well as just not being very enjoyable. They definitely were not one of the popular flavors among the Christmas drinks this year. 

     “Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte was my least favorite out of all of the flavors, it tasted like very watered down eggnog,” freshman Addison Flint said. 

     This year’s holiday flavors really brought the feeling of Christmas, and got people excited for the season. Happy holidays Tigers!