Time went by so quickly that I still can't believe that it's just a little over a month to go before Christmas and a couple of days to go before we hit December! The season's hype is made more exciting by the comeback of the Red Cups from Starbucks. The new Christmas drink, the comeback of the classic favorites - Peppermint Mocha & Toffee Nut Latte, the Chicken Fajita Roll, Toffee Nut Loaf, the planner craze and the Christmas Edition Cards. All may seem too shallow or overrated for some but yah know, haters gonna hate!
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| My pretty cup of Green Tea Latte in this bright and jolly red cup. Red and Green - perfect Christmas color combination! |
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| My favorites - all in one pic! |
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| Gingerbread Cookie and a new cookie on the menu - Rocky Road Stuffed with Oreo |
It's been weeks since the comeback of the "Red Cups" but I haven't had the time to blog about it. Believe me, it's been a crazy roller coaster of life events that got me away from the thing that I love doing the most - blogging. The Limited Edition Swarovski Mini Card with 29 crystals passed me by and I'm not even halfway done with my planner stickers. The controversy about the plain "Red Cups" have gone viral with people getting offended with it and branding Starbucks as "anti-Christmas." What's the deal? Maybe people just got so used to the all dressed-up "Red Cups" that a plain one meant something else for them. Or maybe people were just so bored with life, yeah? Don't you wish that people will just stop the hate and be more kind?
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| Christmas Panettone Latte - Hot: Short P155, Tall P165, Grande P180, Venti P190 |
Anyway...I got to try the new holiday drink on the first day of it's release - Christmas Panettone Latte. I first tried the hot drink. Upon research, I found out that Panettone is an Italian version of a well loved Christmas bread - Fruitcake. The drink was supposed to carry a buttery bread flavor. I'm not sure I got those flavors from this latte. It was sweet and I sure tasted a lot of milk and that was it. Sure the bits of dried fruits on top that somehow settled to the bottom of my latte gave texture to this drink but still, nothing special. So, I decided to try the iced version too.
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| Christmas Panettone Latte - IcedChristmas Panettone Latte - Iced: Short P155, Tall P165, Grande P180, Venti P190Frappuccino® blended beverage: Tall P175, Grande P185, Venti P195 |
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| A look at the pretty little dried fruit bits of the Christmas Panettone Latte |
IMO, this is not the best addition to their Christmas Drink menu. Still rooting for the Gingerbread Latte to make it's comeback. This iced version of the Christmas Panettone Latte was as well sweet and very milky but the buttery part was more evident. I tried and tried to taste something different - something bread like - but maybe my taste buds fell short. Nothing special though I have to give it to the small fruit bits sprinkled on the whipped cream. They added color and Christmas cheer into the drink. Honestly, they made the drink look so gorgeous.
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| Iced Peppermint Mocha - (Hot or Iced) Short P155, Tall P165, Grande P180, Venti 190Frappuccino® blended beverage: Tall P175, Grande P185, Venti P195 |
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| A closer look at the bits of festive peppermint candy sprinkles. Tip: you can request for MORE peppermint sprinkles at no extra charge! |
Peppermint Mocha is still the number one Christmas Drink for me. Nothing else reminds me more and makes me giddy about Christmas than the cool and refreshing burst of peppermint in this drink. The lovely color of red and white that you'll see in Christmas candy canes and the cool December breeze all rolled up into this awesome drink.
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| Toffee Nut Latte - Iced: (Hot or Iced) Short P155, Tall P165, Grande P180, Venti P190Frappuccino® blended beverage: Tall P175, Grande P185, Venti P195 |
Then of course the much loved Toffee Nut Latte that brings the sweetest notes with the irresistible crunch of the toffee bits. Reminds me of candy loots and warm cookies with toffee chunks and nuts.
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| Starbucks 2016 Planners by Moleskine |
It doesn't really matter what other people will say about the Starbucks Planner craze or the Red Cups. Sure there's a need to shell out a deal of money but then again come to think of it, Christmas only comes once in a year. Whatever makes you happy, go for it. It's more than just the Holiday drinks and the hype. It's more of a tradition for me and it has definitely become a part of my annual Christmas Season.
What's your favorite Starbucks Holiday drink? Or maybe you can share with me your favorite Christmas tradition?
I am a workaholic mom who is also trying to be the best wife ever. I am a self proclaimed food lover, a frustrated cook and pastry master. I have a thing for books and scrap booking fills up my free time. Blogging? It's something I do once in a while when I can squeeze in some "me time" in this super busy life.
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