There's no arguing that Starbucks has an amazing Christmas menu, with many coffee fans looking forward to it all year round. From Gingerbread Latte to Toffee Nut Frappuccino and Praline Cookie Hot Chocolate, there's something for everyone.
But why stop there? I've tried the Caramel Waffle Latte and Eggnog Latte, and while they are nice enough, it doesn't mean we can't take it a step further.
Starbucks ' 'secret' menu may not be a secret anymore thanks to the rise of TikTok, but ordering offf-menu items isn't something that I do all the time. This year, I thought why not customise some drinks to make them even more festive, and distinctly different from the signature ones they have on the menu.
After some research online, I decided to try out the Butterbeer Frappuccino, a S'mores Hot Chocolate and a Holly Jolly Latte. Be warned – if you go into a Starbucks and ask for these items they might have no clue what you're talking about, so I've included the recipes below.
If you want to try these you'll have to be quick, because they involve syrups that are only available during the festive period.
For some reason, the people-pleaser in me felt awkward about ordering off-menu, as I felt like I was being an inconvenience. My first thought was to order from the app, but unfortunately these customisations aren't available, so you will actually have to head to a store.
Fortunately, the Starbucks employee who served me reassured me that with the rise of TikTok, they get asked to make 'secret menu' drinks all the time.
So armed with all the ingredients needed for my customisation, I ordered them with no hassle. Keep in mind that as the standard three pump syrup drink is too sweet for me, I did alter the amount compared to other recipes I saw online. If you're ordering a bigger drink, or like things on the sweeter side, you could add more pumps of syrup.
Butterbeer Frappuccino
My favourite of all the secret drinks I tried was no doubt the Butterbeer Frappuccino. Those who are fans of Harry Potter will know all about the butterscotch soft drink that features in the Wizarding World.
It doesn't taste exactly like the 'real thing', but it's close enough to taste like they've added a branded Butterbeer syrup into a Frappuccino. Creamy and incredibly sweet, it's perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Butterbeer Frappuccino recipe (short):
- Vanilla Cream Fappuccino
- 1 pump of caramel syrup
- 1 pump of toffee nut syrup
- Whipped cream with caramel drizzle
S'mores Hot Chocolate
A close second, the S'mores Hot Chocolate is a festive dream. It's deliciously indulgent, nutty and creamy. I didn't see an option to add marshmallows, but if there was I think this one would be a winner.
Even so, it definitely lives up to its name. With a mince pie on the side this would definitely make me feel festive.
S'mores Hot Chocolate recipe (short):
- Classic Hot Chocolate
- 2 pumps of toffee nut syrup
- Whipped cream with mocha drizzle
Holly Jolly Latte
I would argue this is the most festive sounding but controversial of the 'secret' festive menu items I tried. It combines two flavours most people might not think of to combine, but it was surprisingly pleasant.
Some recipes call for a Eggnog Chai Latte, but I opted for the normal Eggnog Latte. With that said, you could try either. You then add an unusual ingredient - peppermint syrup. The Starbucks employee I ordered from was suitably confused, but it's definitely worth a try.
It's definitely a strange combination, but in my opinion better than a normal Eggnog Latte.
Holly Jolly Latte recipe (short):
- Eggnog Latte/ Eggnog Chai Latte
- 2 pumps peppermint syrup
- Whipped cream and nutmeg sprinkles
Have you tried any of these 'secret' menu items? Or do you have any of your own that you like to drink? Let us know in the comments below.
