Festive Coffee Favourites From the Highstreet – 2022.
Christmas is soon upon us, and everyone is hurriedly buying their final gifts and preparing their festive menu for the big day. One more recent tradition in the run up to Christmas is the purchase of the first festive coffee drinks from your favourite high street chain. Coffee giants such as Starbucks, Costa, Cafe Nero and Pret have been rolling out their festive disposable coffee cups and seasonal recipes to help you power through the your shopping sprees.
If you’ve been particularly busy this year and haven’t had chance to look at what’s on offer, read on – we’ve compiled the top drinks from the main coffee shop brands so that you can compare the options and head straight out to pick up a cup of your favourite!
Starbucks
The iconic red festive coffee cups are back, and this year you have a fantastic selection of festive coffee to choose from:
- Toffee Nut Latte: This popular festive coffee is topped with whipped cream and crunchy toffee nut pieces.
- Gingerbread Latte: A Christmas favourite, topped with gingerbread crumbs.
- Toffee Nut Cream Cold Brew: If you are one of the small number of coffee drinkers who like a cold brew during these brisk winter months, this one is for you!
- Christmas Blend: If these sweeter options aren’t quite cutting it for you, Starbucks also offer festive coffee beans in the form of their Christmas blend, with notes of spiced chocolate and spruce tips.
Queues for Starbucks have been very long in the last few weeks thanks to the return of the Toffee Nut Latte, so you’ll need to be committed to a wait to enjoy this one!
Costa
It’s a similar story at Costa Coffee, with the return of the Gingerbread and Cream Latte, a favourite amongst our office-based team. What we didn’t expect to see this year was a festive drink with Toblerone as an ingredient, though if we were to pick a chocolate that says ‘Christmas’, the Toblerone would be up there.
- Gingerbread and Cream Latte: Reviews we’ve read online tell us that the Gingerbread and Cream Latte is a hit!
- Toblerone Latte: This latte is definitely one for those with a sweet tooth! It’s a decedent treat that’s more desert than beverage, but why not – t’is the season after all!
- Terry’s Chocolate Orange Hot Chocolate: Warm your cockles after a day shopping with this indulgent hot chocolate that features a festive chocolate favourite, the Terry’s Chocolate Orange.
And finally, if you’re more of an online shopper and won’t be braving the high-street this Christmas, there’s even festive coffee pods, from both Starbucks and Costa, that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
Caffe Nero
Cafe Nero’s Christmas range is arguably even more indulgent that those of Costa and Starbucks, believe it or not.
- Black Forest Mocha: Savour the rich taste of a classic black forest gateaux with this cosy drink that’s topped with fluffy cream and chocolate dusting.
- Cinnamon Latte: they’ve taken the classic Christmas spice, Cinnamon, as the basis for their festive Latte – a classic that rarely disappoints.
We are surprised that there’s no cold brew or iced latte equivalent for this drink though, given what the competition has released.
Not to worry – their Salted Caramel and Pistachio Frappe Crème is unbelievably nice, if calorific, so we’d recommend giving that a whirl. After all, any drink can be made Christmassy if it’s in festive take away coffee cups!
Pret a Manger
Last but not least, the guys over at Pret a Manger have mixed traditional Christmas coffees with some new and slightly more unusual drinks, for a varied offering that should cater for most coffee consumers in the UK, all wrapped up in their own festive coffee cup.
- Gingerbread Latte: This festive stalwart heads up Pret a Manger’s festive menu, and is a sure fire winner for many.
- Praline Latte: This hazelnut favourite continues the 2022 nut-based coffee theme and is in-keeping with the super sweet line up the company has on offer.
- Macaroon Hot Chocolate: A non-coffee option that had us extremely curious about how it tastes! While it’s probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Christmas drinks, the almond flavour reminds us of old-favourite marzipan and amaretto spiked-drinks.
All in all, Pret’s offering might be smaller than it’s competitors, but it’s innovative take on festive beverages just may end up being your all time favourite.
We hope you find this Christmas drink rundown informative, and we’re confident that there’s a festive drink perfect for you on offer this year. We’ve tried a few and haven’t yet been disappointed – if you have any thoughts, share them with us on Twitter, or on LinkedIn!
If you’re looking for an office coffee machine for your staff and/or visitors, view our range or give us a call on 01865 900662. Alternatively drop us an enquiry and a member of our team will call you back.