A blazing fireplace and warm, fluffy blankets. Baking sugar cookies, drinking hot chocolate and watching “Home Alone”.

There’s snow doubt about it – the holidays make up some of our best memories. And it looks like Starbucks is giving us an early Christmas present – new refreshers, cold foams, snacks and even “Wicked” themed drinks.

So, Starbucks, step right up as we judge your drinks from head to (mistle)toe.

Cran-Merry Refresher with coconut milk – 10/10 (Ishani)
Refreshers and Christmas. Two words I never thought would blend together.
However, the words aren’t the only things blending smoothly. The Cran-Merry Refresher with a coconut milk base complements the subtle taste of Christmas spices.

To be completely honest, I very much dislike refreshers (Dragon Fruit Refresher, I’m looking at you). However, this was not overly done in flavor. The cranberry is tart enough not to taste artificial, but not so sour your face pinches up.

An issue I was worried would arise was that the drink wouldn’t be Christmas-y enough. Once again however, this drink took me by surprise. Starbucks added small sprinkles of cinnamon and nutmeg throughout the drink, infusing the drink with that classic holiday flavor. The coconut milk had a slightly creamy, nutty flavor, which definitely contributed to the holiday vibe I picked up from this drink.

For the first time ever, Starbucks’ refreshers might bring joy to the world.

Cran-Merry Orange refresher with lemonade – 6/10 (Tessa)
This drink had me cran-king my head in confusion. From the first sip, I was hit with an odd mix of citrus flavors that felt holiday-ish, but with a sour twist. The blend of orange, lemon and cranberry? Not exactly the festive combo I was hoping for. It’s too tangy, almost bitter – like a plant trying to make a debut as a drink.

It’s sweet but leaves an odd sour punch. Weirdly, there’s a spice that doesn’t quite fit—like someone tossed cinnamon, citrus and cranberry into a blender, but forgot to hit the blend button, leaving the flavors uneven and awkward. All I can really taste is the spice and lemonade, which wasn’t what I expected from a drink with cranberry in its name. Bitter and sour with a weird aftertaste, it’s a flavor I’m not sure what to think of. While it does give off some Christmas vibes, it’s just not enough to make me reach for it again.

The cranberry inclusions didn’t do much to redeem it either. While they added a bit of texture and a more festive look bringing some holiday charm, they failed to enhance the flavor in any meaningful way.

That said, this drink does give off some Christmas vibes, with that strange cinnamon touch that screams winter – just not in the way I’d hoped. If you’re in the mood for something bold and unique, this drink might be worth a try. But if you’re after a classic holiday refresher, maybe skip this one.

Peppermint Chocolate Cream Cold Foam – 7.5/10 (Ishani)
For me, cold foams are usually a hit-or-miss. I love adding a vanilla sweet cream cold foam on a chai latte here and there, but to me, white chocolate macadamia nut cold foam just tastes like an overly sweet cloud.

Thankfully, this cold foam didn’t disappoint. The texture was like a peppermint mocha latte but frothier. The flavor, although slightly overpowered by peppermint, was strong and resembled a candy cane.

I recommend adding this cold foam to a simple iced coffee. If you don’t like whipped cream, you can also consider selecting the cold foam as an alternative for drinks like the mocha latte.

Elphaba’s Cold Brew – 8/10 (Ishani)
Elphaba not only defied gravity but my expectations with this drink.

Starbucks released two new drinks for the release of the new “Wicked” movie, which came to theaters on Nov. 22.

The drink was a dark peppermint roast, creating a concoction with both bitterness and a sweet candy cane flavor. I love a good dark roast, and the peppermint flavor really balanced out the sharp taste of the coffee.

In addition, Starbucks added a matcha cold foam to the brew – it was not on my 2024 bucket list to try black coffee, peppermint and matcha together, but I’m glad I did. Matcha has a subtle, chalky, refreshing flavor, which rounded the drink out by enriching the cold brew, but didn’t add in another distracting taste.

The only aspect of this drink that I was not a fan of was the acidity of the drink. It’s difficult to suppress an acidic flavor in a dark cold brew; however, it left a tangy aftertaste that was not enjoyable.

Overall, this drink was wickedly good.

Glinda’s Pink Potion 8/10 (Tessa)
If a pink drink deserved to float down in a bubble, it’s this one. Glinda’s Pink Potion is as enchanting as it looks – at least at first. But like any spell, its charm doesn’t last forever.

The first sip feels magical. The strawberry cold foam creates a sweet, creamy layer that blends well with the tart base. The foam’s thickness is a nice addition and ties the drink together almost as wickedly perfect as Glinda’s magic.

However, as the foam disappears, so does a bit of the magic. The fruity base takes over, and the tartness sharpens, leaving the potion feeling a little unbalanced. It’s less “good witch” and more “confused fairy.” While the coconut milk adds a smooth texture, its flavor is more of a whisper rather than a main character.

Visually, the drink is pure Broadway from its bright pink color to the addition of red and green sprinkles. Although I wish the sprinkles were pink to match the movie’s vibe, it’s still a fun touch. The dragon fruit pieces are a fun surprise, but like the munchkins in “The Wizard of Oz,” they don’t contribute much beyond their appearance.

While Glinda’s Pink Potion isn’t perfect, it’s a charming seasonal drink with a lot of personality. Think of it as a refreshing treat with just enough sparkle to make you smile and perfect for sipping when you want something a little outside the ordinary.

Dark Toffee Bundt – 6/10 (Ishani)
When I first tried this cake, I instantly thought of a glazed donut – and not just because it’s bundt-shaped. The treat combined a cakey, moist texture with a light, buttery flavor. I definitely picked up the holiday vibes after digging into this bundt.

The cake is a toffee-flavored bundt with a sweet glaze, topped with sprinkles. It’s not too dry and has a thick, doughy texture.

The issue I ran into was that the flavor was overly sweet. After just one bite, I needed to drink a lot of water. It wasn’t the kind of sugariness you’d expect in the homemade cookies waiting for Santa. Rather, the bundt was artificially sweetened and the glaze on top of the cake did not help at all.

I would get this treat again, but it wouldn’t be my first choice. Looks like it’s time for Starbucks to spruce things up.

Snowman Cake Pop – 4/10 (Ishani)
Whoever created this cake pop was up to snow good.

I didn’t want to be a Grinch, but even the 4/10 was generous to the treat. The cake pop was made of vanilla cake mixed with a basic buttercream and dipped in white chocolate icing.

The white chocolate icing was far too sweet and the cake inside was even sweeter. I also didn’t see how this treat was unique other than the design on the front. To me, it tasted strikingly similar to Starbucks’ birthday cake pop.

The only redeeming quality was that the cake was velvety, moist and smooth. The texture wasn’t overly chewy and wasn’t a pain to bite into.

Penguin Cookie – 7/10 (Tessa)
Penguin cookies are as cute as they are festive, and this one lived up to the holiday spirit. Shortbread cookies are a seasonal staple of mine, and this one didn’t just meet expectations – it exceeded right past them.

From the first bite, I was hooked. The cookie is soft but still sturdy, with a slightly crumbly bottom that’s saved by the rich icing. The white chocolate steals the show, while the dark chocolate accent adds just the right touch of balance. It’s a duo so good, it could headline a holiday concert.

What I loved most? The cookie doesn’t taste like it came from a lab. No strange, chemical aftertaste here – just homemade vibes wrapped in a layer of nostalgia. And let’s not ignore the obvious: the penguin design is absolutely adorable. It almost demands a spot on your Instagram story before you take a bite.

My only issue is the crumbly bottom, which can be a little messy. However, the icing brings it all together, melting on your tongue to create a satisfying finish.

Overall, this cookie is a good seasonal treat; festive, flavorful and full of charm.

Turkey Sage Danish – 7/10 (Tessa)
This year, Starbucks has added a savory twist to its holiday menu with the Turkey Sage Danish, offering something a little different from the usual sweet treats like peppermint and gingerbread. But does it capture that warm, comforting goodness?

At first look, the danish is rustic and cozy, with its flaky pastry arms folded around the filling, trying to keep it all together. The sage and herbs give off serious holiday vibes. But I won’t sugarcoat it – because, well, it’s not sweet – the grayish sausage bits look more like something you’d find in a frozen meal than a pastry dish.

The golden-brown edges are crisp and buttery, while the center leans a little too doughy, like it didn’t quite finish baking. Think Pillsbury roll that cozied up to some stuffing on a Thanksgiving plate.

The sage topping and creamy béchamel sauce are the real heroes of this pastry. The sage brings those holiday flavors, and the béchamel adds a bit of richness to balance the dryness. Unfortunately, the sauce is a little too sparse and a little too light, leaving you wanting more.

Size-wise, this danish is more of a snack. It’s tasty but not quite filling, and the turkey crumbles feel more like a garnish than a main ingredient. It may not pack a punch in protein, but it’s a great option when you’re in the mood for something satisfying and quick.

Overall, the Turkey Sage Danish captures the essence of Thanksgiving in a flaky, handheld package. It’s warm, comforting and a bit nostalgic – just don’t expect it to replace your holiday feast.

It looks like Starbucks stepped it up this holiday season – don’t miss out on our top picks: the Cran-Merry Refresher with Coconut Milk, both “Wicked” drinks and a quick bite of the Penguin Cookie. This festive menu makes the holidays a little merrier – and frothier; it’s the perfect star on top of the tree.

Well done, Starbucks. That’s a wrap.