Every November, Starbucks celebrates the holiday season with its annual drop of festive drinks, and this year is no different. In fact, for the first time, Starbucks has debuted a new line of Refreshers with a holiday twist, a move that coincides with the chain officially dropping its dairy-free surcharge.
But that’s not all the global coffee chain has in store this holiday season. This year, Starbucks has also unveiled holiday-flavored, non-dairy cold foams. Keep reading for the chain’s vegan-friendly offerings available this holiday season.
Table of Contents
Starbucks ditches the dairy-free surcharge
On November 7, 2024, Starbucks officially eliminated its vegan milk surcharge across all US and Canada locations. The move comes 27 years after the chain first introduced its first dairy-free milk option: soy milk.
Starbucks
While the chain had already dropped the vegan milk surcharge in select regions including the UK, France, and Germany in previous years, North American consumers were—until recently—charged an additional cost when opting for soy, oat, almond, or coconut milk. Now, customers can choose non-dairy milks—which are better for the planet and human health—without an additional cost.
“Core to the Starbucks experience is the ability to customize your beverage to make it yours,” Starbucks CEO and chairman Brian Niccol said in a statement at the time. “By removing the extra charge for non-dairy milks we’re embracing all the ways our customers enjoy their Starbucks.”
Vegan food at Starbucks
Unfortunately, when it comes to Starbucks’ new holiday bakery items, vegans and anyone avoiding animal ingredients should steer clear. The Snowman Cake Pop, Penguin Cookie, Cranberry Bliss Bar, Dark Toffee Bundt, Turkey Sage Danish, and Sugar Plum Cheese Danish are all made using animal products.
But, if you’re looking for some substance to go with your holiday beverage, a few of Starbucks’ year-round basics are sure to keep you fueled in between meals.
Starbucks
Without fail, plant-based eaters can rely on plain and everything bagels; oatmeal (when ordered with hot water or non-dairy milk); and a selection of bananas. The chain briefly tested Miyoko’s single-serve cream cheese in 2020, but we’ve yet to see that come to fruition at scale. If you need a schmear for your bagel, the Avocado Spread is your best bet.
For something more savory, Starbucks carries Siete Sea Salt Kettle Cooked chips and Siete Lime Grain Free Tortilla Chips.
Starbucks vegan holiday drinks
During the holidays, Starbucks becomes a destination. The festive atmosphere picks us up with more than just caffeine. As commercial as it is, we just can’t help feeling a bit merrier with a red cup and a vegan holiday beverage in our hand. Here are 11 vegan Starbucks drinks to try this season.
Starbucks
1Cran-Merry Refreshers (iced)
Inspired by holiday punch, Starbucks’ line of Cran-Merry Refreshers packs a punch of flavor that’s both festive and fruity. The chain’s first line of holiday Refreshers includes the Cran-Merry Orange Refresher, which features sweet orange, warm spices, crisp cranberry, and green coffee extract for a kick of caffeine. The Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refresher is made using the same ingredients, but swaps out cold water for lemonade. And lastly, the Cran-Merry Drink adds coconut milk for a rich, creamy drink.
Barista tip: Remember, all of Starbucks’ Refreshers are made with caffeine. Despite their bright hues and fruity-flavor, they’re not necessarily kid-friendly.
Starbucks
2 Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte (hot or iced)
Introduced in November 2021, this Starbucks holiday drink was first billed as an iced beverage. The festive drink is made with Starbucks’ signature Blonde espresso, almond milk, sugar cookie-flavored syrup, and is topped with red and green sprinkles. Based on this description, it seems cloyingly sweet, but the unsweetened almond milk balances it out quite nicely. If you tend to stray away from iced coffee during the cold months, opt for the hot version to keep you warm and cozy.
Barista tip: Ask for a long shot of espresso or even a full extra shot if you prefer a stronger coffee taste with just a hint of holiday flavor.
Starbucks
3 Peppermint Mocha (hot or iced)
There is nothing cozier than walking around looking at holiday lights with a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha in hand. The mocha sauce is vegan, so all you need to do is nix the whip and ask to remove the dark chocolate curls, as both contain dairy. Request soy, oat, almond, or coconut milk, and rejoice in no longer paying the vegan milk surcharge.
Barista tip: The drink is made with both mocha and peppermint syrups, making it very sweet. As Starbucks’ soy milk is also very sweet, opt for almond or oat milk.
Starbucks
4 Chestnut Praline Latte (hot or iced)
It’s been five years since the Holiday Spice drink has been discontinued, and while we’re still in mourning, the Chestnut Praline Latte is a small consolation. It has a spiced, almost buttery flavor and a delightful spiced sugar and toffee topping we’d like to sprinkle on everything. Order it vegan with your favorite non-dairy milk (we love it with soy or almond) and ask for no whipped cream.
Barista tip: You can add a taste of the holiday season without ordering a super sweet drink. Ask for a soy milk latte with the Chestnut Praline topping. It cuts back on the sugar while keeping the warm praline flavors.
Starbucks
5 Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato (hot or iced)
Introduced in the 2021 fall lineup, this orchard-themed beverage is still available for the holiday season. Served hot or iced, the drink is made with oat milk (or your preferred non-dairy milk), Apple Brown Sugar Syrup, espresso, and a crosshatch of vegan-friendly Spiced Apple Drizzle.
Barista tip: Starbucks’ definition of a macchiato is not an accurate representation of a traditional macchiato, which is a very strong drink made with mostly espresso and just a spot of steamed milk. Buyer beware: the Apple Crisp ‘Macchiato’ is far from its espresso-forward muse.
Starbucks
6Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso (iced)
Keeping in line with the chain’s apple-forward, vegan-as-is offerings, the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is another fall drink that is sticking around for the holiday season. Unlike its macchiato counterpart, this beverage delivers a bit more coffee flavor.
Barista tip: Skip the Apple Crisp Macchiato and go for the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso if you prefer a stronger coffee flavor.
Starbucks
7 Cinnamon Dolce Latte (hot or iced)
This item never leaves the menu, but the warming cinnamon spices beckon feelings of merriment. Easily transform this drink into a vegan-friendly option by swapping in your favorite non-dairy milk and asking for no whipped cream or cinnamon dolce topping (it contains dairy).
Barista tip: Experiencing a hot day in December? Order iced or as a blended Frappuccino, hold the whip.
@veganeatsstockholm | Instagram
8
Hot Chocolate
Gussy up a standard hot chocolate with the flavors of the season. Remember to omit dairy and ask for your plant milk of choice. Enjoy as is or liven it up with either hazelnut, cinnamon dolce, caramel, or toffee nut syrup and hold the whip.
Barista tip: If you’re wondering, the caramel syrup is vegan but the caramel drizzle is not. We’re baffled, too.
Starbucks
9London Fog Tea Latte With Nutmeg
Trick out your typical tea latte by asking your barista to top your drink with a sprinkle of nutmeg. The warm spice will bring out the vanilla flavors of this mixed drink and add a layer of warm fuzzies to your morning.
Barista tip: This is really exceptional with oat milk.
Starbucks dairy-free holiday cold foams
Joining Starbucks’ line of festive drinks are dairy-free cold foams in seasonal flavors. This year, the coffee chain is offering Gingerbread, Peppermint Chocolate, Sugar Cookie, and Chestnut Praline cold foams, all of which are offered in a non-dairy format.
Starbucks
Those avoiding dairy, however, should steer clear of the Caramel Brulée Cream Cold Foam. This offering is not available without dairy.
Not all holiday drinks can be made vegan
Although most of Starbucks’ beverages can be made vegan with a few simple swaps, this isn’t always the case. Despite its seemingly vegan-friendly namesake, the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai contains chai tea concentrate that includes honey. It cannot be removed, and therefore cannot be made without animal ingredients.
Starbucks
Additionally, the Caramel Brulée Latte obtains its signature flavor using a caramel brulée sauce that includes dairy, and as such, it cannot be made vegan.
Despite these drinks, vegans can enjoy Starbucks’ seasonal sips with a number of beverage options—some of which require no modification.
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
.jpg?sha=1491c255b49d3e03 "From Ina Garten to Martha Stewart, Hot Apple Cider Tips, Tricks, and Recipes to Warm Your Spirit")