Yes, the Gingerbread Latte is considered a seasonal drink at Starbucks and other coffee chains. This festive latte is typically available from November to January during the winter holiday season.
What is a Gingerbread Latte?
A Gingerbread Latte is a warm, sweetened latte made with typical espresso and steamed milk, but is flavored with gingerbread spices and other seasonal flavors. The key ingredients that create the Gingerbread Latte flavor include:
- Gingerbread syrup: This syrup has flavors like ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves to recreate the taste of gingerbread cookies.
- Vanilla syrup: Vanilla adds more warmth and sweetness.
- Whipped cream: The drinks are topped with sweet whipped cream.
- Gingerbread spice topping: Some chains add a blend of gingerbread spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to the whipped cream.
The combination of the gingerbread syrup, espresso, warm steamed milk, vanilla, and festive spices creates the signature taste of a Gingerbread Latte.
When do coffee chains release it?
The Gingerbread Latte first appeared on Starbucks menus back in 2002. Now it returns for a limited time every holiday season at Starbucks, typically launching in early November. Here is a timeline of when you can expect to see the Gingerbread Latte return at popular coffee chains:
- Starbucks: Early November through early January.
- Dunkin’: Early November through December.
- Peet’s Coffee: November 1 through January 2.
- Tim Hortons: Mid-November through December.
- McCafe: Mid-November through December.
As you can see, most chains bring back the Gingerbread Latte in early to mid-November. It remains on menus through December or early January, disappearing after the New Year. So it’s most readily available through the Thanksgiving and Christmas season into the early winter months.
Why is it released seasonally?
There are several reasons why coffee chains treat the Gingerbread Latte as a seasonal winter drink rather than a year-round menu item:
- Festive flavor profile: The blend of gingerbread, cinnamon, vanilla, and other baking spices creates a distinctly festive flavor that customers associate with the winter holidays. The same spices are used in gingerbread cookies, Christmas desserts, and baked goods popular during the season.
- Seasonal consumer demand: Customers tend to seek out seasonal and limited-edition drinks more during the holidays. The festive flavors and hype around the Gingerbread Latte generates publicity and higher sales during the busy November-December period.
- Creates excitement and urgency: By only having it available for a short time, it creates excitement and urgency around the drink. Customers are eager to get it while they can.
- Limited ingredient supply: Gingerbread syrup and seasonal spices may be in shorter supply outside of the production cycle for the winter launch.
Coffee chains strategically release the Gingerbread Latte to capitalize on the surge in demand for festive, seasonal beverages during the winter months.
History and background of the drink
Here is some background history on the origins and evolution of the Gingerbread Latte:
- First introduced by Starbucks in November 2002 as the Gingerbread Latte.
- Quickly became a customer favorite and holiday tradition.
- Starbucks brought it back every holiday season nationwide due to popular demand.
- In 2008, Starbucks launched it earlier than ever starting in October for the holiday season.
- Other major chains took notice and added their own versions such as Dunkin’ and McCafe.
- The recipe has been tweaked over the years. In 2014, Starbucks changed to using a spicier gingerbread syrup and added a gingerbread cookie-crumble topping.
- It continues to return for a limited time every holiday season, now as a Starbucks holiday classic.
The Gingerbread Latte went from an innovative new seasonal drink pioneered by Starbucks to a beloved tradition copied by competitors and expected by customers every holiday season for nearly 20 years and counting.
Typical availability dates each year
Though release dates can vary slightly year to year, here are the typical windows when you can expect to see the Gingerbread Latte back on menus:
| Coffee Chain | Availability Window |
|---|---|
| Starbucks | Early November – Early January |
| Dunkin’ | Early November – End of December |
| Peet’s Coffee | November 1 – January 2 |
| McCafe | Mid-November – End of December |
| Tim Hortons | Mid-November – End of December |
As shown in the table, you can typically expect to find the Gingerbread Latte on menus at most major chains from around early-to-mid November through late December or early January each holiday season.
How popular is the Gingerbread Latte?
The Gingerbread Latte has become an extremely popular seasonal drink since its debut. Here are some facts about its popularity:
- As of 2014, it was Starbucks’ single most popular seasonal beverage of all time based on sales.
- In 2021, Starbucks Starbucks sold over 600 million Gingerbread Lattes.
- It accounts for over 7% of Starbucks’ total beverage sales during the holiday season.
- Over 200,000 were sold in the first 5 days after release in 2022.
- It inspires fanfare on social media and speciality holiday merchandise.
- Customers begin anticipating and requesting it as early as late summer.
The hype and devotion to the Gingerbread Latte each holiday season demonstrates how much of a phenomenal hit it remains year after year for Starbucks fans.
Nutrition facts
The Gingerbread Latte packs quite a punch of sugar and calories. Here are the nutrition facts for a grande 16 oz Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks:
- Calories: 420
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 64g
- Sugar: 50g
- Protein: 15g
As you can see, a 16oz Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks contains 50g of sugar, which is nearly double the American Heart Association’s recommended max daily intake of 25g for women and 38g for men.
For comparison, here are the nutrition facts for Dunkin’s medium 14 oz Gingerbread Latte:
- Calories: 340
- Fat: 9g
- Carbs: 53g
- Sugar: 50g
- Protein: 9g
Dunkin’s version also packs 50g of sugar into a medium sized drink. So while tasty, the Gingerbread Latte is quite high in sugar, calories, and saturated fat.
Price
Expect to pay a premium price for this specialty seasonal latte. Here are approximate prices for a grande/medium sized Gingerbread Latte:
- Starbucks: $5.45-$5.95
- Dunkin’: $3.99-$4.69
- Tim Hortons: $3.99-$4.39 CAD
- Peet’s Coffee: $4.75-$5.25
- McCafe: $4.09-$4.69
Prices can vary by region. But in general, you’ll pay about $0.50 to $1 more for a Gingerbread Latte compared to a cafe latte of the same size. The premium pricing is because it’s a specialty holiday drink made with seasonal syrups.
How long will it be available this year?
Based on past seasonal launch dates, here are the expected 2023 availability windows for the Gingerbread Latte at major chains:
- Starbucks: November 8, 2022 – January 3, 2023
- Dunkin’: November 2, 2022 – December 28, 2022
- Peet’s Coffee: November 1, 2022 – January 2, 2023
- McCafe: November 14, 2022 – December 25, 2022
- Tim Hortons: November 16, 2022 – December 28, 2022
Availability dates could vary slightly but these windows should be accurate based on prior years. Check with your local cafe to confirm seasonal drink launch dates in your area.
Tips for enjoying it
To get the optimal Gingerbread Latte experience, here are some tips:
- Ask for an extra pump or two of gingerbread syrup to make it extra gingery.
- Top with whipped cream and dash of ground cinnamon or gingerbread spice blend.
- For an extra treat, ask for gingerbread flavored whipped cream if available.
- Try it iced or as a Frappuccino blended drink for a cool twist.
- Pair it with a fresh gingerbread cookie, sliced cake, or other holiday treat.
- Add a flavored swirl like caramel or mocha to mix in more seasonal flavors.
Customizing your Gingerbread Latte can take the flavor to the next level!
Should you try the Gingerbread Latte this season?
Here are some pros and cons to help decide if the Gingerbread Latte is worth trying this holiday season:
Pros:
- It delivers all the cozy gingerbread flavor you crave during the holidays.
- A fun twist on an ordinary latte.
- Limited availability makes it novel and exciting.
- Perfect for enjoying while wearing your ugly Christmas sweater.
- Makes a great Instagrammable holiday drink.
Cons:
- It’s very high in sugar and calories, so not the healthiest option.
- Can be pricey compared to regular lattes.
- Has a strong cinnamon/gingerbread taste that some may not enjoy.
- Only available for a short time each holiday season.
The Gingerbread Latte is a quintessential seasonal treat that many coffeeholics and holiday enthusiasts eagerly await. If you love gingerbread flavors, enjoy novelty drinks, and don’t mind splurging for a high-calorie cup of cheer, it’s absolutely one to try this winter.
Conclusion
The Gingerbread Latte has become a iconic holiday staple at coffee chains like Starbucks due to its nostalgic gingerbread cookie flavor and limited availability. While a indulgent seasonal splurge, it’s a beverage many fans excitedly await returning to menus every holiday season. This festive latte’s popularity demonstrates the power of flavors and products that evoke the seasonality and warmth of the winter holidays. The Gingerbread Latte has secured its place as a beloved annual holiday tradition for coffee lovers across the country.