The holiday season is a magical time filled with festive decorations, joyful music, and beloved traditions. One of the most popular holiday drinks is the gingerbread latte, a creamy, spiced coffee drink that evokes feelings of warmth and nostalgia. But with so many coffee shops offering seasonal beverages, where can you find the best gingerbread latte? This article will explore some of the coffee shops offering gingerbread lattes this holiday season and compare their ingredients, pricing, availability, and reviews to help you decide where to get your festive caffeine fix.
Starbucks
One of the most well-known gingerbread lattes is served at Starbucks coffee shops nationwide. Starbucks starts serving their gingerbread latte in November each year and it remains on the menu through the end of the holiday season in early January. The Starbucks gingerbread latte contains espresso, steamed milk, gingerbread syrup, whipped cream, and a dusting of nutmeg on top. The flavor profile combines the richness of the milk and espresso with warm gingerbread spices like cinnamon, ginger, and clove.
The Starbucks gingerbread latte is made with whole milk by default, but non-dairy milk alternatives are available upon request for an added charge. The smallest size, a Tall 12 oz, costs around $4.45 while the largest Venti 20 oz costs $5.45. Prices vary slightly between locations.
Many coffee aficionados consider the Starbucks gingerbread latte a classic holiday beverage. The consistency and widespread availability from the popular chain make it an accessible and comforting choice. However, some critics say it is overly sweet and more similar to a dessert than a coffee.
Peet’s Coffee
Peet’s Coffee offers its own gingerbread latte recipe during the holiday season. Peet’s gingerbread latte contains espresso, steamed milk, gingerbread syrup, and is topped with whipped cream and ground nutmeg. The syrup has robust ginger and cinnamon spice flavors along with a hint of citrus.
The Peet’s gingerbread latte is available in whole or nonfat milk with prices ranging from $3.75 for a small to $4.75 for a large. It is available from November through January each winter at Peet’s coffee shop locations in several states across the U.S.
Reviewers praise Peet’s version of the gingerbread latte for its emphasis on espresso and spices over sweetness. The citrus note adds a brightness not found in other gingerbread lattes. However, some reviewers say it lacks enough gingerbread flavor compared to versions from other coffee chains.
Dunkin’
Dunkin’ offers both a gingerbread latte and gingerbread coffee each holiday season. The lattes contain espresso, steamed milk, and gingerbread flavored swirls, while the coffee is their standard hot coffee infused with gingerbread flavor.
The smallest gingerbread latte at Dunkin’ is a 10 oz small for around $3.69, while the largest 20 oz extra large costs $4.49. Dunkin’ also offers added customizations like flavors and toppings for an additional charge.
Dunkin’ starts serving their holiday coffee drinks by early November and typically offers them through December. However, availability can vary between locations.
The Dunkin’ gingerbread lattes and coffee focus on gingerbread cookie flavor with a mixture of cinnamon, clove, and molasses notes. Reviewers praise the sweetness and desserty flavor profile. But others feel Dunkin’ relies too heavily on sugary syrups and lacks natural spiced flavor compared to other coffee shops.
Smaller/Regional Chains
In addition to the major national coffee shop chains, many smaller regional chains and local cafes offer their own unique gingerbread lattes during the holidays. Trying these local options can uncover some surprising tastes and twists on the classic recipe.
For example, Intelligentsia Coffee offers a seasonal “Gingersnap Latte” made with cane sugar and vanilla instead of plain syrup. Oregon-based Dutch Bros. features a gingerbread breve latte with eggnog and coconut milk. Bixby & Ball Café in Los Angeles infuses its gingerbread latte with notes of cinnamon and orange.
Searching for “gingerbread latte” on review sites like Yelp can uncover the holiday drink offerings at coffee shops in your area you might not know about otherwise. The diversity of choices from local cafes and bakery-coffeehouse hybrids means you can sample an array of gingerbread latte flavors beyond the usual national coffee chain versions.
The Best Gingerbread Latte
So with all these options, which coffee shop truly offers the best gingerbread latte? Taste is subjective, but here are some factors to help evaluate which one will suit your preferences:
- Spice level – Do you want bold ginger and cinnamon or a more mellow gingerbread flavor?
- Sweetness – Are you looking for a dessert-like latte or one that highlights coffee and spice over sugar?
- Quality of espresso – A properly pulled espresso shot can balance and enhance the other ingredients.
- Toppings and mix-ins – Whipped cream, sprinkles, and other fun toppings can elevate a basic gingerbread latte.
- Non-dairy options – Many places offer non-dairy milks, but some do it better than others.
- Price – Holiday drinks don’t come cheap, so price may also factor into deciding where to go.
Here is a comparison of notable gingerbread latte features at three major coffee chains:
| Coffee Shop | Spice Level | Sweetness | Quality Espresso | Toppings | Non-Dairy Options | Price (Small) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starbucks | Medium | High | Good | Whipped cream | Available | $4.45 |
| Peet’s | High | Medium | Excellent | Whipped cream, nutmeg | Available | $3.75 |
| Dunkin’ | Medium-low | High | Decent | None standard | Available | $3.69 |
As the table shows, factors like spice level, sweetness, and quality of espresso can vary greatly between coffee shops. Starbucks offers the classic gingerbread latte experience with plenty of syrupy sweetness to satisfy your sweet tooth. Peet’s puts more emphasis on espresso and spices for a more balanced, nuanced gingerbread flavor. And Dunkin’ focuses on accessibility and customization in their version.
The best gingerbread latte ultimately comes down to your personal preferences. Trying various options is part of the fun of coffee drink tasting. You may be surprised to find a new favorite holiday drink at a coffee shop you’ve never been to before.
Conclusion
The gingerbread latte is a seasonal treat that many coffee drinkers eagerly await each holiday season. Starbucks, Peet’s, and Dunkin’ offer popular takes on the classic recipe. But exploring local coffee shops can yield some delicious and unique gingerbread lattes as well. Consider factors like spice level, sweetness, quality of espresso, and custom add-ons when deciding where to get your perfect gingerbread latte this winter. Finding your favorite combination of ginger, cinnamon, clove, and vanilla is a tasty holiday tradition.