Starbucks is brewing up the holiday spirit.
The coffee chain officially dropped its holiday menu on Thursday, Nov. 7 — but customers in the US are thirsting for two drink options only available overseas.
The 2024 holiday menu sees the return of many fan favorites, including the iconic Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte and Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte. For tea fans, the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai has also made a return.
Seasonal holiday cold foam flavors have returned as well, with peppermint chocolate, sugar cookie, chestnut praline and caramel brulée options back on the menu in addition to the brand-new gingerbread cold foam.
For the first time, Starbucks has introduced its first-ever holiday Refresher, the Cran-Merry Orange Refresher. The newest addition to the holiday menu can also be ordered as a Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refresher or Cran-Merry Drink featuring coconut milk.
And just as it did here in America, Starbucks has released holiday menus around the globe — including in Australia where the menu features two additional drinks that didn’t make it to American menus: the Salted Pretzel Cocoa Frappuccino and the Salted Pretzel Cocoa Latte (available iced or hot).
The Salted Pretzel Cocoa Latte features red cookies, pretzel pieces and cocoa drizzle, atop the classic latte infused with salty pretzel syrup, according to the Starbucks AU menu.
The Salted Pretzel Cocoa Frappuccino is a blend of ice, coffee, salty pretzel syrup and your choice of milk, topped with cocoa drizzle, whipped cream and “crunchy festive flavors.”
According to Parade, the sweet and salty holiday drinks are also being offered in the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
Food blogger Snackolator shared the sweet and salty news with their followers, and American fans in the comments were disappointed to realize it was an international-only menu item.
“I was so excited then I saw it wasn’t in the US,” one wrote with a crying emoji.
“Yes! This should be here! I was like wait I didn’t see that flavors before! It would be so good!” someone added.
“I was so excited and then immediate sadness,” another said.
In addition to beverages, American Starbucks customers can look forward to new seasonal pastries, including the Turkey Sage Danish, Dark Toffee Bundt, Snowman Cake Pop and Penguin Cookie, as well as returning favorites like the Sugar Plum Cheese Danish and Cranberry Bliss Bar.
Fans can also look forward to getting their holiday beverage in one of the chain’s brand-new “bright and beautiful” 2024 holiday paper cups.
Designs for four hot cups and one cold cup will be available for drink in-store drink orders, and Starbucks Creative Director Kristy Cameron said they were inspired by “genuine moments of joy and coffee.”
Starbucks also revealed its holiday merchandise, including seasonal drinkware and gifts, which are also available at Starbucks stores. Plus, the chain’s holiday coffees and creamers have returned to grocery shelves.
