Starbucks 2026 Holiday Menu Adds Tiramisu Latte, Short Rib Grilled Cheese
Starbucks launched its 2026 holiday menu on November 5, introducing eight new items including six drinks and two food options.
Starbucks released its 2026 holiday menu on November 5. The 2026 lineup features six new drinks and two new food items, totaling eight additions, and replaces pumpkin with gingerbread as the seasonal focus.
Tiramisu Velvet Latte Leads as Top-Rated Festive Drink
The Tiramisu Velvet Latte, inspired by the classic Italian dessert, is the standout of the new offerings. It combines espresso, vanilla syrup, mascarpone cold foam, and cocoa powder. Available in iced, hot, and cold brew versions, the latte version earned a perfect 5/5 rating and was described as luxurious, not overwhelmingly sweet, and a total win for the season. The cold brew variant received a 4.5/5 rating, noted for being less sweet and more coffee-forward.
New Food Items: Braised Short Rib Grilled Cheese and Bearista Cake Pop
The two new food items are the Braised Short Rib Grilled Cheese and the Bearista Cake Pop. The grilled cheese contains cheddar, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses, Dijon mustard, caramelized onion jam, and braised short rib. A reviewer called it a total winner, provided the crusts were cut off. The Bearista Cake Pop draws its design inspiration from the Starbucks Bearista Glass Cold Cup.
Review Highlights: Flavor, Presentation, and Innovation
A reviewer evaluated the new items based on flavor, presentation, and innovation, sampling everything without customizations. The Iced Caramel Brulée Cream Chai, using returning holiday ingredients, was the reviewer's second favorite. The Apple Pomegranate Lemonade Refresher, with its bright green and red appearance, was noted for its festive look but was found to make the apple and pomegranate flavors nearly invisible. Its basic version, without lemonade, was the reviewer's favorite of the three tried.
The Snowy Apple Drink, which is the Apple Pomegranate Refresher blended with coconut milk, earned a 4.5/5 rating and was preferred for its creamier taste. The only clear miss was the Iced Sugar Cookie Cream Matcha, decorated with red and green sprinkles, which was deemed a no-go.
| Drink Item | Rating | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tiramisu Velvet Latte | 5/5 | Luxurious, balanced, not too sweet |
| Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew | 4.5/5 | Coffee-forward, less rich |
| Snowy Apple Drink | 4.5/5 | Creamier blend of Apple Pomegranate Refresher |
| Apple Pomegranate Refresher | 4/5 | Tart, festive colors |
Starbucks' 2025 holiday menu featured only one new drink, the returning Eggnog Latte. The 2026 expansion marks a significant shift, with the Tiramisu Velvet Latte's 5/5 rating cementing it as the season's standout drink.
