The holiday season is fast approaching, and while many people choose to celebrate in different ways, almost anyone can say that they enjoy a hot drink when the weather starts getting frosty. Starbucks is perhaps the most well-known coffee shop, and with all of their new holiday-themed victuals, it’s hard to not be excited for the season. This year, Starbucks released two new seasonal drinks and one new pastry: the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, the Chestnut Praline Chai Tea Latte, and the Candy Cane Whoopie Pie. The Toasted White Chocolate Mocha is an upgraded version of Starbucks’ pre-existing drink, the White Chocolate Mocha, and the Chestnut Praline Chai Tea Latte is “a holiday twist with the complementary flavors of caramelized chestnuts and subtle holiday spices,” according to Starbucks. The Candy Cane Whoopie Pie is simply peppermint icing between two chocolate cake slices.

Naturally, it was our civic duty to go down to Starbucks and review the festive items for ourselves. Unfortunately, due to its mass popularity, the Candy Cane Whoopie Pie was sold out upon our first try, but we managed to get our hands on the drinks right away and return for the pie later. The Toasted White Chocolate Mocha came out much quicker, so we sipped on that while we waited for the latte. Junior Isabella Rodriguez affectionately described the taste as “ice-cream flavored coffee,” which may sound odd, but it’s certainly fitting. Topped with candied cranberry sugar and lots of whipped cream, this drink definitely brings the holiday season into mind.

If you prefer the more classic tea taste, then the Chestnut Praline Chai Latte is for you. This drink is topped with caramelized chocolate bits and cranberry sugar. If you like the smell of gingerbread, you can lean back and enjoy the relaxing aroma of this drink, despite not containing any gingerbread at all. While Bella and I both agree that the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha was our personal favorite new drink, don’t underestimate the Chestnut Praline Chai Tea Latte, because both are certainly delicious and holiday-inducing in their own rights.

Last to try was the Candy Cane Whoopie Pie. About the size of your fist, you could easily split this pastry up and share with a friend (which is exactly what we did) because you might find that too much can be overwhelming. The icing brought toothpaste to mind due to its texture and minty tang, which sounds a little nauseating, but it actually was not that bad. The chocolate helped tame the peppermint flavor, so it ended up tasting more like a more Christmas-sy Junior Mint than anything else. Would I buy this again? Probably not, unless I had someone to share it with again, since the peppermint flavor was a bit too overpowering, but if that’s what you like; hey, don’t let me stop you from trying it.

All in all, the new holiday treats from Starbucks were more hits rather than misses. If you’re looking for something to hype you up for the holidays, stop by your nearest location and pick up one (or all!) of the new snacks and celebrate the season early. Happy holidays!