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When the holidays roll around, I usually reach for Dunkin' first because the seasonal drinks are an easy way for me to feel like December has started.
This year I tasted the holiday lineup to see which drinks actually delivered on the peppermint, gingerbread, and eggnog flavors instead of just sounding festive.
If you’re narrowing down a Dunkin' Christmas order, these were the drinks that stood out most to me.
7 Dunkin' holiday drinks you must try in 2023
1. Peppermint Mocha Signature Latte
I’m starting with the Peppermint Latte because it is the drink I use to judge a holiday menu.
I’m picky about peppermint drinks because some taste syrupy and artificial, but this one felt cleaner to me. The mint came through without turning toothpaste-like, and the cool peppermint note hit first.
Each sip of this Peppermint Mocha Signature Latte gives such a rich peppermint and creamy milk chocolate profile, which always leaves me ready and raring to embrace the holiday spirit.
The Peppermint Mocha Latte is the version I usually come back to when I want peppermint with a little more richness from the chocolate.
Tips For An Even Tastier Drink
- Prefer your fresh peppermint cold? Ask for an Iced Peppermint Latte.
2. Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte
The Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte surprised me most. The toasted sweetness reads softer than regular white chocolate, so it feels warmer and less sugary than the name suggests.
I tried it both hot and over ice, and the texture changed more than I expected. Hot, the white mocha feels silkier. Iced, it stays lighter and a touch sweeter, especially once the ice starts to thin it out.
The toasted element comes from the cinnamon, which subtly adds spice to each sip. Even without whipped cream, the cinnamon isn’t too overpowering – just the perfect level for cozy winter warmth.
This was my first time trying it during the holiday season, and I liked how the smooth coffee base kept the white chocolate from getting cloying.
Tips For An Even Tastier Drink
- Ask for extra caramel drizzle on top for an even sweeter finish.
3. Chai Oatmilk Latte
Chai Oatmilk Lattes are already part of my regular order, so I notice the holiday version more for how it shifts the spice than for novelty.
Not only are they a tasty change of pace, but they have all the flavors of the Christmas season rolled into one! Combining them with creamy oat milk reminds me of spiced oat cookies, but in drink form.
The spice stands out first, followed by the oat milk's softer finish. It lands somewhere between comforting and a little sharper than a plain sweet latte, but the oat milk keeps it from feeling heavy.
If peppermint and mocha feel too predictable, this is the one I’d reach for when I want something familiar but not sugary.
4. White Mocha Hot Chocolate
The White Mocha Hot Chocolate feels like the sweetest drink on this list, and I only want it when I’m in a dessert mood.
The sweetness hits quickly, then the cocoa settles in at the end. A dusting of cocoa powder helps keep it from tasting flat, and I notice that topping most in the last few sips.
I love ordering the White Mocha Hot Chocolate for my nieces and nephews – I just make sure not to order it after dark to avoid them turning into over-sugared gremlins!
This is the one that leans most toward dessert.
5. Holiday Eggnog Signature Latte
I like eggnog enough that I look forward to it every December, but it is still heavier than I want during a workday.
The Holiday Eggnog Signature Latte is the one that scratches that itch for me.
This caffeinated eggnog blend is sweeter and bolder than I initially expected, and the eggnog taste is not that strong. Even my brother, a known eggnog hater, loved it!
If eggnog is the flavor you wait for all year, this latte leans right into that rich, spiced taste. It feels indulgent rather than subtle, so I treat it as an occasional order.
6. Toasted Gingerbread Signature Latte
Gingerbread is one of those seasonal flavors that instantly makes me think of December baking.
Dunkin’s Toasted Gingerbread Signature latte tastes exactly like dunking a gingerbread man into a marshmallow topped coffee – exactly my kind of drink!
Here, the cinnamon, caramel, coffee, and marshmallow notes give the latte a sweeter edge than I expected, with the gingerbread showing up gently underneath. The marshmallow keeps it from feeling dry, which is what I notice after a few sips.
I usually prefer the Gingerbread Latte iced with oat milk, though the hot version feels a little cozier and brings out the spice more.
7. Holiday Blend Coffee
The Holiday Blend Coffee is the practical holiday pick for me, especially when I want caffeine and not dessert in a cup.
The Holiday Blend Coffee is a medium roast that comes across smooth and bold, with dried fruit, sweet molasses, and a chocolatey finish that shows up more after the first sip.
It was love at first sip! I’ve never added packaged coffee to my cart so fast.
I’ve had it hot and over ice, and it works both ways without tasting thin. It is also easy to grab as packaged coffee if you want the same flavor at home.
Tips For An Even Tastier Drink
- If you want this blend all year round, Dunkin' sells this as a packaged coffee, too! So you can drink Dunkin's limited batch series anytime and get into the Christmas spirit.
Dunkin' Donuts vs Starbucks holiday drinks
Dunkin' and Starbucks both have holiday drinks that feel familiar in different ways, and I notice the differences most when I compare them side by side.
Starbucks usually gives me a wider seasonal menu, although that doesn’t automatically make it the better one for me.
When I compare peppermint drinks, Starbucks comes across as a little sharper to me, while Dunkin's version feels softer and easier to drink.
On gingerbread, Dunkin' was the one that tasted more balanced on my palate, with the sweeter notes showing up without drowning out the coffee.
Starbucks tends to feel more restrained in the holiday drinks I’ve tried, while Dunkin' often leans sweeter.
That shows up in things like mocha drizzle and sweet molasses, which make Dunkin' feel more dessert-like when I want something obviously seasonal.
The holiday cup is part of the appeal for both chains, and Dunkin' has its own version alongside Starbucks'. Price is usually where I notice the bigger gap.
A large latte at Dunkin' usually feels easier on the budget than a Starbucks Venti, and that is part of the value difference I notice most.
If I’m buying donuts for a crowd, Dunkin' is still the easier stop for me, but I usually think of Starbucks as the more drink-focused holiday run.
Either way, both chains make it easy to grab seasonal coffee at home too, which is useful when I want the flavor without leaving the house.
FAQs
How long will the holiday menu last at Dunkin’?
Dunkin's holiday menu usually runs from mid-November into early January, though the timing can vary by location.
Does Dunkin’ have special holiday cups?
The holiday cups usually arrive around the start of the promotion and stay while supplies last. The design changes each year, so I always notice the cup before I notice the drink.
What are the best food orders from the Dunkin’ holiday menu?
For food, I usually pair the sweeter drinks with something simple like the cranberry orange muffin, maple mini pancakes, or a croissant item, because those choices keep the order from feeling too sugary.
What donuts do Dunkin’ have for Christmas?
The holiday donut case usually includes seasonal picks such as the Holly Berry Sprinkle Donut and the Snowflake Donut, though the exact lineup can change.
Conclusion
For me, this is the kind of menu that works best on a cold afternoon when I’m already out running errands and want something warm on the way home.
My two standouts are the Peppermint Mocha Signature Latte and the Toasted Gingerbread Signature Latte. Those are the drinks I’d happily order again when I want a holiday flavor that tastes unmistakably seasonal.
