Summer drinks are out and holiday drinks are in. Everyone waits all year for the seasonal drinks that come out at Starbucks, Chick-fil-a, and Alani Nu. The drinks are not just something yummy for students to enjoy, but they also brighten up their school day. Britton Caldwell (10) savors the days she gets to go to Starbucks.
“The peppermint chocolate chai gives me energy and brings me joy,” Caldwell said.
Norah Alcorn (12) also counts on the holiday drinks from Starbucks to get her through the school day.
“I always look forward to the holiday time because of the drinks,” Alcorn said.
One of the beverages that sticks out for students is the Chick-fil-A peppermint milkshake. The delicious shake is made from the perfect amount of peppermint syrup to the chocolate chips that are blended into a vanilla base ice cream. Alcorn recommends any students that are looking for a sweet treat to go to Chick-fil-a and get the famous peppermint milkshake.
Another popular drink is the chai latte from Starbucks. IsaBella Prairie (10), Britton Caldwell, and Norah Alcorn all enjoy the Chai drinks. The blend of black tea with warming spices sparks a heartwarming flavor that many students love.
“It is like I am drinking a cookie. The way it melts in my mouth and somehow finds its way into my heart is magical. It is warm and cozy, fun and exciting, tasty, and delicious. It calms my heart every time I drink it,” Prairie said.
Those who love a tasty vanilla base coffee will be fond of the sugar cookie latte. It mimics the taste of a sugary cookie that is baked on Christmas day. The coffee is desired by many students, for instance, Eva Mizer (12) says this is her go-to order.
“My favorite holiday drink is the sugar cookie latte, iced,” Mizer said.
Even though students love the sweet drinks that are created, some wish coffee shops would introduce new drinks. Prairie states a drink she would love to buy.
“I would love for Starbucks to create a cinnamon drink,” Prairie said.
Energy drinks, which have recently taken over the hearts of students, have hopped on the trend of producing seasonal drinks. Alani Nu last year produced a Christmas-themed drink called Winter Wonderland. The drink tastes like cranberry, mixed berries, and coconut. As Christmas has come closer, more students have been drinking the energy drink. Addyson Graziano (10) has fallen in love with the drink since it came out.
“This year’s winter Alani tastes more tart, while last year’s was more sweet. I like last year’s better than this year,” Graziano said.
On the other hand, sometimes the trending drinks are not so flattering. Sometimes the older niche drinks call out the holidays better. Eggnog, which was introduced during the medieval times, is still a favorite among most. It first became a Christmas tradition because eggs and cream were expensive in the winter, making it a special treat for the Christmas season.
Eggnog has a distinct taste that sets it apart from other holiday drinks. It is very rich in flavor, and the consistency is thick and creamy like liquid custard. Inside the beverage it has spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. In a traditional eggnog, there are raw eggs to give the drink its creamy texture. Debbie Werner (F) especially enjoys the traditional drink that has been a Christmas stable for centuries.
“I love eggnog; I’m very simple when it comes to coffee, but eggnog is my favorite Christmas drink,” Werner said.
Holiday drinks have taken over Lenoir City. As the semester slows down many use those drinks to help them get through the rest of the year. Even though many enjoy the new flavorful drinks produced by popular brands, the old sweetness of eggnog is still a Christmas staple. These drinks remind us that joy can be found in the simpler things. Now, however students celebrate, each cup brings a little warmth, a little nostalgia, and a whole lot of cheer.
