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Can I still get a Gingerbread Latte at Starbucks?


The Gingerbread Latte is a popular seasonal drink offered by Starbucks during the holiday season. This latte combines espresso with steamed milk, flavors like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, and is often topped with whipped cream and ground nutmeg.

Many Starbucks customers look forward to the return of the Gingerbread Latte each holiday season. However, Starbucks updates its menu frequently, retiring some drinks and introducing new ones. So a common question this time of year is: Can I still get a Gingerbread Latte at Starbucks in 2023?

Brief History of the Gingerbread Latte

Starbucks first introduced the Gingerbread Latte back in 2008 as a seasonal holiday drink. It quickly became popular among customers looking for a festive, sweet, and spicy holiday beverage.

The Gingerbread Latte has returned to Starbucks every holiday season since its introduction, typically being available from November through January. In the early years, Starbucks offered it as a hot latte only. But more recently, they began offering an iced version as well.

Some years, Starbucks has tweaked the recipe slightly by adjusting the spice flavors. But the core ingredients – espresso, steamed milk, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves – have remained consistent. So the Gingerbread Latte has become a beloved tradition for many Starbucks patrons over the past decade plus.

Availability in Holiday Season 2023

The good news is that Starbucks has confirmed that the Gingerbread Latte will return to menus again in Holiday Season 2023!

Starbucks typically brings back its full lineup of holiday drinks in early November each year. For 2023, Starbucks has not yet announced exact dates. Based on past years, customers can expect to see the Gingerbread Latte back on the menu around November 1-10, 2023.

When it does launch, the Gingerbread Latte will be available at Starbucks stores across the United States and Canada. It will be offered as both a hot latte and an iced latte option through the end of the 2023 holiday season, probably until early January 2024.

So for customers craving that nostalgic spicy, sweet gingerbread flavor, rest assured you will be able to enjoy this drink again at Starbucks this holiday season!

Nutrition Information

Size Calories Total Fat (g) Carbs (g) Protein (g) Sugar (g)
Tall Hot Gingerbread Latte (12 fl oz) 250 8 39 10 33
Grande Hot Gingerbread Latte (16 fl oz) 330 11 51 13 43
Venti Hot Gingerbread Latte (20 fl oz) 410 14 64 17 54

Key Nutrients

– Calories: A Grande Gingerbread Latte contains 330 calories. The calories come mainly from the steamed milk and added sugar.

– Total Fat: The majority of the 11g of fat in a Grande come from the 2% steamed milk.

– Carbs: At 51g of carbs, the Gingerbread Latte is a high carb drink. The carbs come from the milk and added sugar.

– Protein: A Grande provides 13g of protein, mainly from the milk.

– Sugar: The high sugar content (43g) is responsible for the drink’s sweet flavor.

Ingredients

The main ingredients in a Starbucks Gingerbread Latte are:

– Espresso: The latte contains 1-2 shots of Starbucks signature espresso, depending on size. This provides the coffee base.

– Steamed 2% milk: The steamed milk provides creaminess and sweetness.

– Gingerbread flavor syrup: This proprietary Starbucks syrup has notes of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

– Whipped cream: Sweetened whipped cream tops off the latte.

– Ground nutmeg: A dash of ground nutmeg provides extra seasonal spice flavor.

The exact quantities of the above ingredients vary slightly depending on whether you order a tall, grande, or venti latte. But the core ingredients are the same in any size.

For 2023, Starbucks has not indicated any major changes to the Gingerbread Latte recipe compared to previous years. Customers can expect the same gingerbread flavors they know and love!

Customization Options

One great thing about Starbucks is that you can customize your drinks to suit your preferences. So if you want to modify the standard Gingerbread Latte, you have options like:

– Asking for less pumps of gingerbread syrup to reduce the sweetness

– Substituting a different milk, like almond, coconut, or oat milk

– Asking for light or no whipped cream

– Adding an extra espresso shot for a stronger coffee kick

– Ordering it at a hotter or cooler temperature

– Getting it topped with holiday sprinkles or cinnamon sugar

– Subbing in a different holiday syrup, like caramel brulee or peppermint mocha

Starbucks baristas are used to accommodating reasonable customization requests. So feel free to ask if you would like your Gingerbread Latte prepared differently than the traditional recipe.

Cost

As a specialty holiday drink, the Gingerbread Latte tends to cost a little more than a typical coffee or latte at Starbucks. Here are the approximate prices:

– Tall Gingerbread Latte: $4.75-$5.25

– Grande Gingerbread Latte: $5.25-$5.75

– Venti Gingerbread Latte: $5.75-$6.25

The exact price can vary a bit between different Starbucks locations. Expect to pay around $0.50 extra for ordering it iced rather than hot. Also, customizations like adding an extra shot or substituting a non-dairy milk may incur additional charges.

Keep in mind that Starbucks frequently offers promotions and seasonal deals. For example, during the holidays, they sometimes run happy hour specials like $3 Gingerbread Lattes or BOGO free offers when you use their app. So with the right promotion, you may be able to enjoy this festive drink at a discount.

Comparison to the Peppermint Mocha

Along with the Gingerbread Latte, the Peppermint Mocha is another very popular Starbucks holiday drink. So how does the Gingerbread Latte compare and differ from the Peppermint Mocha?

Some key differences include:

Flavors

– Gingerbread Latte: Features gingerbread, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove flavors. Has a spicier taste profile.

– Peppermint Mocha: Combines chocolate and peppermint flavors. Tastes richer and more minty-sweet.

Ingredients

– Gingerbread Latte: Contains gingerbread syrup but no chocolate or peppermint. Includes espresso and steamed milk.

– Peppermint Mocha: Made with chocolate sauce, peppermint syrup, espresso, and steamed milk.

Texture

– Gingerbread Latte: Smoother and lighter texture from the steamed milk.

– Peppermint Mocha: Dense, creamy texture from the chocolate sauce and whipped cream.

So in summary, the Gingerbread Latte has a warmer spice profile while the Peppermint Mocha is mintier and richer. But both make excellent holiday treat options at Starbucks!

Holiday Beverages to Try If You Like the Gingerbread Latte

If you enjoy Starbucks Gingerbread Latte, here are some other holiday drinks you may want to try this season:

Eggnog Latte

This creamy latte combines espresso with eggnog syrup and steamed milk. It’s topped with nutmeg powder for a decadent, nostalgic flavor.

Caramel Brulee Latte

With its caramel syrup, steamed milk, and crunchy sugar topping, this latte is reminiscent of creme brulee. A great choice for caramel lovers.

Chestnut Praline Latte

The flavor of roasted chestnuts and praline comes through in this sweet, nutty holiday beverage.

Snickerdoodle Hot Chocolate

This twist on hot chocolate features cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla for snickerdoodle cookie-inspired flavor.

Irish Cream Cold Brew

Cold brew coffee meets Irish cream liqueur flavor in this smooth, slightly boozy iced holiday drink.

Caramel Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate gets taken up a notch with velvety steamed milk and caramel syrup swirled in.

So if you need a change from gingerbread, give one of Starbucks’ other seasonal latte or cocoa creations a try this holiday!

Conclusion

The Gingerbread Latte has become a quintessential part of the holiday season at Starbucks over the past decade and change. This year, Starbucks fans can again enjoy this spiced, sweet latte during the 2023 holidays.

Look for the Gingerbread Latte to return along with Starbucks’ other seasonal drinks in early-to-mid November. Customize it to your liking or enjoy it festive classic recipe – either way, it’s sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

Beyond the Gingerbread Latte, Starbucks has lots of other delicious holiday beverages to check out too, from the Peppermint Mocha to the new Irish Cream Cold Brew. So indulge in some cozy seasonal flavors at your local Starbucks this winter.