I recently posted my review of Starbucks’ 2014 Holiday drink menu. (You can find that by following the link –> here) One of the things I love about Starbucks is the level of customization you can have in their stores. I admit the ordering is a bit intimidating at first. Being a shy person I was absolutely terrified the first time I wanted to ask my friendly neighborhood barista to blend in some whipped cream in my frappuccino. So here are some tips so you can enjoy your holiday drinks even more.

If you love the holiday syrups – the pumpkin spice, gingerbread, caramel brulee, or chestnut praline – but don’t feel like spending the money for a latte, I recommend ordering an iced coffee instead. Just ask for your tall iced coffee with a pump or two of the syrup of your choice. You’ll get the same holiday taste at half the holiday price! One of my favorite things to do is ask for the pumpkin spice syrup in my ice coffee and ask for spiced whipped cream on the top. It feels like I’m pampering myself with an iced latte but it definitely doesn’t cost as much. Additionally, the Starbucks membership program allows for refills of this type of drink free as long as you don’t leave the store! (If you have questions about the Starbucks refill policy you can learn more about it at the official website –> here or Starbucksmelody has a great article on it, link –> here)

For frappuccino lovers, the holiday drinks can be made into a frappuccino form upon request. Most baristas will understand what you want immediately if you ask them for a caramel brulee or gingerbread frappuccino. It’s very easy, even if they don’t know what you’re asking for. You can ask for either a creme or coffee based frappuccino with a pump of your favorite syrup. I sometimes get a creme based frappuccino with gingerbread syrup and spiced whipped cream.

Lastly, don’t forget that there aren’t just seasonal syrups, but also toppings!  You can ask for the caramel brulee bits, spiced praline crumbs, ground nutmeg, molasses, or spiced whipped cream on any of your drinks. I hope this helps you to get a little more out of your holiday drinks!