Starbucks’ Christmas menu is here – US fans are missing out on two new drinks

Starbucks brings the Christmas spirit.

The coffee chain officially dropped its holiday menu on Thursday, Nov. 7 — but customers in the U.S. are thirsting for two drink options that are only available abroad.

Many fan favorites return on the 2024 holiday menu, including the iconic Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte and Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte. For tea fans, the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai has also returned.

The seasonal cold foam flavors for the holidays have also returned: In addition to the brand new gingerbread cold foam, peppermint chocolate, sugar cookies, chestnut pralines and caramel brûlée options are also back on the menu.

For the first time, Starbucks has introduced its first-ever holiday refresher, the Cran-Merry Orange Refresher. The newest addition to the holiday menu can also be ordered as a Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refresher or Cran-Merry Drink with Coconut Milk.

And just like here in America, Starbucks has released holiday menus around the globe – including in Australia, where the menu includes two additional drinks that didn’t make it onto American menus: the Salted Pretzel Cocoa Frappuccino and the Salted Pretzel Cocoa Latte (iced or available hot).

According to the Starbucks AU menu, the Salted Pretzel Cocoa Latte consists of red cookies, pretzel pieces and cocoa drizzle on the classic latte with salty pretzel syrup.

The Salted Pretzel Cocoa Frappuccino is a blend of ice cream, coffee, salty pretzel syrup and your choice of milk, topped with cocoa drizzle, whipped cream and “crunchy holiday flavors.”

According to Parade, the sweet and salty holiday drinks are also available in the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Food blogger Snackolator shared the sweet and savory news with his followers, and American fans were disappointed in the comments to discover that it was an exclusively international menu item.

“I was so excited when I saw it wasn’t in the US,” one person wrote with a crying emoji.

“Yes! This should be here! I thought I’d never seen these flavors before! It would be so good!” someone added.

“I was so excited and then immediately sad,” said another.

In addition to drinks, American Starbucks customers can look forward to new seasonal pastries including Turkey Sage Danish, Dark Toffee Bundt, Snowman Cake Pop and Penguin Cookie, as well as returning favorites like Sugar Plum Cheese Danish and Cranberry Bliss Bar.

Fans can also look forward to receiving their holiday beverage in one of the chain’s all-new “bright and beautiful” 2024 holiday paper cups.

Four hot cup and one cold cup designs are available for in-store beverage orders, and Starbucks creative director Kristy Cameron said they were inspired by “real moments of joy and coffee.”

Starbucks also introduced its holiday merchandise, including seasonal beverages and gifts also available at Starbucks stores. Additionally, the chain’s holiday coffees and creamers are back on grocery shelves.