IT’S the most wonderful time of the year – when high street hot drinks turn festive.
McDonald’s has come in strong with a festive burger and camembert bites, but how does its drinks offering stack up?
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And not to be outgunned, what are the festive faves from the likes of Starbucks, Costa, Caffe Nero, Greggs and Pret?
Costa’s After Eight Hot Chocolate and Starbucks’ Caramel Waffle Latte are among the most enticing, but there’s more competition than ever among the big chains’ hot drinks offering.
Here are the high street highlights:
McDonald’s
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Served in special Christmas cups to mark the season, this year’s McCafé hot drinks range is certainly a strong showing.
With the popular Toffee Latte returning after an agonising year away, the offering by McDonald’s also includes the new Choco Fudge Latte for £1.79 in a regular cup.
It’s described as a large shot of espresso blended with steamed milk and a chocolate fudge flavour syrup, topped with a swirl of cream and a chocolate fudge flavour drizzle.
Then there’s the new Hot Chocolate Deluxe (£1.39), which lists a rich chocolate syrup, a swirl of cream and chocolatey dusting among its premium ingredients.
The McDonald’s festive menu will be available for six weeks starting tomorrow (November 17).
Costa
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The high street coffee favourite is pushing its Christmas credentials hard this year, once again selling the popular Winter Character coffee roast.
Combining winter berries, dark cocoa and cinnamon, the festive flavour is a fan favourite.
For the less cultured palate, however, two new hot chocolates based on Quality Street Toffee Pennies and After Eights – both £3.95 – may be the tastier option.
Costa’s Christmas options have been available since November 3.
Pret
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Pret a Manger hasn’t always been known for its seasonal selection of drinks, but the commuter favourite is pushing hard this year.
This winter Pret has added the Love Bar Latte and a Popcorn Bar Hot Chocolate alongside annual favourite the Gingerbread Latte.
Pret’s festive menu runs from November 9 to the end of December and prices differ store-by-store.
Voila!
Greggs
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Greggs always pushes hard at Christmas time – from its classic festive bakes to last year’s Mint Mocha.
But the bakery giant is adding a mint hot chocolate and a salted caramel latte – both £1.95 for a regular-sized cup – to its line-up for Christmas 2021.
Safe options, maybe, but definitely not sorry.
They’re available till Christmas while stocks last.
Starbucks
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In contrast to Greggs’ reliable but unadventurous selection this year, Starbucks is going all out for two very specific flavours.
The coffee giant is gunning for its brand new Caramel Waffle Latte and Chocolate Fudge Brownie Hot Chocolate to be the slurps of the season.
Starting at £3.45 each, though, Starbucks fans might have to expect some less sweet finances come the end of the season.
It’s not been confirmed when Starbucks’ festive menu items will disappear.
Caffe Nero
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Last but certainly not least, Caffe Nero is another high street favourite coming in strong with a heady combination of reliable Christmassy beverages.
The Salted Caramel Latte, Gingerbread Latte, Mint Choc Chip Hot Chocolate and Hazelnut Hot Chocolate will all be returning – starting at £3.70 for a regular-sized cup.
The festive menu runs till the end of 2021.
Though it’s a slight shame to see nothing new on the festive drinks side, it’s easy to see why Nero are relying on such strong known favourites.
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