STARBUCKS
Peppermint Mocha – Leela Wahl
The scent of pine in the air brings all things merry, including, of course, the Starbucks holiday menu. A holiday drink essential for over 20 years, the ever-iconic Peppermint Mocha has returned. Now, a year is quite a long time to abstain from this specialty, so every holiday season, I end up completely forgetting what the Peppermint Mocha tastes like — yet, every year, I am pleasantly reminded. The drink has a delightful blend of chocolate and peppermint without a nasty, overbearing peppermint burn. However, I must say that the peppermint mocha is not ideal for those who don’t want a heavy dose of sweetness. Nevertheless, I have a sweet tooth, which makes this drink more enjoyable. If you prefer hot or cold beverages, the Peppermint Mocha can be served both ways. Taken hot, it’s a deliciously warm cocoa and coffee mix mellowed with the peppermint. Having the drink iced results in a refreshing coffee with peppermint and chocolatey sweetness drizzled in. I recommend trying this drink before the holiday season’s over and it’s whisked away again.
PHILZ COFFEE
Hot Chocolate – Lily Pak
Located on South Lake Avenue, Philz Coffee is a cozy coffee shop that is perfect for studying or picking up a drink before school. In addition to having some of the best muffins and croissants, the cafe also has a few tasty seasonal drinks that harness the holiday spirit through traditional flavors. I don’t like coffee, so I ordered a classic hot chocolate. Although the hot chocolate doesn’t include the typical peppermint flavor of many holiday drinks, it captures the warmth and coziness of the holiday season. I customized my drink to be sweet and creamy, which Philz offers for all their drinks, and I only had to wait about seven minutes. It came out hot — but not too hot to stop me from drinking right away — and the signature brown cup was filled to the brim with smooth, chocolatey goodness. Philz’s take on the classic winter beverage did not let me down, and I recommend it to anyone searching for a cozy drink this holiday season. For coffee lovers, Philz also offers a drink called “Winter Bliss,” which is flavored with chocolate, cinnamon and nutmeg, and another called “Gratitude,” which is made with toasted walnuts, caramel and dried citrus.
PEET’S
Peppermint Mocha Latte – Eleanor Yohalem
As we transition into the holiday season after a spooky fall, the desire for festive drinks and pastries is upon us. Peet’s Coffee is a bustling coffee spot in the Pasadena area that takes the transition into winter very seriously. Because of their year-round drinks’ consistent quality, I was very excited to try Peet’s Coffee’s winter beverages. I ordered the Peppermint Mocha Latte, a drink rated highly by customers. Nonetheless, I was instantly disappointed by the taste. When I drank it, the beverage tasted artificial and powdery. Instead of a peppermint flavor, the drink was flavored with cinnamon that was barely noticeable over the almost burnt chocolate taste that dominated it. Drinking the Peppermint Mocha Latte was not smooth: textured bits of the drink polluted my taste buds with every sip. While I had hoped this holiday drink would fill me with coziness and delight my tastebuds, I was let down. It definitely does not live up to its expectations.
LA LA LAND CAFÉ
Candy Cane Latte – Amira Shamsi
The Americana at Brand’s wintertime music, lavish decorations and iconic Christmas tree all mean one thing: the holiday season has finally arrived in Southern California. La La Land Cafe, the newest edition to the outdoor mall, is contributing to the festive ambiance. After opening at the Grove, the cafe gained popularity on social media because of its bright yellow and white holiday decorations and its delicious drinks. The cafe’s proprietors launched their Instagram account with the announcement of their Candy Cane Latte, a collaboration with makeup brand Laneige’s new candy cane lip products. The drink can be ordered either as an iced matcha or espresso latte and is topped with peppermint cold foam and candy cane pieces. I ordered the espresso version of the drink and enjoyed that the candy cane flavor balanced the bitter coffee. Although this special drink is only available for a limited time, La La Land Cafe’s full holiday menu – which includes crème brûlèe and s’mores flavored beverages – is available starting in mid-November.
