Life

The New Christmas Tree Frappuccino Will Taste Awfully Familiar To Starbucks Fans

by Alli Hoff Kosik
Starbucks

'Tis the season for your Instagram feed to become a glorified photo gallery of Christmas trees. Your co-worker and your mom's best friend and that kid from high school that you barely knew but have decided (for some odd reason) to follow on social media all trekked out in search of the perfect Douglas Fir over the weekend, and thanks to their extensive photographic coverage of the event, you probably feel like you were right there with them. I hope you're not burned out on Christmas trees, though, because your feed is about to be flooded with images of the new Christmas Tree Frappuccino. What flavor is the Christmas Tree Frappuccino at Starbucks? Let me break it down for you in the most festive way possible.

Just in time to really get into the spirit of the season, the 'Bux is launching a brand new holiday drink. The Christmas Tree Frappuccino starts with a Peppermint Mocha Crème Frappuccino (already delicious on its own), but has the added Christmassy flair of a green Matcha whipped cream "tree," a caramel drizzle garland, candied cranberry ornaments, and a strawberry tree topper. It's basically a delicious blended beverage that tastes like a Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino, topped with a tree made of equally delicious ingredients. Woah.

The Christmas Tree Frappuccino gives Starbucks baristas everywhere the chance to express their creativity. Those whipped cream tress and edible ornaments aren't just tossed into the cup thoughtlessly! Each tree must be crafted artfully to give you the full holiday effect, which is going to pay off when you find yourself sharing the new beverage on Instagram.

Starbucks

You better start sharing fast, though, because — like so many of the coffee giant's special drinks — this new Frappuccino is going to be available for only a very limited time. You'll be able to grab one at participating store in the U.S. and Canada starting on Dec. 7, but your window of opportunity will close well before Christmas Day, when the Christmas Tree Frappuccino says goodbye on Dec. 11. Run, don't walk, to your nearest Starbucks, because even Santa Claus himself won't be able to try this blended beverage later in the month.

The Christmas Tree Frappuccino joins the rest of Starbucks's family of seasonal drinks, which this year includes the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Chestnut Praline Chai Tea Latte, Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Eggnong Latte, Holiday Spice Flat White, and Gingerbread Latte. Also new for 2017 is the Wintry Juniper Latte, which combines the Starbucks Reserve Christmas 2017 coffee blend with a steamed milk infused with dried juniper berries, sage, and mandarin. Sure, it sounds super wintry, but it doesn't make me want to break out into a rendition of "Frosty The Snowman" quite like the Christmas Tree Frappuccino does.

Bux is doing more than just introducing delicious flavors this holiday season. They've also launched Project Give Good, a major giveaway campaign set to run from Dec. 11 to Dec. 23 that will give customers everywhere the chance to win $20 gift cards. The campaign also offers customers the opportunity to receive Gold Status within the cafe's Rewards Program for a full year. Even better than that is the Starbucks For Life prize, which will give a few lucky Rewards members a shot at winning — you guessed it — free Starbucks for life.

All of these prizes are only tantalizing, though, because of mouth-watering drinks like the Christmas Tree Frappuccino. I, for one, can't wait to take a sip of that minty, festive goodness — and to compliment my barista on her perfect whipped cream tree decorating skills. I might even post a picture on Instagram... and I might not even be annoyed if everyone else does too.