Guilty pleasures: Special holiday beverages to try

It’s that time of the year again when we can’t help but indulge to our heart’s—and or stomachs'—content. It’s the holiday season, after all, so don’t count calories and take delight in these beverages that are sure to bring you some Christmas cheer!

Starbucks’ Santa Hat Dark Mocha Frappuccino Blended Beverage

Starbucks always has something special for coffee-holics during the holiday season. This year’s must-not miss is this dark mocha drink (above, center) topped with a crafted Santa hat made with classic and strawberry whipped cream, strawberry drizzle and a dollop of snowy white whipped cream on top. It’s a handcrafted beverage that can be ordered either in hot or iced format. Other must-try flavors of the holidays are Toffee Nut Latte (above, right) and Peppermint Mocha (above, left), which are available in both iced and blended formats.

Sample these treats until January 8, 2017. Starbucks has branches all over the metro.

Serenitea’s Speculoos Coolers

One of the pioneers of the milk tea craze in the city, Serenitea continues to delight with its latest drinks for Christmas made with Lotus Biscoff. This spiced shortcrust biscuit adds oomph to three flavor variants (above, from left): Matcha Speculoos, Butter Rum Speculoos, and Taro Speculoos.

These are available in all 45 branches of Serenitea nationwide until January 15, 2017.

Chatime’s Christmas Chills

Got milk? Or better yet, milk tea? This former food trend has overcome the test of time and seems like it’s a trend that will stay. Milk tea lovers will enjoy the premium flavors from Chatime that’s only available until the end of the holiday season. There’s the (from left) Cocoa Peppermint Milk Tea that is best paired with coffee jelly,  the Blueberry Milk Tea Mousse that is ideal with pudding, and the Toffee Nut Milk Tea that tastes better with pearls. Try one on your next tea time.

Chatime has branches all over the metro.

Infinitea’s Yuletide Series

Infinitea is another milk tea place that offers refreshing bubbletea drinks that are made from 100% freshly brewed loose-leaf teas of high quality. For the holidays, they have three delectable drinks that each come with a free mason jar. There’s (above, from left) Santa's Smores Surprise that is made with rich chocolate, topped with graham crackers, marshmallows, and gooey chocolate bars; Rudolph's Berry Kiss, mixed with strawberries and milk and then finished with strawberry biscuits, wafer sticks, and sprinkles; and the Frosty's Salted Caramel, which has smooth caramel with a hint of sea salt, and capped off with a caramel popcorn dome so you can eat and drink it at the same time!

Infinitea has branches all over the metro.

Jamba Juice

Jamba Juice is a haven for the health-conscious with its product line of better-for-you beverages and foods. Its refreshments particularly made for the holidays are no exception. Merry Match and Yule'tide Spice (above) are healthy alternatives that are both made with almond milk, which is dairy-free.

These drinks are available until December 31, 2016 only. Jamba Juice has branches all over the metro.

Johann Coffee and Beverages’ Puto Bumbong Blendpresso and Queso de Bola Blendpresso

Puto bumbong and quezo de bola are two food items strongly associated with the traditional Filipino Christmas and these flavors have been re-created in drink format at Johann Coffee and Beverages. Instead of munching on these goodies, you’ll get to sip on these cool thirst-quenchers that are generously topped with whipped cream.

These are available until December 28.

Costa Coffee’s Black Forest Hot Chocolate and Black Forest Chocolate Frostino

Picture a slice of black forest cake and imagine it in drink form. That’s what you’ll get with Costa Coffee’s Christmas treats. Chocoholics will love this festive flavor made by this multinational coffeehouse company based in UK. It has a merry mix of vanilla powder, chocolate sauce, cherry puree, chocolate curls and milk, and topped with whipped cream. Have a comforting cup of either its hot or cold version.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Holiday Treats

Winter is coming… At least in Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf where its holiday offerings include Winter Dream Tea Latte (not pictured) that features a blend of Ceylon black tea and South African rooibos. There’s also the Double Chocolate Strawberry Ice Blended, a cold drink that has dark chocolate, strawberry, espresso, and a dollop of whipped cream. Sip on these as you enjoy the cool days ahead.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has branches all over the metro. — BM, GMA News