Starbucks vs Dunkin Holiday Menu 2026: Every Drink, Treat and Deal Compared

Some people count down to Christmas. Others count down to the day their favorite coffee chain swaps pumpkin for peppermint. In the US, Starbucks and Dunkin’ turn that day into a full-blown event, with festive cups, limited-time flavors and drinks fans wait all year to order. The tradition goes back further than most people think: Starbucks served its first Eggnog Latte in 1986, more than a decade before its first holiday cups hit stores in 1997.

This year, the two chains launched just one day apart. Dunkin’ kicked things off on November 4 with its new Donutcracker packaging, and Starbucks followed on November 5 with a lineup of new drinks, food and collectible merch. With more than 14,200 restaurants on Dunkin’s side and red cups on every corner from Starbucks, the Starbucks vs Dunkin holiday menu 2026 showdown is closer than ever. Here’s what each one is pouring and which drinks are worth the trip.

What’s on the Starbucks Holiday Menu 2026

Starbucks went big on new flavors this year. It mixed a dessert-inspired launch and a fruity cold option in with the classics people line up for every November.

New Holiday Drinks

• Tiramisu Velvet Latte: The star of the season, inspired by the Italian dessert. It comes hot or iced and is topped with mascarpone cold foam and a cocoa-and-coffee dusting.
• Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew: The same tiramisu finish on a smooth cold brew base, for anyone who wants it bolder and colder.
• Apple Pomegranate Refresher: A crisp apple drink loaded with popping pomegranate-flavored pearls.
• Snowy Apple: A creamier take on the Refresher, made with coconut milk instead of water.

Returning Favorites

• Peppermint Mocha: The holiday classic that has been on the menu since 2002.
• Caramel Brulée Latte: Rich, buttery and a longtime Midwest favorite.
• Sugar Cookie Latte: Sweet, nostalgic and popular iced.
• Gingerbread Chai: Warm spices without the espresso.

Holiday Food and Bakery

• Braised Short Rib Grilled Cheese: A brand-new savory option.
• Turkey & Stuffing Sandwich: Back with an updated recipe.
• Bearista Cake Pop: New this year and modeled after the collectible Bearista cup.
• Cranberry Bliss Bar, Snowman Cookie and Sugar Plum Cheese Danish: The bakery case regulars are all back.

What’s on the Dunkin Holiday Menu 2026

Dunkin’ took the opposite approach. Instead of chasing brand-new flavors, it brought back two fan favorites and spread them across ten drinks, from lattes to matcha to hot chocolate.

The Cookie Butter Lineup

• Cookie Butter Cloud Latte: Espresso, milk and Cookie Butter Syrup, finished with Cookie Butter Cold Foam and cookie crumbles. It started as a viral menu hack and became one of last year’s most talked-about holiday drinks.
• Cookie Butter Cloud Dunkalatte: Coffee milk and espresso with Cookie Butter Syrup and cold foam on top.
• Cookie Butter Hot Chocolate: Hot chocolate with Cookie Butter Syrup, whipped cream and cookie crumbles.
• Cookie Butter Matcha: Sweetened matcha with whole milk and Cookie Butter Syrup.
• Iced Cookie Butter Oat Chai Latte: Chai with oat milk and a cookie butter twist.
• Spiced Cookie Iced Coffee: Classic Dunkin’ iced coffee with oat milk and Cookie Butter Syrup.

The Toasted White Chocolate Lineup

• Toasted White Chocolate Cloud Latte: Espresso and whole milk with Toasted White Chocolate, topped with Sweet Cold Foam.
• Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte: Finished with whipped cream, caramel drizzle and cinnamon sugar.
• Almond White Chocolate Shakin’ Espresso: A double shot shaken with oat milk, toasted almond and Toasted White Chocolate.
• Raspberry White Chocolate Matcha: Matcha with whole milk, raspberry flavor and a white chocolate swirl.

Where’s the Peppermint Mocha?

Fans noticed right away that Peppermint Mocha isn’t part of Dunkin’s launch, even though it returned in both 2024 and 2025. Dunkin’ has teased more holiday reveals later in the season, so it may still show up.

Starbucks vs Dunkin: How the Holiday Menus Compare

Both chains are leaning hard into dessert flavors this year. The way they get there is very different.

Flavor Approach

Starbucks is betting on something new with Tiramisu Velvet and the Apple Pomegranate Refresher. Dunkin’ is sticking with what fans already love, which is cookie butter and white chocolate.

Funny enough, Dunkin’ actually beat Starbucks to tiramisu in 2026. Its Tiramisu Cloud Latte lineup launched back in August.

Options Beyond Coffee

Dunkin’ wins on variety here. Its holiday flavors come in matcha, chai and hot chocolate versions. Starbucks covers non-coffee drinkers with the Gingerbread Chai, the Apple Pomegranate Refresher and the Snowy Apple.

Holiday Food

Starbucks has the clear edge, with two savory sandwiches, a new cake pop and three returning bakery treats. Dunkin’s holiday launch is all about drinks, with no new seasonal food announced so far.

Cups, Merch and Collectibles

Starbucks still owns holiday cup culture with its red cups, Red Cup Day and Bearista collectibles. Dunkin’ answered this year with the Donutcracker, a donut-loving nutcracker that shows up on cups, donut boxes and Munchkins boxes in its signature pink and orange.

Quick Comparison

Holiday Dates and Deals to Know

The menus are only part of the fun. Both chains have extra perks running through November and into December.

Starbucks Dates

• November 5: Holiday drinks, food and most merch arrive, including the Holiday Bearista, Holiday Village and retro Peppermint Mocha collections.
• November 10: Mystery Bearista Glass Cold Cups go on sale in surprise boxes.
• November 17: Red Cup Day. Order any handcrafted holiday drink and get a free reusable holiday cup while supplies last. The Winter Wonderland collection drops the same day.
• December 1: The original Bearista Glass Cold Cup returns to select stores.

Dunkin’ Rewards and Give Joy

• November 4–5: Rewards members earn 3X points on all beverages.
• Mondays through November 30: 100 bonus points on beverages ordered ahead in the app.
• November 23: 4X points on espresso drinks for National Espresso Day.
• Give Joy: Donate $1 or more to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation through November 30 and get a limited-edition sticker sheet.

Which Holiday Menu Should You Try?

It mostly comes down to what you crave on a cold morning.

• For dessert lovers: Start with Starbucks’ Tiramisu Velvet Latte. It’s the most talked-about new drink of the season.
• For sweet, cozy flavors: Dunkin’s Cookie Butter Cloud Latte is the safe bet. It earned its spot after fans kept ordering it as a hack.
• For peppermint purists: Starbucks is the only one serving Peppermint Mocha right now.
• For non-coffee drinkers: Dunkin’s Cookie Butter Matcha or Starbucks’ Snowy Apple.
• For collectors: Mark November 17 on your calendar and get to Starbucks early.
• For deal hunters: Dunkin’s rewards offers make it easier to try more of the menu for less.

How to Make a Tiramisu-Style Holiday Latte at Home

Can’t decide between the two? You can recreate the dessert-style holiday latte at home, and with good beans it tastes even better.

What You’ll Need

• 2 shots of espresso, or ½ cup of strong brewed coffee
• ¾ cup milk of your choice
• 1 tablespoon mascarpone
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or simple syrup
• Unsweetened cocoa powder and a pinch of finely ground coffee for dusting
• A handheld milk frother (no frother? Shake the foam ingredients hard in a sealed mason jar for 30–45 seconds)

Steps

1. Brew your espresso or strong coffee.
2. Heat the milk for a hot latte, or pour it over ice for an iced version.
3. Add the coffee to the milk and stir in half the sweetener.
4. In a separate cup, combine the mascarpone, heavy cream, a splash of milk and the rest of the sweetener.
5. Froth until thick and spoonable, about 20–30 seconds.
6. Spoon the foam over your latte.
7. Dust with cocoa powder and a pinch of ground coffee.

Variation: Cookie Butter Cold Foam

Swap the mascarpone for 1 tablespoon of cookie butter spread and froth it with the cream and a splash of milk. Pour it over iced coffee for a Dunkin’-style twist.

Tips for Getting It Right

• Choose a chocolatey roast: Medium or dark roasts with cocoa and nutty notes pair best with tiramisu flavors. You’ll find plenty of options in the coffee beans section on Lovers Coffee.
• Soften the mascarpone first: Room temperature mascarpone blends smoothly and won’t leave lumps.
• Keep the cream cold: Cold cream whips into a thicker, longer-lasting foam.
• Sweeten lightly: The foam carries most of the dessert flavor, so the coffee itself doesn’t need much.

Red Cups, Pink Boxes and One Very Merry Coffee Run

Starbucks came into the 2026 season with fresh ideas, including tiramisu in a cup, popping apple pearls, new sandwiches and enough collectibles to keep fans lining up until December. Dunkin’ kept it familiar, with cookie butter and white chocolate in nearly every form, a playful new Donutcracker and rewards that make every run a little sweeter. There’s no wrong pick here. It really comes down to whether you want something new this year or something you already know you love.

If you want more coffee information, recipes, and seasonal coffee trends, make sure to check our blog daily and explore the Lovers.coffee marketplace for everything you need to make your moments even sweeter.