Does Starbucks still have gingerbread syrup?

Starbucks is well known for its seasonal holiday drinks, with peppermint mochas and gingerbread lattes being customer favorites during the winter months. One of the signature ingredients in these festive beverages is Starbucks’ gingerbread syrup, which adds a warm, spicy-sweet flavor. However, gingerbread syrup is only available for a limited time each year. This leads many Starbucks fans to wonder – does Starbucks still have gingerbread syrup for the current holiday season?

Availability of Gingerbread Syrup at Starbucks Over the Years

Starbucks first introduced its gingerbread syrup back in 2008 as part of its holiday drink lineup. It quickly became popular and a returning favorite each holiday season after that. Here’s a quick look at the availability of Starbucks gingerbread syrup over the past several years:

Year Was Gingerbread Syrup Available?
2022 Yes
2021 Yes
2020 Yes
2019 Yes
2018 Yes
2017 Yes

As you can see, gingerbread syrup has been a staple component of Starbucks’ holiday menu for over a decade, returning year after year. This indicates it’s a beloved seasonal flavor that Starbucks wants to keep offering.

Starbucks Holiday Menu for 2022

To find out if Starbucks gingerbread syrup is available this holiday season in 2022, let’s take a look at their recently launched holiday menu offerings:

– Peppermint Mocha – Espresso and steamed milk with mocha sauce, peppermint-flavored syrup, whipped cream, and dark chocolate curls

– Toasted White Chocolate Mocha – Espresso, steamed milk and white chocolate sauce combined with toasted white chocolate syrup, topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle

– Caramel Brulée Latte – Espresso, steamed milk and caramel brulée sauce, topped with whipped cream and caramel brulée topping

– Chestnut Praline Latte – Espresso, steamed milk and flavors of caramelized chestnuts and spices, topped with whipped cream and spiced praline crumbs

– Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte – Espresso, sugar cookie syrup and almondmilk, topped with red and green sprinkles

– Irish Cream Cold Brew – Cold brew coffee infused with Irish cream syrup, topped with vanilla sweet cream foam and cocoa powder

– Hot Chocolate – Steamed milk with mocha and peppermint-flavored syrups, topped with whipped cream and chocolate curls

Does the 2022 Menu Have Gingerbread Syrup Drinks?

Upon examining the list of Starbucks holiday drinks for 2022, you may have noticed one missing – there are no gingerbread flavored lattes or coffee drinks featured. None of the offerings have the signature gingerbread syrup that has been a staple in previous years.

This strongly indicates that Starbucks does not have gingerbread syrup as part of its menu for the 2022 holiday season. While they brought back popular flavors like peppermint mocha and Irish cream, gingerbread appears to have been discontinued or at least temporarily removed from the Starbucks holiday lineup this year.

Reasons Why Starbucks May Have Discontinued Gingerbread for 2022

Given how popular and well-loved the gingerbread syrup has been for over a decade at Starbucks, why would they decide not to feature it on this year’s holiday menu? Here are some possible reasons Starbucks may have discontinued or paused their gingerbread syrup offering:

– Supply chain issues – Like many businesses, Starbucks has been impacted by global supply chain disruptions, ingredients shortages, and production and shipping delays over the past couple years. They may have faced challenges getting ingredients for gingerbread or producing enough to meet demand.

– Focus on new holiday flavors – Starbucks regularly adds new holiday drinks and removes some each year. With flavors like Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte on the menu, they may have chosen to focus promotion on that rather than gingerbread.

– Could return in future years – It’s possible this is just a one-year break for gingerbread. Starbucks may rotate the syrup in and out over different holidays rather than make it available every single year.

– Lower consumer demand – Sales data may have indicated waning interest in gingerbread drinks, inspiring Starbucks to put more effort behind other seasonal flavors that resonate more with today’s customers.

– Supply or production issues – Manufacturing the gingerbread syrup requires specific ingredients that may have had low yields, higher costs, or other challenges this year that made it difficult to produce the syrup up to Starbucks’ standards at scale.

Customer Reactions to Missing Gingerbread Drinks in 2022

Many Starbucks customers have taken to social media to express disappointment, complaints, and frustration over the absence of gingerbread lattes and other gingerbread-flavored drinks from this year’s holiday offerings. Some popular customer reactions include:

– Confusion and questions about why gingerbread is missing from the holiday menu when it’s been a staple for so many years. Many are blindsided by the change.

– Sadness and dismay that a beloved seasonal flavor is suddenly unavailable this year. For some customers, gingerbread drinks are a cherished holiday tradition they look forward to.

– Anger and irritation at Starbucks for removing a popular menu item that many customers enjoy. Some feel it’s a poor business decision.

– Demands and pleas for Starbucks to bring gingerbread syrup back. Many are tweeting at the company, asking if it will return or urging Starbucks to reconsider.

– Threats to go to competing coffee chains like Peets and Dunkin’ that do have gingerbread flavored coffees and lattes this season. Some customers say they’ll take their business elsewhere.

– Resignation to settle for other holiday drinks on the menu this year, even if gingerbread was their favorite. Disappointed customers say they’ll still get peppermint mochas and sugar cookie lattes.

How to Order “Secret Menu” Gingerbread Drinks at Starbucks

Even though official gingerbread drinks are not on Starbucks’ published holiday menu this year, some resourceful customers have discovered “secret menu” ways to create DIY gingerbread-flavored beverages by customizing orders. Here are two popular off-menu gingerbread hacks:

Gingerbread Latte

Order: Grande Chestnut Praline Latte with 2 pumps of chai syrup and cinnamon powder on top.

The chai syrup adds gingerbread spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger which mimic the gingerbread flavor profile. The cinnamon powder provides an extra gingerbread-like seasoning on top.

Gingerbread Frappuccino

Order: Venti Coffee Frappuccino with 2 pumps of chai syrup, blended. Ask for caramel drizzle on the inside walls of cup and whipped cream on top.

The chai pumps bring that gingerbread taste, while the caramel inside the cup and whipped cream give it a sweeter, more dessert-like quality.

The Return of Gingerbread Drinks is Uncertain for 2023

Since Starbucks has yet to officially confirm their holiday menu for November and December 2023, it remains to be seen whether gingerbread drinks will make a comeback next year.

There are arguments on both sides:

Why Gingerbread Drinks Could Return

– Starbucks likely noticed the negative customer feedback and backlash over removing gingerbread for 2022. They may add it back to improve customer satisfaction.

– Supply chain issues easing up compared to 2020-2022 could make it easier to source gingerbread ingredients and syrup.

– Bringing back popular “classic” flavors like gingerbread builds customer loyalty and nostalgia.

– Data could show gingerbread as one of the best-selling holiday drinks, motivating Starbucks to revive it.

Why Gingerbread Drinks May Stay Discontinued

– New holiday flavors like sugar cookie and caramel brulee lattes did well in 2022. Starbucks may want to keep spotlight on those versus gingerbread.

– Continued supply chain or manufacturing challenges may persist, making large-scale gingerbread syrup production difficult.

– Starbucks may be moving in a new flavor direction for holidays, phasing out gingerbread permanently or keeping it rotational.

– Sales numbers may justify keeping gingerbread discontinued if other holiday beverages overperform it.

How to Get Your Gingerbread Fix If It’s Not at Starbucks

If Starbucks ends up not bringing back gingerbread syrup and gingerbread lattes for the 2023 winter holiday menu, there are a few ways to get your gingerbread fix from other coffee chains:

Peppermint Mocha with Added Syrup

Order a peppermint mocha from Starbucks or any coffee shop and ask to add 1-2 pumps of chai syrup to mimic gingerbread flavor. The peppermint and chai mix nicely.

Gingerbread Latte from Peet’s Coffee

Peet’s seasonal menu features a Gingerbread Latte with flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and molasses. It’s topped with whipped cream and a dusting of baking spice.

Gingerbread Coffee from Dunkin’

Dunkin’ offers both hot and iced gingerbread flavored coffee during the holidays. You can customize it into a latte as well. The gingerbread taste is noticeable.

DIY Gingerbread Syrup

Make your own gingerbread syrup at home with spices, molasses, sugar, and water. Add it to steamed milk or espresso for a homemade version.

FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Starbucks gingerbread syrup and drinks:

Is gingerbread discontinued at Starbucks forever?

It is unknown if Starbucks will never offer gingerbread drinks again in future seasons. For now, gingerbread syrup is discontinued for the 2022 holiday menu only. It may return in future years, though that is uncertain.

Why would Starbucks get rid of such a popular drink?

Potential reasons Starbucks removed gingerbread this year include supply chain challenges, wanting to promote new holiday flavors, low consumer demand, manufacturing issues, or simply rotating it off the menu temporarily before bringing it back.

Where can I still get gingerbread coffee this holiday season?

Chains like Peet’s and Dunkin’ still carry gingerbread flavored coffees and lattes. You can also make DIY gingerbread drinks by adding chai or other spices to peppermint mochas or regular lattes.

When did Starbucks introduce the gingerbread latte originally?

Starbucks first launched its gingerbread syrup and related holiday drinks in 2008. The gingerbread latte and other flavors joined the menu each holiday season from 2008 up until 2021.

Will this year’s new drinks replace gingerbread permanently?

It’s unlikely that new additions like the sugar cookie almondmilk latte and caramel brulee latte will permanently replace the gingerbread latte. Starbucks tends to rotate holiday flavors each year, so gingerbread could return.

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