Winter has arrived, which also means the return of delicious, seasonal drinks from local coffee shops. As the days grow shorter, the need for a cup of coffee to start your day becomes essential and the winter specials make each sip more enjoyable. Various coffee shops introduce seasonal drinks, giving students the opportunity to expand their horizons — even if it’s just with their coffee order. With Junior, staff writer Clare Lenny, I took the liberty to explore just a few of the many options offered at Si Si’s Cafe, Starbucks, and Peet’s Coffee. 

Si Si’s

 Walking into the comforting, at-home environment- known for its indoor and outdoor study space of Si Si Cafe in Moraga, a small chalkboard encourages you to try out their latest seasonal drink: The Iced or Hot Spiced Chocolate Chai. Preferring cold drinks, I ordered the latte iced. The drink came out with a creamy layer of foam, mixed with ice, making the first sip extremely flavorful. It’s only until the spicy chai kicks in after the rich chocolate fills your mouth, that you learn it’s vital to stir up the drink before taking a sip—unless you like getting a strong sip of spicy chai. The combination of ice, chai, chocolate, and cayenne comes together nicely, making it hard to resist taking another sip. “It would be just as good without the spice, it’s a little overkill,” Lenny said. 

After quickly finishing the 12 ounce, $5.50 drink, I rate it a 9/10, lacking one point from the excessive amount of spice, though the drink left me satisfied after finishing.

Starbucks

Moving on to the famous Starbucks, located in the Rheem Shopping Center, brings a less home-like feeling but nevertheless a seasonal atmosphere. Welcoming you with cozy winter decor, their seasonal drinks are displayed on a decorated chalkboard, openly a tempting effect to indulge in a seasonal drink. I ordered the Iced Apple Crisp Non-Dairy Cream Chai after it caught my eye as a winer item. After admiring the beautiful sight of the cold foam blending into the chai, the first sip comes with a multitude of flavors. The drink was mixed well with a light layer of cold foam, ending with an apple aftertaste, and the delightful mix of the non-dairy replacement, oat milk. “It’s like a candle. The after taste is nice, but it doesn’t taste like chai at all,” Lenny said. 

The drink was overall pleasant but left me discouraged to drink the rest as it became too much after just a few sips. I recommend this drink to all the sugar-loving Starbucks consumers out there, as this drink will definitely be to your liking. Overall, I give this apple delight a 6/10 as the taste of apple and cream was not worth the $5.75, for only a size tall. 

Peet’s

Last, but not least, I took a trip to Peet’s Coffee in downtown Orinda. Walking into the warm shop, complementing the cold winter day, I immediately was ready for a Hot Peppermint Mocha. This common seasonal drink, found in most coffee shops, was enjoyable but definitely requires a special taste. Taking the first sip, the coffee was strong and the chocolate was heavy, but the peppermint syrup was the cherry on top of this treat. “It’s the perfect temperature and the peppermint flavor is definitely there but not too powerful,” Lenny said.

For all the coffee lovers, this drink is perfect for you, leaving you with a rich flavor as the coffee and chocolate were a lot to take in. I would have enjoyed the drink a little more if there was more foam on top. Overall, the shop was a solid 7/10 due to the flavor, atmosphere, and quick service after ordering the $5.85 drink. 

Overall, my top recommendation is Si Si Cafe’s iced chocolate chai as it was the perfect holiday drink with great flavors. Next, I recommend Pete’s hot peppermint mocha. Although it’s a popular holiday drink, Petes crafted it exceptionally well, making it my top choice to go to over other shops. Finally, Starbucks Apple Crisp Non-Dairy Cream Chai comes in last as it brought unique flavors but simply was not to my liking. Each of these drinks bring a seasonal touch to everyone’s day, whether you’re craving a spicy chai, a sweet apple crisp taste or a classic peppermint mocha. There’s a drink for every palate. As we get closer to Christmas, treat yourself to one of these winter drinks and enjoy the comfort it brings!