7 Delicious Starbucks Christmas Drinks No Coffee 2025

Q: What is the best Starbucks drink with no coffee?

The 'best' drink truly depends on your personal taste! For a rich and creamy hot drink, the Peppermint Hot Chocolate is a classic winner. For a sweet, icy dessert-like beverage, the Sugar Cookie Crème Frappuccino is fantastic. If you prefer something light and fruity, the Cran-Merry Lemonade is a wonderfully refreshing choice.

Does the festive scent of peppermint and gingerbread wafting from a Starbucks ever pull you in, only for you to hesitate at a menu dominated by espresso and lattes? It’s a common feeling during the holidays when you’re craving a warm, celebratory treat but want to skip the caffeine. Whether you’re looking for a cozy evening drink that won’t keep you awake, or a special treat for your kids to enjoy, navigating the holiday menu for coffee-free options can feel like a challenge.

The good news is, you don’t have to miss out on the iconic red cup season. You can absolutely enjoy Starbucks’ festive holiday menu without a drop of coffee. The secret lies in knowing what to order, from classic hot chocolates and creamy, blended Crème Frappuccinos to surprisingly fruity Refreshers. This guide is your complete map to the best non-coffee Christmas drinks for 2025, complete with simple copycat recipes to bring the holiday magic home.

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Craving a Festive Starbucks Treat Without the Buzz?

Yes, you can absolutely enjoy Starbucks’ festive holiday menu without coffee! Options range from the classic Peppermint Hot Chocolate and creamy Sugar Cookie Frappuccinos to fruity Cran-Merry Refreshers. This guide covers 7 delicious choices you can order this 2025. As a seasoned Starbucks enthusiast who often seeks out caffeine-free treats for late-night cravings or for my kids, I’ve mastered navigating the holiday menu to find the best coffee-free gems. Whether you want something hot and comforting, cold and creamy, or bright and fruity, there’s a festive, non-caffeinated drink waiting for you.

7 Delicious Starbucks Christmas Drinks No Coffee (2025 Guide)

The best Starbucks Christmas drinks with no coffee are: 1. Peppermint Hot Chocolate, 2. Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai, 3. Sugar Cookie Crème Frappuccino, 4. Peppermint White Chocolate Crème, 5. Cran-Merry Orange Refresher, 6. Cran-Merry Drink, and 7. Cran-Merry Lemonade. This list is updated for the 2025 holiday season and includes both official menu items and simple customization hacks I’ve personally used to ensure a perfectly festive, coffee-free experience. Below, you’ll find out exactly how to order each one and how to recreate these delicious holiday beverages in your own kitchen.

1. Peppermint Hot Chocolate

This timeless holiday beverage is a rich and comforting blend of steamed milk, chocolatey mocha sauce, and invigorating peppermint syrup, all topped with whipped cream and sweet peppermint candy bits. It’s the quintessential Christmas classic, naturally coffee-free and a guaranteed favorite for all ages. It’s my personal go-to for a simple, festive indulgence that never disappoints.

Save this cozy classic to your “Winter Drinks” board!

Ingredients:
* 1 cup milk of choice
* 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
* 2 tbsp sugar (or to taste)
* 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
* 2 tbsp peppermint syrup
* Whipped cream, for topping
* Crushed peppermint candies, for topping

Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, whisk together the milk, cocoa powder, and sugar over medium heat until warm. Be careful not to let it boil.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and peppermint syrup until fully combined.
3. Pour the hot chocolate into a festive mug and top with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies.

Pro-Tip: When ordering at Starbucks, this drink is naturally coffee-free, so you can order it by name. For an extra rich and decadent flavor, I highly recommend asking for it to be made with “breve,” which is a creamy mixture of half-and-half, instead of regular milk.

2. Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai

This popular holiday choice blends the warm, aromatic spices of chai with the sweet and spicy flavor of gingerbread, served over ice with creamy oat milk for a refreshing yet festive treat. While traditional chai made from black tea does contain some caffeine, it’s a fantastic coffee-free alternative for those who enjoy spiced flavors but want to avoid the jitters of espresso.

Pin this spicy-sweet recipe for a refreshing holiday treat!

Ingredients:
* 1/2 cup chai concentrate
* 1/2 cup oat milk (or your milk of choice)
* 2 tbsp gingerbread syrup
* Ice
* Pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for topping

Instructions:
1. Fill a tall glass completely with ice cubes.
2. Pour the chai concentrate, oat milk, and gingerbread syrup directly over the ice.
3. Stir vigorously with a long spoon until the mixture is well-combined and thoroughly chilled.
4. Garnish with a light sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top before serving.

Pro-Tip: As mentioned, standard chai contains some caffeine from black tea. If your goal is to be completely caffeine-free, you can ask your barista if they carry a caffeine-free herbal chai option. When making it at home, simply brew a caffeine-free herbal chai tea bag and let it cool to create your own base.

3. Sugar Cookie Crème Frappuccino

For those who believe dessert can come in a cup, the Sugar Cookie Crème Frappuccino is a sweet, buttery, blended beverage that perfectly captures the nostalgic flavor of a frosted holiday sugar cookie. It’s essentially a festive milkshake, making it an ideal coffee-free indulgence for kids and adults alike. The key is ensuring you order the “Crème” version.

Save this dessert-in-a-cup recipe for your holiday cravings!

Ingredients:
* 1 cup milk of choice
* 3 tbsp sugar cookie syrup (or combine 2 tbsp vanilla syrup + 1 tbsp almond syrup)
* 1 cup ice
* Pinch of xanthan gum (this is optional, but it creates that classic Frappuccino thickness)
* Whipped cream and red & green sprinkles for topping

Instructions:
1. In a high-powered blender, combine the milk, sugar cookie syrup, ice, and xanthan gum (if you’re using it).
2. Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and has a creamy, even consistency.
3. Pour the blended drink into a tall glass or a domed cup.
4. Top with a generous amount of whipped cream and finish with a festive dash of red and green sprinkles.

Pro-Tip: This is crucial when ordering in-store: you must specify that you want a “Crème Frappuccino.” Frappuccinos are made with either a coffee base or a cream base. By asking for a “Sugar Cookie Crème Frappuccino,” you’re telling the barista to use the coffee-free base.

4. Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha (Crème Version)

This decadent drink is a coffee-free version of the holiday favorite, made by blending creamy white chocolate sauce and peppermint syrup into steamed milk. Often called a “Peppermint White Hot Chocolate,” it’s a luxuriously sweet and comforting hot beverage that feels incredibly indulgent on a cold winter day.

Pin this decadent recipe for the ultimate winter warmer!

Ingredients:
* 1 cup milk of choice
* 3 tbsp white chocolate sauce or good-quality chopped white chocolate
* 2 tbsp peppermint syrup
* Whipped cream
* Chocolate shavings for topping

Instructions:
1. In a saucepan, gently heat the milk and white chocolate over low-to-medium heat. Stir continuously until the white chocolate is completely melted and the milk is hot.
2. Remove from the heat and stir in the peppermint syrup.
3. Pour the creamy beverage into your favorite mug, top with whipped cream, and garnish with a few chocolate shavings for a finishing touch.

Pro-Tip: The magic words for ordering this coffee-free at Starbucks are asking for a “Peppermint White Hot Chocolate” or a “Peppermint White Chocolate Steamer.” This specifically tells the barista to use steamed milk as the base instead of adding any espresso shots, ensuring a perfectly creamy and caffeine-free drink.

5. Cran-Merry Orange Refresher

This bright and festive drink is a refreshing, fruity beverage that combines the tartness of cranberry with the sweetness of blood orange, shaken with ice and freeze-dried cranberries. It’s a fantastic choice when you want a holiday flavor that isn’t heavy or creamy. It offers a crisp and energizing pick-me-up without any coffee.

Save this bright and fruity recipe for a festive pick-me-up!

Ingredients:
* 1/2 cup tart cranberry juice
* 1/4 cup blood orange juice (or regular orange juice)
* 1/4 cup water or white grape juice
* Ice
* 1 tbsp freeze-dried cranberries

Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker (or a jar with a tight lid) with ice.
2. Add the cranberry juice, orange juice, and water or white grape juice to the shaker.
3. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, until the outside is cold and frosty.
4. Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice and stir in the freeze-dried cranberries for that signature look and texture.

Pro-Tip: It’s important to know that standard Starbucks Refreshers contain Green Coffee Extract, which has caffeine. To get a truly caffeine-free version, you have to make a special request. Ask for cranberry juice and orange juice shaken with ice and freeze-dried cranberries, without the Refresher base. Most baristas are happy to accommodate this!

6. Cran-Merry Drink (Creamy Version)

This drink is a delightful customization that transforms the fruity Cran-Merry Orange base into a creamy, pastel-pink beverage by adding sweetened coconut milk. It’s a creative twist that blends tropical creaminess with festive fruit flavors, reminiscent of the popular Pink Drink but with a holiday spin.

Pin this creamy, dreamy holiday drink idea!

Ingredients:
* 1/2 cup tart cranberry juice
* 1/4 cup blood orange juice
* 1/4 cup sweetened coconut milk
* Ice
* 1 tbsp freeze-dried cranberries

Instructions:
1. Combine the cranberry juice, blood orange juice, and sweetened coconut milk in a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well until everything is combined and chilled.
3. Pour the entire contents, including the ice, into a serving glass.
4. Top with the freeze-dried cranberries before serving.

Pro-Tip: This is one of my favorite coffee-free customizations. To order it, simply ask for a Cran-Merry Orange Refresher but request it to be made with coconut milk instead of water. Remember to also ask for “no Refresher base” if you want it completely caffeine-free.

7. Cran-Merry Lemonade

This version offers a zesty twist on the holiday fruit flavors by combining the Cran-Merry Orange base with tangy lemonade. This creates a vibrant, sweet-and-sour beverage that’s incredibly refreshing and perfect for those who enjoy a bit of a pucker in their drink.

Save this tangy and sweet holiday drink recipe to your favorites!

Ingredients:
* 1/2 cup prepared lemonade
* 1/4 cup tart cranberry juice
* 1/4 cup blood orange juice
* Ice
* Lemon wheel and freeze-dried cranberries for garnish

Instructions:
1. Fill a tall glass to the top with ice.
2. Pour the lemonade into the glass, filling it about halfway.
3. In a separate cup, briefly stir the cranberry and orange juice together.
4. Slowly pour the cranberry-orange mixture over the lemonade. If poured carefully, it will create a beautiful layered effect.
5. Garnish with a fresh lemon wheel and a sprinkle of freeze-dried cranberries.

Pro-Tip: Ordering this customization at Starbucks is very easy. Just ask for a Cran-Merry Orange Refresher to be made with lemonade instead of water. It’s a popular and delicious modification that baristas are very familiar with. Again, specify “no base” for zero caffeine.

@snackolator
The Starbucks Winter/Holiday Menu is Dropping tomorrow, November 7th! Starbucks is bringing a whole bunch of items this year including new Cran-Merry Refreshers, Dark Toffee Bundt cakes, and more! You’ll be able to get the Caramel Brûlée, Sugar Cookie Almondmilk, Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai Latte, Chestnut Praline Lattes along with the Peppermint Mocha. The new Cran-Merry refreshers feature “sweet orange, tart cranberry and warm spices, including notes of cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg, shaken with ice, water and real cranberries.” You can get this regular, mixed with lemonade, or with coconut milk in a dirty style Cran-Merry drink! On the bakery side you can grab the new Snowman Cake Pop, new Penguin Cookie, new Dark Toffee Bundt, Cranberry Bliss Bar, and Sugar Plum Cheese Danish. And to top it off (pun intended- heyo!), we’ve got four different holiday cream cold foams: New Gingerbread along with Chestnut Praline, Sugar Cookie, and Caramel Brûlée. Are you excited for the Starbucks winter menu? Which items are you looking forward to? #starbucks #starbucksdrinks #coffeetok #holidaydrinks #coffee #starbies #starbuckscoffee #peppermintmocha #fastfood

♬ original sound – snackolator

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to starbucks christmas drinks recipes no coffee

For Classic Comfort: The easiest and most traditional choice is to order the Peppermint Hot Chocolate. It’s always a winner and is naturally coffee-free.
For a Blended Treat: The secret is to ask for any Frappuccino as a “Crème Frappuccino.” The Sugar Cookie Crème Frappuccino is a perfect holiday option.
For a Hot, Creamy Drink: Request a “Steamer.” This is simply steamed milk with flavored syrup. A “Caramel Brûlée Steamer” or “Peppermint White Hot Chocolate” are excellent choices.
For a Fruity & Refreshing Drink: Choose from the Cran-Merry Orange series. You can customize it by having it made with lemonade or coconut milk for different flavor profiles, but remember to ask for “no base” to avoid caffeine.
DIY at Home: The foundation for great copycat recipes is using high-quality flavored syrups (like peppermint, gingerbread, or sugar cookie) and combining them with your favorite milk, juice, or lemonade base.

Final Thoughts

Now you have a full menu of delicious, coffee-free holiday drinks to try on your next Starbucks run or even whip up in your own kitchen. You can officially join in on the red cup cheer without any of the caffeine! Embracing the festive season at Starbucks doesn’t require a love for coffee, just a little know-how to unlock a world of creamy, fruity, and comforting flavors.

What’s your go-to festive drink to get you in the holiday spirit? Share your favorites in the comments below

7 Delicious Starbucks Christmas Drinks No Coffee 2025

Craving a Festive Starbucks Treat Without the Buzz?