It’s that time of year again. Your annual pumpkin pie lattes and peppermint espressos are being shipped out by the gallon, all to keep the fingertips of 5-foot tall white girls warm in the frostbite-bearing temperatures of outside. As snow sprinkles the shingled roofs of town and you slip and fall for the third time this week on fresh ice in your driveway, you’re reminded it’s time for a coffee before school.
Many local restaurants understand your need to be alert at seven in the morning.
In addition, they’re adding a dash of the holidays into your favorite drinks to spice up your gloomy, depressing winter days ahead.
Starbucks features five new beverages for this freezing season. “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” fills through your mouth and settles on your taste buds as you down their new Chestnut Praline Latte. Topped with whipped cream, caramel, and perfectly portioned pieces of praline, this espresso will have you circling back through the drive thru for round two.
If you’re craving a minty twist to your average coffee, go for the Peppermint Mocha at Starbucks. Sweetened whipped cream and the dark chocolate swirls make this drink a must-have for the holidays, not to mention the peppermint flavored syrup (although I became slightly disappointed to find no peppermint pieces on top of my mountainous whip).
The establishment offers three other specialties for this winter season, such as a Caramel Brulee Latte, an Eggnog Latte, and a Gingerbread Latte.
Maybe coffee isn’t your style, but hot chocolate is. You’re in luck. About this time of year, be expecting a Peppermint Hot Chocolate to appear on your menu as you roll into McDonald’s. Personally, that’s what I plan on diving into on a daily basis.
Perhaps, you desire something to match the way your skin feels against the bitter-cold wind: ice cream. Fortunately, Dairy Queen has you covered. Stop on in for their famous Pumpkin Pie Blizzard. It’s proven to be quite the common treat so far, and there have been no complaints. Made with real pumpkin pie, you’ll be in complete satisfaction with the creamy soft serve as well as the overload of your favorite holiday dessert.
Next time you glance ahead at the mirror, early in the morning, and think, “I’m not ready for another dreadful winter morning,” just recall there’s a wonderful world of snowball fights, cute winter coats, and warm, absolutely to-die-for holiday drinks awaiting you, just right down the block, this 2014 winter season. With that, you’re going to be just fine.