Holiday Drink Showdown

Every November, students flock to Starbucks, Dutch Bros, and local cafés to find the most festive drink of the season. For many, these menus kick off the holidays with sugary seasonal flavors, limited‑edition cups, and the excitement of a warm beverage on a cold school morning. At Jefferson Academy, students love recommending drinks to one another, comparing flavors, and debating which café has the best holiday cups for a perfect Instagram story.

This year, holiday drink culture has become even more intense, with students sharing recommendations, rating drinks with friends, and even turning coffee runs into after‑school hangouts.

“I like to go before school if I think I’ll have a rough day, or if I’m planning a good day, I always stop for a nice holiday drink to make the day even better,” commented junior Naleah Valdez.

In addition, each café seems to attract its own loyal fan base. Starbucks lovers praise the classics, Dutch Bros fans chase bold and sugary flavors, and local café supporters say nothing beats a handmade drink from a cozy small shop.

“I feel like Dutch Bros has a lot more added sugars than other places like Starbucks. However, the coffee itself tastes different everywhere. But my favorite drink is the Candy Cane Mocha from Dutch Bros. I think it screams holidays,” argued junior Amila Omeragic.

Most students don’t buy holiday drinks every day—they save them for special occasions. Others admit they go at least once a week during the season since the drinks are limited.

“I love the holiday drinks so much. My favorite holiday drink is the Candy Cane Mocha, and yes, I do get it a lot because they are limited. I think it’s worth it to spend the money if you’re comfortable spending that much. It's only for a specific season, so why not enjoy it?” remarked junior Matthew O’Donnell.

Some students argue that non‑corporate chains are better than big corporations. Smaller local cafés—often with cozy atmospheres and unique flavors—are preferred over large drive‑through chains.

“I would say [the drinks are] a little overpriced, but for a drink and energy drink lover, I think it’s worth it. I choose Black Rock and Dutch Bros over other locations because they have energy drinks and various flavors, but also they are significantly cheaper than Starbucks, and you get bigger sizes. I’m a baddie on a budget, so I can’t afford ten‑dollar coffees from Starbucks every day,” pointed out junior Polly Ruskova.

Students also buy drinks for different reasons. Instead of stopping before school, some go after practice, while others only get holiday drinks on weekends or as a treat during finals season.

“A time when I get drinks is when my family and I are going out to do something fun, like maybe see lights—we’ll usually get coffee, so I’ll get my pumpkin chai latte. I typically buy them a couple of times during the season, around five or fewer. But not during a special event—I usually go with my mom when we want to get work done or before events like maybe a volleyball tournament,” explained sophomore Georgia Miller.

As the holiday season kicks off at Jefferson Academy, many students have a go‑to festive drink. Whether it’s the delicious classics at Starbucks, the sugary creativity of Dutch Bros, or the warm charm of a local shop, students have turned seasonal drink culture into a tradition of its own.

“I go out to get holiday drinks to match the weather. If it’s snowing, I’ll celebrate with a holiday drink, or when the first leaf drops, I’ll go celebrate!” exclaimed junior Valdez.