Everyone has their favourite holiday coffee.
And every year, Canada's two most popular chain coffee shops offer their special drinks for the season.
Paola Taivo, 27, a Starbucks barista at 1016 Eglinton Ave. in Mississauga, Ont., said she is excited for the holiday season rush.
"When the winter drinks are released, customers are really happy, and when Christmas merchandise is released, it's mixed emotions, but we have some customers who wait outside for an hour before opening,” said Taivo, who has been working at the chain for three years.
Taivo said the holiday setup the night before the opening launch takes around two to three hours to prepare the whole store.
“We strive very much for quality and making sure everyone gets a good cup of coffee, and we are very big on that. We try our best to follow standards so that drinks are made the same every time,” Taivo said.
Taivo said there are eight to nine people on the floor at once, due to the heavy traffic in the store, and to operate at a fast pace.
“I feel it’s always exciting because there is always one new beverage everyone wants to try or a reoccurring drink that is coming back for the first time in years,” she said.
At Starbucks, the hot and cold drinks include sugar cookie oat latte, caramel brûlée latte, peppermint mocha, sugar cookie cold cream brew and iced gingerbread oat latte.
Taivo said her favourite drink is the caramel brûlée latte customized with blonde espresso.
“To me personally, I feel like this time of year, when the weather changes, some people go through seasonal depression and being able to make someone’s day by making them a drink when they may be stressed, especially with Christmas shopping, is just nice. We like to make sure everyone is happy,” she said.
Taivo says Starbucks has training procedures for the holiday season.
At Tim Hortons, customers can find Biscoff drinks in both latte and iced capp, and there are two kinds of candy cane hot chocolates.
Brenda Perry, 55, a building maintenance employee in Mississauga, said she is stoked for the winter season at Tim’s.
Perry said she started going to Tim’s when her location opened in Mississauga about 30 years ago, located at 1125 Bloor St, in Mississauga.
“I like my coffee hot and properly made, large dark roast, three sugar, three cream,” Perry said.
She said it is her daily habit.
“It’s nice, there are reward points with great deals for loyal customers and Christmas promotions as well,” Perry said.
She said as much as she likes the look of the Christmas offerings, she prefers her regular go-to coffee each day.
Social and Community Development student Madelyn Bell said she loves the holiday menu at Starbucks.
“My first impressions of the holiday drinks were good as usual. I’ve been getting them since I was in Grade 12. I love them so much, I was really happy when the winter menu came out,” Bell said.
“It starts off perfectly with fall and then transitions into the winter drinks, it’s perfect,” Bell said.
Madelyn said her favourite drink is the iced sugar cookie oat latte.
“I would say 10 out of 10 times, I’m going to Starbucks for a holiday drink. Starbucks has always been pricey. It’s about $6 or $7 for a medium, and I would say that’s a little pricey, but I actually don’t mind paying that price, considering I love the drink so much,” Bell said.
Madelyn said if it were up to her, she would add a gingerbread hot chocolate to the menu.
