The Ultimate Dutch Bros Holiday & Winter Drinks Guide
I didn’t realize how fast a Dutch Bros holiday drink can change your whole mood until I tried one on a freezing morning and the peppermint steam basically hugged my face.
And it got me wondering why these winter flavors hit so hard and which ones are actually worth ordering once you’re standing at the window trying to pick fast.
Here’s a simple guide that walks you through the best holiday and winter drinks at Dutch Bros, how they taste, how to tweak them, and which ones make cold days a little easier.
What Makes Dutch Bros Winter Drinks So Popular
Winter drinks feel comforting because your body naturally craves warm, sweet flavors when the temperature drops. Dutch Bros leans into that feeling with peppermint, chocolate, spice, and caramel combos that hit way harder in December.
You’ll notice their holiday lineup tastes richer than what you’d find at places like Starbucks because the flavors are usually sweeter and the textures creamier. That’s why even simple drinks feel extra cozy. If you’re trying to compare flavor styles later, their full menus help explain how everything flows together, and you’ll see that pattern on their main drink categories like the Dutch Bros coffee menu .
Complete List of Dutch Bros Holiday Drinks (2024–2025)
Dutch Bros usually brings back the big favorites every year, then mixes in a couple new surprises.
What you’ll typically see
• Peppermint and mocha combos
• Caramel-brûlée inspired drinks
• Holiday Rebels with berry or icy-citrus themes
• Kid-friendly cocoa drinks
Warm versions are huge in December, but blended versions get just as much love from people who want something festive without the heat.
If you want a better look at how seasonal releases fit into the year, it helps to check past seasonal drops in the Dutch Bros seasonal menu .
Best Dutch Bros Drinks for Cold Weather
Some drinks just feel right when you’re freezing your hands off. Hot mocha-based drinks are at the top of the list because the chocolate makes everything feel richer. Hot teas and cider-style drinks also spike in popularity since they feel gentle but still warm.
Soft Top also seems made for winter. It turns a basic drink into a creamy dessert moment, which is why it shows up so much in December. You’ll see this pattern across winter favorites inside their broader hot drinks menu .
Flavor Guide for Holiday Drinks
A quick way to pick the right drink is to know which holiday flavor family you like.
Peppermint drinks
Clean, cool, slightly sweet, perfect for early mornings.
Chocolate or mocha drinks
Taste like warm dessert.
Cinnamon and spice drinks
Great for people who don’t want pure sweetness.
Caramel-forward drinks
Smooth and buttery with a sweet finish.
Mocha and caramel drinks are usually the most beginner-friendly because they’re warm, simple, and easy to customize based on sweetness. If you want something to compare against flavor by flavor, you’ll notice similar patterns in popular drinks like the Golden Eagle .
Low-Calorie and “Lighter” Holiday Orders
December is when people start trying to enjoy holiday flavors without going overboard. You can absolutely keep things festive and still lighten the calories.
Easy swaps that still taste good
• Make any drink “skinny”
• Choose sugar-free peppermint or chocolate
• Try oat milk or nonfat milk
• Order fewer syrup pumps
If you ever want to explore lighter daily drink options, the low calorie category has tons of similar ideas like the 10 Dutch Bros iced drinks under 50 calories .
Barista Tips for Customizing Holiday Flavors
You can tweak a holiday drink in so many ways without messing up the flavor.
Sweetness control
Ask for half-sweet or even quarter-sweet if you’re trying to make the holidays feel less sugary.
Milk changes
Oat milk makes winter drinks taste thicker and cozier, but almond milk works well when you want something cleaner.
Soft Top tricks
Add a hint of chocolate or peppermint drizzle to make the top layer sweeter and creamier.
If you want to get a jump on how texture affects winter drinks, their popular topping guide for Soft Top maps it out nicely.
Dutch Bros Holiday Drinks Ranked (Fan Favorites)
These rankings change a little each year, but winter favorites usually fall into the same groups.
Top hot espresso drinks
Mocha-based drinks with peppermint or caramel
Golden Eagle-inspired twists
Cinnamon spice lattes
Most-loved winter Rebels
Anything with berry, citrus, or icy seasonal syrup
Snowy or frosted-style blends
Blended winter picks
Peppermint Freezes
Peppermint bark-style blends
You’ll see some of these flavors show up in fan-favorite year-round lists too, like their big ranking of the best Dutch Bros coffees .
“If You Like This… Try That” Winter Drink Selector
This is the easiest way to pick something that fits your mood.
If you love chocolate
Try peppermint mocha or a mocha with Soft Top.
If you like fruity flavors
Berry Rebels with frost or snow-themed syrups work well.
If you want something warm but not super sweet
Go for chai or cinnamon drinks.
If you’re sugar-free
Peppermint or white chocolate sugar-free versions taste surprisingly close to the originals.
If you want more ideas for starting points, their drink finder-style guides like Find Your Next Fave Drink show how to match each flavor style.
Copycat Holiday Recipes You Can Make at Home
Recreating Dutch Bros drinks at home is way easier than most people think. You don’t need fancy gear or a barista setup. Just a few syrups, cocoa powder, and whatever milk you already have in the fridge.
The fun part is you can tweak the sweetness, make it lighter, or add your own twist without worrying about messing anything up. Here are a few cozy holiday drinks you can pull together in minutes.
Peppermint Mocha (Dutch Bros–Style)
This one feels like sipping Christmas in a mug.
What you need
• 1 cup hot coffee or 2 shots espresso
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder or chocolate syrup
• 1 to 2 teaspoons peppermint syrup
• 1 cup milk, frothed or warmed
• Whipped cream or Soft Top-style foam
How to make it
- Stir the chocolate into your hot coffee or espresso.
- Add peppermint syrup and mix until smooth.
- Pour in the warm milk.
- Top it with whipped cream or a Soft Top-style foam swirl.
- Add a tiny peppermint sprinkle if you want it to feel extra festive.
Caramel Brûlée-Inspired Latte
Sweet, buttery, and perfect for chilly evenings.
What you need
• 2 shots espresso or strong brewed coffee
• 1 tablespoon caramel syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla syrup
• 1 cup steamed milk
• Caramel drizzle
How to make it
- Mix caramel and vanilla into the hot espresso.
- Add steamed milk and stir gently.
- Finish with a slow caramel drizzle across the top.
- If you want a deeper flavor, warm the caramel syrup for a few seconds before adding it.
Cinnamon Spice Milk Steamer
A cozy, caffeine-free drink the whole family can enjoy.
What you need
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon syrup or 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon + 1 teaspoon sugar
• A drop of vanilla
• Soft Top-style foam or whipped cream
How to make it
- Warm the milk on the stove or in the microwave.
- Stir in the cinnamon and vanilla.
- Froth it a little to get that Dutch Bros-style texture.
- Top with foam or whipped cream.
- Dust a tiny bit of cinnamon on top.
Hot Cocoa With Soft Top-Style Foam
Feels like a winter hug.
What you need
• 1 cup milk
• 1 to 2 tablespoons cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
How to make it
- Heat the milk, then stir in the cocoa until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until it gets fluffy but not fully whipped.
- Pour cocoa into a mug.
- Gently spoon the cream mixture on top to mimic that Soft Top texture.
- Add chocolate shavings if you’re feeling fancy.
If you want to practice with basic components first, try recipes like their DIY Soft Top foam .
Winter Drink Trends for 2024–2025
Every December has its flavor moment, but this year peppermint, cookie-inspired drinks, and caramel brûlée tones are trending hard. People also gravitate toward warm drinks with Soft Top and anything that feels “cozy.”
Seasonal promos, app rewards, and new limited-time releases usually drop earlier in the month, similar to how new flavors appear in their What’s New section.
How to Save Money on Holiday Drinks
Holiday drinks taste amazing but can add up fast.
Simple ways to save
Get the smallest size if you’re trying unique flavors
Use the app to collect points on busy days
Go half-sweet to save calories without losing flavor
Order your own mix instead of pre-set drinks to avoid extra charges
You can also mix holiday flavors with cheaper drink bases, similar to creative hacks in their Dutch Bros iced coffee tips .
Final Winter Drink Recommendations
If you just want a quick pick and don’t feel like scrolling through the menu, here’s what usually hits the spot.
- Best for mornings: Peppermint mocha or caramel latte
- Best for afternoons: Berry Rebel with winter syrup
- Best for evenings: Hot cocoa or chai
- Best overall pick: A peppermint mocha with Soft Top, it’s festive, warm, and works for almost everyone.
