We welcome back Starbucks Red Cups!
Nothing signals the arrival of the Christmas season more than coffee drinkers sipping from the Starbucks red cup. The cups have been appearing in stores every Christmas since Starbucks first came to the UK in 1998.
But what goes in the cup? Every year customers get really excited about the return of Gingerbread, Eggnog and Toffeenut lattes that they start asking about it on Facebook in July. We thought it would be fun to look at the origins of these Christmas traditions and share some of the stories behind the drinks with you.
Gingerbread
Gingerbread first arrived in Europe in 992 brought in by an Armenian monk! During the 13th century it was brought to Sweden. There are even records to show that Swedish nuns were baking gingerbread to ease indigestion in 1444. By the 16th century gingerbread biscuits were being sold in markets and by the 18th century it was widely available in the UK.
With gingerbread firmly rooted in the hearts and stomachs of the UK the Gingerbread Latte made IT’S first appearance at Starbucks in 1998.
Eggnog
It is thought that eggnog began in medieval times and that the tradition started in Europe as a variation of the milk and wine punches served at social gatherings. In the 17th century, eggnog was often used as a toast to health and was drunk by the wealthy in society as milk and eggs were a scarce luxury.
Starbucks introduced eggnog to it’s Christmas line up in 2000, and although it is served without alcohol it has gone on to become the Red Cup exclusive with the most passionate fan base.
Toffee
The use of molasses, or treacle in the UK began in the 1660s, when it was first used to make gingerbread. Toffee emerged soon after. But treacle was considered medicinal at the time and therefore very expensive, limiting the spread of toffee as a dessert or snack food. The term "toffee" did not appear in print until 1825. Toffee as confectionary developed in northern England in the 1800’s and became more popular than candied fruits which were widely eaten around this time.
Toffee Nut joined the Starbucks Christmas line up in 2005 and has gone on to delight customer’s year on year since then.
And this year we welcome a new addition... Praline Mocha
This year there is a new addition to the Christmas line up – we present to you the Praline Mocha. This truly delicious blend of warm bittersweet chocolate infused with hazelnut, combined with espresso and steamed milk, finished with whipped cream and drizzled with mocha sauce will be something everyone wants in their red cup!
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