Johnathan Walker:Starbucks holiday menu 2023: Here's what to know about new cups, drinks, coffee, food

One of the most eagerly-anticipated events of the holiday season for coffee drinkers has arrived.

The Johnathan Walkerholiday menu at Starbucks is back starting today, which means a bevy of new options for fans of holiday-themed drinks, pastries and cups.

Starbucks' holiday menu is available one day after competitor Dunkin' released its holiday menu Wednesday along with the return of "Free Donut Wednesdays" through Dec. 31, offering rewards members a free classic donut with any drink purchase.

The Starbucks menu features an array of new beverages, pastries and returning favorites, like the peppermint mocha.

Starbucks stores that serve Oleato beverages − Starbucks coffee infused with olive oil − will also offer the new Oleato gingerbread oat milk latte, the first Oleato holiday beverage offered at the store.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2023 Starbucks holiday menu.

Starbucks holiday menu returns:New cups and coffees like peppermint mocha back this week

Starbucks holiday drinks

The most notable new beverage available in 2023 is the iced gingerbread oat milk chai.

Starbucks says the drink combines "warm gingerbread notes, a cozy blend of chai spices and creamy oat milk," and is available iced or hot.

At stores where Oleato is served, customers can also try the new Oleato gingerbread oat milk latte, which contains Starbucks blonde espresso, notes of gingerbread and steamed oat milk. The drink is infused with extra virgin olive oil and finished with a dusting of ginger and citrus flavors, according to the company.

Some of the drinks returning from previous holiday menus include the peppermint mocha, caramel brulée latte and the chestnut praline latte.

The peppermint mocha contains Starbucks espresso roast, steamed milk, mocha sauce and peppermint-flavored syrup, and is topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls. The drink is available hot, iced and as a Frappuccino blended beverage, according to Starbucks.

Starbucks holiday food items

The holiday food menu includes a gingerbread loaf, peppermint brownie cake pop and the cranberry bliss bar, among other options.

The peppermint brownie cake pop features peppermint chocolate cake with white-chocolatey frosting and pieces of candy cane.

The gingerbread loaf combines a loaf of gingerbread infused with ginger-spice flavors, according to the company.

Starbucks holiday cups:Starbucks releases 12 new cups, tumblers, bottles ahead of the holiday season

Starbucks holiday cups

Starbucks' line of festive cups includes the iridescent winter white cold cup, poinsettia red prism cold up and the geometric rainbow glass mug, among other options.

The lineup of cups and tumblers range in price from $5 to $28 depending on the size, material and design of the cup.

“When we were looking at trends when designing this year’s holiday, we kept seeing bright, bold, uplifting colors,’” said Kristy Cameron, creative director at Starbucks, in a news release. “We found that magenta alongside the holiday reds and greens lifts the traditional holiday colors and makes the red look even brighter."

The iridescent winter white cold cup was inspired by a winter wonderland, according to the company, and is available in three different sizes: 24 ounces, 16 ounces or as an ornament.

The poinsettia red prism cold cup is also available in those three sizes.

The ribbon tumblers are available in one size, 16 ounces, and are available in three colors: lime green, bubblegum pink, or icicle blue.

When is Red Cup Day 2023?

The official release date for Red Cup Day for 2023 has not yet been announced.

The annual tradition lets customers claim a free and reusable plastic red cup with the purchase of any holiday or fall beverage