Starbucks and Costa. They have and always will be battling it out when it comes to their food and drink offering, particularly come the festive period.
Consumers see everything from chocolate and orange s’mores toasties to vegan winter sandwiches and brie, maple bacon and cranberry paninis, to toffee nut lattes and After Eight hot chocolates.
Both coffee chains bring back old favourites as well as mouth-watering new additions, but which one tops the other?
Starbucks vs costa festive menu
Since it’s the season to be jolly, myself and food and drink journalist, Julia Bryce, took it upon ourselves to put four items from each of the brands’ menus against each other.
These included two drinks, one being a hot chocolate and the other being a latte, a savoury dish and a sweet treat, which had to be a mince pie.
After visiting the Costa drive-thru in Tullos, based on the corner of Abbotswell Road and Wellington Road, we headed to the Starbucks drive-thru at Wellington Circle Retail Park in Altens.
The total for the Starbucks order came to £14.94, while the Costa order cost £13.15.
Goods acquired, it was time to decide which items belong on this year’s nice and naughty list.
The order (Costa):
The order (Starbucks):
The results
So which festive menu made myself and Julia feel merry and bright, and which failed to hit the mark?
Costa’s Terry’s Chocolate Orange hot chocolate vs Starbucks’ caramel waffle latte
Did the Terry’s Chocolate Orange hot chocolate succeed in getting us in the festive spirit? No, it fell flat.
A chocolate orange is a much-loved treat during this season and while Costa does manage to replicate the taste, it was more synthetic than anything.
The Starbucks latte intrigued Julia. Not only was the smell enticing, but the flavour certainly packed a punch.
While Karla found the coffee flavour a tad overwhelming, she appreciated the spicy notes. Some would say it tastes like Christmas in a cup.
Terry’s Chocolate Orange hot chocolate
Presentation
Julia: 2/5
Karla: 2/5
Taste
Julia: 2.5/5
Karla: 2/5
Caramel waffle latte
Presentation
Julia: 2/5
Karla: 3/5
Taste
Julia: 2/5
Karla: 3/5
Costa’s gingerbread latte vs Starbucks’ eggnog latte
We had conflicted opinions on the gingerbread latte which comprises Costa’s classic latte with gingerbread syrup and is topped with a mini gingerbread man – a lovely touch.
While Julia thought the gingerbread flavour was lacking, I picked up on it from the outset.
As for the eggnog latte, it is described as boasting a “classic holiday flavour” on the Starbucks website. It certainly did, and was one of the highlights.
Featuring the brand’s signature espresso and rich steamed eggnog topped with a sprinkling of nutmeg, it was silky, smooth and everything a latte should be.
Gingerbread latte
Presentation
Julia: 2/5
Karla: 2/5
Taste
Julia: 2/5
Karla: 3/5
Eggnog latte
Presentation
Julia: 2/5
Karla: 3/5
Taste
Julia: 4/5
Karla: 5/5
Costa’s British turkey feast sandwich vs Starbucks’ Tis’ the season turkey sandwich
Boasting almost identical ingredients to Starbucks’ sandwich, Costa decided to leave out mayonnaise when putting together its creation. What a grave mistake.
It was dry and the only flavour coming through was from the stuffing, and even that wasn’t too great.
But the Tis’ the season turkey sandwich was another standout.
It has all the quintessential ingredients of a classic Christmas dinner and, unlike the Costa sandwich, it wasn’t dry, which the mayo and a substantial helping of cranberry chutney are to thank for.
British turkey feast sandwich
Presentation
Julia: 2/5
Karla: 2/5
Taste
Julia: 2/5
Karla: 2/5
Tis’ the season turkey sandwich
Presentation
Julia: 4/5
Karla: 4/5
Taste
Julia: 4/5
Karla: 4/5
Costa’s all butter mince pie vs Starbucks’ toffee nut latte cupcake
The item that came out on top from the Costa drive-thru was the all butter mince pie.
Comprising a butter pastry case filled with mincemeat, topped with a pastry decoration and finished with a sugar dusting, it couldn’t have looked and tasted more festive.
Unfortunately, Starbucks had run out of mince pies by the time we arrived which was disheartening.
Head’s shaking, we tucked into one of the other sweet options on the festive menu – a toffee nut latte cupcake.
While it certainly looked festive, the coffee flavour completely took over leaving no room for the toffee. It was also far too moist and crumbly and would definitely prove a pain for those looking to enjoy it on-the-go.
All butter mince pie
Presentation
Julia: 5/5
Karla: 5/5
Taste
Julia: 4/5
Karla: 4/5
Toffee nut latte cupcake
Presentation
Julia: 3/5
Karla: 4/5
Taste
Julia: 2/5
Karla: 2/5
The overall winner of the Starbucks vs Costa showdown was Starbucks receiving a total of 51/80, while Costa received 41.5/80.
