If you’re a Chapman student living in Orange and looking for a little boost amidst the dreariness of remote learning and COVID-19, I have just the answer. One of the holiday season’s many perks is the themed beverages available just a couple months out of the year. So in order to compile a list of the most mouthwatering seasonal options you can check out around campus, I went around to different locations and tried some drinks. Here are my very precise ratings.  

Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders’ “Maple Cold Brew”

Rating: 7/10

This drink combines the caffeine boost of cold brew coffee with maple syrup and oat milk. I was skeptical at first, because maple syrup belongs on breakfast food, not in coffee. However, this drink was far better than any Starbucks cold brew that I’ve tried. The maple was a light and sweet addition to this iced coffee beverage. 

Portola’s Festive Fog

Rating: 7.6/10

This drink made me think quite extensively. It’s foamy and milky at first, yet once you drink down into the tea portion of the offering, there’s a strong tea and berry flavor that is a good balance with the milk, but also makes you stop for a second and think, “Woah, what did I just drink?” A barista friend of mine suggested I stir the drink to mesh the flavors better. I did, and it didn’t really change anything, but I still enjoyed the mix. Ultimately, it tastes festive and there was a bit of fog at the beginning, so you get what you asked for; it just didn’t rock my world.

Pandor’s “Hot Chocolate”

Rating: 7.8/10

A timeless drink, Pandor’s version of this classic really puts the “hot” in hot chocolate. I had to let it cool off for about 10 minutes before drinking.  However, once it lost heat, it was worth the wait. This hot cocoa was rich and velvety, but not overwhelmingly thick. The consistency was great and it was rich in flavor. Also, props to the Pandor staff for warning me how hot it was so I didn’t burn my tongue.

Brot’s “Peppermint Mocha”

Rating: 8/10

Although the Starbucks version of this beverage tastes like someone put toothpaste in your hot chocolate, Brot’s take on the classic peppermint mocha primarily focuses on the mocha, utilizing a dark chocolate flavor with just a hint of peppermint. Not too sweet, not too bitter and the perfect balance of strong but tasty. 

Contra’s “Apple Pie on the Rocks”

Rating: 8.3/10

This spiced chai cider tastes like a slice of apple pie, a la mode. The first few sips felt a little too much like apple cider to me, but the deeper I got into the drink, a creamier taste emerged. This cold drink is excellent in flavor, but doesn’t get me into the winter spirit as much as I’d like it to. Nonetheless, if you’re a fan of more autumnal flavors but sick of pumpkin spice, this is for you. 

Portola’s “White Chocolate Mocha”

Rating: 9.0/10

I was apprehensive going into this one, worried that the white chocolate flavor would be too overwhelmingly rich, but I was pleasantly surprised – it was the perfect amount of sweet. The coffee and chocolate flavor blended extremely well, creating a smooth taste and texture. I loved this one because it felt like I was drinking a cloud.