Let me just say, I am the biggest advocate for iced coffee. I’ll drink it in negative degree weather and still feel warmed to my core.

But this drink just has to be drank hot.

I’ve tried to drink this iced, time and time again, just because I really insisted on cold beverages, but it’s just not the same. It’s not as satisfying. The peppermint doesn’t feel as seasonal and the white chocolate isn’t as sweet.

The White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha is a drink meant to be enjoyed still a little steamy. It’s meant as a wonderful feature to the holiday season, and will always be one of my favorite ways to kickoff my favorite time of the year. I also believe that one of the best ways to enjoy a cup of coffee is with good company, so my experience this time with this drink was astounding.

I was visiting the University of Oregon in Eugene over the long weekend to see my high school best friend and hang out with her and her college friends all weekend. Day 2 of my trip, all I remember was her two friends Olivia and Trevor constantly complaining about how it was red cup season at Starbucks and they still yet to have had their “peppy mochas.” It took a second for the nickname to register, but when it did, I wholeheartedly agreed with them. It was a shame that they had yet to drink a Starbucks holiday special two weeks into the season of them. So off we went to pair our delicious Voodoo Donuts with some candy cane, chocolate goodness.