Early in December I had my eyes fixed at signboards outside Starbucks coffeshops. And yes! This year Toffee Nut Latte is back!
For you who don’t frequent Starbucks much, Toffee Nut Latte (or TNL) is one of several drinks traditionally served only around Christmas at Starbucks. It’s a concoction of a single espresso (or double, if you so desire), a generous helping of milk, sweetened with toffee nut syrup, topped with whipped cream, and finished with colorful sugar sprinkles.
I first knew the drink in one cold day in Washington, DC. I was standing outside a shopping center, waiting for a friend to pick me up. There was snow along the street, and I was shivering from the cold. "If only there’s some place where I can shelter from the elements while enjoying a hot coffee," I said to myself. And lo and behold! A Starbucks shop suddenly appeared before my very eyes!
Ok, ok, it wasn’t exactly like that. Actually I looked around and noticed a Starbucks sign. I went in, stood in line and began thinking of what I wanted to have.
The line progressed rapidly, and before I made up my mind, I was next to order. "What will you have?" The teenager behind the counter barked with a sour face and an impatient voice. I pointed my finger to a small sign near the cash register and mumbled, "This one, please."
She rang the sales, money changed hands, and soon after I was back at my waiting spot with a cup of piping hot TNL in my hands.
A few minutes later, my friend came in his VW hatchback sedan. "What’s that?" he asked, noticing the Starbucks Christmas-red cup in my hand. "Oh, it’s Toffee Nut Latte," I explained. "Really?" he chuckled. "Is it good?" I nodded in affirmation. "I heard that it’s so good some say it’s like Heaven in a Cup," he continued.
They can call it whatever they like. I’m content to call it The Best Coffee at Starbucks.
Ever since, TNL has been another reason I look forward to Christmas. Every year I faithfully go to Starbucks to get it at least once. But In 2005, they served a different drink. I don’t remember its name. Maybe it’s because it wasn’t so good. I did buy it anyway, though, just for the taste. It was disappointing. It only made me yearning more and more for the return of TNL.
Imagine my joy when TNL was back last December. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to enjoy it in December. I was quite broke then, and a 3 dollar latte seemed to be quite an extravagance.
When I finally get my paycheck it was already late in December. A lot of stuff had to be taken care of. Christmas shopping, vacation trip, etc. I barely had time to slow down and relax.
Finally, the opportunity came quite unexpectedly. It was the 2nd of January, just after New Year. I took the morning off to run errands. One item in my agenda was was getting a haircut at my favorite barber. It was 9 am in the morning, and I wasn’t surprised that the barber was not open yet. I was lost for a moment, wondering what to do while waiting for the barber to open shop. Then it dawned on me that there was a Starbucks in the building. Yes! TNL time!
I was a bit skeptical whether TNL was still served since it was already January. But lucky for me, Christmas at Starbucks didn’t end at New Year. As I pushed the door, I was welcomed by a familiar Christmas tune. And TNL was still on the menu! Thank goodness, I didn’t miss it!
I promptly placed an order for one. It didn’t took the barista long to prepare it, and the toffee nut syrup was sweet enough that no additional sugar was needed. I held the warm coffee in my hand, and sat down. I took a sip, and it was Christmas all over again.
I sat back, cross my legs, and looked outside the window.The sun was shining brightly outside, and Christmas air so thick inside. It was a wonderful January morning.
