Christmas in a Cup

Holiday treats don't have to be in the form of cookies or cakes that land on your plate this season, there are plenty of delectable goodies that are poured right into a cup that make residents like Elaine Ferrera smile. 

"I only get this around the holidays," said Wilmington-resident Ferrera of her caramel brulee Starbucks latte. "This spot is my little treat to myself." Ferrera admitted she normally visits a competitor's establishment, but during the holidays she can't resist the offerings at  

Starbucks has a number of seasonal drinks to choose from: peppermint mocha, caramel brulee or gingerbread latte, hot chocolate, caramel apple spice cider and eggnog latte or chai. 

Peppermint mochas are by far the favorite amongst customers at the Starbucks in Wilmington, said shift supervisor Caitilin Gallarelli. "Everyone just loves that, but the peppermint hot chocolate is pretty popular too," she said.

Peppermint mochas and other holiday flavorings range from $3.75 for a tall (small), $4.45 for a grande (medium) and  $4,75 for a venti or large. Hot chocolate and ciders run $2.95 for a tall, $3.35 grande and $3.55 for a venti.

If you like caramel macchiatos, you will probably love the caramel brulee latte, said Gallarelli, who said the Seattle-based coffee company started offering the flavor last year. These winter flavors won't last long, though, come January 3, 2012, they're off the list until next November. 

Down Main Street at , the flavorings are similar, but the scene is a little less festive. Gingerbread and pumpkin-flavored coffee are around until the public stops requesting them. The cost is the same as a regular cup of Joe, which does make it more affordable ($1.49 for a small, $1.79 medium, $1.99 large and $2.29 for an extra large).

The most affordable flavored-coffee is at that is offering peppermint-flavored coffee in a to-go cup for $0.99 for any size. 

Sonic is also offering hot chocolate for $2.39 for a regular and $2.89 for a large, but goes against the norm with its last offering–ice-cream in a cup. Dashing all consciousness of the cold, Sonic offers the Holiday Spiced Sugar Cookie blast, a mixture of spiced caramel ice-cream and sugar-cookie pieces and topped with whipped cream. The blast is $3.18 (after tax) for a small and $4.24 for a large, and could leave you shivering in this weather, but at least you can eat it in your car with the heat blasting!