World Coffee Portal surveyed more than 3,000 UK coffee drinkers to find 2019's most popular festive food and beverages in branded coffee shops

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Proving that it truly is the most wonderful time of year for the UK’s branded cafés, 25% of consumers surveyed indicate they are more willing to visit a coffee shop during the festive period than at any other time of year. In a sign of seasonal good cheer, they are also willing to pay an average 13.5% premium for festive beverages compared to their standard coffee purchase. Demonstrating the popularity of turkey sandwiches, gingerbread men, and cinnamon sweet treats, nearly a third indicate they are more likely to purchase food alongside their beverage during the festive period. 

It may be the season of good tidings to all coffee shops, but festive menus appear effective at testing both brand and product loyalty. Over a fifth of consumers surveyed would visit a coffee shop they would not usually frequent because of its festive beverage range. Forty-nine percent of consumers surveyed say they are more likely to purchase a seasonal beverage over their regular beverage choice.

Christmas comes early at the UK’s three largest coffee-focused chains – Costa Coffee, Starbucks and Caffè Nero all launched their 2019 festive menus in early November. However, just 16% of consumers surveyed by World Coffee Portal believe this is the right time to launch festive menus, with early December cited as the preferred starting gun for seasonal products.

So, without further ado – World Coffee Portal presents Britain’s favourite festive fare across the UK branded coffee shop segment.
 

Festive beverage

WINNER: Gingerbread & Cream Latte – Costa Coffee 

Costa Coffee's Gingerbread & Cream Latte (right) was UK's favourite festive beverage while its Irish Velvet Latte (left), polled in third place

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2^nd Place: Gingerbread Latte – Starbucks 

The Gingerbread Latte: Starbucks reprised its popular red cup format for its 2019 festive beverage menu

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3^rd Place: Irish Velvet & Cream Latte – Costa Coffee

Good to go: Costa Coffee's non-alcoholic Irish Velvet & Cream Latte

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Runners-up:  

4. Toffee Nut Latte – Starbucks 

5. Caramel Hot Chocolate – Starbucks
 

Seasonal sandwiches

 

WINNER: British Turkey Feast – Costa Coffee  

A bird in hand: Costa Coffee's British Turkey Feast sandwich 

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2^nd Place: Christmas Lunch Sandwich – Greggs

All the trimmings: Greggs' Christmas Lunch Sandwich​

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3^rd Place: Tis' the Season Turkey Sandwich – Starbucks

Season's meatings: Starbucks' Tis' the Season Turkey Sandwich

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Runners-up: 

4. Christmas Lunch – Pret A Manger 

5. Beef Pastrami and Horseradish Deli – Caffè Nero

Festive hot food 

WINNER: Festive Bake – Greggs

Easy as pie: The return of Greggs' Festive Bake was met enthusiastically by World Coffee Portal's consumer panel

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2^nd Place: British Pigs & Blankets Mac & Cheese – Costa Coffee 

A festive fusion: Costa Coffee's British Pigs & Blankets Mac & Cheese

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3^rd Place: Pigs in Blankets Box – Greggs

For the ultimate duvet day: Greggs' Pigs in Blankets Box 

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Runners-up

4. Turkey, Ham & Stuffing Pasty – West Cornwall Pasty Co. 
5. Cornish Cheddar & Cranberry Pasty – West Cornwall Pasty Co. 

 

Seasonal sweet treats

 

WINNER: Salted Caramel Yule Log – Costa Coffee

Yuling the roost: Costa Coffee​'s Salted Caramel Yule Log

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2^nd Place: Christmas Tree Brownie – Starbucks

Lit like a Christmas tree – Starbucks' Christmas Tree Brownie

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3^rd Place: Christmas Tree Biscuit – Greggs 

Baking up the right tree – Greggs' Christmas Tree Biscuit

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Runners-up

4. Sparkling Red Velvet Bauble Cake – Caffè Nero

5. The Mince Pie – EAT.

 

Already thinking about next year’s festive menu? Here are our panel’s top 5 Christmas beverage flavours:

 
1. Gingerbread
2. Cinnamon
3. Eggnog
4. Chestnut
5. Orange
 

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