Festive Season is upon us which means it’s time for festive drinks! All the big coffee shops have released their winter menus and the big question is – what’s suitable for vegans? Read on to find out what you can order at all the big chains.

Drink responsibly

Despite all the press around reusable cups, the use of disposable cups has increased. According to the Recycling Group, close to three billion disposable cups will be used in the UK this year, up 250 million from 2016.

Please ensure you use a reusable coffee cup to save the planet and some money. Most coffee shops offer a good discount for bringing in a reusable cup, so be sure to carry yours with you.

Here are some of my favourite designs. Buy these as presents too, an easy way to help your friends or family reduce their waste.

• Black design Ecoffee Cup, made from bamboo, 340ml
• Floral design Ecoffee Cup, made from bamboo, 400ml
• Skull design Ecoffee Cup, made from bamboo, 400ml
• Bicycle design Eco-Coffee Cup, made from bamboo, 400ml

Costa

Costa offers a 25p discount for those with reusable cups. If you persist in using single use cups (from Costa or any other chain), do return these to Costa where they are able to recycle them.

Drinks:

• Black Forest Hot Chocolate – order with soya or coconut milk, no cream, no swirls
• Shimmer Coffee – order with soya or coconut milk
• Hazelnut Praline Latte or Hot Chocolate – order with soya or coconut milk, no cream, no toffee crumbs
• Orange Latte or Hot Chocolate – order with soya or coconut milk, no cream

Food:

• Gluten Free Vegan Mince Tart
• Gluten Free Vegan Iced Fruit Slice

Starbucks

Starbucks also offers a 25p discount for those with reusable cups.

Drinks:

• Toffee Nut Latte – order with soya, coconut, almond or oat milk, no cream
• Gingerbread Latte – order with soya, coconut, almond or oat milk, no cream
• Flat White or Latte with Cinnamon Spice –  order with soya, coconut, almond or oat milk
• Iced Toffee Nut Latte – order with soya, coconut, almond or oat milk, no cream
• Iced Gingerbread Latte – order with soya, coconut, almond or oat milk, no cream

Food options are still limited, but I recommend ordering either of these alongside your hot drink:

• Vegan Chocolate & Raspberry Cake
• Vegan Winter Sandwich

Pret

Pret are my favourite mainstream coffee shop for a few good reasons. Pret began offering adequate vegan food options long before other coffee shops, they offer a generous 50p discount for anyone with a reusable cup and 50p from each Christmas sandwich sold (be it meaty, veggie or vegan) supports the Pret Foundation Trust.

Outside of the festive specials, there are plenty of vegan-friendly options from the standard menu in store.

Drinks

• Creme Brûlée Latte – order with soy or coconut-rice milk, no cream
• Gingerbread Latte – order with soy or coconut-rice milk, no cream
• Mint Hot Chocolate – order with soy or coconut-rice milk, no cream
• Orange Hot Chocolate – order with soy or coconut-rice milk, no cream

Food

• Very Merry Christmas Lunch sandwich

Caffe Nero

Nero have launched their festive menu with 2 limited edition drinks that I’m awaiting a response on. With Nero, you get double stamps for using a reusable cup. This means it takes 5 drinks instead of 10 to bag yourself a free coffee.

Drink

• Regular Hot Chocolate – order with soy, coconut or oat milk
• Chai Latte – order with soy, coconut or oat milk

Food

• Veggie Festive Feast Flat Bread
• Mince Pie

Want more vegan guides?

I have tonnes of vegan reviews and guides on this site, here are some of my most popular:

• Vegan Foundation Guide
• Vegan Fake Tan Guide
• Vegan Beauty Advents 2018

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