Thursday, November 29, 2012

McDonald's French Vanilla Latté and Peppermint Hot Chocolate Here for the Holidaze

By: Finance Foodie

With the holiday season in full swing, McDonald’s is celebrating with returning seasonal favorites and new McCafé beverages. The tasty line up of beverages includes the new French Vanilla Latte and the returning seasonal, Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Of course, being McCafé fan numero uno, I had to try these babies out. And the results? Read on...

First up was the French Vanilla Latté, which is a blend of espresso, vanilla flavor and steamed milk. The advertisements have this served hot, but I never drink my coffee hot, so I got the iced version. Sadly, I suspect the addition of the word "French" in the Vanilla Latté is McD's attempt to be more luxe (ala illy) because the "French" Vanilla Latté tasted suspiciously the same as the old vanilla version that I already drink most everyday. Shame on McD for trying to pull a fast one on consumers, but luckily, the regular vanilla latté is quite tasty and gets me going in the morning - therefore, I'll forgive them this time. (Small Size with Whole Milk: 230 calories, Retail Price: ~$2.49)
French Vanilla Latté
Next up on the taste test is an old dog new tricks - the Peppermint Hot Chocolate, made with steamed milk, chocolate syrup and a hint of peppermint. McD's had this on their menu last holiday season, but I somehow missed sampling it, so I was very excited to try it this year (sitting by the fireplace singing Christmas carols, natch). Ok so the second part might not have actually happened - I grabbed this drink as I was running late (per usual) to class - but as far as taste goes, this drink could use some work. The peppermint flavor was a bit overwhelming and the hot choco tasted a bit like it was made from a Swiss Miss packet. The drink was definitely not bad, but for close to $3.00 per 12oz cup, I'd advise you to save your money and make a more wallet friendly version at home. The one bright side? It did warm me up during the painful winter walk I made until I found the next available cab to campus. (Small Size: 260 calories, Retail Price: ~$2.49)
Peppermint Hot Chocolate

****Giveaway****

Congrats Henry! 
McDonald's wants financefoodie.com's readers to get into the "holidaze" with 10 free McCafé Lattés and Hot Chocolates + meal!  One lucky reader will win a $20 Arch Card and ten (10) coupons good for a free McCafé drinks!

Grand Prize: $20 Arch Card
+ five (5) free Vanilla Latte coupons + five (5) free Peppermint Hot Chocolate coupons

There are THREE ways to enter
1. REQUIRED: In my comments section, tell me what is your favorite part of the holidays (mine is getting together with my family, whom I see only twice a year). Also please include your email address so I can contact you if you win!
2. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter (leave separate comment telling me this)
3. Reblog / Retweet this giveaway (leave separate comment telling me this)

Contest ends Monday, December 3, 2012 at 5pm EST. Winners will be chosen via random integer generator on random.org announced on the financefoodie.com site shortly afterwards!!

Full Disclosure: The coupons are being provided by McDonald's. Finance Foodie Media Productions purchased the Arch Card. I was not compensated for this post.

132 comments:

peg42 said...

My favorite is seeing how excited my kids get on Christmas morning.
Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

Happy Holidays :)

peg42 said...

Tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/274217530028064768
Thanks
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

Mysharona said...

I like seeing my family

Ann Fantom said...

My favorite part of Christmas is seeing my family members who live out out of state.

abfantom at yahoo dot com

Danielle said...

Seeing family and sharing time together!!

Ellen said...

I like seeing friends that I don't often get to see over the couse of the year.

kafkaesk at verizon dot net

April said...

The holidays have been stressful and depressing for me since 2008 but I do really enjoy baking and for the holidays I have an excuse to bake whatever I want!
dwndrgn at hot mail dot com

sweepmom said...

My favorite part of the holidays is the giving spirit that is evident all around us.

clc408 said...

I love hosting Christmas dinner for the family.

clc408 said...

Following on twitter @clc408

clc408 said...

Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/274481145465417728

debbie said...

I like baking christmas cookies with my son.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

wildcat32 said...

My favorite part of the holidays is watching my children open their presents.

monster6236 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

love the decorations

kport207 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

follow you on twitter @JT2ofusanddeals

kport207 at gmail dot com

Sarah S said...

I love spending time with family. s2inamug at aim dot com

Sarah S said...

spending time with family. s2inamug at aim dot com

EMMAHORTON said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM

THE BIG CHRISTMAS DINNER WITH ALL OF THE RELATIVES

Claire said...

Christmas lights and decorations!

kaleidoscopequeen at gmail dot com

kim h said...

Being with the family is the best!!

Mary Casper said...

My favorite part of the holidays is seiing my family...they live 500 miles away
ccasper@centurytel.net

Mama V said...

I absolutely love going Christmas shopping with my mom and sisters!

mamavresale@yahoo.com

Mama V said...

I tweeted here:
https://twitter.com/BNTVosburgh/status/274684880762306561

mamavresale@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I like the music and the decorations.

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Follow you on Twitter: rhoneygee

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

i love heading to florida to spend time with my family - we also turn it into a vacation

specialkids_2000 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

followed on fb - specialkids_2000 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

i want to say seeing my family... but it is the food. always the food. cookies. i love cookies.

ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

twitter follow @xferriza2

ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kenny Fensom said...

having fun!

Kenny Fensom said...

following as @bittripfan

Kenny Fensom said...

RT your give post on Twitter as @bittripfan

henry said...

skiing!

henry_rodrig @ yahoo . com

Deb said...

I'm a teacher, so I guess to be on vacation with my kids, and that is my favorite part of the holidays.

Deb said...

I follow you on twitter
fairydancer35

Deb said...

tweeted
https://twitter.com/fairydancer35/status/275008698559119360

tattwo said...

My favorite part of the holidays is enjoying time with family. Thanks

ditkaren at aol dot com

tattwo said...

Following on Twitter
@AZKarMa

Unknown said...

My favorite part is usually Christmas shopping. angelacisco79@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Following on twitter (angelasbits)
angelacisco79(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

my favorite part of the holidays is the decorations jtwark@mail.com

Unknown said...

follow on twitter @jtwark

Unknown said...

tweet https://twitter.com/jtwark/status/275175386235666432 jtwark@mail.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite part is baking and eating Christmas Cookies.

Anonymous said...

I follow you on Twitter. @KismetChris

Anonymous said...

I Tweeted -

twitter.com/Kismetchris/status/275197409414500352

Robin T said...

My favorite part of the holidays is decorating the Christmas Tree

rtrexel@gmail.com

Robin T said...

I follow Finance Foodie on Twitter - Imawinnertoday

rtrexel@gmail.com

wwe11 said...

My favorite part of the holidays is visiting family.
erma2167@sbcglobal.net

Kristy Thiel said...

I love showing my daughter the wonders of Christmas! Thanks for hosting!

Kim Smith said...

My favorite part of Christmas is the decorations and the spirit of the season

luvdatmouse at cahrter dot net

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

seeing family
vmkids3 at msn dot com

Crystal F said...

I just love everything about the season. I love the decorations, the getting to spend more time with family and just the spirit of the season. Thank you!
crystalfaulkner2000 at yahoo dot com

Crystal F said...

I just love everything about the season. I love the decorations, the getting to spend more time with family and just the spirit of the season. Thank you!
crystalfaulkner2000 at yahoo dot com

Crystal F said...

I just love everything about the season. I love the decorations, the getting to spend more time with family and just the spirit of the season. Thank you!
crystalfaulkner2000 at yahoo dot com

susan1215 said...

Mine is seeing my family who I only see once a year

s2s2 at comcast dot net

susan1215 said...

follow you on twitter susan1215

s2s2 at comcast dot net

Unknown said...

My favorite part is seeing the joy in my children's faces on Christmas morning

Jusacuz said...

My favorite part is having my kids home from school & being able to sleep later.

jusacuzz at aol dot com

JACLYN said...

I love seeing my kids get excited about the holidays!
firstrosegrrl@yahoo.com

Ellie Wright said...

My favorite part is experiencing my little grandson's excitement. Nothing like a young child being around to bring back the magic of Christmas.
Thanks for the giveaway!
eswright18 at gmail dot com

Ellie Wright said...


I follow you on Twitter @eswright18
eswright18 at gmail dot com

Ellie Wright said...

tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/275398236892712960

esldiane@gmail.com said...

My fave is baking cookies with 3 generations of family members
Diane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com

Jennafer211 said...

I like playing with my niece and nephew and their new toys! Thanks!!

Jennafer211 said...

I follow you on Twitter. @Jennafer211

ThriftyAnnabella said...

Getting together at my Grandma's Christmas Eve
annabella @ centurytel dot net

ThriftyAnnabella said...

Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter - @Annabellainla

Harriett said...

My favorite is being with my loved ones!

kyl neusch said...

seeing all of my family

kyl neusch said...

Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter: bleush

Breanne said...

Spending time with family

bmweida at yahoo dot com

Jennifer said...

I love decorating the house with my husband for the holidays.

jennylovesjeff (at) hotmail (dot) com

johnnyp said...

holiday lights

Derk Thomas said...

Being together as a family

Erica C. said...

I like finding great gifts for family and friends.
ericacarnes(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer Wilson said...

I love all the Christmas specials. I have many on DVD and it's so fun to watch old favorites.

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Jennifer Wilson said...

I follow on twitter. jennidggy

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

bbrittbrat1398 said...

We love getting the family together and having a good time.

BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com Brittney House

bbrittbrat1398 said...

finace foodie twitter fan bbrittbrat1398

BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com Brittney House

Diane W said...

I enjoy getting the family together for a meal. It's so good to see everyone happy enjoying good food.

diane dot wortman at gmail dot com

Diane W said...

I enjoy getting the family together to enjoy a special dinner.

diane dot wortman at gmail dot com

Diane W said...

Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter as @silanti1

diane dot wortman at gmail dot com

Brian E. said...

Thanks for the giveaway...favorite part of the holidays is visiting with family, friends, and neighbors !

senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

Brian E. said...

Following YOU via Twitter: @brianpiero

senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

smilekisses said...

Christmas eve when the entire family is together.

smilekisses said...

following Finance Foodie on twitter @smilekisses
dolniaks at consolidated dot net

Nicole C. said...

My favorite part of the holidays is having all of my kids at home.

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

Nicole C. said...

I follow Finance Foodie on Twitter.

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

carol lewis said...

having the kids and grandkids all get together for good times! the best!

Jeanette H. said...

I love how excited my kids get from opening their gifts. Love preparing for Christmas morning too (:

carol lewis said...

Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter dresdenrain

carol lewis said...

https://twitter.com/dresdenrain/status/275597696583204865

miriama said...

Baking trays with my girls and passing them out to family and friends.

miriama said...

https://twitter.com/miriama59/status/275599026966130689

miriama59 at yahoo

susansmoaks said...

my favorite part of the holidays is time off work to spend with family
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

twitter follower @fdp4life
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

https://twitter.com/fdp4life/status/275622004596555776
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Mine is spending time with family & friends!

Jodi said...

I love spending time with my family and friends.

degood said...

My favorite thing is spending the day with family playing board games and eating christmas cookies and candy!

degood said...

I follow you on twitter as kmayans.

degood said...

I tweeted https://twitter.com/kmayans/status/275640136996356097

pauline15 said...

Every christmas eve, my entire family gets together for a get together with our friends. With five brothers and sisters along with their families, it's a big event and the only time we are all together during the year. I always look forward to it!
pauline15_01(at)hotmail(dot)com

pauline15 said...

twitter follower (pauline15)
pauline15_01(at)hotmail(dot)com

mail4rosey said...

I think decorating together as a family is my favorite part.

msurosey@yahoo.com

mail4rosey said...

I follow you on Twitter (@mail4rosey).

msurosey@Yahoo.com

~*~lilshuga2001~*~ said...

Getting all the fam-bam together once a year is worth the wait :) Memories that will be passed on! :)

tlcfromtn said...

Watching the grandkids open their presents

braaisjo at gmail dot com

tlcfromtn said...

Twitter follower- tlcfromtn

braaisjo at gmail dot com

tlcfromtn said...

https://twitter.com/tlcfromtn/status/275686655082500097


braaisjo at gmail dot com

Angela M said...

Seeing how excited my daughter is on Christmas.

thisisme79 @ gmail dot com

Angela M said...

I follow you on Twitter. @thisisme79

thisisme79 @ gmail dot com

Angela M said...

https://twitter.com/thisisme79/status/275704993674297344

thisisme79 @ gmail dot com

AEKZ2 said...

I love having some time off from work and spending it with my family

Sand said...

I love spending time with family and friends and eating seasonal foods!

Charlene Kuser said...

My favorite part of the holidays is baking with my friends and family.

CharlieGurl57(at)aol(dot)com

mtbears819 said...

getting together with family and close friends

Charlene Kuser said...

I follow you on Twitter
(@Swtlilchick)

CharlieGurl57(at)aol(dot)com

mtbears819 said...

follow Finance Foodie on twitter @mtbears819

Charlene Kuser said...

Retweeted this giveaway
@Swtlilchick

mtbears819 said...

retweeted ghttps://twitter.com/financefoodie1/status/274158014762741762iveaway

mtbears819 DorothyD

Dawn Reid said...

My favorite part is decorating the tree when my family is here.
mightynaynay(at)cs.com

Dawn Reid said...

. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter
@1naynays
mightynaynay(at)cs.cm

Amy delong said...

seeing my kids being so happy and having so extra time with them
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

Amy delong said...

follow on twitter
amyhd29
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I love Christmas Eve-our ceremonial Kit Kat hot chocolate, snacks, & opening 1 present!
lyndefoy @ yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Following on Twitter: @lyndeislucky
lyndefoy @ yahoo dot com

NYmom40 said...

My favorite part of the holidays is decorating the tree with my family while listening to Christmas music.

cincyangel5 at yahoo dot com

NYmom40 said...

I follow Finance Foodie on Twitter as @LauraUnger31

cincyangel5 at yahoo dot com

elangomatt said...

My favorite part of the holidays is spending time with family, and I really like the almost two weeks off of work too!

elangomatt said...

I follow @financefoodie1 on twitter with user @elangomatt

elangomatt at gmail dot com

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