I Tried McDonald’s New “Cookie Butter” Lattes, and They Taste Like the Iconic Pantry Staple

When someone mentions McDonald’s, I usually think about fries or the elite Diet Coke. But with the holiday season (and holiday menus!) in full swing, I might start thinking about festive coffees. McDonald’s recently introduced iced and hot versions of a Cookie Butter Latte, and I was intrigued by the flavor combination.

With cookie butter flavors, sweet vanilla whipped topping, and cookie crumbs, these drinks sounded like the perfect treat for a chilly morning (or an afternoon pick-me-up). Naturally, I had to try both versions to see whether they actually taste like the iconic spread. Here’s everything to know — including my honest review — about McDonald’s new Cookie Butter Lattes.

McDonald’s Cookie Butter Latte is one of the newest additions to the chain’s 2026 holiday menu, which launched on November 3. Inspired by the beloved cookie spread, the drink has notes of caramelized cookies and warm spice. It combines espresso with cookie butter syrup, and both the hot and iced versions are topped with “a sweet vanilla whipped topping and Speculoos cookie crumbs,” according to the drink descriptions, to add an extra layer of sweetness and crunch.

The main difference between the lattes is that the hot Cookie Butter Latte is made with steamed milk for a cozy, comforting coffee drink, while the iced version is, well, iced, and uses cold milk. McDonald’s sent me a gift card to try both drinks; I paid $3.49 (before tax) for each latte at my New York City location.

I tried the Cookie Butter Iced Latte first, and I have to admit that I was a little thrown off by the cookie crumbs in a cold drink. I usually don’t expect a crunchy element (aside from ice cubes) in my iced coffee, but the Speculoos crumbs really brought home that cookie butter flavor. The vanilla whipped topping and cinnamon were also delicious; they added even more sweetness and made the whole thing feel like dessert in a cup.

This latte is on the sweeter side, so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it if you prefer your coffee stronger or less sugary. But if you love a dessert-inspired coffee — and especially love cookies — then this one delivers. I thought the latte did a good job of capturing that cookie butter flavor, especially with the Speculoos cookie crumbs adding an extra layer of that familiar cookie flavor. The sweet whipped topping combined with the cookie butter was like cookies and milk in coffee form!

Even though the iced and hot Cookie Butter Lattes have the same ingredients, the warm version lets the smooth espresso and sweet cookie butter flavor shine through more for me. I’m not sure if the whipped topping and cookie crumbles melted or if my drink didn’t come with it as it’s supposed to, but the toppings didn’t stand out the same way they did in the iced version.

The hot Cookie Butter Latte had a creamy texture, thanks to the steamed milk, and the warm cookie butter flavor made it feel especially cozy. The flavor reminded me of Biscoff cookie butter and its distinct sweet, buttery, almost caramelized flavor with hints of cinnamon and spice. It was still sweet, but I found myself wanting to keep sipping this seasonal coffee treat that didn’t use traditional holiday flavors.

I was pleasantly surprised by how the iced and hot McDonald’s Cookie Butter Lattes bring plenty of sweetness and caramelized cookie-butter flavor — but they offer two distinct experiences: The whipped topping and crunchy Speculoos cookie crumbs stand out on the iced latte, while the hot version is more understated, smooth, and cozy. I’d probably reach for the iced version when I’m craving a dessert, and the hot one when I want a sweet, comforting coffee. I’d say these seasonal lattes are worth adding to any cookie-butter fan’s holiday coffee rotation.