Dunkin

Dunkin' Unveils Purple Sugarplum Macchiato For the Holidays

This winter, you can be nestled snug in your bed while visions of Sugarplum Macchiatos dance in your heads

Photo courtesy of Dunkin'

It wouldn't be Christmas without the requisite holiday-themed beverages at the coffee shop of our choice each season. Be it cinnamon or nutmeg, certain flavors get us in the yuletide spirit each year.

But this year, Dunkin' is trying out a new flavor derived from an old Christmas legend. This year, the coffee-and-doughnuts chain is launching the Sugarplum Macchiato.

Yes, sugarplum as in Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Ballet" and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." For those of us who have never once had such a vision dancing in our heads (see what we did there?), a sugarplum is actually a candy of sorts.

"(It's a) sweet made of sugar hardened around a central seed or kernel in successive layers using a process called "panning,'" The Atlantic reported in 2012, noting the treat was often made with caraway or cardamom seeds. "The glossy sugar shells on candies like jelly beans or M&Ms are produced through a similar process: The candy pan is kept in motion over heat, while successive layers of sugar are poured on and allowed to harden."

A modern-day example would be a Jawbreaker, which is made the same way but with a sugar crystal as a seed, or a Jordan almond, which of course uses an almond. There do not appear to have been actual plums involved in this fabled treat, which is slightly confusing.

That said, Dunkin's purple drink will have "bright berry flavors of blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and plum," as well as notes of vanilla and a "sweet sugary finish for the ultimate winter delight," according to a press release. Of course, it will also have espresso and milk.

In a release, company officials wrote the culinary team "started dreaming up the delicious sugarplum flavor" in late 2016.

"... Dancing around the culinary lab, reenacting ballet moves from The Nutcracker was an integral part of the development process," the release continued.

Dunkin' is also revealing its "Instagram-worthy" Frosted Snowflake Donut this holiday season, which is being pegged as the "perfect purple pairing" to go with the Sugarplum Macchiato. It's got eye-catching purple icing and special snowflake-shaped sprinkles.

At the risk of sounding cliché, 'tis the season!

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

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