I, a Food Editor, Tried Every Item on Sonic’s New Winter Menu—Here’s My Honest Ranking

• What Is It: Dr. Pepper, caramel, sugar cookie syrup and sweet cream
• Price (small): $3.09

I get that this was a cross between a soda and a baked good, but it was suuuper sweet. With strong notes of caramel and butter at the front, all the crisp, cherry-vanilla complexities of Dr Pepper got lost in the cloying syrups. As a former Starbucks barista, I feel like this was like what you’d get if you let a teen behind the counter to pump the flavorings into their iced coffee. It wasn’t bad, but I wouldn’t order it again.

• What Is It: vanilla soft serve blended with red velvet cake batter, topped with creamy cheese whipped topping and a cherry
• Price (small): $5.59

This was a pretty milkshake that visually exuded holiday cheer, but it could be improved. It was very thick and hard to sip. I did like that the chocolate flavor was malty and hot cocoa-y, but the texture was gritty throughout. (I get that “cake batter” is in the name; still, it was a bit excessive.) As for the whip, I liked that it had a cream cheese-like flavor, but it could’ve been tangier or a touch salty for contrast. I also think chocolate flakes or tiny chocolate chips in the whipped topping would’ve been better than soggy cake bits.

• What Is It: a twist on root beer with caramel and sweet cream
• Price (small): $3.09

Like root beer and cream soda had a baby. It was sweet, but that signature sarsaparilla flavor still shone through, offering earthy, slightly spiced nuance to every drop. I’ve never had the official Butterbeer of Harry Potter fame, but if you’re heading to Sonic hoping for a dupe based on the similar-sounding name, take pause. This didn’t have the strong butterscotch or marshmallow qualities you may expect. If you love root beer, you’d enjoy this treat.

• What Is It: two smashed, seasoned Angus beef patties, American cheese, white queso, tortilla strips, jalapeños, diced onions and creamy Southwest sauce, on a potato bun
• Price: $8.99

Creamy, spicy, crunchy and just messy enough without being a pain to eat, this burger left me full and with few complaints. I loved the fluffy potato bun and seeing pickled jalapeños instead of fresh, making for an acidic foil to the fatty dairy and beef. I will say that all that cheese sort of took away from the crisp sear on the smashed patties; I feel like I could’ve done without the American and enjoyed it with queso only. Somehow $9 felt a bit steep for the size, but I guess it was pretty substantial in terms of meat. (There’s a triple smasher available too, if you’re extra hungry.)