Costa's festive menu is here and it's exactly what we want for Christmas

There's so much more to it than gingerbread lattes

The countdown to Christmas starts that bit earlier every year. Halloween is still a couple of weeks away and yet we're already pining after the best beauty advent calendars and shopping for these amazing Harry Potter baubles.

Oh, and have you heard about the Christmas Colin the Caterpillar? Time to get your hands on the delicious chocolate chap immediately.

But things aren't stopping there. Festive cheer - and menus - are cropping up everywhere, and Costa has just released a list of their own merry offerings, and we can't wait to try it all.

Making a comeback this year are the Black Forest Hot Chocolates, the Gingerbread Lattes and the Hazelnut Praline Lattes, all of which are available as hot chocolates or as lattes, alongside some new flavours.

There's the new Irish Velvet range, which includes an Irish Velvet Latte, Irish Velvet Cappuccino, Irish Velvet Hot Chocolate and Irish Velvet Frostino. These combine hints of caramel and vanilla, and promise 'the taste of Christmas in a cup'.

Lovely.

For coffee lovers, there will be a Winter Character Roast on offer, as well as a festive new beverage to sing to your tastebuds. So if you prefer something a little different you could try the new new Festive Spiced Cappuccino - your regular capp seasoned with a host of aromatic spices including cinnamon, nutmeg and star anise.

Launching for the first time is the limited edition Christmas Tea, a blend of Sri Lankan tea leaves and aromatic Winter Spice. The Hot Spiced Apple is 'the perfect winter warmer', which sounds pretty good to us.

There are also some sweet treats available, including the exclusive new Terry’s Chocolate Orange Muffin, a chocolatey number filled with chocolate orange sauce and topped with a segment of the iconic chocolate orange.

Vegan and gluten free Mince Tarts are also available, along with a Black & White Forest Wreath Cake, Salted Caramel Yule Log and Clementine & Mascarpone Loaf Cake.

Plus a special mention to the return of the British Pigs & Blankets Mac & Cheese. Drool.

And let's not forget a rather extensive variety of Christmas sandwiches will be hitting the shelves, such as the British Turkey & Trimmings Toastie and British Turkey Feast Baguette, British Beef & Caramelised Onion Baguette and Brie, Bacon & Cranberry Panini.

The menu, as well as the Costa Christmas themed cups, launch on November 1st.

We're ready and waiting...