Starbucks has marked the official start of the festive season with the release of its highly anticipated Holiday cups.
The coffee chain’s Christmas-themed receptacles arrive in stores Thursday, along with its seasonal menu, swapping out pumpkin spice lattes for peppermint mochas and new festive flavors.
“There’s something unmistakably magical about that moment the cups arrive – it’s as if the season officially begins,” Starbucks creative director Kristy Cameron said in a press release.
There are six holiday cups this year, including two iced versions, all of which feature Starbucks’ classic dark green and red colors. The cups are inspired by plaid pajamas worn during the holidays, as well as Starbucks baristas’ aprons, the company said.
Two Coffeehouse Plaid designs are made for hot drinks, mirroring the comforting holiday pattern that “dates back centuries,” the company said.
“Coffeehouse Plaid is a classic motif that complements the ribbons. It feels like little wrapped gifts for our customers,” Cameron said.
The other four holiday cups are all decorated with green and red ribbons tied in festive bows, called the Merry Apron Strings design. Two of them are for hot drinks, while the other two are iced. All six cups feature a gift tag where baristas can write a message to customers.
“The return to the coffeehouse and getting back to our roots really inspired us,” Cameron said, noting that the designers were inspired by the moment each year that baristas switch from their green aprons to their red ones to signal the holiday season.
This year, the cafes will be decorated with evergreen garland and velvet bows starting November 6, which is when the holiday menu also becomes available.
Popular drinks returning include the Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Iced Sugar Cookie Latte, and Iced Gingerbread Chai. Chestnut Praline Latte and Eggnog Latte will join the menu later in the season. Festive baked goods, including the Snowman Cookie, Cranberry Bliss Bar, and Sugar Plum Cheese Danish, will also return to Starbucks locations.
The two new additions to the menu are both food items: the Polar Bear Cake Pop and Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread.
A week after the holiday season begins for the coffee giant, fan-favorite promotion Red Cup Day is returning to stores.
On November 13, Starbucks will offer free 16-ounce limited-edition red reusable coffee cups with the purchase of any of Starbucks’s holiday-themed drinks. This deal is available in the store, at a drive-thru, or on the Starbucks app for pick-up or delivery.
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